Formations in football are the basic framework of a team, also known as Systems of play. Each formation brings something different to the table. Some formations are defense-oriented while others attack-oriented. The style of the team and the roles of the players are entirely dependent upon formations. Systems are typically tailored to the coaches playing philosophy or to counter opposing teams’ threats. Let’s take a look at five of the best football formations in modern and classic soccer.
4-5-1 System
4-5-1 was most widely used by Jose Mourinho during his first spell at Chelsea of the Premier League. This formation usually requires a defensive midfielder in the destroyer role. Mourinho utilized Claude Makelele for this part along with Michael Essien and Frank Lampard as orthodox center midfielders. The result? an overwhelming superiority over 4-4-2 teams which gave Chelsea back-to-back Premier League titles. A feat only managed by Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United.
This formation focuses on a counter-attacking tactic. The destroyer designated as a defensive midfielder wins the ball and quickly transition possession to attacking options, initiating the counterattack. Turn to the present day, and you can see that Mourinho trusts Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in the destroyer role.
The full-backs focus primarily on defense, while the majority of the offensive work is orchestrated by just three or four players in forward areas.
Variations of this System of Play include the above-mentioned 4-1-4-1 by Mourinho as well as Pep’s Bayern Munich, and the 4-4-1-1, and 4-2-3-1.
4-4-1-1
The 4-4-1-1 and the 4-4-2 are very similar to each other. But there are many differences between them that make each unique. It is a very flexible formation that not only helps in creativity in attack but also provides stability in the defense too.
The 4-4-1-1 isn’t a widely used variation but David Moyes and Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed success with its mismatches in offensive areas. Manchester United won the English top-flight title in 2006/7 and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals using this variant. The 4-2-3-1 has seen multiple teams across many leagues as a popular variant.
It has a dominant four at the back, a flat-four midfield, an obvious and dedicated striker, and one “second” striker. Modern football has seen multiple variations of this formation. Slaven Bilic used Mandzukic in this ”second striker” role and the Euro 2012.
4-4-2 Diamond
This formation got a lot of appreciation lately when Manchester united recently used it to handle Newcastle’s dominant midfield. Previously, it was used by Italian coach Cesare Prandelli at Euro 2012. The diamond formation focuses on controlling the tempo of the game from the midfield and mainly in the middle of the field. Internazionale and AC Milan have both used this formation within the last decade.
Using a defensive and attacking midfielder with the regular center midfielders. Can lose width unless full backs can be mobile.
4-2-3-1 Formation
Apparently, this is the best formation in world soccer and would probably rank #1 in our five best.
Many teams utilized the formation in Euro ’12. It is great for possession and is defensively effective as well. Joachim Low’s Germany made the most of this formation as the holding duo of Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger sat deep and allowed Mesut Ozil, the attacking midfielder and pure number 10 to bring in the creativity.
4-3-3 False 9 Tactic
Manchester City’s 4-3-3 False 9. without a recognized striker this shape gives them complete freedom of movement
Read More…Peps masterclass against Klopps Liverpool
The 4-3-3 False 9 formation can be referred to as the 4-1-4-1 depending on the midfield orientation. Typically speaking, this formation requires one holding player and four basic pass-oriented midfielders. The most crucial point of this formation is that the forward would drop back into midfield to create space and improve chances.
Pep Guardiola’s masterclass use of the false nine during the Premier League game (2/21/2021) against Arteta’s Arsenal FC, demonstrated teams don’t have to have recognized strikers in a system. In this game, the starting lineup failed to feature a true striker. The center forward would drop into the hole and ask questions of the center backs. In most cases CB’s would get pulled into the same area, leaving space behind them for Pep’s forwards to penetrate into.
Luciano Spalletti’s AS Roma and Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona are the finest examples of this system in modern times. Francesco Totti and Lionel Messi were the respective false 9 forwards for their teams.
Best formations Conclusion
Variations of Systems of play can be argued that they are a formation in their own right. In my opinion, every formation and variant is its own system. If the variant has unique characteristics, then its a system of play in ots own right.
Those systems have tactical characteristics during the phases of the game, meaning they are flexible and will morph in possession, in the attack, or when defending.
What works for one team may not for others. The types of players in the team, Coaches’ philosophies, and general match-ups of teams are all key parts of a successful system. The best five formations in soccer discussed in this article only go into the basic depth of use by coaches and players’ responsibilities.
A dangerous mindset by coaches is to play the numbers game. Coaches that pick formations based on popularity purposes will not see much success. As a coach, you need to have a good command of the formation and how you would like it played. Next is the hard part, to fully and clearly communicate the tactics of your system. Planning training sessions to effectively deliver the roles and responsibilities to your players will determine success.
