I dont understand this game and i am angry!!!

[Joseph P Brenner]

Top Eleven Formation - Illegal formations.

While there are many possible formations in Top 11, not all of them are valid. This is what it’s commonly refereed as “illegal formations”. The exact rules and consequences aren't publicly known, but it’s generally accepted that if your formation is illegal, you’ll be penalised with a heavy loss of ball possession. And while it’s possible to win with one of said formations, it’s not a common occurrence.

In order for a formation to be legal it must have:

-At least 3 defenders.
-At least 1 striker.
-At least a player in each flank.
-A goalkeeper.

[talisman]

Top Eleven Formation - Illegal formations.

While there are many possible formations in Top 11, not all of them are valid. This is what it’s commonly refereed as “illegal formations”. The exact rules and consequences aren't publicly known, but it’s generally accepted that if your formation is illegal, you’ll be penalised with a heavy loss of ball possession. And while it’s possible to win with one of said formations, it’s not a common occurrence.

In order for a formation to be legal it must have:

-At least 3 defenders.
-At least 1 striker.
-At least a player in each flank.
-A goalkeeper.

All of those scenarios had previously attracted an automatic 20% possession for the infracting team, but all that went out at least 9 months ago (someone with a better memory than me will know exactly when). Now, you can do what you like, except play a goalkeeper in an on-field position, ie not in goal (which is the only situation you didn't mention) - that is the only circumstance under which a 20% possession penalty is applied nowadays. There are lesser penalties for setting a player out of position, with two grades of possession deduction, detectable in the formation screen - either a red or yellow triangle, the former attracting the higher penalty.

So you can set a formation like GK/DL-DR/DML-DMR/ML-MR/AML-AMR/ST-ST without penalty, as long as the players concerned are eligible to play in the positions set for them. All the opponent player then needs to do is set 3DC-DMC-3MC-AMC-2ST (itself a previously 'illegal' formation) and play through the middle...

...and before you ask, yes I did set the narrow formation and won 5-0 with a team -2.1Q.