Alright, what is going on everyone? My name is O, and welcome to a new FC25 best custom tactics and player instructions! Today, we're diving into the 4-3-2-1, an absolutely superb formation to play this season. Let's get into it!
Formation Overview: The 4-3-2-1
For the 4-3-2-1, I feel like it's a formation that's being overlooked by many people. It can be used in a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-4 setup, or you can keep it as a 4-3-2-1. It all comes down to the two central attacking midfielders and their instructions.
Player Selection: Key Positions and Attributes
Let's talk a bit about the players now.
- Fullbacks: As always, you need players that can play forward and build up attacks. That is a must, that is mandatory for this formation and for many formations in FC25.
- CDMs: Due to the fact that you've got two CDMs, you can use two players that are great with the ball. No need here for true CDMs like Declan Rice or Rodri. Even players like Casemiro, even though he's a bit past his prime, the fact that they will stay a bit back here with the CDM position is enough for them to have around 80 defending and 80 physicality. They're going to complete each other very, very well.
- Strikers: Two strikers here, as always. A left striker with a minimum of four-star skill moves and a four-star weak foot. Preferably, I would do a left-footed player.
- Attacking Midfielders: Same as for the right attacking midfielder: left attacking midfielder, if you can play on the left side, use a left-footed player; right side, right-footed player. For the traits, that is a must.
Tactics: Balanced Approach
Let's jump directly into how the things look after minute one.
- Formation: 4-3-2-1
- Offensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 40
- Players in Box: 61
Player Instructions: Roles and Responsibilities
- Fullbacks: Stay Back While Attacking
- Center Backs: Stay Back While Attacking
- Goalkeeper: Balanced. It's very, very important to have that tested because once you do that, your goalkeeper will be a bit more aggressive with through balls and chip passes, and you won't have to trigger it manually.
Attacking Variations: Adapting the 4-3-2-1
The beauty of the 4-3-2-1 is that you can transform it into a 4-2-4 or leave it at a 4-3-2-1. I like to use a 4-2-4 setup here with the advantage that it's better than a 4-2-4 because you got two CDMs instead of two CMs.
- Fullbacks: Balanced
- Left Back: Wing Back
- CDMs: Holding
Now, options that you have on the right attacking midfielder:
- Standard: Playmaker. This is the 4-3-2-1. If you play like this, you're going to have a 4-3-2-1.
- Alternative: Half Winger. You're going to have a 4-2-4 with two CDMs, which is absolutely spectacular. You're going to have the benefits of the 4-2-4 without so much risk, the risk being the two CMs being a bit too offensive at times. This time, you have CDMs a bit more defensive.
Now, options for the strikers:
- Standard: Advanced Forward
- Alternative: False 9. Playing like this transforms into a 4-2-1-3.
If you want to play a real 4-3-2-1 like this, you'll have to select playmaker at the two central attacking midfielders. You have the playmaker, and now you're going to engage more the wing back, the left back, or the right back, depending on your play style and depending on the players that you have on the pitch. The fact that the playmaker will be a bit more central, it's going to be easier to pass around here between these two and pass it to roll for it is a very interesting combination.
You do have other options here, but that's crazy. You've got the shadow striker that makes it... I don't even know what this is. I honestly don't know. It's a four... I would want to say four because it looks like three, four strikers, but we already have a 4-2-4 with left winger, right winger, 4-2-4 second variation, let's call it like that, with these two being pure extra strikers. But standard, I would say half winger is the way to go with this formation without a doubt, extremely versatile. You get the pros from the 4-2-4 without the big cons, which is lower defense. So those holding CDMs are very, very important for your game.
Final Thoughts: Experiment and Adapt
Remember, guys, one thing that I've noticed this year: player roles are important, but not decisive. Even if you start with a certain lineup for extra full chemistry and you change after minute one to 4-3-2-1 and your players don't have the CAM position, so they don't have that certain role, the difference is not that big, man. Don't be afraid to test it out. If you say, "But I have only left mid, left winger, right mid, right winger," do not be afraid of that. Just do your best to search for proper players that can play the CAM position, even if it doesn't have the CAM on its standard position. The stats don't lie.