FORMATION · 3 AT THE BACK

The 3-4-3 formation

Three centre-backs, two wing-backs with two central midfielders, a front three.

The shape
1
GK
2
CB
3
CB
4
CB
5
RM
6
CM
7
CM
8
LM
9
RW
10
ST
11
LW
Formation 3-4-3
What it gives you

Three forwards stay high while the wing-backs supply width on both flanks.

What it costs you

Two central midfielders in a back-three system is a thin spine if the wing-backs are pinned.

Positions
GKCBCBCBRMCMCMLMRWSTLW

Who plays it

The 3-4-3 is the 6th most-used shape of the 22 we track: 239 of the 5,080 lineups we hold from the leagues we cover this season, 5% of them.

Other shapes