Alright, YouTube, we're back with a brand new custom tactics video, and we're diving into a formation that I think is a top-three meta formation in FC25: the 4-4-1-1. Let's get into it!
Formation and Tactical Setup
The 4-4-1-1 is very similar to the 4-4-2. You've got a flat four across the midfield: two central midfielders, a left midfielder, and a right midfielder. The key difference? Instead of two strikers, you have a CAM and a striker. It's actually very similar to how I play the 4-4-2 because I like to have one of my strikers on a false 9, so that false 9 striker in the 4-4-2 does actually play very similar to a CAM.
Tactical Preset
- Formation: 4-4-1-1
- Build Up Play: Balanced. Players will vary between forward runs and coming short.
- Team Transition: Steady. Counter is also a good option.
- Defensive Approach: High Line Height (70). If you struggle defensively, try 50-60. I like to be aggressive and press high up the pitch.
Player Roles and Instructions
Let's break down the player roles, because this is where the magic happens.
- Striker: Advanced Forward, Support. This is key! The striker will look to make runs from deeper or wider positions and press the defenders. This is why I use it; I want to be aggressive with my press.
- CAM: Classic 10, Attack. This is a brand new player role. The CAM will play as a traditional classic number 10, think of a Mesut 脰zil. They will just play in that pocket of space. Very overpowered, especially if you like first-time through balls.
- Left Midfielder & Right Midfielder: Inside Forward, Attack. I want them both to make penetrating runs inwards, towards the striker and the center of the pitch. This is how we're going to score a lot of our goals.
- Right Central Midfielder: Playmaker. This is my more attacking central midfielder. You'll see why this makes sense when we get to the fullbacks.
- Left Central Midfielder: Box to Box. They will get forward and help out in the attacking third, but also shield and protect the back four. I love having one of my central midfielders on box-to-box; it's a really overpowered player role.
- Left Back: Wing Back, Support. My left back will be getting forward quite a lot to help us out in the attacking third. Very, very nice and overpowered.
- Center Backs: Defender and Defend.
- Right Back: Fullback, Defend. This is why I use my right-sided central midfielder as the playmaker. My right-sided central midfielder will have the license to get forward a lot more because the right back is always tucking in and defending.
- Goalkeeper: Balanced. The goalkeeper will occasionally leave the area to collect long or loose balls.
In-Game Shape
With the ball, the formation kind of plays like a 4-2-1-3. You've got the back three defending, the left back pushing on and supporting down the left-hand side, the box-to-box on the left central midfield, the playmaker getting forward a lot in that right central midfielder role, and then of course, the two inside forwards with the striker and the number 10. It's a very, very overpowered formation.