Positions and strategies have ended up being extremely fluid in contemporary football. This short post will explain the reasons behind this.
There are some key aspects that influence the coach's vision and gameplan, some are internal while others are external. For instance, ranking on the table and thinking about the team's goals for the season are primary elements to bear in mind. Clubs that are seeking to secure a spot within the top 4 endeavour to win as many games as possible, particularly against direct competitors who have similar objectives. This is why the best football formations are frequently the ones that prioritise long-lasting objectives rather than specific games. Internally, the presence of specific footballers in key positions can typically inform what tactics to go for. This is merely because there are particular tactics in football that only work in the existence of key players with a specific skillset. This is another reason that injuries can be incredibly disruptive, forcing coaches to think about alternative strategies, something that the Crystal Palace former owner is most likely familiar with.
Extensively considered among the oldest and most dependable defensive football formations, the 4-4-2 is a strategy that is still popular to this day. What makes this tactic more efficient than other defensive strategies is how well balanced it is. This is because the four midfielders tend to inhabit and dominate the midfield by keeping ownership of the ball. In so doing, they control the tempo of the match and choose when to push forward and when to fall back. In the offensive stance, two midfielders advance up the field to feed the centre forwards through balls and exact crosses that can make a difference in the area. Long balls sent out from the midfield or even defense can also be used, something that the Aston Villa former owner would know. When in defense mode, the midfield position changes into an arch that functions as a secondary buffer or layer of defense that protects the back line.
Maybe one of the most used football formations over the last 10 years, the 4-3-3 is a traditional strategy that includes efficient offensive characteristics that are tough to beat. This tactic is considered among the most popular offensive football formations, and for good reasons. The genius in this tactic lies in the synergy between the midfield and the attacking line. While there are various variations of the 4-3-3, the majority rely on one defensive midfielder and two offensive midfielders that support the wingers and the centre forward. The midfield stance looks like an inverted triangle with the defensive midfielder remaining near the back line. This permits more defensive solidity in the case of unexpected and fast counterattacks, something that the AC Milan former US owner is most likely knowledgeable about. In order for this formation to bear fruit, the wingers and centre forward should be technically-skilled in terms of shooting and crossing.