In today’s episode we say a grand’ol farewell to our beloved 4-4-2 variations cue the world’s tiny violing. But Alas, they’ll be more formations to gobble up, so let’s stick to the good vibe! throws violing in the trash Let’s talk about the 4-2-2-2 (also known as the 4 triple 2 formation) . Sounds interest enit? This formation consits of 4 Defenders, 2 Defensive Midfieders, 2 Advanced Midfielders and 2 Forwards. It’s the only other 4-4-2 variant that likes to operate within the central regions (can you remeber the other one)! As a lover of Through The Middle, it kinda makes me wonder why I don’t use these formations more often. Guess I’m also learning as we speak, huh?
The beauty about this formation is that it allows the manager to have a very good balance of having 2 Defensive Midfielders (also known as a double pivot) protecting the 2 Center Backs; 2 Advanced Playmakers who allow their double pivot to solely focus on defensive responbsibilities; and 2 Forwards who can be of any elk (Target Man, Poacher, Second Striker etc) as their primary roles would be to finish off goal scoring opportunities. As with every 4-4-2 variation, the 4-2-2-2 has been around for decades, but the most recent users of this formation with elite levels of success were Ralf Ragnick and Manuel Pellegrini. Both used this formation and had success for different reasons. Pellegrini was synoymous with implementing this system during his title win with Manchester City back in the 2013-2014 season. Ragnick, although he didn’t win a lot of trophies, was very successful in using this formation to play a very intense, high energy style of football, thus causing the creation of the now popular ‘Gergen Press’.
Let me make one thing VERY CLEAR: you do not need to use the 4-2-2-2 formation in order to use gergen press, as this type of press can be used with many of the different formations within SM. I’m just not going to tell you which ones, yet. 😊
PROS
• Very effective against formations that play with a 2 man Central Midfield ( Like a 3-4-3 or 4-2-4 for example)
• A lot of bodies in midfield makes it very possible that your team can dominate the centre of the pitch
• Your Double Pivot can be of any elk in this formation (Ball Winner, Box to Box, Deep lying playmaker for example)
CONS
• Formation is susceptible against teams that play down both flanks
• Wing backs have to be excellent going forward as they need to provide width as well as an attacking threat from out wide
• Formation is not suitable for Wingers or Wide Forwards
What a great way to end the 4-4-2’s ! Give any of these a go within your various gameworlds and let me know how they’re working for you! You can contact the Soccermanager blog via commenting below, or by checking out our Facebook page and getting in contact from there. We’ll we waiting for that message! https://m.facebook.com/100084360973117/
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