How to beat formation 3-2-2-2-1?

[Potemy]

I'm using 3-2-2-1 and lost to 4-5-1 on away game. You can try it.

I'm not surprised, you had two players less!

Seriously, though, I love variations of 3-6-1, you'll dominate possession and all those midfielders can triple mark all attacking players. What were your tactics and arrows, and the qualities of the teams involved?

[Dorin Marinescu]

I used 3-2-2-2-1 formation lots of times, especially against stronger teams and most of the times it worked good to me. In my case, using 3-2-2-2-1 last season (defensive, mixed, counter, own half, no offside) I beat twice a strong team with 8-9 scout players that played 4-2-2-2 in the first match (1-0) and 4-3MC-2-1 in the second one (2-1).

With what players I have now, if I'll have to play against a butterfly team I would use a 3-2-3-2 (DML-DC-DC-DC-DMR-MC-MC-MC-ST-ST), cause I have a strong defensive line and good+fast MC's. Defensive, focus mixed, mixed passing, own half pressing, normal tackling, no offside, counter on.

I'm not saying this is a sure thing, but maybe a 4-1(up)-4-1 or 4-4-1(up)-1 that is strong on wing def can beat the butterfly. Maybe with red arrows for the 2 MC's. Using butterfly I had difficulties with teams that used to attack through the middle and had strong fast dl/dr.