Dyego: The 1v1 specialist

One of the strongest players in 1v1 situations is Brazil winger, Dyego. The 35-year-old is a mainstay for his national team and was instrumental to their success at FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024™, where he scored four goals and claimed the adidas Golden Ball award for being the tournament’s best player. The following article unpacks the attacking potency of the Brazil and FC Barcelona star and explores how Dyego exploits 1v1 situations in the final 12 metres of the court. To begin, Dyego’s 1v1s are broken down into phases to reveal the key features allowing the winger to thrive in these situations.

Phase 1: Preparing to receive the ball

Patience in possession – to push the opposition back into their half of the court and set up an isolated situation
Positioning – on the left side of the court

Phase 2: Receiving the ball

Directional control – to receive facing the opposition goal
Use of the sole – to set the ball rolling forwards

Phase 3: Fixing the defender

Dribble with small steps – to slow down play and fix the defender into the desired position
Maintain constant control – keep strong foot hovering over and next to the ball

Phase 4: Manipulating the defence

Use of body feints – to unbalance the defender by shifting their weight to one side
Use of step-overs – to further deceive the defender

Phase 5: Interpreting the defence

Keep head up – to scan the positioning of defenders and team-mates
Decision-making – decide whether to go outside, inside or find a team-mate

Phase 6: Eliminating the defender

Timing – to exploit an unbalanced defender when flat-footed or not planted just after a split-step
Change of speed – to suddenly attack the open space

Phase 7: Executing the finishing action

Exploit separation with the defender and new angle – to shoot on goal or drive a “cross-shot” towards the second post if attacking on the outside
Assess options – to exploit a free team-mate if a second defender provides cover

A compilation of Dyego’s 1v1 situations suggests his and his team’s almost systematic use of his technical abilities. Each 1v1 he engages follows an identical process, outlined in phases 1 to 5 above. His direction to bypass his opposition defender is the only aspect distinguishing one 1v1 from the next. Considering the predictability, one key question arises: why can’t defenders stop Dyego if they know what he will do? Like other world-class players with trademark skills, the difficulty in obstructing his predictable actions comes down to the perfection of his technical execution. Below is an up-close video demonstrating the speed and accuracy with which Dyego executes his actions during the 1v1.

When facing an inverted winger, defending teams often try to force the attacker onto their weaker foot and toward the sideline. Dyego’s team-mates quickly recognise these situations and will often vacate his side of the court to create space for him to take the defender on in a 1v1. In these isolated situations, Dyego’s timing, disguise and explosive acceleration make his moves difficult to anticipate.

In this clip, the defender shows Dyego the line. The winger capitalises on the Costa Rica defender’s baiting movement by quickly shifting the ball down the line to gain space to shoot on goal.

As Dyego rolls the ball forward, he keeps his steps short, maintaining close control, with his right foot near the ball (phase 3 above). Brazil’s other outfielders position themselves on opposite side of the court, freeing space down Dyego’s side. Spotting the defender flat-footed, Dyego shifts the ball down the line before drilling it across the face of goal.

As in the previous two clips, Dyego’s team-mates open space on his side by moving to the opposite side of the court (phase 5). The winger times his movement, exploiting the moment when the defender isn’t set, to shift the ball down the line before delivering a powerful cross to pivot Ferrão (shirt no. 11) waiting at the second post.

In this example, Dyego “pushes” the ball down the line to beat his marker, which is hard to anticipate as the action is similar to when he caresses the ball slowly down the court (phase 3). The disguise and sudden change of speed make the move difficult to read, giving Dyego the space to fire a shot across the goal toward Ferrão (phase 7).

With the defender either not choosing or unable to force the attacker wide, when isolated 1v1, the option for inverted wingers to drive inside onto their strong foot for a shot on goal is particularly dangerous. Dyego’s ability to jolt inside, create a new shooting angle and unleash a strike on goal can be devastating.

Dyego exploits the defender over-committing to one side to burst inside towards the centre of the court. This sudden change in pace helps Dyego create a new angle for a powerful strike at goal.

In this clip, Dyego drops his shoulder to eliminate the first defender (phase 4), forcing the opposition to switch markers. An overlapping run from a team-mate prompts another switch, which could be part of a deliberate ploy to “hunt matchups” against specific opposition defenders. A quick change of pace creates a new angle for a shot on goal.

In this situation, the Croatia defender attempts to bait Dyego into making his move. Dyego remains patient and takes advantage of one of the defender’s fakes (phase 6) to jolt inside and open space for a shot on goal.

Costa Rica captain Victor Fonseca (shirt no. 6) initially defends well to prevent Dyego from getting a shot away on the inside. However, Dyego retains the ball, resets and slows the play down. He then uses a quick change of pace to create a new shooting angle, timing his movement perfectly as the defender is caught mid-step and not fully set.

Dyego rolls the ball up the court with his right foot constantly hovering over the ball. Other Brazil players clear the area for him to push Morocco’s Otmane Boumezou (shirt no. 9) back towards his own goal. Noticing the lack of Moroccan support, Dyego squares up the defender before rapidly accelerating into the centre of the court, which opens space for shot into the top corner.

Defending against a player with 1v1 talent as devastating as Dyego’s involves several key considerations:

Apply immediate pressure: close down the attacker quickly, as the ball travels, to avoid the attacker engaging in a 1v1 and to force them to protect the ball. Avoid being eliminated by the attacker’s first touch if getting too close.

Adopt the basic defensive position: keep knees bent and positioned on the toes of the feet to be able to react quickly when the attacker makes their move. Make use of the body and arms to unbalance attacker in their line of movement.
Time your tackle: be patient to choose the right moment to steal the ball such as when the ball is far from the attacker’s foot or when the attacker is orientated towards their own goal or the sideline.

Provide cover: defenders on the opposite side of the court from the ball can help protect the centre but must make sure not to over-commit and leave attackers in space to receive and shoot. The goalkeeper can protect the first post when an attacker attacks the outside, preventing a defender from having to leave their marker and potentially giving the attacking team a numerical advantage.

The video below showcases multiple instances where defenders come out on top when isolated 1v1 against Dyego by applying the defensive principles outlined above.