4-4-2 Classic " is it unbeatable this season? "

[Patrick Muijderman]

Short analyses:

4-4-2

--- ST --- ST ---
-----------------
ML - MC - MC - MR
------------------
DL - DC - DC - DR

First rule is have more players in the midfield! Consider this: When the DL and DR are set to red arrows, your opponent has got 6(!) midfield players! You need to own the midfield and there are several ways to do that.

First is using a motivated 4-5-1 flat

------- ST -------
------------------
ML-MC-MC-MC-MR
------------------
DL---DC---DC---DR

Using motivation, in attack your formation will be:

------- ST -------
AML------------AMR
----MC-MC-MC----
DML------------DMR
-----DC---DC-----

In this you will have 7 players in midfield.

Using motivation, in defense your formation will be:

------- ST -------
------------------
ML-------------MR
--DMC-DMC-DMC---
DL---DC---DC---DR

You now have 3 extra def mids (or sweepers) in the def mid. One condition is dat your MC's need to be fast.

Preferable tactics:

Defensive mentality when opponent quality is higher, Offensive when opponent quality is (much) lower.
Passing both Flanks
Hard tackling unless you have a bunch of yellow cards, then normal
Short or if that doesnt work, mixed passing
Zone cover
Force opponent to counter Yes
Play offside trap No

Imo this is our best shot to defeat 4-4-2.

Second is butterfly

Motivated 3-2-2-2-1:

-------ST-------
AML---------AMR
-----MC--MC----
DML---------DMR
----DC-DC-DC---

Using red arrows on DML and DMR and blue arrows on both MC.

Tactics:

Offensive
Passing both Flanks
Normal tackling
Short passing
Zone cover
Force opponent to counter No
Play offside trap No

I think this will only work effectively if your opponent is max 5 points higher in quality.