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{ "item_title" : "The Substitute's Match", "item_author" : [" Gigi Romano "], "item_description" : "A football match may begin with eleven players, but modern football is rarely decided by the starting eleven alone. The Substitute's Match explores the hidden strategy of the bench: why managers make changes when they do, how substitutes alter formations and pressing patterns, why fresh legs are not always enough, and how squad depth can transform the final half-hour of a match. Gigi Romano traces the substitute from football's early days, when the starting eleven was expected to finish regardless of injury, through the development of tactical replacements and into the modern five-substitution era. Along the way, the book examines the hour-mark change, half-time resets, impact substitutes, defensive closers, midfield adjustments, chasing a goal, protecting a lead, extra time and the specialist decisions surrounding penalty shoot-outs. Famous matches and decisive substitutions help reveal what managers are actually trying to solve when they turn towards the bench. Why can adding a defensive midfielder make a team more dangerous? Why can another striker make an attack worse? Why do managers sometimes wait when the need for change seems obvious? And why can a substitution be tactically correct even when the result goes wrong? Accessible without being simplistic, The Substitute's Match is for supporters who want to understand the decisions occurring beyond the starting line-up-and the other team waiting only metres from the pitch. All club, competition, organisation and player names and any associated trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for factual, historical and editorial purposes. This independent publication is not affiliated with, authorised by, sponsored by or endorsed by FIFA, UEFA, any football club, league, association or other rights holder.", "item_img_path" : "https://covers4.booksamillion.com/covers/bam/1/92/391/569/192391569X_b.jpg", "price_data" : { "retail_price" : "24.99", "online_price" : "24.99", "our_price" : "24.99", "club_price" : "24.99", "savings_pct" : "0", "savings_amt" : "0.00", "club_savings_pct" : "0", "club_savings_amt" : "0.00", "discount_pct" : "10", "store_price" : "" } }
The Substitute's Match|Gigi Romano

The Substitute's Match : Benches, Timing, Squad Depth and the Strategy of Changing a Football Game

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Overview

A football match may begin with eleven players, but modern football is rarely decided by the starting eleven alone.

The Substitute's Match explores the hidden strategy of the bench: why managers make changes when they do, how substitutes alter formations and pressing patterns, why fresh legs are not always enough, and how squad depth can transform the final half-hour of a match.

Gigi Romano traces the substitute from football's early days, when the starting eleven was expected to finish regardless of injury, through the development of tactical replacements and into the modern five-substitution era. Along the way, the book examines the hour-mark change, half-time resets, impact substitutes, defensive closers, midfield adjustments, chasing a goal, protecting a lead, extra time and the specialist decisions surrounding penalty shoot-outs.

Famous matches and decisive substitutions help reveal what managers are actually trying to solve when they turn towards the bench. Why can adding a defensive midfielder make a team more dangerous? Why can another striker make an attack worse? Why do managers sometimes wait when the need for change seems obvious? And why can a substitution be tactically correct even when the result goes wrong?

Accessible without being simplistic, The Substitute's Match is for supporters who want to understand the decisions occurring beyond the starting line-up-and the other team waiting only metres from the pitch.

All club, competition, organisation and player names and any associated trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for factual, historical and editorial purposes. This independent publication is not affiliated with, authorised by, sponsored by or endorsed by FIFA, UEFA, any football club, league, association or other rights holder.

Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781923915695
  • ISBN-10: 192391569X
  • Publisher: Publishdrive
  • Publish Date: October 2026
  • Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.71 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
  • Page Count: 340

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