In this Masterclass exclusive to CV Academy, Cesc Fàbregas gives his unique insights into playing as a false nine with both Barcelona and Spain.

Having joined Barcelona from Arsenal in the summer of 2011, Fàbregas found himself in a team managed by Pep Guardiola and featuring the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. Here, he explains how Guardiola used him and Messi almost as a pair of false nines to make opposite movements, and how this dynamic worked to such great effect in the team’s sensational 4-0 victory against Santos in the 2011 Club World Cup final.

Fàbregas then goes on to explain how the role functioned in the great Spain team that won Euro 2012 under Vicente del Bosque. Here, Iniesta started in a wider position than he inhabited for Barcelona – but with the forward players encouraged to rotate constantly, Fàbregas often vacated the central channel to allow Iniesta space to attack inside. It was also a team that gave opponents very little time on the ball, as Andrea Pirlo and Italy discovered in a brutally one-sided final.

It’s another fascinating Masterclass from Fàbregas. We hope you enjoy it!