Comparing Formations

4-3-3 vs 5-3-2 vs 3-4-3

Fussball Coach
March 05, 2024

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, the following topics are in focus:

⚽Comparing Formations
- 4-3-3
- 5-3-2
- 5-2-3 / 3-4-3
👉4 New Exercises!
🚨Interview Confirmation with Florent Aziri - Nutrition and Sleep Expert in Professional Football

⚽Comparing Formations

Formations offer insights into how space is occupied on the field, allowing for certain generalizations. When a team establishes a numerical advantage in one area of the field, it inevitably means they'll have a numerical disadvantage elsewhere. Each formation naturally creates areas where numerical superiority or inferiority is probable.

These strengths and weaknesses can be managed with careful planning and might not always play out as expected. However, it's crucial to understand them when analyzing a team's tactics. That's why coaches in modern football frequently change formations. They can keep their team's style of play while adjusting how players occupy space to respond to the opponent.

4-3-3

The 4-3-3 is often seen as similar to the 4-1-4-1 because it can easily be formed from it: the wide midfielders simply need to align with the striker. Technically, the 4-3-3 could be considered as a 4-1-2-3. However, the execution of a 4-3-3 differs from a 4-1-4-1. Here, the focus is especially on the three forwards who can apply high pressure on the opponent. The trio in midfield secures the center. Therefore, we distinguish between the 4-3-3 and the 4-1-4-1.

A disadvantage of the 4-3-3 is that this formation is quite risky. If the opponent bypasses the front three, they can gain an advantage in midfield. Especially on the wings, there's a lack of defensive players, leading to increased running for the midfielders who need to cover these gaps. Many teams defending in a 4-3-3 therefore switch to a 4-1-4-1 when the opponent approaches their goal.

5-3-2

In recent years, the 5-3-2 formation has gained popularity in professional football. Its advantages lie in the strong central defense: three midfielders and two central strikers can create a numerical advantage in the center, forcing the opponent to build their game on the wings. The five-man defense can defend both width and depth effectively. Individual players can also push forward from defense to support the midfield.

A disadvantage arises on the wings: The full-backs and midfielders have to cover a lot of ground to close the gaps on the flanks. Pressing against deep full-backs proves to be particularly challenging. Additionally, in a high pressing scenario, this formation has its drawbacks: When midfielders push forward, the midfield becomes understaffed. Unintended formations like a 5-2-3 or a 5-1-4 can occur. Therefore, this formation is not particularly suitable for aggressive pressing. Most teams use the 5-3-2 primarily to defend the center compactly, especially in midfield pressing situations.

5-2-3/3-4-3

The 5-2-3 formation offers the opportunity to disrupt the opponent with three forwards, but the midfield is understaffed and therefore vulnerable in this setup. Consequently, most teams don't strictly play with a 5-2-3, but rather opt for a 3-4-3. In this variant, the two full-backs move up to join the midfield line, strengthening the midfield and securing the wings. This allows for aggressive pressing, maintaining high pressure on the opponent. The defensive team is well positioned both in the forward line and midfield line.

However, there is a risk of being outnumbered in defense because the three defenders cannot cover the width of the field. Since defending the center is more crucial than defending the wings, gaps often emerge here. Teams in this formation rely on winning the ball further up the field. Therefore, the 3-4-3 formation is often combined with aggressive pressing.

👉4 New Exercises!

There are four new transition-exercises available. If you'd like, you can gain access to all previously unlocked and future videos with our monthly or yearly subscription. In addition to both subscriptions, the following three tools are included for free:

Notion Football Team Template: Manage all essential information such as games, training sessions, and team data.
Training Planner as a Word document
Training Planner as a PDF

Exercises:

Transition game with three goals on each field

🚨Interview Confirmation with Florent Aziri - Nutrition and Sleep Expert in Professional Football

We are pleased to announce that we have the opportunity to conduct a written interview with Florent Aziri, the founder of ETS Diagnostics.

ETS Diagnostics specializes in optimizing nutrition and sleep, as well as neuroscience in elite football.

Florent Aziri's team integrates cutting-edge scientific knowledge and innovative technologies from leading research laboratories into European professional football. Individual strategies are developed to optimize players' cognitive and physical performance through the application of scientific insights in their daily lives.

I already have some intriguing questions that personally interest me, and I would love to include your questions as well. Please feel free to share your questions in the comment section (online view) or send them to us separately via email.

Thank you!

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