---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I will play defensively, but if I can…"
description: "\"I will play defensively, but if I can help the team further forward, then I will do that.\" — Marouane Fellaini"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad7/marouane-fellaini-5877_football_i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-hel_265358.png"
---

#  I will play defensively, but if I can help the team…

![“I will play defensively, but if I can help the team further forward, then I will do that.” quote by Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad7/marouane-fellaini-5877_football_i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-hel_265358.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad7/marouane-fellaini-5877_football_i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-hel_265358.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad7/marouane-fellaini-5877_football_i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-hel_265358.png)

> “I will play defensively, but if I can help the team further forward, then I will do that.”

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

## About This Quote

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

He prefers a defensive stance but will advance the team when opportunity arises.

**In simple terms:** Play safe, but help when possible.

Key Takeaway

Balance defense with opportunistic support.

Themes

teamwork strategy football leadership

Mood

determined pragmatic

Type

sports motivational

When to use this quote

- matches
- training
- team dynamics
- game plans

Key Concepts

tactical flexibility selflessness

Questions to Reflect On

- When should you shift from defense to attack?
- How to recognize the right moment?

A Different Perspective

Too much defense may limit offensive potential.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Defensively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defensively/) [Defensively Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defensively-help-2607004/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward/) [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Play Defensively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play-defensively-933807/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Team Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team-forward-1728222/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/)

## Related quotes

> [When you're involved in a side, your motivation is about trying to move the team forward and, whether that's in different matches that have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-williamson/when-you-re-involved-in-a-side-your-motivation-is-about-trying-to/)

[Kane Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-williamson/)

> [You take risks in T20 cricket sometimes it doesn't come off and it came be frustrating but it is going out and playing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-williamson/you-take-risks-in-t20-cricket-sometimes-it-doesn-t-come-off-and-it/)

[Kane Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-williamson/)

> [Just try to make an impact on the game somehow whether it is on the defensive or offensive end. I think that has always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-mills/just-try-to-make-an-impact-on-the-game-somehow-whether-it-is-on-the/)

[Patty Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-mills/)

> [Sometimes you're going to have off games, but that shouldn't change your effort, the way you play defensively, like I said your overall effort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/de-aaron-fox/sometimes-you-re-going-to-have-off-games-but-that-shouldn-t-change/)

[De'Aaron Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/de-aaron-fox/)

> [I consider myself a pretty hardworking guy and I like to play hard, play physical and play well defensively too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-fisher/i-consider-myself-a-pretty-hardworking-guy-and-i-like-to-play-hard/)

[Mike Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-fisher/)

> [Chelsea is a strong team defensively, and they are quite efficient up front with great players, so I think I will enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-giroud/chelsea-is-a-strong-team-defensively-and-they-are-quite-efficient-up/)

[Olivier Giroud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-giroud/)

> [I feel the need to really get after a guy defensively and showing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-mitchell/i-feel-the-need-to-really-get-after-a-guy-defensively-and-showing-that/)

[Donovan Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-mitchell/)

> [Defensively, I'm comfortable playing the four.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-harris/defensively-i-m-comfortable-playing-the-four/)

[Tobias Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-harris/)

> [Aleksandar Kolarov has technical ability, but I'm not sure he has what it takes defensively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-jenas/aleksandar-kolarov-has-technical-ability-but-i-m-not-sure-he-has-what/)

[Jermaine Jenas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-jenas/)

> [Most teams defensively are designed to try to make teams take two-point shots, challenged two-point shots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-donovan/most-teams-defensively-are-designed-to-try-to-make-teams-take-two/)

[Billy Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-donovan/)

> [You know what to expect when you play Championship sides. They're very solid defensively, they're not scared to put their foot or head in,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-szczesny/you-know-what-to-expect-when-you-play-championship-sides-they-re-very/)

[Wojciech Szczesny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-szczesny/)

> [I was better at both ends, defensively and offensively, It was more of a well-rounded game. I want to add to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-crosby/i-was-better-at-both-ends-defensively-and-offensively-it-was-more-of/)

[Sidney Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-crosby/)

> [Allan is good in transition, going box to box, leading counter attacks and breaks. He's mobile and brings protection defensively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tite/allan-is-good-in-transition-going-box-to-box-leading-counter-attacks/)

[Tite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tite/)

> [In the playoffs, you're so locked in on guys' tendencies that in some ways it's easier defensively to go in games with a really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-huerter/in-the-playoffs-you-re-so-locked-in-on-guys-tendencies-that-in-some/)

[Kevin Huerter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-huerter/)

> [“You don't smile enough, Coop. I smile, I tell her defensively. She puts a hand on my shoulder and squares off with me. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-richardson/you-don-t-smile-enough-coop-i-smile-i-tell-her-defensively-she-puts-a/)

[J.R. Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-richardson/)

## More by Marouane Fellaini

> [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [When I was about 16, I started to believe I could play professionally. I worked hard and focused more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/when-i-was-about-16-i-started-to-believe-i-could-play-professionally/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [Some people say there is a beauty about defending. Beauty is nice, but the most important thing is success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/some-people-say-there-is-a-beauty-about-defending-beauty-is-nice-but/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [If you want to win the game, you have to be aggressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/if-you-want-to-win-the-game-you-have-to-be-aggressive/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [During my first season at Manchester, the team was not performing, and I was the scapegoat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/during-my-first-season-at-manchester-the-team-was-not-performing-and/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [My dad was an ex-player, so he knew what he was saying. When we talk about football, he knows what he's talking about. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/my-dad-was-an-ex-player-so-he-knew-what-he-was-saying-when-we-talk/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [In the past, I played No. 10 and No. 9 sometimes when I had to help the team. I can play there and help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/in-the-past-i-played-no-10-and-no-9-sometimes-when-i-had-to-help-the/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [Winning the FA Cup was a very big moment. You play for Manchester United to win trophies and play in games like that, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/winning-the-fa-cup-was-a-very-big-moment-you-play-for-manchester/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [It is difficult to play with your back to goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/it-is-difficult-to-play-with-your-back-to-goal/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [£25million or £30m or £20m - whether you are expensive or not, players are just players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/25million-or-30m-or-20m-whether-you-are-expensive-or-not-players-are/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [My mum and dad did everything for me. They supported me, gave me a lot of advice. That support is everything. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/my-mum-and-dad-did-everything-for-me-they-supported-me-gave-me-a-lot/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [When you are playing, you are always happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/when-you-are-playing-you-are-always-happy/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [Normally, I play in midfield where I'm challenging the players and trying to take the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/normally-i-play-in-midfield-where-i-m-challenging-the-players-and/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [When I feel that people trust me, I'm prepared to do everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/when-i-feel-that-people-trust-me-i-m-prepared-to-do-everything/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

> [I prefer to play in midfield, whether that is attacking midfield or defensive midfield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/i-prefer-to-play-in-midfield-whether-that-is-attacking-midfield-or/)

[Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

[Explore all 100 Marouane Fellaini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/)

## More Football quotes

> [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/)

[Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/)

> [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/)

[Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/)

> [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/)

[Brendan Mundorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-mundorf/)

> [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/)

[Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/)

> [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/)

[Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/)

> [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/)

[Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/)

[Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/)

> [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/)

[Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/)

> [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/)

[Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/)

> [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/)

[Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/)

> [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/)

[Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/)

> [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/)

[Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/)

> [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/)

[Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/)

> [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/)

[Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/)

[Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I will play defensively, but if I can help the team further forward, then I will do that.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Marouane Fellaini"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-help-the-team-further-forward/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Football"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-help-the-team-further-forward/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad7/marouane-fellaini-5877_football_i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-hel_265358.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad7/marouane-fellaini-5877_football_i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-hel_265358.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad7/marouane-fellaini-5877_football_i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-hel_265358.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I will play defensively, but if I can help the team further forward, then I will do that.” — Marouane Fellaini",
                "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": "Marouane Fellaini",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I will play defensively, but if...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-help-the-team-further-forward/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/i-will-play-defensively-but-if-i-can-help-the-team-further-forward/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
