FORMATION · 4 AT THE BACK

The 4-1-4-1 formation

A back four, one dedicated holder, a flat four ahead of him, one striker.

Also called single pivot

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

The holder plugs the space in front of the centre-backs that a flat midfield leaves open.

What it costs you

It leans on one player to do that job, and he cannot be everywhere.

Positions
GKRBCBCBLBCDMRMCMCMLMST

Who plays it

The 4-1-4-1 is the 5th most-used shape of the 22 we track: 247 of the 5,080 lineups we hold from the leagues we cover this season, 5% of them.

Other shapes