Nine Of The Best!
4-3-3
We'll start with one of the most popular formations around. Both Liverpool and Manchester City have enjoyed serious recent success using the 4-3-3 formation. It's often favoured for the balance it offers between defence and attack, allowing teams to dominate possession and press the opposition high up the pitch.
Strengths:
- Midfield three provide defensive solidity and opportunities for possession football.
- Full Backs offer width going forward.
- Front three can press the opposition defence high up the pitch, applying pressure and winning possession in advanced areas.
Weaknesses:
- Gaps can grow in defence when full-backs push up high.
- High defensive line can leave teams vulnerable to opposition counter-attacks.
- Requires high levels of energy and stamina across the pitch.
3-5-2
Strengths:
- Highly flexible, with wing-backs easily able to switch between defence and attack (although primarily, their role tends to be offensive).
- Three central midfielders offer opportunities for dominating midfield battle.
- Central defenders are able to move forward into midfield with adequate defensive cover.
- Two central forwards able to link up and avoid isolation up top.
Weaknesses:
- Can be susceptible to counter-attacks if heavy midfield is breached.
- Defending wide positions can be difficult if wing-backs bomb forwards a lot.
- Highly dependent on well-trained, well-disciplined players who know their roles well - it's an advanced formation that requires serious coaching. Each player must be individually coached on positional details around the pitch in any given situation. Players must understand their specific job roles within their position.
4-2-3-1
Strengths:
- Plenty of defensive stability due to the combination of a back four and two central defensive midfielders.
- Meanwhile, lots of width is provided by the two full-backs and offensive wide midfielders.
- Good for building up possession from back four through central midfield.
- Offensive midfield three can combine fluidly and move freely in advanced positions.
Weaknesses:
- In order to stay compact and organised, a lot of communication is needed between each section of the formation.
- Two wide midfielders must be fast and dominant in one-on-one situations - if not, they can end up being weak links.
4-4-2
Strengths:
- Width and numbers in attack make 4-4-2 great for counter-attacking football.
- Two central forwards are able to face opposition centre-backs in 1-v-1 situations.
- Two banks of four in defence and midfield can provide deep defensive solidity.
Weaknesses:
- Can be difficult to maintain control over a game, particularly in terms of dominating possession.
- The 2 central midfielders can become overrun when facing a 3-man midfield.
- The wide midfielders are required to track back and defend aggressively, which takes real stamina and energy.
4-3-2-1
Strengths:
- Two attacking midfielders often operate essentially as forwards, supporting the striker as much as possible and forming a fluid three in attack.
- Having relatively central 5 midfield players allows teams playing 4-3-2-1 to seriously dominate the ball and retain possession.
Weaknesses:
- 4-3-2-1 is quite a narrow formation, meaning that full-backs are relied upon heavily to provide width going forwards.
- Due to the lack of players in advanced positions, it can be difficult for teams to mount successful counter-attacks using this formation.
4-5-1
Strengths:
- Here, the midfield 5 span the entire width of the pitch, allowing teams to easily spread the ball across midfield.
- This means that rather than just promoting possession football, the 4-5-1 system also allows teams to cross the ball from wide positions.
Weaknesses:
- There's a lot of pressure on the lone striker here. Not only will they be relied upon for goals, they also need to press the opposition backline, often alone.
- If wide midfielders try to support this striker too much to prevent isolation, they can leave gaps in behind.
3-4-3
Strengths:
- The inclusion of a ball-playing sweeper keeper allows the ball to be carried forwards from defence, initiating attacks.
- Playing 3-4-3 effectively can wreak havoc for the opposition by overloading wide areas of the pitch with superior numbers of players.
- Lone strikers are less likely to become isolated, with plenty of support provided not just by the two winger, but also by central midfielders and wing-backs who have the freedom to advance forwards.
Weaknesses:
- The wing-back roles in this formation are incredibly demanding. Without players who can offer speed, stamina, and defensive commitment, this system is difficult.
- With only 1 or 2 central midfielders providing consistent support to the back 3, there can be a lack of defensive cover in the middle of the park at times.
4-1-3-2
Strengths:
- This formation is essentially an attack-minded variation of 4-4-2 which ensures attacking power while reducing the chances of getting overrun in the middle by narrowing the midfield.
- The back four are given protection by a single central defensive midfielder tasked with sitting deep and cutting out opposition attacks. This allows the forward 5 to press high up the pitch, winning the ball back in advanced areas.
Weaknesses:
- It's possible for a team's midfield 3 to become too narrow, and if they're not helped out by their advancing full-backs, it can be hard to create moves via the wings.
- Due to this potential exposure in the flanks, teams playing 4-1-3-2 can be vulnerable to fast counter-attacks.
4-1-2-1-2 (The Diamond)
Strengths:
- A diamond shape can be great for flooding central midfield areas and becoming more combative against a team that likes to dominate possession.
- This formation gives teams the advantage of having a second striker. 4-1-2-1-2 allows you to set up with a strike partnership as well as a packed midfield behind them.
Weaknesses:
- This shape narrows the typical 4-4-2 system, and this lack of width can leave teams exposed in wide areas.
- The central defensive midfielder is crucial for dropping back between the two centre backs and shaping early stages of possession. If a team man-marks the CDM, it can become very difficult to move the ball out from defence.