SEASON 3: FORMATION MATTERS Episode 23: The 5’s series (5-3-2 A)

WELCOME HOME SOCCERMANAGERITE!

We’re heading into the final stages of the Formation Matters season . It’s truly been a pleasure creating these blog posts, and its amazing how much our community has grown because of it. I truly believe that everyone has the potential to become a legend within their gameworld but you don’t just get that kind if status. You have to earn it by showing off your tactical prowess.

So, today, we head into the ‘5’s’series where we take a look at some of the more defensive minded formations. If you’re someone who idolizes the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Diego Simeone or Sean Dsyche then these formations should be of peak interest to you. The first one we’ll be looking at is the 5-3-2A. This formation consists of 3 Central Defenders, 2 Wing Backs, 3 Central Midfielders, and 2 Forwards. It is very similar to the 3-5-2 formation with the main difference being that the Wide players in the 5-3-2A are more intent on being defensively focused. They will still attempt to get forward, but their not as aggressive attacking wise compared to the wide players in the 3-5-2 who often operate more like Wingers.

In today’s game, there are not a lot of teams who start a match playing the 5-3-2A formation, as it is normally apart of a team’s defensive transition. What this means is that a team playing 3 at the back would normally attack in a 3-5-2 and defend in a 5-3-2A. The same happens in soccer manager as your wing backs will still be asked to provide the width when it comes to the 5-3-2A.

PROS
• The defensive shape is very difficult to break down
• Still allows for 2 attackers at all times

CONS
• Wingbacks have to be the fittest creatures on the planet
• Not a suitable formation for Wingers and Wide Forwards

This is one of 3 different types of 5-3-2 formations within soccermanager. I like this formation a lot eventhough I don’t particularly use it that often. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the best formations if you love the defensive aspects of a match.