One of the most used formations around today, the 4-3-3, utilizes a defensive midfielder behind a central pair, and two wide wing players to both stretch the opposing team and offer support for the lone striker.
With soccer being the most-watched sport on the planet, there is an ever-increasing demand for world-class teams to entertain week in, week out.
Because of this need, it is hardly surprising to see the emergence of attacking formations becoming widespread throughout the game.
Here are the 7 best attacking formations in soccer.
7. 4-2-3-1
With the focus on attacking soccer now being vital to a manager’s future at any club, the emergence of the 4-2-3-1 formation has become widespread.
Having the defensive advantage of a back four to protect the goalkeeper, the two central midfielders act as both defensive cover, but also to ensure a quick transition to either winger or to the attacking midfielder.
Once the ball is in the opponent’s half, the midfielders often hold position, and the wingers and attacking midfielder go forward to support a lone striker.
The benefits of this tactic are clear to see, with both attack and defense having the flexibility to move forwards or backward depending on possession of the ball.
6. 4-3-1-2
Tactics and formations are all well and good, but what if your team is lacking in creative flair? Perhaps you are blessed with several strikers but struggle for pace or creativity in the middle of the park.
The 4-3-1-2 tactic, with its three central midfielders, one offensive midfielder, and two center forwards, allows teams the recycle the ball from defense through midfield and up to the forwards with a minimum of fuss.
It may not be the prettiest soccer you’ll ever see, but played well, with strikers willing to fight for every long ball, to close down the opposition effectively, this tactic can and does reap the rewards.
5. 4-3-3
One of the most used formations around today, the 4-3-3, utilizes a defensive midfielder behind a central pair, and two wide wing players to both stretch the opposing team and offer support for the lone striker.
This tactic is quite similar to the standard 4-3-3 but has the assumption that the team using it has more creative players at its disposal.
The Defensive midfielder offers vital support to the back four, which allows the two central midfielders to roam forwards more than the flatter 4-3-3. This, coupled with the creativity and forward movement of the wingers, offers the team a serious goal threat while still retaining a solid defense.
4. 4-4-2
Far from obsolete, and still having many fans all over the world, there is something strangely satisfying about seeing your team go direct.
While not as common a formation amongst more creative teams, the tried and tested 4-4-2 is still a firm favorite at lower league clubs.
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Given its solid lineup of a back four, and a midfield comprising of defensively minded inverted wingers on either side of two central midfielders, this formation is compact and difficult to break down.
Two strikers up top, commonly a target man to collect and hold up the ball, alongside a pacy striker to move beyond the opposing line still gives this formation plenty of threat.
Used against more attacking opposition, teams such as Burnley FC in the Premier League have had great success in retaining their status in the league through the use of this solid and pragmatic formation.
3. 5-2-3
Fans love to see players flying down the wing, some of the greatest players ever to play the game have been wingers, and long may it remain so.
Wingers that have the luxury of a wingback supporting them can have even more success, as they have less space to cover, and by using overlaps can carve defenses apart. If the winger goes out wide, the wingback can cut inside, and vice versa.
Having these attacking options available on both sides of the field can be impossible to counter, although the risk of overreaching and being caught on the counter is always there.
With a flat central trio in defense, and two holding midfielders ensuring cover, this is one of the most potent attacking formations in use today.
The team does need strong work ethics, both wingers and wingbacks cover a lot of ground, the lone striker knows he will be battered for 90 minutes as he looks to hold and protect the ball.
A quick and focussed defense is needed due to the over-exposed nature of the 5-2-3, getting caught in possession in the opposition half can lead to a quick counter-attack. But, when it works well, there are very few better tactics for pushing for a fast goal.
2. 4-2-4
Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, all have used this tactic to great effect over the years. In the case of Manchester United, you could name a starting lineup just by knowing what formation they would use.
The classic 4-4-2 formation has always been a stalwart of European leagues, and this more adventurous version of the tactic is famous for its free-flowing results.
To use again the Manchester team under Sir Alex Ferguson, at their peak, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs played as the advanced wingers in this formation.
Whipping cross after cross into the penalty area, with two agile and strong center, forwards to aim for, United dominated both domestically and in Europe.
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Having a defensive four, with both left-back and right-back vital to the success of the formation, due to the advanced role of the two wingers, space is invariably left for opposition players to exploit.
The two wide defenders are required to push up into an almost wingback position, to feed the ball forwards to their winger, and to counteract the additional space in front of them.
This world-class formation benefits from having world-class players in it, the rewards are goals by the dozen, the risks are a slow defense being left at the opposition’s mercy due to a lack of cover.
1. 3-4-3
At number one on our list is the 3-4-3 formation, and while the 4-2-4 in second place is certainly used more, as a purely attacking formation, it is hard to beat 7 players swarming towards your area.
If it is goals your team needs, and quickly, then the go-to formation is the 3-4-3, leaving your backline woefully exposed, but aiming for domination through your four-man midfield overloading the opposition.
With hopefully more possession comes more attacking intent, and with three, yes three, strikers to aim for, your midfield can swarm forwards into the attack and hopefully get a goal quickly.
The keyword there is quick, the quicker you score, the faster you may change formation to offer more protection to the back three.
A formation great for getting a goal back, or scoring a late winner when needed, moving your players around the field like chess pieces can bring home silverware, or even just avoid relegation when times are hard.
You will rarely find a team using this formation for 90 minutes, the risks are too great.
But as an overloading tool in your arsenal, maybe moving that wingback into the middle of the park, and pushing a winger with an eye for goal to the front with your strikers…
Once you have moved your players into position, there is no greater feeling than seeing your team score the decisive goal after switching to a 3-4-3.
Wager Mage
Photo: Valeriia Miller
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