The 4-6-0 and suggestions to counter it

The heterogeneity in football is not only related to the managerial styles, players, fans, stadiums, mascots, media attention, rivalries, competitions, money, history or plainly on popularity, but it is also a constructive sport working as a cohesive force in the unison of the forces around the world. The diversity is not only related with these handful factors, over and above this the multifarious formations play a pivotal role in the alignment of the troops onto the field. We have seen multitudinous formations over the course of the game, but a trend setter to the customary formations is yet to settle in. Individually we have seen teams playing the recognized formations in the form of 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3, 4-2-3, 3-5-2 to name a few amongst others however a switch to 4-6-0 remains a conundrum indeed which was superbly exemplified by the Euro 2012 champions Spain. Well, Barcelona have also been a driving force in the construction and employment of this formation but the consistent usage still remains a distant possibility. The trend is yet to settle in, nevertheless certain questions remain unanswered on the 4-6-0 formation.

Is 4-6-0 an invincible formation? How effective is this alignment and to what degree it can be tackled?

Let’s reason out a few possibilities that are capable for tackling this 4-6-0 formation

Lessen the proximity between the midfield and the defensive line.

Certainly a uphill task, but not impossible as well. The desideratum for this causal to implement effect is by having set of two industrious defensive midfielders who can provide a strong base or the platform to provide effective manpower in marauding against 4-6-0 and also proficient to rotate along to attack or defend. Packing the midfield and having a resolute back-line while in a defensive setup ministers a greater barrier for the 4-6-0 opposition and thus can influence to break attacks and help turn possession into opportunities.

Stop getting outnumbering in the midfield

Innovative formations are a norm in this aspect, where choking the central area can prove a decisive factor to break the 4-6-0 system repeatedly. Employing and emulating the 4-6-0 won’t help the cause in this scenario though. Staying guileless aligning this way is only supporting the reasons for the downfall. 4-6-0 thrives technically on the aspect of interchanging midfielders inculcating cursory movements to develop spaces for each other. Formations describe strategy and not where the players should camp in the field so competing with 5 players to mantle the midfield is a better approach than using formations like 4-4-2. Formations like 4-4-2 will act as a doom in this case and 4-5-1, 3-5-2 can be a boon.

Playing the long-ball game and operating a laborious tireless striker

Watching this approach employed by certain teams, this is surely a try-out strategy against the 4-6-0. Pumping the ball forward eliminates the midfield concern and provides a hazardous attribute for the high defensive lines employed by the teams. Also, can act as a factor to couple direct football along-with selective unpredictable usage of thumping the ball forward to a tall striker. A highly hardworking striker is mandatory and a priority to solve this aspect. Unsettling the centre backs, bring the team mates in the game, neat passing to midfielders, capable of dynamic all round performance as well as convert chances and proving a philosophical advantage on the counter attacks come under the requirements to decline the trade of the 4-6-0 and to destabilise the opposition’s lineup.

Bestowing a false CB

A defensive minded midfielder and a CB amalgam is the right candidate for this position. This particular approach would require playing this “False CB” covering the back line (containing 3 or 4 defenders), however lining deep with the spellbinding option of tracking the advanced false 9 attacker bombing forward (hence the false CB tactical genius). Thus this strategy can act leaving no place behind the line of defense and can help in curbing attacks.

Systems are dying, possession is becoming obsession for some, well the world is evolving, Innovation is the fundamental module to work upon – Will this formation evolve into the managerial books or ever become a commonplace?