Section 2

Midfield based squads

3-5-2


3-5-2 formation originally used by Argentina's favorite, Carlos Billardo in 1986 World Cup clashes. Like all midfield based tactics, the main goal of this formation is to hold ball possession at the center of the pitch. 3-5-2 formation can effectively provide many scoring chances especially if you put pressure at whole pitch but aware that there will be a gap at your flanks. In order to fix that problem, you need to employ WBR\L with great pace and defending skills to replace the AMR\L. In a more risky edition 3-5-2 can be played with man-marking or the offside trap when using zonal marking. Fast and effective defenders are required in order to success.

3-6-1


3-6-1 is an unusual but modern formation which provides to your squad significant dominant ball possession at the centre of the pitch. Like 3-5-2 formation you need to pressure at whole pitch and play the offside trap using fast defenders and zonal marking.

3-4-3


3-4-3 flat formation is very offensive. It provides your team with great ball possession and scoring chances by pressing at whole pitch. In order to success you need great pace at your flanks and defense. A short passing style is required like all midfield formations. If you want to change your mentality to a more defensive style, you can employ your ML\R to WBR\L.

The 4-2-4 problem

Before going on with Section 3, I would like to share with you a solution when dealing a 4-2-4 formation. This risky but effective formation can cause problems to your squad, especially if you don't know how to deal with it. Many managers have recorded many str8 wins based on this tactic.

Usually the instructions which are given to this formation are:

- Attacking mentality
- Normal tackling
- Mixed passing style
- Own half pressing
- No counter attack
- No offside trap

Now, let's crack this formation

The 4-2-3-1 formation should work fine for most of you. Four defenders in strait line DL-DC-DC-DR, two DMCs, ML, MC and MR used with red arrows to support your lone Striker.

---------------GK-------------------

-----DL----DC----DC---DR--------

---------DMC------DMC-----------

------ML------MC--------MR------

---------------ST-------------------

The instructions are:

- Hard tackling (if needed)
- Attacking or Normal mentality (depends on you or the previous score if it's leg encounter)
- Short passing style
- Focus passing through the middle
- Own half pressing