Alright guys, what's up! Welcome back to the channel. I'm back with some new custom tactics, and this time we're diving into the 4-4-2. It's the most balanced formation in FC, the most basic one, and the one that's most used at the start of the year, every single year. It's a solid game plan to start with, so let's get into the tactics.
Tactics: The 4-4-2 Blueprint
For the 4-4-2, we're going with a balanced build-up play style. As I said, it's the most balanced formation, so this comes with a balanced build-up.
Defensive Approach
For the defensive approach, I like to go with "High" for the defensive style. This is crucial because it prevents my defense from running all the way back to my own box, which often leads to players being offside.
Player Instructions
Let's break down the player instructions:
- Goalkeeper: "Come for Crosses" and "Defend."
- Left Back & Right Back: Both on "Stay Back While Attacking" and "Balanced." This keeps them from pushing up too aggressively, but they'll still offer support. They won't be like last year, where fullbacks were at the same height as your striker. They'll be a bit higher than your defenders, so when you cut the ball with your midfielders, you can pass sideways.
- Center Backs (Both): "Defend" and "Stay Back While Attacking." In this case, I'm using F and Rudiger. Rudiger even gets "Defend" plus plus. This is the best setup for me because it keeps them in solid positions during the build-up.
- Defensive Center Mid: "Stay Back While Attacking" and "Cover Center." This is your holding midfielder. This way, you won't take too many risks and won't be exposed to counter-attacks. In this case, She just stays back.
- Attacking Center Mid: "Get Into Box for Cross" and "Attack." This is where you want your playmaker. This way, She joins in, almost playing as a number 10 for quick combinations. Putel is really good at doing that.
- Left Mid: "Cut Inside" and "Get Into Box for Cross." This keeps him from being stuck on the sideline and allows him to get around the box to score goals.
- Right Mid: Exactly the same instructions as the left mid, for the same reasons.
- Strikers (Both): "Get In Behind" and "Attack." We don't want them back because we want to counter quickly. "Get In Behind" is like the "Get in Behind" from last year. I like that the most because when you get the ball to the wing, they'll make a run for a cross or whatever.
Attacking Gameplay Examples
Let's get into some gameplay examples.
- Example 1: The left inside forward is not really on the touchline. We create space by going outside, find the pass inside, sprint boost, and finish.
- Example 2: We find our left mid again. He's coming inside a bit, goes on a run, we play a few passes, the right back is gone, and the left mid, the inside forward, finishes it.
- Example 3: The right mid is a bit more wide. He's on a run, we find the middle to Sun, stretch out the team, and the inside forward of Dembele will come to play with player lock into Son, and it's a goal. The right and left mids are key in this formation because they will come inside, and you got to find a way to use them to their strengths.
- Example 4: We find our strikers. People are on the run. Really important isation, keep triggering your players, all these runs just create a gap in the defense, which Sun eventually will punish by scoring.
I think you understand by now.
Defensive Gameplay
Let's get over to the defensive side of things.
- Defensive Strategy: As you can see, we just keep tracking back with our midfielders. The tech is not going to help us, but it's not really a problem in this game. Keep everyone in this position, and eventually, you'll get the ball because every passing lane is closed.
- Patience and Shape: Keep tracking back, don't step out with your midfielders; they're the only protection for your defense. Even run back your right and left mids if you can, and just keep on closing the passing lanes.
- Aggression: When the moment arrives, be a bit more aggressive. Rudiger comes in front of your man and goes forward.
- Maintaining Shape: Again, same principle: keep that 4-4 shape, stay patient.
- Center Back Aggression: When his striker is making a run, be aggressive with just your center back because he has no other option to go to.
- High Depth: He plays out from the back, we press him, obviously, he still finds a way through, and this is why we play 70 depth. The striker is making runs behind our defenders, just stay high, let him rock into a side position. They don't track his run, thankfully, because this makes it more difficult for him to find a good pass.
So guys, this was the 4-4-2 tactic video explained.