Can a 3-defender-formation be successful when op AML/AMR players exist?

[John Grant]

So it looks like my experimentation has almost led me to a popular formation. Good to know I was already on the right track anyway.

[v1adimir]

Played the last season with this formation (because I happened to have just one MC), sometimes switching to DL-DC-DR;DM;ML-MC-MR;AML-AMR;ST:

Almost won a treble but lost CL final as I couldn't attend the match:

With my forward players dominaiting top players charts, although most of the top 8 teams quality was higher than mine:

My MLs and MRs covered for full-backs so I haven't had big problems with other teams wingers, letting in only 13 goals in the league.

[that#danger]

Hi fellow managers,

for the next season I am thinking about switching things up.
I'm level 47 right now and for the majority of my topeleven career I played with the 4-5-1 V-style, which is, in my opinion, the all around best formation in this game. You have players all over the field and of course the totally overpowered AML and AMR players, that score a lot of goals.

Granted, last season I got bored of this formation and I wanted to try something new. I switched over to a 4-3-1-2 and played one of the worst seasons of my entire career. Despite having the second best team, regarding quality, in the league, I will finish in 7th to 9th place today. (With 3 dead teams in my league as well lol)

Now I'm thinking about switching to a 3-defender-formation, because 2 players of my back-4 need to be swapped for new young talent next season and my best players are my 2 ST's (one of them ST/AML), my ML, my GK and one DC/DMC. (I assume that I will get promoted when I finish 9th as well,regardless, I want to hear your opinion on the topic)

So I'm planning to play a 3-1-4-2 (DC-DC-DC_DMC_ML-MC-MC-MR_ST-ST) or a 3-4-1-2 (DC-DC-DC_ML-MC-MC-MR_AMC_ST-ST)... But I'm scared of opponents, who use the 4-5-1 V or similar formations with AMR/AML players, because my wings are almost not defended with this formation.

I would really like to hear some opinions and experiences from players, who played with a back-3 in this game. What settings did you use? Were you struggling against AML/AMR formations a lot? Or were you winning everything?

Cheers!

In my knowledge using a 3-1-4-2 tactic you will have to go for a wing play with an attacking stile and long passes as a wing play combines better with long passes for that you will need a good aerial strikers also your ML and MR have to have the next attributes at the highest level possible ( speed, crossing, dribbling and creativity ) also will be great if they will play as DL and DR positions it will help them to do a good job when defending.
When used this tactic ( 3-1-4-2 ) you have to set up that arrows to indicate to you ML and MR to go back on defence and to advance on attack what means they have to do the full wing.
If you follow football you need to watch Antonio Contes strategy with this tactic as he used a lot while Coach of Juventus and later on at Chelsea.
About your MC they need a high creativity, physically strong and a good pass percentage.
Your DMC player have to be very quick to help your DC on defence and with a high tackle percentage.
What about you DC would be good to have some really quick ones as physically strong and aerial game. If you have this attributes you can have a Fun season.
With this tactic you also can use next settings; Normal attacking style on a mixed style of passes with a low pressure with a normal tackle style and enabled counter-attack style all this for first half to keep possession of the ball and to exhaust your opponent players.
For second half go for an attacking style with long passes, high pressure and an aggressive tackle.
Will attach a screen shot of the formation I use

Hope could help you a bit




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[Seeker85]

OP-On the whole, this formation has been fantastic for me until I play someone great with a heavily concentrated attack line and il switch the AMC for a 4th defender and play a back 4. My partner has gone a season undefeated and had a 100% 26/26 league wins in the last few seasons until she stopped spectating as much and I couldn’t do it for her while at work. With the usual time taken to maintain max training bonus each day and managing your team through matches, it’s superb. Won me the IC cup twice and hoping to complete the set in the 3rd.




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[Migadini]

OP-On the whole, this formation has been fantastic for me until I play someone great with a heavily concentrated attack line and il switch the AMC for a 4th defender and play a back 4. My partner has gone a season undefeated and had a 100% 26/26 league wins in the last few seasons until she stopped spectating as much and I couldn’t do it for her while at work. With the usual time taken to maintain max training bonus each day and managing your team through matches, it’s superb. Won me the IC cup twice and hoping to complete the set in the 3rd.




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Which tactics did you use with it?

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[Seeker85]

Which tactics did you use with it?

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The one shown in the picture, but in my usual club team I play the MR and ML as an AMR and AML as they score loads. Only reason I played MR and ML at IC was because the first player (best) that they give you was an MR.




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[Vardapet01]

The one shown in the picture, but in my usual club team I play the MR and ML as an AMR and AML as they score loads. Only reason I played MR and ML at IC was because the first player (best) that they give you was an MR.




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he meant the tactic, you posted the formation

[Migadini]

The one shown in the picture, but in my usual club team I play the MR and ML as an AMR and AML as they score loads. Only reason I played MR and ML at IC was because the first player (best) that they give you was an MR.




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Tactics?

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[Seeker85]

Sorry, that is actually to accommodate my best IC player who s MR. Play MR and ML as AML and AMR and I feel it improves the formation as top eleven seems to have a thing for these guys getting all the goals. I have an AML who has finished top scorer in league 4 seasons on the bounce. He has 197 goals in 149 league games for me playing in that formation.


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[talisman]

I find myself using 3DC more and more, and find it very effective for both the 3x ST or AML/(C)/R + ST attacks more often used nowadays. For wing players I add DL/DR in the DML/R positions, for more central attacking formations (Narrow Diamond, et al) I add a DMC.

More often than not, I am playing 3DC-DML/R-2MC-AML/R-ST Butterfly formation, I can usually overcome a 4-5-1V by using Butterfly and playing through the middle (!). 4-3-3 and 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow Diamond are countered using 3DC-DMC-3MC-AML/R-ST, again a 3DC formation. I have a MC/AMC and he will be pushed up to AMC if I need to play a more offensive formation to put a weak opponent to the sword or rescue a losing situation.