Positions and strategies have actually become really fluid in contemporary football. This short post will explain the factors behind this.
There are some crucial elements that affect the manager's vision and gameplan, some are internal while others are external. For example, ranking on the table and considering the club's objectives for the season are primary aspects to keep in mind. Clubs that are aiming to secure a spot within the top four endeavour to win as many matches as possible, especially versus direct contenders who have similar objectives. This is why the best football formations are often the ones that prioritise long-lasting goals rather than specific games. Internally, the availability of particular players in essential positions can often inform what tactics to go for. This is just due to the fact that there are certain strategies in football that only work in the existence of key players with a specific skillset. This is another reason that injuries can be extremely disruptive, requiring coaches to consider alternative plans, something that the Crystal Palace former owner is most likely aware of.
Commonly regarded 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 formation more effective than other defensive strategies is how balanced it is. This is since the four midfielders tend to inhabit and dominate the midfield by keeping ownership of the ball. In so doing, they manage the tempo of the game and decide when to push forward and when to fall back. In the attacking stance, 2 midfielders advance up the field to feed the centre forwards through balls and precise crosses that can make a difference in the box. Long balls sent out from the midfield or perhaps defense can also be used, something that the Aston Villa former owner would understand. When defending, the midfield stance 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 effective offensive dynamics that are hard to beat. This tactic is deemed among the most popular offensive football formations, and for good reasons. The genius in this tactic is all to do with the synergy between the midfield and the attacking line. While there are different variations of the 4-3-3, many depend on one defensive midfielder and 2 offensive midfielders that support the wingers and the centre forward. The midfield position appears like an inverted triangle with the defensive midfielder staying close to the back line. This allows for 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 work to flourish, the wingers and centre forward need to be technically-skilled in terms of shooting and crossing.