We complete the 5-3-2 episodes by looking at the third installment: The 5-3-2C. While the 5-3-2B formation rarely gets any sort of playing time from managers, this formation is very popular in today’s game (especially with defensive minded coaches). It also plays with a Sweeper, but the difference is that the positioning of the wingbacks in this formation makes it more of flat back 5. The Sweeper is just placed there because there is no other room for him on the formation board. So, this formation allows users to play with a flat back 5. We’ve seen many managers implement this formation in today’s game, but no one has done it as frequently as Antonio Conte. He has been playing this formation particularly with his current Tottenham team due to the lack of trust he has within his 3 Centre Backs. The Full backs in this formation, similar to the 5-3-2A, are thinking of defence first before they even attempt to join in the attack. The major difference comes within Central Midfield where the 3 Midfielders are placed in a flat line which indicates that they have to do a lot of running ( in particular the RCM and LCM). This occurs because they have to support the 2 Forwards, as well as aid in providing the width whenever their team is heading into the opposition’s defensive third.
Let’s take Conte current 3 man Midfield set up as an example: Whenever Conte plays this formation, he plays a Midfield 3 of Hojbjerg, Bissouma and Bentancur. Bissouma operates as the Central of the 3, where he solely controls the tempo of the match as well as being the link between Defence and Midfield. For this reason, he rarely moves out of the Central areas of the pitch … Hojbjerg and Bentancur, on the other hand, both operate as Box to Box Midfielders who simply use their incredible stamina and work rate to get up and down the pitch. This works well for Conte because both players are used to playing in Advanced positions within various times during their career (Hojberg when he was at Bayern, and Bentancur when he was at Juventus), while Bissouma was always a very good ball progresser and Ball Winning Midfielder during his time at Brighton. So, the key to getting the best out if the 5-3-2C is through getting the right combination in Central Midfield.
PROS
• The flat back 5 and 3 man Midfield makes the formation incredibly difficult to break down
• One of the best formations to defend against teams playing both Through the Middle or Down both Flanks
CONS
• Wingbacks have to focus on defence first sp there is no room to play Wingers like Pulisic, Coman or Carrasco in those Wingback positions
• Number 10’s, and Advanced Playmakers struggle to play in this formstion due to a need for the 3 Midfielders to have solid defensive prowess
• A Target Man, when playing this formation, is absolutely crucial as there is a need for a him to play with his back to goal while the rest of his teammates get up the pitch
Although a decent formation, the 5-3-2’s have negative connotations connected to them. So, they’re simply not my cup of tea. But not because I don’t use them means that you shouldn’t…….
The Soccermanager Experience 