FORMATION · 4 AT THE BACK
The 4-2-3-1 formation
A back four, two holding midfielders, a band of three behind a lone striker.
Also called double pivot
The shape
1
GK
2
RB
3
CB
4
CB
5
LB
6
CDM
7
CDM
8
CAM
9
CAM
10
CAM
11
ST
Formation 4-2-3-1
What it gives you
The double pivot screens the defence while three attackers still start high.
What it costs you
The striker can be isolated, and the whole thing stalls if the number ten is marked out.
Positions
GKRBCBCBLBCDMCDMCAMCAMCAMST
Who plays it
The 4-2-3-1 is the most-used shape in our data right now: 1951 of the 5,080 lineups we hold from the leagues we cover this season, 38% of them.
- Flamengo100% of lineups35 of 35
- Cruzeiro97% of lineups33 of 34
- Vancouver Whitecaps100% of lineups24 of 24
- Fluminense95% of lineups35 of 37
- Vélez Sarsfield96% of lineups25 of 26
- Seattle Sounders87% of lineups20 of 23
- Coritiba85% of lineups22 of 26
- Lanús82% of lineups28 of 34
- San Jose Earthquakes84% of lineups21 of 25
- Chesterfield100% of lineups8 of 8
- HNK Hajduk Split100% of lineups8 of 8
- Aston Villa100% of lineups8 of 8