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Tactics form an integral part of football and it is no surprise that many of the systems have become synonymous with many celebrated teams over the years. For Instance, Arigo Sacchis 4-4-2 with Milan,Barcelonas tiki taka inspired 4-3-3 played an important role in the popularity of these formations. Here we take a look at the five most used formations in Europe and pay close attention to the characteristics of each.
#1 4-4-2
This formation was most widely used across Europe especially in England during the 90’s. Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team achieved much success using this formation. However, it was made most famous by AC Milan under Arrigo Sacchi and subsequently Fabio Capello when they dominated Europe, winning three European Cups, two Intercontinental cups and three European Supercups.
This system makes use of a normal back-four, two central midfielders, two wingers and two strikers. The two central midfielders usually consist of one holding midfielder while the other is required to go forward at every opportunity to help the strikers. However, as Manchester United have shown, the wide men play a very important role in this system. The two wingers move up the flanks to attack and they also assist the full-backs defensively.
United’s long list of celebrated wingers showcases their importance in this formation. The two strikers are required to play together and create chances on goal. They can be similar players or a combination of two different types. One of the strikers can be a target man who can hold up the ball while bringing the other skilful, swift striker into play to create goal scoring chances.
It is now widely observed that the 4-4-2 is being slowly discarded at the highest level. The dearth of quality box-to-box midfielders like Scholes and Gerrard may be one of the reasons, but also the fact that the current trend of specialist midfielders like the holding midfielder, passing midfielders and creative number 10’s each have their own role and specific areas to operate.
However, it is still one of the most used formations and it was employed by Simeone’s La Liga winning Atletico side.
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#2 4-4-1-1
A formation which started out as a variation has now established its own space and is quite different from a normal 4-4-2. This system has the normal four-man defense. The full backs also perform a similar role as in the 4-4-2. However, the role of the two midfielders is quite different. The two midfilders are expected to exert themselves both offensively and defensively. However, with one of the stikers playing a deeper role, it is not imperative for them to get forward into the penalty area. The midfield partnership ideally would consist of a tough tackler and a ball playing midfielder to distribute the ball forward and towards the wings.
The two wingers provide width to the attack but they are also expected to cut inside playing into the channel in the penalty area between the full backs and the centre backs. The two forwards consist of a striker playing upfront and a deeper lying second striker who looks to exploit the spaces between the opponent’s defense and midfield . It is not uncommon for the second striker to drop deep into the midfield to participate in the build-up.
He also adds an extra body to the midfield and is the link between the midfield and the striker. However, his role is not the same as a traditional no.10 as this position is more flexible and works according to how the coach wants him to play. This formation is mostly used in the Premier League. Manchester City and PSG are two sides who have achieved success in this formation. Marcelo Lippi also used this formation in Italy’s victorious 2006 World Cup in games against Ukraine, Germany and in the final against France.
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#3 3-5-2
This formation received much hype during the World Cup courtesy Netherland’s 5-2 rout over Spain. However, this formation is more used in the Serie A and Conte’s dominant Juventus team which won three Scudettis on the trot employed this formation. This system uses three central defenders who cover the base and rarely venture forward. The five-man midfield consists of wing-backs on either side who are expected to help both offensively and defensively. They may also be expected to man mark the opposition forwards and keep them under check while also bombing forward whenever possible. The three midfielders playing inside are given the task of battling it out in the middle of the pitch while also linking up with the strikers. One of the midfielders can play between the lines as a playmaker and create chances for the strikers. The two strikers must work in tandem and must have great understanding and anticipate the other’s move while closing down the opposition defence and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
This system requires great understanding of each players’ roles as a five-man midfield, if not well drilled in their roles, can affect the team’s rhythm. It takes a very special group of individuals to create a five-man midfield. This formation may yet recieve more focus this coming season with Louis Van Gaal implementing it at Manchester United and this formation may play a vital role in Manchester United’s return from mediocrity to the upper echelons of English and European football.
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#4 4-3-3
This system was made famous by the all-conquering Barcelona side of 2008-11 and more recently, it was used by Ancelooti’s La Decima winning Real Madrid side. This system too makes use of a normal back four but it is further up the field where they make use of a three-man midfield and a front three consisting of a right sided attacker, a left sided attacker and a striker. The Midfield consists of a midfield anchor, who collects the ball from the centre backs and initiate attacks. The two other midfielders feed balls to the front three and also cover the gaps left by them as the attackers do little to no defensive work.
The full backs also play an important role as they bomb forward to provide width to the attacks. Ideally, the front three are supposed to interchange positions and cause havoc among the opposition defenders. The 4-3-3 is considered to be an attacking formations which works best when the team playing it takes the initiative to attack rather than trying to contain the opposition. Not surprisingly, Barcelona and Arsenal, two most attractive teams to watch use this formation.Brendan Rodgers too has been a big proponent of this formation using it at Swansea and bringing it to Liverpool wherein he has once again made Liverpool a free-scoring squad having plundered 101 goals.
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#5 4-2-3-1
This is perhaps the most widely used formation in Europe right now and its biggest proponents are the treble-winning Bayern Munich and Inter Milan sides. This system makes use of a normal back four, two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a striker. The centre backs perform the normal duty of holding and maintaining the defensive line. The full backs double up as attacking outlets and go up and down the pitch. The two holding midfielders provide cover for the defence and also initiate attacks from a deeper position. Generally, one of the two midfielders is more of a tackler while the other is a deep lying playmaker. An example of the two is Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira. Xabi’s interesting distribution was well complimented by the physical presence of Khedira.
The three attacking midfielders consist of a central attacking midfielder and two wide attackers. The central attacking midfielder plays just behind the striker and is usually the central cerative force assuming the role of a playmaker while the two wide attackers create chances from the flaks or cut in. They also have the added responsibility of tracking back and helping defensively.
This system uses a lone striker who either runs on to balls which are supplied to him by the attacking midfielders or he holds up the ball to bring others into play. Either way, this system normally requires a physical presence in the box who can take on and hold off defenders to create chances for himself and his teammates.
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