Alright, let's dive into this absolute gem of a formation, the 4312! It's like the lovechild of the 442 flat and the 442 holding, but with a twist. Instead of two CDMs or two CAMs, you get one of each, and trust me, it's seriously underrated.
Formation: The 4312 - A Tactical Masterpiece
This formation is a total game-changer. It's like a meta, yet surprisingly reliable, version of the 41212 (V2). You've got two strikers, two wide players, and instead of a CAM, you have a central midfielder who contributes to the attack and then gets back to help out defensively.
Tactics Breakdown: Building the Foundation
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the tactics.
- Build Up Play: Short Passing. This is key for the specific style of play I'm going for. You'll see why when we get to the player roles.
- Defensive Style: High Line. We're going for that aggressive, press-heavy style.
- Defensive Width: 75. We want to press, use auto offside traps, and all that good stuff.
- Defensive Depth: 61+. In these types of formations, the press is just so good, you want to have that in your game.
Player Roles: The Heart of the Formation
Now, let's talk player roles. This is where the magic happens.
- Striker 1 (False 9): This is crucial. You usually have two strikers supporting your attack, but in this case, you only have one. If this player doesn't have enough passing options, they could get isolated, and you'll be in trouble. A good False 9 striker up top really benefits this tactic.
- Striker 2 (Target Striker): This is your goal-scorer. I have this player on "Get in Behind" combined with the short passing build-up style. I love the movement of this player. If you're not a big fan of that, or you don't have the players with the "Get in Behind" playstyle, then "Advanced Forward" and "Attack" would do an adequate job.
- Left Winger: Inside Forward and Balanced. If you have a False 9, the winger next to them has to be on Inside Forward. The False 9 drops deep, drags the defender out of position, and you need a runner targeting that free space. Make sure this player has the "Inside Forward" playstyle plus.
- Right Winger: Winger and Balanced. This player has one job: be a free option and annoy the living crap out of the fullback. This player should be a left-footed player.
- Central Attacking Midfielder: This player needs to be a playmaker. Focus on attack always makes sure she's on the right spots all the time and doesn't drift wide and leave the central Midfield unoccupied.
- Central Defensive Midfielder: This is the plot twist and the genius of this formation. This is why this formation is better than the 442. This player is on "Center Back" and "Defend," making them drop deep right between the two center-backs, helping with crazy support against counters and providing a wonderful build-up play option. If you're too boring for this option, have the CDM on "Holding" and make sure to have them on "Roaming Focus" as well. The roaming option pushes her off the dead center of the Midfield and makes her a slightly wider CDM which allows your CM to tuck in right beside her and help in the defense. Without roaming, the CDM would rarely offer any defensive support which is not ideal.
- Right Back: False Back and Balanced. This is the only setup I've successfully gotten a use out of the false back role. When we are attacking, the team will shape up to a three-at-the-back formation, which are like the best offensive formations on the game.
- Left Back: Wing Back and Balanced.
- Center Backs: Both on "Defend." If this was a proper three-at-the-back formation, I wouldn't mind having the wide center-backs being on ball-playing center-back, but if you stick with Defender role, it's just the easier and safer option.
- Goalkeeper: Whatever playstyle plus or plus+ they might have.
This formation is all about creating triangles, overloading the flanks, and catching your opponent off guard. It's a blast to play, and I highly recommend giving it a shot!