From one 4-4-2 variant straight into the next, I hope you’re not getting bored (I mean, how could you?), cause we’re about to go over quite a few different types of formations that you may not have known are all a by-product of the 4-4-2…
We start off with the 4-4-2B. A formation that has a lot of similarities to our previous episode but with the main source of attention being on the DM(C) and AM(C) who, if you get the personnel right, have the potential to truly change the way you view this, and the upcoming formation that we’ll be looking at on Monday…
Although we explained this section within yesterday’s episode, this is a reminder that it isn’t the main objective of season 9…
DEFENCE
We start out as usual at the back and I must say that I really like seeing the look of this back 5. When it comes to balance, it has almost everything that you can ask for. Eduard Mendy is a quite sturdy GK who will command his area with great authority and responsibility. He is also regarded as quite the Shot Stopper and is a former 92 rated player, so expect to see some match winning performances from him. In the heart of the defence, we have two ‘Ball Playing Defenders’ who will provide completely different attributes to our team when on the ball. In John Stones, we have our defensive conductor who will be spraying the ball all over the gaf from deeper positions, while Matip is quite the progressive dribbler for a D(C)’s standard and will attempt to get involved in the attack via dribbling through any open gaps or even simply aiming to dribble past any opponent in a risky attempt to open space for other players. On the flanks, we have 2 hard working, extremeley fit and attack minded ‘WB’s’in the German Jeremie Frimpong and Columbian Pervis Estupiñan. Both will offer similar attributes going forward, but have their own X factors( with progressive dribbling being Frimpong’s, and crossing being Estupiñan’s). What they both have in abundance is EXCEPTIONAL movement, so you can expect them to be making tireless runs off the ball to cause all kinds of problems (don’t allow their 90 ratings to fool you…)
MIDFIELD
I don’t know about you, but the midfield 4 for this formation is arguably one of the most balanced ones I’ve seen (especially for the 4-4-2B). This formation has a liability in the middle of the park which is that gap between Casemiro and Eriksen. So, in order to navigate that issue, it is imperative that you have two ‘Wide Midfielders’ outwide who can both aid in providing width and play a bit narrower whenever necessary, and in Fede Valverde and Monteiro Otávio we have two of the most versatile Midfielders in the entire game doing both jobs at a very high level. Neither will have a lot of responsibilities on the ball but their importance in other aspects of a match cannot be understated
Let’s go back a bit and discuss the main men of this midfield 4: Casemiro’s top priority is to allow the players in front of him to play while covering for the bombarding ‘WB’s’. This position is for a certified ‘B.W.M’ only and he must possess high levels of defensive prowess. Christian (Eriksen) is the main conductor of this team and is the sole provider of that all to important creative spark. He will do many movements to get on the ball such as dropping next to Casemiro, going even deeper to collet the ball from both D(C)’s, or staying high in between the lines to add an extra layer within the attack. The most important thing to remember is that all of his teammates will be aiming to find him for majority of the match
FORWARDS
To complete our balanced set up, we have two very mobile F(C)’s who are also extremely effective on the ball but do most of their best work off it (from an attacking perspective) which will be necessary since this isn’t the type of formation that will get the best out of a static F(C). We have Richarlison, who is an all round forward that possesses exceptional movement in and around the box. As our ‘G.F’, he will constantly aim to find space within as many areas within the attacking third as possible. Darwin Núñez will cause a lot of issues for his opposition’s defence as he will be making those runs off the shoulder constantly for his entire time on the pitch. The most important aspect of both of these is their willingness to “run the channels”. What this means is that both will seek to find space in wider areas when the right situations allow them too (which is especially impactful during counter attacking scenarios)
DEFENSIVE TRANSITION
As I mentioned within yesterday’s episode, a 4-4-2 variant is one of the best to be playing when in your defensive phase. The most likely switch that will occur for this formation will be a transition to the 4-4-2A whenever out of possession. When performing a high press, Eriksen will be willing to join in to make it an all out attempt, and he also possesses the workrate to get back into a more solid position if the press has been by-passed. In terms of keeping your structure, the AM(C) will be an important player and must possess high energy off the ball in order to not cause Casemiro to get outnumbered.
A quite fitting way to end week 2, don’t you think? 😉✌️
The Soccermanager Experience 