How to beat 4-2-1-2-1

[Adam T. Brown]

Wrong forum FYI but anyways, I would treat it like a 4-3N-2(aml/amr)-1 , I think some will also call it a 4-3N-2W-1.

With my team setup, I would probably go with a 4-3-3 with red arrows on my DR/DL so they're all over the wide AM's, that way I have two DC's zone covering the lone striker. 3 MC's to match the opponent MC/DMC's and my MC's would dominate. 3 strikers to overwhelm the back line and I'm hoping their DR/DL are pushing up field (almost into a 2N-2W-3N-2W-1 type of formation). If I'm home then I'm attacking, away I would set mentality to normal. Counter on, offsides on (yup, I'd do both). Attack through the middle, mixed or short passing (again, I expect my MC to dominate), press in half-field if playing away or press whole field if home, I always tackle hard.

[William Hummel]

Wrong forum FYI but anyways, I would treat it like a 4-3N-2(aml/amr)-1 , I think some will also call it a 4-3N-2W-1.

With my team setup, I would probably go with a 4-3-3 with red arrows on my DR/DL so they're all over the wide AM's, that way I have two DC's zone covering the lone striker. 3 MC's to match the opponent MC/DMC's and my MC's would dominate. 3 strikers to overwhelm the back line and I'm hoping their DR/DL are pushing up field (almost into a 2N-2W-3N-2W-1 type of formation). If I'm home then I'm attacking, away I would set mentality to normal. Counter on, offsides on (yup, I'd do both). Attack through the middle, mixed or short passing (again, I expect my MC to dominate), press in half-field if playing away or press whole field if home, I always tackle hard.

I am also facing this setup today, and I will start with a 4-3-3. Two of my strikers are also wingers, so I can switch back to my usual 4-3-2-1 attacking flanks if I feel it's necessary later on.

But I was just wondering, why would you be more aggressive at home and more defensive away? Away goals are a tie-breaker in cup/champions league matches. I look to score as many goals as I can in away, and pretty much go for a clean sheet in home matches.