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Formation and a meticulous tactical approach to the game are what separates professional football from its amateur version. A team’s formation is the focal point of various tactics employed by the manager during a game and often indicates the team's style of play - attack-minded or defensive.
While most top managers are widely regarded for their use of a particular formation, that also depends on the type of players at their disposal.
Football formations have witnessed radical changes over the years, in accordance with the changing demands of the times. Back in the 1880s, the most popular formation was the 2-3-5, which would lead to a flurry of goals. More than a century later, this formation is rarely employed, even in the amateur game.
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On that note, let's take a look at the five most popular formations in football.
#5 The 3-5-2 formation
Antonio Conte is a famous proponent of the 3-5-2 formation, which can also be modified into a 5-3-2 one to provide more defensive cover.
Inter Milan have achieved great success this season under Conte with the use of this formation. Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea have adopted this formation too and can attribute their change in fortunes since Lampard’s departure to the effective usage of the 3-5-2.
The 3-5-2 comprises three closely-knit central defenders and two wingbacks, who operate in the dual role of a winger and a full-back. The midfield, at most times, contains two holding midfielders to support the defence; in attack, there are three offensive-minded players.
This formation provides immense defensive cover, as it has three defenders and two holding midfielders, allowing the players around them to pounce on any counter-attacking opportunities.
The effectiveness of the 3-5-2 formation in attack was observed in the first half of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final first-leg against Real Madrid.
The presence of the wingbacks, along with a midfielder and two forwards, allows teams employing the 3-5-2 to outman the opposition defence.
#4 The 4-1-4-1 formation
Next, we have the 4-1-4-1 formation, which yielded great success for Germany in their victorious 2014 World Cup-winning campaign.
Leeds United have impressed fans and pundits alike in their first season back in England’s top tier. That's largely down to Marcelo Bielsa’s proficient usage of the 4-1-4-1 formation.
This formation lays a lot of emphasis on offence but without necessarily compromising defensive integrity. The use of four midfielders makes it much easier to initiate a high press, as the team can make the press a tight, compact unit.
The holding midfielder allows the upfield players more freedom to contribute in attacking scenarios; the presence of a wide midfielder/winger with a full-back helps to snuff out opposition attacks from the wings. However, the primary emphasis of the 4-1-4-1 is to outscore the opposition.
One of the best ways this formation is employed in attack is by crowding the wings, thanks to a wide midfielder and a full-back, which allows the supporting midfielder to make a foray into the attacking third.
One of the most crucial elements of the 4-1-4-1 formation is the defensive midfielder, who must be adept in supporting his forward colleagues in a high press, but doesn't leave his two central defenders exposed.
Javi Martinez was renowned for playing this role effectively in the 4-1-4-1 employed by Bayern Munich.
#3 The 4-3-3 formation
The 4-3-3 is one of the most widely used formations, especially in Italian football in the early 2010s. This high-octane and fast-paced formation thrives on three extremely skilful and tactically aware central midfielders.
One of the trio has to be a reliable holding midfielder to support the central defenders, while the other two midfielders can be more expansive in their attacking roles. A solid defensive midfielder also gives the full-backs freedom to provide more width in attacking scenarios, and their presence can be useful in outmanning opposition defences.
Pep Guardiola is a major advocate of the 4-3-3. This formation is a favourite of teams that like to express themselves and play attacking football. While the defensive organisation is maintained, utmost attention is laid on outscoring the opponents, much like in the 4-1-4-1.
However, compared to the 4-1-4-1, the 4-3-3 formation allows for more flexibility in attacking situations, such as deploying a false nine in place of a traditional centre-forward.
Manchester City have gone almost the entirety of the 2020-21 season without a proper No. 9 but have been one of the most high-scoring teams in Europe this season, scoring 119 goals in 56 matches.
#2 The 4-4-2 Diamond formation
The 4-4-2 is a quintessentially English formation and has made a surprise comeback in recent years.
Leicester City and Atletico Madrid have achieved immense success over the past few years by employing the classic 4-4-2 formation. The widely varying playing styles of the two teams also speak volumes of different ways this classic formation can be implemented.
The use of four midfielders is the main differentiator between an attack-minded 4-4-2 and a defensively-shaped one.
Leicester City, playing this formation, have scored 90 goals in all competitions this season, while conceding 39 goals in the Premier League. On the contrary, Atletico Madrid have scored 71 goals this season but have conceded just 44, including a meagre 22 in 34 La Liga games this season.
The 2019-20 La Liga season saw a renaissance of the 4-4-2 formation, with 18 teams using it as one of their three-most preferred formations.
#1 The 4-2-3-1 formation
The 4-2-3-1 formation is the most widely used and is regarded as the best formation in world football at the moment. According to a report in 2013, this formation had been employed 1253 times across Europe's top leagues, with the most usage in La Liga (432).
The 4-2-3-1 remains one of the most tactically astute formations in the history of the beautiful game, as it puts equal emphasis on defensive integrity and attacking flair. This formation is highly efficient for teams that believe in the total-football ideology, where ball possession is paramount.
The two midfielders act as a screen for the team’s defence and also allow the full-backs to venture forward while providing width to the forwards.
The No. 10, or the attacking midfielder position, is the bedrock of the 4-2-3-1 formation.
The 4-2-3-1 is at its explosive best when there is a good attacking midfielder. A case in point is Manchester United, who struggled to score goals galore prior to the arrival of Bruno Fernandes.
