Thoughts on this 3-2-1-3-1?

[mmunger]

Hi all,

I have been trying to find the right formation for the squad I built. Things worked well until the CL and Cup semis, but equal or stronger opponents have better balance. Tonight... I came up with this 3-2-1-3-1:



Isn't this formation well balanced? Width at both ends of the pitch, a pair of defensive midfielders to help the wide back three, a diamond to cut off the middle and relay the ball... and I have backups in all positions.

I am thinking about using this with mixed passing and zonal marking.

What do you think? Should I use arrows to plug gaps anywhere?

[bakri]

buckry.topeleven

[padrino]

Hi all,

I have been trying to find the right formation for the squad I built. Things worked well until the CL and Cup semis, but equal or stronger opponents have better balance. Tonight... I came up with this 3-2-1-3-1:



Isn't this formation well balanced? Width at both ends of the pitch, a pair of defensive midfielders to help the wide back three, a diamond to cut off the middle and relay the ball... and I have backups in all positions.

I am thinking about using this with mixed passing and zonal marking.

What do you think? Should I use arrows to plug gaps anywhere?

The truth is, you have not much chances against 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow Diamond. Why? Because your lone ST faces 2 DC, AML/AMR/AMC face DR/DL/DMC. His 2 MC against your lone MC. You have 2 DMC, ok, but you have 1 DC, and his AMC with 2 ST will destroy you. Your DL/DR have no one to mark.

[mmunger]

I can always narrow the defensive line and do man coverage to mark the two strikers.


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[pcmacdaniel]

Congrats on reaching the semi's of the cup and champions league. That's a very good accomplishment.

Regarding this formation, unfortunately there are several ways to exploit its weakpoints.

1. Lone DC. 3w defenders is vulnerable to 2/3 strikers setups.
2. 2 DMC's. Go around the DMC's with ML/(A)ML and MR/(A)MR.

Formations that can do this while marking your AMC are, 4-1-3w-2, 3w-1-4-2, 3w-5-2 V. All of these formation are farely popular in this game. 3w-1-3w-3 is a less popular one that should work here to.

Formation that can bypass the DMC's and exploit the lone ST, while sacrificing a little defense are 4-4-2 classic, 4-4-2 hexagon, 3w-4-3, and 4-3w-3. 3w-5-2 flat is another that formation that should cause problems.

[padrino]

I can always narrow the defensive line and do man coverage to mark the two strikers.


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When you narrow the defensive line, so he change to 4-5-1v, what do you think? That's not easy.

[Nikia]

use a system with a full center midfielders.

[mmunger]

use a system with a full center midfielders.

Yeah. I have experimented with formations this season and have understood the importance of having a lot of players in the MC, ML and MR line. I lost every game against semi-decent to good sides that had them. My previous focus was building a team with a real-life lineup, but that is not how Top Eleven works.

Making some changes to favour 4-4-2 has worked wonders, however...