

That doesn’t mean teams can’t score multiple goals in this formation, but they will often be scoring on the counterattack rather than after a long possession. For one thing, the 4-5-1 puts more emphasis on defense. The 4-5-1 looks a lot like the 4-3-3 on paper, but tactics that are used are quite different. The two wingers are extremely important in this formation because they will often be looking to cut in for shots rather than running down the sidelines looking to cross the ball.
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When coaches use the 4-2-3-1, they want their three forward midfielders to be creative, which will open up space for the striker and the two full backs. There are usually five or six players controlling the middle third of the pitch, and that’s no even including the central defenders. The reason why it is used so often is because it is one of the best formations if you want to control the middle of the field. Some of the most famous soccer managers in the world use the 4-2-3-1, including Jose Mourinho. Make sure to take our Soccer Quiz to see if you, your player or child has what it takes! Learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the 4-3-3 formation here. At least one midfielder will always be ready to protect their back line, while the others can move forward to help t he attack or drop back to add extra cover. The one thing that never changes with the 4-3-3 is the central midfielders’ importance to the formation. Coaches can make quick adjustments to the formation without actually changing its shape, which allows for more creativity. One of the main reasons why the 4-3-3 has become so popular is because of its flexibility.

They can choose to use a defensive/counterattacking 4-3-3, which is extremely tough to play against, or they can use it as a possession/attacking formation since there are many ways to create openings with it. The 4-3-3 is one of the most flexible formations around since coaches can decide between many different versions to use with their teams.
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If the strikers know how to finish, this can be a high-scoring formation. In most cases, teams that use the 4-4-2 will use a tall and/or strong striker alongside a more athletic forward to give their teammates more options. The 4-4-2 is an excellent offensive formation because it utilizes two strikers rather than the one you see in most other formations.

It also happens to be one of the most balanced formations since the two central midfielders need to put as much or more focus on defense as they do on offense. The 4-4-2 is possibly the most popular soccer formation in the world because it is one of the easiest to understand.
