What is the meaning of the phrase ‘to break down a defence‘ in football?

* Find out more about this phrase by reading the transcript below.

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Break down a defence

This week’s English for football is the phrase ‘to break down a defence‘ which is used when one team is attacking another team. Often in football one side will defend in numbers (to defend deeply) making it hard for their opponents to get close to the goal. The attacking team then has to try and find a way of creating chances that will lead to a goal and this is called trying to break down a defence.

* Example: Bayern Munich could not break down the Benfica defence in their first leg match

* Example: Barcelona eventually broke down the Atletico defence when Suarez opened the scoring.

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