FORMATIONS · 16 SHAPES
Football formations
What each shape is, what it gives you and what it costs you. Every page also shows which clubs actually set up that way this season, counted off real team sheets rather than described in the abstract.
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Three at the back · 6
Wing-backs supply the width, so the shape lives on whether they can do both jobs.
- 3-4-3Three centre-backs, two wing-backs with two central midfielders, a front three.
- 3-5-2Three centre-backs, wing-backs on both sides of a midfield three, two up front.
- 3-3-3-1Three at the back, three in midfield, three attackers behind a striker.
- 3-4-1-2Three at the back, wing-backs either side of two midfielders, a ten behind a front two.
- 3-4-2-1Three at the back, wing-backs and two central midfielders, two tens behind a striker.
- 3-2-4-1Three at the back, a double pivot, a line of four ahead of them, one striker.
Four at the back · 8
The default in most leagues. What changes is how the six players ahead are arranged.
- 4-4-2Two banks of four in front of the keeper, with a front pair who work as a unit.
- 4-3-3A back four, a midfield three, and two wide forwards either side of a centre-forward.
- 4-2-3-1A back four, two holding midfielders, a band of three behind a lone striker.
- 4-2-4A back four, only two in midfield, and four forwards across the front.
- 4-5-1A back four, five across midfield, one striker holding the ball up alone.
- 4-1-4-1A back four, one dedicated holder, a flat four ahead of him, one striker.
- 4-3-2-1A back four, a midfield three, two players just behind a lone striker.
- 4-1-2-1-2A back four, a midfield diamond of holder, two carriers and a ten, with a front two.
Five at the back · 2
Territory traded for solidity, usually against a side expected to have the ball.