THE 4-2-3-1 SYSTEM OF PLAY

 THE 4-2-3-1 SYSTEM OF PLAY

HISTORY

The 4-2-3-1 system of play has its origins in the South American and the Dutch club and national sides.

The system is made up of four defenders playing in a flat line, two central holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders with two playing either side of the third who plays centrally and a lone forward up front.

IN POSSESSION

The system is characterised by an ability to maintain possession of the ball and commit both fullbacks to support the attack giving it a very attacking potency. The system is flexible so that in attack it morphs into a 2-2-3-3 with the wide attacking midfielders  and the fullbacks pushing on to support the attack. At the Euro 2016 Championships, we observed the Germany national team play a situational 1-2-1-3-3 system where Kross and Boateng played either side of Khedira with Hummels as the last man.

Having two wide players either side (fullback and wide attacking midfielder) joining the attack helps a team exploit the half spaces area of the pitch and the gaps that appear between the opposition fullback and centre back when they have to slide across due to the movement of the ball.

OUT OF POSSESSION

The presence of two central holding players provides defensive stability and gives the forward players and the attacking full backs the licence to go and join the attack. When out of possession, the wide midfielders are expected to drop alongside the central holding midfielders so we have two banks of four set up with the back four. The central attacking midfielder either joins the lone forward (4-4-2) or marks the man/space (4-4-1-1) in order to either put pressure on the opposition centre-backs with the opposition central midfielders in their cover shadow or put pressure on the opposition’s deepest midfielder.

The system gets exposed if the 3 attacking midfielders neglect their defensive responsibilities and slack off during the defensive transition. In the recent footballing season, we have seen some teams resort to a 4-4-2-0 where the centre forward drops alongside the attacking midfielder to put pressure solely on the opposition deepest midfielders while leaving the opposition centre-backs free.

SPECIALIST POSITIONS OF THE 4-2-3-1

The characteristics of the central attacking midfielder and the lone forward should be complimentary. A trequarista and a target man would suit  one another as the target man would be comfortable playing with his back to goal, holding up play, playing quick combinations and wall passes with an onrushing No 10. The Trequarista would be able to make intelligent movement around the target man to receive the ball.

Alternatively, a poacher and a central attacking playmaker would be complimentary as the playmaker can play with quick wit and agility, hold off pressure and spray passes in behind the opposition defence line for the poacher to run onto.

Also of note as regards specialist positions is the use of inverted wingers or attacking midfielders who cut inside into the half space areas of the pitch and either shoot or lay off passes with their strong foot. This action frees up the wing space for the full-back to run into in advance positions from where they can help the team keep the width and retain the ball.  The manager may choose to play inverted attacking midfielders on both sides or could choose to play asymmetrically with an inverted forward on one side and a side midfielder/winger on the  other side.

The central holding midfielders are essential to defensive stability and ball retention. They stay deeper than the six who are in attack to offer ball retention, a switch of play and the positional safety to break up opposition counter attacks or slow down its progress, therefore, giving the full-backs and wide midfielders the opportunity to recover.

PLAYER POSITONS

Goalkeeper

In addition to the traditional characteristics of the Goalkeeper, they should be

• Able to play out from the back with short safe passes or play long direct balls forward to exploit space.
  
• Able to join the team to maintain possession of the ball away from the opposition

Central Backs

The role of the centre back has not much changed from other formations such as 4-5-1 or 4-4-2. They

• Repel opposition attacks by tackling, marking and heading (either in a zonal or man marking system)
• have goog height with strength and concentration – important attributes when playing this position
• Ability to read the game and communicate well and stop players in 1v1 situations.
• Play short passes into their midfielders to initiate attacks
• Go up for heading opportunities from set-pieces
• Their primary role is to stop the opposition strikers and midfielders

Full Backs

• Good physical condition due to having to run up and down the pitch
• Usually short agile and quick players with good ball handling skills
• Defend against opposition attackers/wingers
• Stop supply line from crosses so should be strong in the tackle
• Essential attributes are pace, defending and heading
• In attack, pace, power and crossing ability is essential
• See a lot of space to run into  on the outside lane
• Essential as fullbacks provide width by stretching the pitch
• Provide passing outlet on the touchline to enable team to retain possession

Central Holding Midfielders

 Both the defensive stability and ball retention abilities live and die with your holding midfield pivot

• passing it with ease to dominate the opposition
• defending and tackling in tandem with no excessive gaps between them
• willing and strong in the tackle
• good in 1v1 situations
• The holding pivot provides the screen in front of the back four when defending centrally
• Provide cover when a full-back rushes forward and
• at opportune moments, to offer a late option arriving into the penalty area
• have positional sense so as to protect the team from swift counter attacks

In most teams one of the holding midfielders is skilled in ball distribution and ball retention e.g Xabi Alonso/Toni Kroos known as the distributor; while the other is skilled in tackling and retrieving the ball from the opposition known as destroyer e.g. Sami Khedira/Javi Martinez.

You could choose to use two destroyers in an away game or a game in which you are hanging on to a result.Also, you could use two distributors in a game you are in total domination of such as one in which opposition is seating deep in their half and you need to get a goal or attack to change the result.

 Side Attacking Midfielders/Wingers/Inverted Forwards

The three attacking midfielders can be hard for opposition defences to pick up, especially if they interchange and run in from deeper positions.

• the job is to create chances from the flanks as well as cutting in.
• There is also an onus on these players to help out defensively their full-backs when possession is lost, and the formation will look more like a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1.
• Should be in good physical condition as would do lots of running
• Great vision, ability to read the game, ball control, passing and quick decision-making skills.
• Also, have an eye for goal with good shooting and finishing skills
• This player would want ball most out of everyone else on the field and will somehow find the space to receive the ball most in practice

Central Attacking Midfielder/Advanced Forward/Trequarista

 No 10, the playmaker of the team and central creative force with subtle skills

• Almost no defensive responsibility although in most teams the CAM with the striker may be required to press the opposition holding pivot (if playing 4-2-3-1 as well)
• required to concentrate on finding pockets of space
• drift between the opposition’s lines and provide a long-range goal threat
• Useful attributes are ability to confuse opposition midfielders and robustness to keep balance under pressure

Striker/ Centre Forward

Role not much changed from other formations such as 4-5-1 or 4-4-2

• Predator inside the 18-yard box
• Does not lack support as 3 players behind him to join up and supply ammunition
• Forward can be either a target man who can hold the ball up and lay it off for the oncoming midfielders or a more poacher capable of running on to balls and finishing chances.
• It is important that the front-man is a strong physical specimen as, despite the support from midfield, he will need to hold off defenders as he looks to carve out chances for himself or teammates.

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