back four

English

Noun

back four (plural back fours)

1. (soccer) The set of four defenders in a team.

   It was a comfortable evening for the Gunners’ back four.

   • 2011 December 10, David Ornstein, “Arsenal 1 - 0 Everton”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     Despite dominating possession and territory, they were being comfortably contained by Everton's well-organised midfield and diligent back four.

   • 2022 November 29, Ian Mitchelmore, “Wales put out of World Cup misery by England as sobering tournament must signal changing of the guard”, in WalesOnline‎^[2]:

     With Wales in a back four, England found joy out wide. The defensive effort impressed though, and Neco Williams courageously took a driven strike from Rashford to the head as Wales stood firm, but then, concern hit.

Derived terms

• flat back four