The 3-4-3 is a very intersting formation…. Consisting of 3 Defenders, 2 Central Midfielders, 2 Wide Midfierds and 3 Forwards, it’s a formation that places a lot of attention on wing play while still having enough players in the center of the park to not be completely overloaded (although, depending on the formation you’re up against, central progression tends to be a struggle). If you’re a fan of keeping posession then I wouldn’t recconmmend this formation as it is primarily used by teams who enjoy playing a counter attacking style with minimal amounts of posession. There’s not necessarily any team that is pseunomynous with playing this formation, as majority of them tend to set up by using it’s ‘cousin’, which we’ll be talking about in a different episode.
PROS
• Wide overloads and wing play are very common and prevelant whilst using this formation
• 3 Forward players allows for a better high pressing patterns
• 3 defenders at the back aid in the lack of numbers within Central Midfield
CONS
• Not suitable for number 10’s or Advanced Playmakers who like to operate in central regions
• Attacks can end up becoming one dimensional
• Opposition players can still overload the middle of the field
• Wide Midfielders and Forwards playing outwide may tend to be in each other’s zone
Although it’s not one of my favourites, I’d still recommend that managers use it because it’s a decent formation with a lot of benefits. It just so happens that those benefits aren’t my cup of tea.
The Soccermanager Experience 