Let's discuss 5-3-2

[Qambu Yaasi]

In my short Topeleven career, there is only one formation that annoys me the most as I have a 0% win rate against this.

5-3-2

It's like a bane of my club's existence.

In Season 3, Level 3, this formation steamrolled the league with a 25-1-0 record, scoring over 100 goals. I met him twice that season and lost 4-1, 0-4, using 4-5-1 & 3-5-2.

This season, I was knocked out of the cup by this formation (Level 7 vs my Level 5 but similar squad strength). Despite dominating - having 70% possession in both legs, he still matched my total shots/on target, and scored 2 goals in each leg.

I was knocked out 4-1 on aggregate.

1st leg defensive 4-2-2-2 using ML, AMR, MC, AMC, lost 2-0, final possession 63% to me, but he created more chances (?)
2nd leg normal 3-4-1-2, lost 1-2, final possession 69% to me, matched my chances created (??)

Anyone else annoyed with this formation or had some success against it?

[Rev Dino]

theory says for winning you need to counter opp's team with more players in the center. but not a wild bunch.

i suggest you try with 3N-4-1-2 normal, mixed, own side pressing, no arrows.

gl

[Qambu Yaasi]

Yup thats what I used in my cup loss

More interested in discussing this formation and why it's giving some ppl like me headaches.

[Grybas Miskinis]

im always use 3-1-4-2 haven't lost anything for my level team, im lvl 3

[Qambu Yaasi]

im always use 3-1-4-2 haven't lost anything for my level team, im lvl 3

Have you encountered 5-3-2 of a similar squad rating?

[Mikedunga]

5-3n-2 is a very powerful formation as it is strong in the defense and fairly strong down the middle. My ideas to counter this formation would be to try 4-3n-2w-1, 3n-3n-2w-2 and 3-2-2-2-1 butterfly. 3-2-2-2-1 butterfly has helped me against flat formations before.

orders:
4-3n-2w-1 - attacking, down both flanks, mixed, hard tackling, zonal, own half, no counter, yes offside trap considering your against a flat formation. red arrows on AML/R and ST.
3-2-2-2-1 butterfly - attacking, down both flanks, short passing, zonal, own half/whole pitch, hard tackling, no counter, no offside. red arrows on AML/R and ST.
3n-3n-2w-2 - attacking, down both flanks, mixed passing, zonal, own half, hard tackling, no counter, yes offside, red arrows on AML/R and STs

just some suggestions, good luck.

[Qambu Yaasi]

Yes I agree it is very strong in defense, fairly strong in midfield, but to be able to kill off chances, one would need very good MCs to make this work.

I have tried 3n-3n-2w-2 before and got hammered 4-0, also 4-3n-2w-1 was a 4-1 loss (highlighted this in my first post), so I am skeptical about setting attack mentality when going against 5-3-2. I am sure we all know the only way 5-3-2 works is by counterattacking.

I used 5-3-2 once just to experiment and annihilated my league leader in level 3, whose squad was about 7 ratings above mine.

The butterfly is probably a good bet so maybe I will keep that in mind if I ever come across 5-3-2 ever again (I hope not!)

Would love to hear from others about experiences using/going against 5-3-2. This is not only meant to be a thread to ask for counter for 5-3-2 but a discussion about failures and successes against 5-3-2. So do share!

[Mikedunga]

have you tried 4-3n-1-2 against 5-3n-2? that could maybe work. or 4-3n-3

[Qambu Yaasi]

That season when the 5-3-2 guy went unbeaten he went against a title rival who usrd 4-3-1-2 n beat him 1-0, 2-1. 4-3-3 also lost out. The only formation that gave him problems was 4-4-2 classic. Drew 2-2 away

[Marco Brown]

I personally use 532. It's one of my favorite counter attack formation.