Alright lads, let's dive into this ridiculously broken 4-2-1-3 formation and how to make it even better.
Tactics Breakdown
Let's get into the tactics, lads. The setup, as you can see on your screen, is balanced on the buildup style. I like short passing, especially when facing pressure, because it gives you more passing options. But for the most part, balanced is fine. This is a quick counterattack-informed formation, but you don't really need to use counter to get that feel. With counter, it can feel a little rushed, whereas with balance, you can control the pace of the game.
For the defensive approach, I use 70 on this, lads, because I want to press quite high.
- Build Up Play: Balanced, Short Passing
- Chance Creation: Balanced
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Defensive Width: 70
Player Roles and Instructions
Now, let's get into the player roles, lads.
- Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper. Use whatever role your keeper has. If they have Sweeper Keeper Plus or Plus Plus, use that. The keeper close downs this year are absolutely mental. I don't really try and move my goalkeeper anymore; I just run him at people and hope for the best, and that often works.
- Center Backs: Defender and Defend. Full meta lengthy center backs are what you want. They're just going to stay in the back where you want them, no pushing up, no jumping out of position, just doing their job.
- Fullbacks: This is where this variation of the 4-2-1-3 is different. I'm using False Back on both my left back and right back, Defend. The idea is that when we're attacking, because you've got this front line, they're quite high up the pitch. You can find that when you have your fullbacks on defend, they can get isolated, and the passing options are limited. When the left back and right back step into midfield, you almost get a four-man midfield. You've got to be careful not to turn over the ball too quickly and make a stupid pass, like with any formation or tactic. The best thing about False Back Defend is that they're not too far away from the position; they kind of move in line with the CDMs, which is nice. If you don't have False Back Plus or Plus Plus and want to make the most of your roles, you can use Wing Back, and then support. They kind of do the same thing; they step into midfield. However, with Wing Back, they push more down the line, which is more attacking and not as solid as False Back. Using False Back and Balance is also nice if I'm pushing late on and want my fullback to step up a touch more. I'll go from Defend to Attack, which is really nice. You can set up two variations so that you've got a more defensively sound version. If you're losing, you can press this on the fullback, balance, false back, balanced, and that'll still work lovely.
- CDMs: Deep Line Playmaker on Defend on one CDM, and Deep Line Playmaker on the other. Defending on one CDM, they look after this sort of area and are just there to fire those passes. They have Long Ball Pass Plus, so they can find the wingers with their passes, as well as anchoring the midfield. The other CDM is more of an explorer; they get around and try to create more in the attacking third. They pick the ball up, go up, and move next to the CAM in between the lines, which is nice because you've got all these defenders that are going to be there constantly. But having that CDM that kind of doesn't go too crazy when you're defending, and if they're building up really slow, they'll move back into CDM just fine. It just gives you another attacking option as well as a creative option because they'll work well with your CAM.
- CAM: Classic 10 for me, plus plus. I do change this if I'm chasing a game, so I'll go from Classic 10 to Shadow Striker if I want more bodies in the box and be more aggressive on the attack. Classic 10, as you can see, doesn't really push into that striker role, which is nice. I don't want them stepping on the striker's toes; I want them to be in this central position, able to receive the ball from the CDMs and the False Backs, and able to turn and have passing options out wide and down the middle. When you're on Playmaker, they can get in the way of the striker and kind of overfill that area, which is not ideal. Classic 10 is perfect for this role. If you don't have a Classic 10 Plus Plus or Plus Plus, you can use Playmaker, and if you're losing, just whack it into Shadow Striker.
- Striker: Advanced Forward and Attack. I don't mind Support, but I just want them hanging around in this striker position, mopping up those cutbacks, scoring those easy chances. You just want an out-and-out goal scorer. Pace isn't essential, especially because CBs catch you up.
- Wingers: Both on Inside Forward and Balance. They will track back sometimes. If your opponent's building up really slow, you'll find they just drop in the pocket, which is nice. But their main job is to be hanging up on those wide areas, being wide basically. They're going to be posted on their fullback, and they really do stretch your opposition. Having a different skill set, like having Finesse Shot Plus, is really ideal because it'll allow you to cut inside and score those finesse shots.
Team Selection and Subs
Let's get into the team, lads.
- Center Backs: Again, lengthy center backs with good meta playstyles. Don't ever discount how useful passing playstyles are on any player. If you've got passing playstyles on your defenders, your midfielders, your strikers, it's always useful because passing is fundamental in this game, especially with Tiki-taka.
- False Backs: You really want players that have passing playstyles but are comfortable on the ball, with high dribbling and good reactions. Having defensive playstyles on these fullbacks is a must.
- CDMs: I have someone that is a bit more attacking, like a box-to-box, and then an out-and-out CDM. Passing playstyles on both of them are insane. Long Ball Pass will get you out of jams a lot of the time.
- CAM: Again, passing playstyles, lads. We want them to be able to shoot, score, do a bit of everything. It doesn't hurt to have them with some defensive attributes, but not essential. I'd rather they be better in building up in the attack, so good passing, good shooting, and mid-80s pace is fine because of the position they play.
- Wingers: I'm looking at bags of pace and finishing. They are going to play almost like strikers but cutting inside. I do like to have at least one Finesse Shot Plus player in there.
- Striker: I like to have someone with some physical attributes, but isn't clunky, and has some good passing stats because sometimes they will receive the ball a bit early in the wing before the wingers get there, so being able to pass it backwards successfully and accurately is important. Having some good shooting playstyles is essential. Power Shot Plus is still very good.
In terms of subs:
- I always sub out the CAM for a Shadow Striker, which gives me a bit of a different dynamic, more bodies going forward.
- I sub out one of my wingers, usually the one with lower stamina.
- The striker, if I feel like they're parking the bus, I'll bring on a finesse shot player.
- One of the CDMs, I tend to sub off the one that is more box-to-box.
- Often one of my left back or right back will come out, depending on who's performing or where the attacks are coming from. If I'm finding my opponent is going more down my left side, I'll swap out my left back just for fresh legs. If they go more down my right-hand side, I'll sub out my right back.
- If I'm only using one sub up front, I'll sub off both my fullbacks just so I got fresh legs out wide.
- Make sure your bench is filled with players that fit the system.