Countering 4-1(MC)-2(AML/AMR)-3

Playing a cup match in about two hours (him: lvl 4, quality 23,4; me: lvl 3, quality 26,3) against 4-1(MC)-2(AML/AMR)-3:

---ST-ST--ST---
AML---------AMR
-------MC-------
-----------------
DL - DC - DC - DR
--------G--------

I thought of using either 4-5-1 V-Style (defensive mentality, down both flanks, pressing own half, normal tackle, long passing, zonal marking, counter attack, no offside trap) or 5-3-2 flat (offensive mentality, through the middle, pressing whole pitch, normal tackle, short passing, zonal marking, no counter attack, no offside trap) .

What's your opinion, what would you go for? Thanks!

I tried 4-5-1 V-Style, starting offensive/short, switching to defensive/long after I had scored 1:0, and then to normal when I thought that he got way too many chances. He equalized in minute 90. :(

Any other suggestions?

I played against something like this and drew 0-0 with the butterfly...

But I think you can play 3N-3W-2N-1-1

Go for the defensive, hit him on the counter.

Thanks for the tip, dv8r; in lack of a DML I tried a 4-1(DMC)-3W-2 formation (defensive mentality, down both flanks, pressing own half, normal tackle, long passing, zonal marking, counter attack, no offside trap).

The result was 60:40 ball possession, 17:7 shots, final result 1:0. Close, but better than the 4-5-1 V-Style.

I used a 3N-2W(DML/DMR)-3W-1(AMC)-1 like @DVR8 recommended...won 5-0

--------ST-------
-------AMC-------
ML-----MC-----MR
DML----------DMR
---- DC DC DC ----
---------G--------

Defensive at first, own half force counter, mixed passing.

after I scored first goal though i moved my MR/ML into AMR/AML since they are both... and did a 3N-2W(DML/DMR)-1-3W(AML/AMC/AMR)-1

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

went normal mentality and ended up winning 5-0. all three of my attacking midfielders scored...had 63 percent possession.

I have also seen 4-5-1 beat this a few times