Originally Posted by
sabankuru
3-5-2
3-5-2 has a few weaknesses, mainly; it's lack of punch and weak wing defence. 5 midfielders mean a solid ball control, don't expect to dominate the match, but since there aren't any attacking midfielders, you can just as easily block their advance.
While there are many ways to defeat 3-5-2, I'll explain 2 formations that will allow you to better understand the mechanics of how this can be done.
4-5-1 V-style (motivated)
An awesomely versatile formation that combined with a few arrows can be either attacking or defensive. In this case, you want to force an attack through the wings, so...
------------ST---------------
AML---------------------AMR
---------MC-------MC---------
-------------DMC (UP)---------
DL (UP)----DC--DC----DR (UP
Motivated DL and DR's block movement from the opponents ML and MR's while also feeding passes to your AML and AMR. The 2 MC and motivated DMC block any centre movement.
On the attack your formation will effectively be:
-----------ST------------
AML-----------------AMR
------MC--MC--MC-----
DML----------------DMR
----------DC--DC--------
That gives you 5 midfielders to block the opponent's 5, and you have 2 attacking midfielders which have open access since he doesn't have wing backs or fullbacks. On the defense, your formation will return to the basic 4-5-1 and still give you a solid coverage.
Mentality: Usually normal, but I recommend going defensive with hard tackling if the opponent's team is better, and attacking if the opposite.
Force counter: Yes
Passing: mixed, through both flanks
Pressing: own half
Zonal marking