Alright lads, let's dive into the 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) – the best narrow formation in FC25! We've cooked up some insane custom tactics for it, so let's get into it.
Tactics Breakdown
We're starting with the tactics, and remember, after this, we'll jump into some gameplay to look at the pros, cons, passing options, and the types of players you'll want in each position.
Build Up Play
- Build Up Play: Short Passing. Since the 95 depth meta came about, this has been my go-to. Your players aren't constantly running away from you; they're showing for the ball and looking to help in the buildup. This is crucial when you're getting pressed from all angles. You'll find you have a lot more passing options, which helps break down those pesky 95 depth teams.
- Defensive Approach: 70. I really like 70. It's the perfect balance between the offside trap and not overcommitting, leaving space in behind.
Player Instructions
- Goalkeeper: Goalkeeper Defend. You can use whatever you want on your goalkeeper. If you've got a playstyle plus or plus+ on your goalkeeper, use it. If you only have sweeper plus, then just use that.
- Center Backs: Leave them be.
- Fullbacks: Fullback Defend. They'll scrunch inside, giving us a solid back four. Because this formation is narrow, they will drift wide sometimes. If you're not creating space out wide, you can flip this to balanced, which will help a lot. Just know that you'll be more susceptible to counterattacks.
- CDM: Deep Line Playmaker and Defend. This player will look after the area right in front of your center backs. This needs to be your best defensively minded midfielder. You can get away with someone like a Vieira in this position.
- Left and Right Center Mids: Deep Line Playmaker and Build Up. We want them getting forward and defending. They'll go up and down in the space they have on either side, which is nice. They're going to help you out in attack, popping up on the edge of the box for passing options, but they'll also help heavily in defense. My favorite role for central midfielders and CDMs is Deep Line Playmaker. If you're struggling with the buildup, you could change one of these to Deep Line Playmaker and Defend, and they won't push forward as much.
- CAM: Playmaker and Balanced. I've tried Shadow Striker, but it makes the formation feel a little disjointed. With Playmaker or Classic 10, they'll hover in the central area and link your attacks to your defense and your midfield to your strikers. They get involved with goals, and it just links the midfield to the strikers a lot better.
- Striker (Left): Poacher and Attack. If you don't have Poacher plus or plus+, you can use Advanced Forward on this guy, but make sure he's on Attack. You want this player to be your best finisher.
- Striker (Right): Advanced Forward and Support. They'll drop a little bit deeper and show for the ball more. I recommend that your strikers have a couple of passing playstyles.
Gameplay Insights
Let's get into the gameplay, lads. The 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) is a formation I really love. It gives you a lot in attack. You can score lots and lots of goals, especially with two strikers. Any formation with two strikers is just really nice for those quick one-two-three balls.
- Pros: You get a lot of goals from your midfielders. The CAM offers you a lot. You have five players pushing forward pretty much every single time, and you'll have endless opportunities to pass within the triangles you create between the front five. You get really, really nice passing options.
- Cons: One of the major cons is that it only has one CDM, which can be a bit of a challenge at times. The width is another con. You don't create a lot of space out wide. If you're struggling to break someone down, sending your fullbacks on runs will help you out a lot. If you change your fullbacks to Fullbacks Balanced, that will help you create a lot of space.
Player Selection
- Center Backs: You want them both lengthy. Lengthy center backs are the way forward, especially when you're playing a depth above 70. You're going to want to have some good track back speed.
- Fullbacks: You want them to be really, really solid defenders, but having passing playstyles and good passing in general is really important.
- CDM: You want them to be very, very defensively minded, but also be able to turn, pass, and feel fluid on the ball.
- Center Mids: You want them to be very good defensively, but more attacking-focused. You need them to have some shooting ability as well as some great passing playstyles.
- CAM: Needs to be your best passer of the ball in the team, no shadow of a doubt. It links everything together. You want them to be ideally quite quick because they are going to get involved with defending and attacking, so that will improve their transition speed.
- Strikers: You just want them to be outright killers. Use whoever you've got. Pace is important, but if you've got lengthy strikers like Suarez, he's very, very, very good. At the minute, having lots of pace and strength and that "aura" up top is going to help you loads.