Best 4-2-3-1 (2) tactic in EA FC 25

The 4-2-3-1(2) or 4-2-3-1 Wide is one of the popular formations in EA FC 25. Popular managers like Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, and others have used this formation and attained success in both domestic as well as European championships. Apart from the formation, EA implemented a new FC IQ system that lets you set individual player roles according to your playstyle. It has become more realistic since you can assign instructions such as Inside Forward, Deep-Lying Playmaker, Poacher, and Half Winger, depending on the players’ position.

Keeping that in mind, this article will aim to provide the best custom tactics for the famous 4-2-3-1 Wide Formation in EA FC 25.

Note: Some parts of this article are completely subjective and solely reflect the author’s opinions.

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Insight about 4-2-3-1 (2) formation

The 4-2-3-1 (2) is widely regarded as one of the best formations for keeping pressure on your opponents. While maintaining pressure solely depends on players’ roles, keeping your team in the aforementioned formation will provide a wide area to play with and leave opposition players with a narrow space.

Unlike other popular formations, this iteration features two CDMs where one must play a deep-lying playmaker’s role to keep the attacking flow going. Instead of traditional wingers, it has an LM and RM who can often act as inverted wingers and a CAM to put additional pressure on the opponent’s final third. Popular teams like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City initially use this formation to start their league or European tournament matches.

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Best custom tactics to use for 4-2-3-1 Wide formation in EA FC 25

Best Custom tactics for the 4-2-3-1 Wide formation in EA FC 25 (Image via EA Sports)

Now that you’ve got a hold of the basics of 4-2-3-1 (2) formation in EA FC 25, tweak some custom statistics from the team management for players to move the ball perfectly in sync.

The Build-Up Style for this Wide tactic should be set to Short Passes, and the Defensive Approach must be Balanced. In this section, we'll discuss what role and focus you must assign to the players for the best results:

• ST: Advanced Forward with Attack focus
• CAM: Shadow Striker with focus on Attack
• LM: Inside Forward with a Balanced focus
• RM: Winger with a Balanced mentality
• RCDM: Deep-Lying Playmaker with Defend mentality
• LCDM: Holding with Defend
• LB: Wingback with Balanced
• RB: Fullback with Balanced focus
• LCB: Defender with Defend mentality
• RCB: Stopper with Balanced focus
• GK: Goalkeeper with a Balanced mentality

The team will strictly build up normal offense or counterattacks with short passes and exploit opponents’ wide spaces. The solo striker will lead the forward line with the Advanced Forward role where they can exploit the upcoming opportunities and bag some goals.

The CAM must play as a Shadow Striker to make a well-timed run into the opponent’s final third to pose an extra threat. Any of the midfielders between LM and RM must be of an Inside Forward role to breeze past defenders and score some bangers from inside or outside the box. While one is busy cutting inside, the other will stay wide in the wing to provide aerial or ground passes for their team.

Among the two CDMs, one must act as a deep-lying playmaker to provide a constant flow of through balls to force the opponent to focus on defense. The other defensive midfielder must be a rock-solid holding player to negate any counterthreats.

Coming back to the backline, both CBs will remain intact in your final third where one must focus on the Stopper role to initiate tackles. One of the wingbacks must focus on defense and not join the attacks while the other prioritizes helping the inverted wingers or wide playmakers.

That’s the best custom tactic for the 4-2-3-1 (2) formation in EA FC 25. However, you’re free to use any custom roles for a player in your team. It's recommended to use the tactics mentioned above to seek the best results.

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