The holding midfielder shields the backline and also acts as the catalyst for buildup play and possession recycling. With two strikers on the field at all times, opposition defenders are constantly occupied, leading to plenty of scoring opportunities. This formation is extremely well-balanced and allows the team to utilize the space well, especially in wide areas. With two strikers, this shape encourages a direct attacking style and it can be adapted to a narrow or wide setup, depending on the players at your disposal. The 4-1-2-1-2 formation is a modern variation of the traditional 4-4-2, featuring two specialist center midfield players:Ī dominant defensive midfielder and an advanced creative playmaker.

If they don’t communicate clearly, they risk getting in each other’s way ruining the formation’s spacing. The centre midfielders all need to be comfortable on the ball. If you don’t have the right wingbacks, then the 3-5-2 formation is unlikely to work as they’re incredibly important to how the team plays in attack and defence. With five players across the midfield, you can pin the opposition into their own half, preventing them from playing from the back and forcing them into mistakes.ĭefensively, with three at the back and a number of midfielders ready to help out, the team can easily revert back to a 5-3-2.

The 3-5-2 formation will allow you to dominate possession and maximise your attacking output. Heavily reliant on wingbacks to provide width, every player must understand what’s expected of them and be willing to work hard for this formation to succeed.

With attacking potential, defensive solidity, and control over possession, the 3-5-2 formation can be fantastic to use if you have the right players.

Soccer positions by number explained