Alright, lads, let's dive into a tactic that's been absolutely cooking for me in FC 25: the 4-1-4-1. This might just be my favorite setup ever in this game. We're going to look at two slightly different variations, so stick around for the whole video, yeah? We'll break down what it looks like in-game and why it's so effective if you use it the right way, because it's not going to suit everyone's play style.
Formation Instructions: The Blueprint
First things first, let's get the instructions down.
- Defense:
- Fullbacks: Stay Back While Attacking (or False Back)
- CDM: Center Half
- Center Backs: Default
- Midfield:
- Left Mid: Winger, Attack
- Right Mid: Winger, Attack
- Left CM: Playmaker, Attack
- Right CM: Playmaker, Attack
- Attack:
- Striker: Advanced Forward, Attack
Now, the key thing here is the fullback instruction. We're going to run two variations:
- False Backs: This is where we set both fullbacks to "False Back."
- Fullbacks: This is the mirror image, with both fullbacks set to "Stay Back While Attacking."
The CDM is set to "Center Half" in both variations. I'll explain why in a bit.
In-Game Dynamics: Space, Space, and More Space
The way roles work in FC 25 is that they communicate with each other. If you have too many players trying to occupy the same space, it's not going to be effective.
Let's see what this looks like in-game. The "False Back" setup can look a bit messy visually, but trust me, it works.
- False Backs: Your CDM, Mascherano in my case, drops between the center backs to form a back three. Your "False Backs" then push into midfield.
- Fullbacks: Your CDM, Mascherano in my case, stays in front of the back four.
This creates so much space for the front five. Your Wingers are wide, which is crucial. A standard back four is usually quite tight, but with this setup, your Wingers have acres of space. This allows your Striker to stay high and advanced, and it gives your two most important players – the playmakers – all the space in the world to attack and dictate play. They get most of my goals and assists, no cap. I've used various players in these roles, but I'm absolutely loving this Bom Mati and this new Winter World card, Chavy, there.
The "Fullback" Variation: Defensive Solidity
Now, let's quickly look at the other setup, the one with the fullbacks on "Stay Back While Attacking."
- Fullbacks: This isn't a back five, because Mascherano charges from the center back positions into midfield when you're in possession.
- Defense: This makes you incredibly solid against counterattacks.
Gameplay Breakdown: Exploiting Space and Overloads
This tactic gives you loads of space out wide and allows your playmakers to do their thing. I've completely changed my tune on the playmaker role; I hated it before, but now I absolutely love it. You get so many opportunities to attack and create overloads in the penalty box, something I haven't been able to do before in FC 25. I think it's because I always had inside forwards or a narrower attack with my wider players, but now they are on Winger, which is also now one of my favorite roles for the left mid and right mid. The playmaker plays so differently.
Let me show you with video clips.
- CDM Positioning: Look where the CDM is. It's not really a center back.
- Defensive Solidity: Look how solid you are defensively. There's a CDM as an actual CDM when you haven't got the ball.
- Wide Play: Look at the space you've got. Even if I didn't use my Wingers at all, look at the space that my other players get because of how wide my wingers are.
- Cutting Inside: This is what I love about it. There's my playmaker Center midfielder. This is what I've missed in FC 25, having that extra pass in the box.
- Space for Everyone: Look how much space every single person on my team has got just to move the ball about.
- Isolating Fullbacks: You can isolate the fullback one-on-one, Winger versus fullback. Then, when it does come inside, you're not too congested because you've already pulled a fullback out wide.
- Creating 1v1s: Now it's a 1v1 with my Striker and his Center back. In a 1v1 situation, you've got to back yourself; you haven't got this overload of a 2v1.
- Winger Effectiveness: Look how wide the opponent's fullback has to be. Even when he wins the ball back, he's completely isolated with no one to pass to. This is what I love about the Wingers; this is what's so effective about the 4-1-4-1.
- Swapping Roles: My Center mid and left midfielder have kind of swapped roles because my Center mid has gone out wide, so my left mid will then go into that Center mid spot.
I'm loving the 4-1-4-1, and I think it's mainly because of that Winger instruction matched up with the playmaker. And when you have got Plus+, you might have seen my previous video, I am seeing the improved movement and I'm reaping the benefits of it.