4-2-3-1 DM Wide Tactic

4_2_3_1_dm_wide

5_2_1_2_dm_wb

attacking

control_possession

Players

1

3

GOALKEEPER

GOALKEEPER

2

1

FULL_BACK

FULL_BACK

2

2

CENTRE_BACK

CENTRE_BACK

2

4

CENTRE_BACK

CENTRE_BACK

2

5

FULL_BACK

FULL_BACK

3

2

HALF_BACK

DEFENSIVE_MIDFIELDER

3

4

DEFENSIVE_MIDFIELDER

DEFENSIVE_MIDFIELDER

5

1

INSIDE_FORWARD

CENTRE_BACK

4

3

FREE_ROLE

WIDE_MIDFIELDER

5

5

INSIDE_FORWARD

WIDE_MIDFIELDER

6

3

CHANNEL_FORWARD

CENTRE_FORWARD

In possession

shorter

higher

standard

counter_attack

balanced

less_often

keep_ball_in_play

work_ball_into_box

balanced

balanced

balanced

balanced

balanced

balanced

play_through_press

short

balanced

centre_backs

Out of possession

high_press

higher

balanced

more_often

counter_press

standard

yes

balanced

balanced

Key strengths

Coherent short-passing build-up

Shorter passing, Play Through Press and Centre-Backs distribution fit a possession-minded Control Possession style with a Half Back screening the defence.

[3,2] Half Back and [2,2] Centre-Back give safe outlets, backed by GK Distribution Centre-Backs.

Aggressive high press with numbers

High Press, More Often triggers and Counter-Press are consistent, so the ball should be won back high.

[3,4] Defensive Midfielder and [4,3] Wide Midfielder out of possession support the press.

Conflicting tactics

Counter-Attack transition versus control style

Counter-Attack and Higher tempo push for quick vertical play, which undermines the Shorter passing and Play Through Press possession approach.

[6,3] Channel Forward runs in behind while [3,2] Half Back wants to circulate the ball.

Higher line with only a back-three shape

The out-of-possession 5-2-1-2 shape is paired with a Higher line and a High Press, which leaves large gaps behind if the press is bypassed.

[2,2] Centre-Back and [2,4] Centre-Back would be exposed by balls in behind.

Risk exposures

Balls over the top

A Higher line with a High Press and Balanced line behaviour is vulnerable to direct passes beyond the press.

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

high

Role switch for wide player

The [5,1] Inside Forward drops to Centre-Back out of possession, so the structural change between phases is large and may cause hesitation in transition.

[5,1] Inside Forward becomes Centre-Back out of possession

medium

Role synergies

Half Back + Defensive Midfielder

A screening pivot protects the centre-backs and supports short build-up.

[3,2] Half Back and [3,4] Defensive Midfielder

Channel Forward + Inside Forwards

Runs in behind from the channel forward combine with inside forwards arriving in the box.

[6,3] Channel Forward, [5,1] Inside Forward and [5,5] Inside Forward

Suggested questions

Are your centre-backs quick enough to defend a Higher line?

Do your forwards have the stamina for a High Press with Counter-Press?

Do you want to play fast on the break or control possession?

This is an aggressive, pressing-oriented tactic whose possession ideas pull against its Counter-Attack and Higher tempo settings. The High Press with a Higher line is the biggest risk, because the defence is exposed to balls in behind. Lowering the line to Standard and moving the transition and tempo to Standard should align the attack with the Control Possession style while keeping the press.

Phase description

Short, patient build-up from the centre-backs and the Half Back, with forwards looking to break in behind quickly.

Counter-Press with a High Press, dropping into a 5-2-1-2 shape with the Inside Forward on the left dropping to Centre-Back.

Winning the ball high and attacking with a mix of possession and quick forward runs.