4-2-3-1 DM Wide Tactic

4_2_3_1_dm_wide

custom

4-2-3-1 DM AM Wide

positive

clean_slate

Players

1

3

BALL_PLAYING_GOALKEEPER

SWEEPER_KEEPER

2

2

BALL_PLAYING_CENTRE_BACK

CENTRE_BACK

2

4

BALL_PLAYING_CENTRE_BACK

CENTRE_BACK

3

1

WING_BACK

FULL_BACK

3

5

WING_BACK

FULL_BACK

4

2

DEEP_LYING_PLAYMAKER

DEFENSIVE_MIDFIELDER

4

4

BOX_TO_BOX_MIDFIELDER

DEFENSIVE_MIDFIELDER

5

3

ADVANCED_PLAYMAKER

ATTACKING_MIDFIELDER

5

1

INSIDE_FORWARD

WINGER

5

5

INSIDE_FORWARD

WINGER

6

3

CENTRE_FORWARD

CENTRE_FORWARD

In possession

shorter

standard

standard

standard

balanced

less_often

keep_ball_in_play

work_ball_into_box

balanced

balanced

balanced

overlap_both_flanks

balanced

balanced

balanced

play_through_press

short

balanced

centre_backs

balanced

Out of possession

high_press

higher

balanced

much_more_often

counter_press

standard

yes

balanced

balanced

balanced

Key strengths

Secure short build-up from the back

Shorter passing, Play Through Press, short goal kicks and GK Distribution to Centre-Backs fit a keeper and two centre-backs with ball-playing roles. Possession is retained from the first phase.

[1,3] Ball-Playing Goalkeeper, [2,2] Ball-Playing Centre-Back and [2,4] Ball-Playing Centre-Back.

Coherent aggressive press

High Press, Much More Often trigger press, Counter-Press and a Higher defensive line work together to win the ball high up. A Sweeper Keeper covers the space behind the line.

[1,3] Sweeper Keeper behind the line, with [5,1] Winger and [5,5] Winger pressing from wide.

Conflicting tactics

Overlaps with Inside Forwards ahead of Wing-Backs

Overlap Both Flanks asks the Wing-Backs to run beyond the Inside Forwards, who drift inside. Combined with Work Ball Into Box, this adds many bodies in central areas and can make play congested.

[5,1] Inside Forward and [5,5] Inside Forward with [3,1] Wing-Back and [3,5] Wing-Back.

Heavy pressing with a slow, patient build-up

A Much More Often trigger press and Counter-Press need energy and compactness, but a deep-lying passer and a patient attacking style mean the team spends long spells in possession with the Wing-Backs high.

[4,2] Deep-Lying Playmaker and [3,1] Wing-Back.

Risk exposures

Space behind the high line

A Higher line with Much More Often pressing leaves the centre-backs facing through balls if the press is beaten.

[2,2] Centre-Back and [2,4] Centre-Back.

high

Wide transitions

The Wing-Backs push high with overlaps, leaving the full-back slots exposed on the counter.

[3,1] Wing-Back and [3,5] Wing-Back, with Full-Back out of possession.

high

Role synergies

Ball-Playing Goalkeeper + Ball-Playing Centre-Backs

Together they give safe and progressive passing options from the back, which suits Play Through Press.

[1,3] Ball-Playing Goalkeeper, [2,2] Ball-Playing Centre-Back, [2,4] Ball-Playing Centre-Back.

Advanced Playmaker + Centre Forward

The Advanced Playmaker can feed the Centre Forward, while the Inside Forwards arrive from the flanks.

[5,3] Advanced Playmaker and [6,3] Centre Forward.

Suggested questions

Are your Wing-Backs fit enough to sustain overlaps and a high press?

Do your centre-backs have the pace to cover a higher defensive line?

Do you want to dominate the ball or win it high up the pitch?

This is a coherent possession and pressing tactic built on a ball-playing spine, with a creative Advanced Playmaker behind a Centre Forward. It is let down by the extreme pressing and Higher line, which leave the centre-backs and the Wing-Back areas exposed on the counter. Calm the press and drop the line a notch to improve balance.

Phase description

Short, patient build-up through the ball-playing defenders and the deep playmaker, with overlapping Wing-Backs and Inside Forwards working the ball into the box.

Immediate Counter-Press after losing the ball, backed by a high line and a Sweeper Keeper.

Controlling the ball and winning it back high up the pitch.