---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is vital to maintain possession and to…"
description: "\"It is vital to maintain possession and to win it back as soon as possible, because if we win it high up, then the opposition has to run 70 metres.\" — M..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/manuel-pellegrini-4698_back_it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-t_81187.png"
---

#  It is vital to maintain possession and to win it back as…

![“It is vital to maintain possession and to win it back as soon as possible, because if we win it high up, then the opposition has to run 70 metres.” quote by Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/manuel-pellegrini-4698_back_it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-t_81187.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/manuel-pellegrini-4698_back_it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-t_81187.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/manuel-pellegrini-4698_back_it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-t_81187.png)

> “It is vital to maintain possession and to win it back as soon as possible, because if we win it high up, then the opposition has to run 70 metres.”

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Emphasizes the strategic importance of quickly regaining control of the ball high up the field to force the opponent into a long defensive sprint.

**In simple terms:** Regain possession high, force opponent's long run.

Key Takeaway

Control the game by swift, high positioning.

Themes

strategic positioning ball possession defensive pressure field geography game tempo

Mood

determined urgent

Type

tactical insight coach advice

When to use this quote

- late-game attacks
- counter-attacks
- set-piece scenarios
- pressing phases

Key Concepts

possession recovery field zones opponent fatigue

Practical Applications

- coaching drills for high pressing
- tactical analysis for game planning

Questions to Reflect On

- How does early possession affect opponent stamina?
- What risks arise from aggressive high pressing?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[70 Metres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/70-metres-1033215/) [Back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/back/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [High](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high/) [Maintain Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maintain-possession-1033217/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Opposition Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition-run-1033219/) [Possession Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession-win-1033216/) [Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible/) [Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win/) [Win High](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win-high-1033218/)

## Related quotes

> [The number one thing is to catch the football and maintain possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cris-carter/the-number-one-thing-is-to-catch-the-football-and-maintain-possession/)

[Cris Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cris-carter/)

> [The goals is to create a really high 'floor' for this organization, where the 'off' years are years where you might win in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-epstein/the-goals-is-to-create-a-really-high-floor-for-this-organization/)

[Theo Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-epstein/)

> [Don't you understand anything? Isn't it absolutely essential to keep a fierce Left and a fierce Right, both on their toes and each terrified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/don-t-you-understand-anything-isn-t-it-absolutely-essential-to-keep-a/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [In Tunisia, the so-called Yasmin revolution has led to the installation of a relatively moderate Islamic government. Whether or not that means democracy will,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-van-creveld/in-tunisia-the-so-called-yasmin-revolution-has-led-to-the/)

[Martin Van Creveld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-van-creveld/)

> [There is no one force, no group, and no class that is the preserver of liberty. Liberty is preserved by those who are against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burnham/there-is-no-one-force-no-group-and-no-class-that-is-the-preserver-of/)

[James Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burnham/)

> [Australians can trust me to get the job done. They can have the confidence that in the heart of the circumstances I will win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-gillard/australians-can-trust-me-to-get-the-job-done-they-can-have-the/)

[Julia Gillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-gillard/)

> [During the 2300 years since Plato, very little opposition has been registered to his ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/during-the-2300-years-since-plato-very-little-opposition-has-been/)

[Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/)

> [It won't take 40 years for opposition to same-sex marriage to dissipate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/it-won-t-take-40-years-for-opposition-to-same-sex-marriage-to/)

[Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/)

> [I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/i-am-sorry-to-upset-my-colleagues-by-saying-we-wasted-four-years-in/)

[Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/)

> [ The real leadership of the opposition is never, ever gonna do anything but continue to ramp up efforts to stop \[Donald\] Trump or destroy… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-real-leadership-of-the-opposition-is-never-ever-gonna-do-anything/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [Some of the folks on both sides might be sincere, but it does seem as if it is only the opposition that cares about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/some-of-the-folks-on-both-sides-might-be-sincere-but-it-does-seem-as/)

[James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/)

> [Turn over the pages of history and read the damning record of the church's opposition to every advance in every field of science. . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/upton-sinclair/turn-over-the-pages-of-history-and-read-the-damning-record-of-the/)

[Upton Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/upton-sinclair/)

> [Perhaps our own opposition to even the level of European integration we have now, let alone any more, is well known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-farage/perhaps-our-own-opposition-to-even-the-level-of-european-integration/)

[Nigel Farage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-farage/)

> [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/)

[Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/)

> [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/)

[John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/)

## More by Manuel Pellegrini

> [When you need to renew your contract, you must demonstrate why they are renewing your contract.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/when-you-need-to-renew-your-contract-you-must-demonstrate-why-they/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [The pressure at Real Madrid is independent of the outcome of other teams and is always the highest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/the-pressure-at-real-madrid-is-independent-of-the-outcome-of-other/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [When you manage a big team like River Plate or Madrid, they are used to winning titles. The people are happy, but they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/when-you-manage-a-big-team-like-river-plate-or-madrid-they-are-used/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [My first experience out of my country was Ecuador. That was a very good option for me. To know how you can develop your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/my-first-experience-out-of-my-country-was-ecuador-that-was-a-very/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [For me, Ramos is a full-back, but he has the versatility that allows him to play in different positions without no problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/for-me-ramos-is-a-full-back-but-he-has-the-versatility-that-allows/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [As a manager, you worry about any different issue you have in your squad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/as-a-manager-you-worry-about-any-different-issue-you-have-in-your/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [Any coach who's managed a big club in Argentina can manage anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/any-coach-who-s-managed-a-big-club-in-argentina-can-manage-anywhere/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [When you are in the biggest clubs, and you are fighting for the best players with a lot of money, maybe the work of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/when-you-are-in-the-biggest-clubs-and-you-are-fighting-for-the-best/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [I always speak with all the players during the week before every game we play, because it's important for them to know what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/i-always-speak-with-all-the-players-during-the-week-before-every-game/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [I am very lucky to have a wife who supports me, but the absence from my children was difficult from the moment I took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/i-am-very-lucky-to-have-a-wife-who-supports-me-but-the-absence-from/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [You will never run more than the ball. The players that don't lose the ball are the most important in the team, and good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/you-will-never-run-more-than-the-ball-the-players-that-don-t-lose-the/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [I think every team needs change every year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/i-think-every-team-needs-change-every-year/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [A lot of young players relax a bit when they reach the first-team, thinking they have reached the finish line, but really, it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/a-lot-of-young-players-relax-a-bit-when-they-reach-the-first-team/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [I think the way we played was as important as winning the title, the way we did it with the players and the fans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/i-think-the-way-we-played-was-as-important-as-winning-the-title-the/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

> [It would be very difficult to find a more complete player than Milner. There are players who are better technically. There are quicker players.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/it-would-be-very-difficult-to-find-a-more-complete-player-than-milner/)

[Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

[Explore all 107 Manuel Pellegrini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/)

## More Back quotes

> [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/)

[Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/)

> [I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/)

[Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/)

> [Drumming's pretty physical. We sit at the back of the stage getting beat up like a workhorse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee/drumming-s-pretty-physical-we-sit-at-the-back-of-the-stage-getting/)

[Tommy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee/)

> [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/)

[Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/)

> [I wish that I had known back then that a mastery of process would lead to a product. Then I probably wouldn't have found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/i-wish-that-i-had-known-back-then-that-a-mastery-of-process-would/)

[Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/)

> [It's what the people wanted at the time, but the country could not be half-segregated and half-integrated, just as it could not be half-slave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wallace/it-s-what-the-people-wanted-at-the-time-but-the-country-could-not-be/)

[George Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wallace/)

> [I've always stuck my arms behind my back anyway when trying to block a shot in the penalty area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/i-ve-always-stuck-my-arms-behind-my-back-anyway-when-trying-to-block/)

[Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/)

> [I'm sure at some point I will get back into coaching, but right now I need to focus completely on my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ewing/i-m-sure-at-some-point-i-will-get-back-into-coaching-but-right-now-i/)

[Patrick Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ewing/)

> [Any time someone achieves success before they've earned it, it always comes back to haunt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/any-time-someone-achieves-success-before-they-ve-earned-it-it-always/)

[Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/)

> [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/)

[Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/)

> [Back in the really olden days, dinner was seldom a ceremonial event for U.S. families. Only the very wealthy had a separate dining room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/back-in-the-really-olden-days-dinner-was-seldom-a-ceremonial-event/)

[Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/)

> [We're all painfully aware of how suddenly violence can occur, how crippling it is, and how survivors have to find a way back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/we-re-all-painfully-aware-of-how-suddenly-violence-can-occur-how/)

[Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/)

> [Ronaldo is just an athlete. He works so hard and back to back; he is always there. But if you work hard, can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-davids/ronaldo-is-just-an-athlete-he-works-so-hard-and-back-to-back-he-is/)

[Edgar Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-davids/)

> [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/)

[Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/)

> [British Forces should be in a position to give back in a ten fold measure any attack that the Germans may attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-banting/british-forces-should-be-in-a-position-to-give-back-in-a-ten-fold/)

[Frederick Banting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-banting/)

[Browse all 9,709 Back quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/back/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It is vital to maintain possession and to win it back as soon as possible, because if we win it high up, then the opposition has to run 70 metres.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Manuel Pellegrini"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-to-win-it-back-as-soon-as/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Back"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-to-win-it-back-as-soon-as/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/manuel-pellegrini-4698_back_it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-t_81187.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/manuel-pellegrini-4698_back_it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-t_81187.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/manuel-pellegrini-4698_back_it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-t_81187.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is vital to maintain possession and to win it back as soon as possible, because if we win it high up…” — Manuel Pellegrini",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Manuel Pellegrini",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It is vital to maintain possession...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-to-win-it-back-as-soon-as/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/it-is-vital-to-maintain-possession-and-to-win-it-back-as-soon-as/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
