When we talk about soccer, the tactical aspect is never far away. Each coach has their own idea of the beautiful game and their own tactical idea in mind.
These coaches, depending on a multitude of factors like their squad, players' skills, or challenges posed by their opponents, must find the tactic most adapted to their style.
In this article, we dive into the heart of the most well-known tactical systems by giving you all the cards in hand to choose yours.
- The classic or diamond 4-4-2
- The 4-3-3, pressing and offensive play
- The 4-2-3-1, stability
- The 3-4-3, offensive pressure
- The 3-5-2, tactical flexibility
- Complete list of tactics and formations in soccer
- What is your tactic?
The classic or diamond 4-4-2
Whether in classic disposition or diamond, the 4-4-2 tactic is one of the most well-known and used in world soccer, both amateur and professional. Decryption...
The classic 4-4-2, balance linked to solidity
It's perhaps the oldest system in soccer history. Its two lines of 4 allow solid coverage of the field while being able to count on the two attackers to press or bring numerical superiority in attack.
The structure of a classic 4-4-2
The great Manchester United of the 2000s under Sir Alex Ferguson is proof of this. However, perfect midfield/attack coordination is essential, otherwise the two central midfielders can quickly find themselves overwhelmed, particularly against creative opponents.
The strengths of the classic 4-4-2:
- The solidity of the block;
- Possibility of a high defensive block;
- The offensive contribution of fullbacks to create numerical superiority.
The weaknesses of the classic 4-4-2:
- Obligation of coordination between lines;
- Vulnerable in counter-attack;
- Difficulty in creating play.
The diamond 4-4-2, creativity
Contrary to its classic formula, the diamond 4-4-2 better defines roles in midfield. A playmaker, number 10, is generally in place as well as a holding midfielder, number 6. The two other midfielders have a versatile role and must create compactness. Without this, an empty space can quickly open up in midfield and put the defense in danger.
The structure of a diamond 4-4-2
Rémi Garde used this tactic brilliantly at Olympique Lyonnais in the early 2010s thanks to the different profiles of players in the squad in midfield.
The strengths of the diamond 4-4-2:
- Ease of playing in triangles, controlling the ball, and escaping opposing pressing;
- Freedom of attacking players;
- Freedom of fullbacks who have their flank free.
The weaknesses of the diamond 4-4-2:
- Wide zones regularly free;
- High physical expenditure from midfielders and fullbacks;
- Disorganization is costly.
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The 4-3-3, pressing and offensive play
The 4-3-3, for example used by Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, is implemented to perform rapid counter-pressing upon losing the ball, called gegenpressing, and go quickly forward by playing fast.
A 4-3-3 tactic requires perfect organization and players with a taste for effort. In our example with the Reds, during the 2019 Champions League final against Tottenham, Henderson, Wijnaldum, and Fabinho were charged with pressing in midfield before reaching the 3 attackers, Mané, Salah, or Firmino.
Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool pressing in 4-3-3
The strengths of the 4-3-3:
- Quickly regain possession at the loss;
- Varied offensive play on the wings or through the center;
- Control of the game.
The weaknesses of the 4-3-3:
- Requires heavy physical work;
- Fatal in case of counter-attack;
- Quickly frees spaces for the opponent.
The 4-2-3-1, stability
Often associated with a 4-3-3 but in defensive position, the 4-2-3-1 is the most used tactic in Ligue 1 since 2018, according to a Transfermarkt study.
The idea is simple: bring stability to the block with two defensive midfielders positioned deeper than their playmaker, their 2 wide players, and their attacker.
A 4-2-3-1 formation
Zinédine Zidane at Real Madrid or Thomas Tuchel at Paris Saint-Germain were fervent advocates of the 4-2-3-1.
The strengths of the 4-2-3-1:
- Defensive stability thanks to 2 defensive midfielders;
- Tactical flexibility with central and wide players;
- Rapid adaptability against opposing tactics.
The weaknesses of the 4-2-3-1:
- Possible break between attack and defense;
- Center forward can be isolated;
- Requires precise and rapid transition play.
Moreover, some tactical systems are closer to the 4-5-1 with 5 well-defined midfielders.
Let's now approach tactics with 3 defenders to create numerical superiority. Formations with 3 defenders, 3-4-3 or 3-5-2, have as their main objective to bet on the flanks. But be careful of balls in behind.
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The 3-4-3, offensive pressure
Very appreciated by Italian coach Antonio Conte, notably at Chelsea, the 3-4-3 is used to promote offensive soccer. Its midfield can be flat or diamond like the 4-4-2.
Structure of a team in 3-4-3
The midfield and attack lines are dense and favor constant pressure. With the ball, several offensive possibilities are at your disposal: control the ball, play long or in triangles, and go through the flanks.
The strengths of the 3-4-3:
- Create numerical superiority;
- Possibility to play quickly forward;
- Balance between defense, midfield, and attack.
The weaknesses of the 3-4-3:
- Obligatory defensive retreats for players on the wings to not free too many spaces;
- Difficult to grasp without being well prepared;
- Very vulnerable in counter-attack.
The 3-5-2, tactical flexibility
The 3-5-2 has recently been used brilliantly by Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, although he regularly switches back to 3-4-3. His two wide players, Grimaldo and Frimpong, are among the best scorers and passers of his formation.
3-5-2 formation
The defensive axis is well protected by 3 central defenders while being in numerical superiority in midfield with up to 5 players.
The strengths of the 3-5-2:
- A compact block and defensive solidity;
- Numerical superiority in midfield;
- Multiple offensive systems at your disposal.
The weaknesses of the 3-5-2:
- Requires very physical wide players;
- Spaces behind fullbacks if they've advanced;
- Risk of being 1v1 against attacks with 3.
Complete list of tactics and formations in soccer
From the historic 4-4-2 to the modern 3-5-2, each formation tells a playing philosophy and is specific to each soccer coach. This complete list offers you a clear and detailed overview of the different tactics in soccer, to optimize your choices during each of your matches.
Formations with 3 defenders
Formations with 4 defenders
Formations with 5 defenders
What is your tactic?
In soccer, you know as well as we do, nothing is ever fixed. A coach like Pep Guardiola at Manchester City can, during a match, change tactics 2 to 3 times to adapt to their opponent or impose their law.
It's essential to recall that a tactic must be chosen based on your objectives, your squad, and the skills of each of your players. The training session is the best place to test, succeed, or fail tactical ideas so that, once the weekend arrives, you don't make mistakes and come away with the 3 points.
