Football Glossary, Letter M
Maestro
A skillful player who directs the movement of a team
Man of the match
An unofficial recognition given to a player who has contributed most to the success of his team in a game
Man on
An interjection used to warn a teammate in possession that an opposing player is nearby
Man short
A term used to describe a team that players with one player less after a send-off
Manager
The person in-charged of the overall affairs of a team, including the selection of match line-ups, first-team players, selling and buying of talents, and most importantly, tactical decisions; often used in British terminology, equivalent to the head coach in other usages
Mannschaft
Nickname of the German national football squad
Man-to-man marking
A defensive method where each player is assigned a specific opponent to watch; the opposite of man-marking is zone defense
Maracanã
A short reference to the Stadio Maracanã, a football stadium in Brazil built to host the 1950 World Cup
Match
A regulation football game; used interchangeably with game, fixture, clash
Match officials
The persons in charged of regulating a football match, often made up of one head referee and two assistant referees or linesmen. In professional leagues, a fourth football official is present to administer player substitutions and other technical matters
Match-fit
A term used to describe a player who is in excellent physical condition to participate in a football game
Matthews
A football dribbling move where a player fakes to go to one direction then suddenly shifts to the other; named after British football legend Stanley Matthews
Measured ball
A well-calculated pass that reaches its desired target; also called measured shot
Metodo system
2-3-2-3: a classic football formation used by Italy to win the 1934 and 1938 World Cups
Mexican wave
A movement of stadium fans where they alternate standing up and sitting down to create the visual effect of a wave; first seen internationally in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico
Midfield
The middle third of the football field; for tactical reasons, the playing field is divided into three parts: the back or defensive third, the midfield, and the attacking third
Midfield anchor
A midfield player positioned at the middle with the primary task is of breaking the attacks of opponents
Midfielder
A player positioned on the middle part of the pitch, between the forwards and the defenders
Miss
A failed attempt at scoring a goal
Mistimed tackle
A tackle made before an opponent receives the ball or after he passes it: a dangerous move that is punishable by a red card or yellow card
Mitropa Cup
A now-defunct European club competition started in 1927 and last played in 1992: widely considered as the first international club competition in the world
Movement off the ball
A player’s ability to get into good position when not in possession of the ball
Multiball system
A football match where many balls are used to save time: when a ball goes out of bounds, the playing ball is replaced by a reserved ball thereby reducing the time spent on retrieving the ball
Mundial
A short reference to the FIFA World Cup, the biggest international football tournament
Mundialito
(a) An annual beach soccer (beach soccer) tournament first played in 1994
(b) A one-time international tournament held in 1980 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the World Cup