| 27-May-07 12:21
FL | | | The most common tactic currently used |
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| 11-Jul-07 06:08
riostrioff | | | besides the common use by, for example, english teams. 4-4-2 also could be a modification from 5-3-2. such is the case with Mexico national team.
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| 28-Sep-07 12:51
captain24 | | | 4-4-2 is all about balance through the middle, in the modern game it is normal for one of the central midfielders to be a holding player to protect the back 4, allowing the other midfielder to be more of a playmaker. Also one of the 2 strikers is likely to be a target man , a tall, strong striker such as Drogba that the other striker can play off. | | | |
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| 10-Jan-09 13:38
guest 122.144.119.74 | | | This formation was the hallmark of Manchester United through the years. It was used in the Champions League triumphs in 1999 and 2008. The distinct feature of their 4-4-2 is that they play one-armed. The 1999 treble team used David Beckham as the creative winger and Ryan Giggs making the attack runs. Now, Giggs is now the creative winger and Ronaldo as the attacking winger. | | | |
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| 13-Mar-09 08:45
gooner95 | | | Arsenal formation, mostly in the Premier League. Two attacking wing backs, two wingers, two central midfielder s, one creative forward and one physical (and awful) forward! No names mentioned. (Cough, cough, Adebayooo)! | | | |
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| 13-Aug-09 16:03
guest 62.239.159.6 | | | The formation that all English coaches will default to in a crisis, in the same way that Dutch coaches will always revert to 4-3-3 and Spaniards to a 4-2-3-1. | | | |
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| 14-Aug-09 06:32
guest 220.255.7.226 | | | The most balanced of all formations I have ever seen in modern football:
- Every position has at least one team-mate to cover.
Each winger is covered by a full-back. Each central midfielder/ central defender has a team-mate with similar position to cover. Midfielders cover forwards when the team is attacking, and cover defenders when defending.
When midfielders & forwards cannot penetrate opponents defence, unmarked defenders (especially full-backs) can go forward to provide support. Forwards can also provide first-line defence when the team lose the ball.
- The formation allow great flexibility.
If you cannot attack from right, you can attack from right. If you cannot attack from sidelines, you can attack from the middle. If you cannot send crosses, you can send through passes. If you cannot pass, you can have the players dribble the ball through the defence, or even try long-range shots because central midfielders are in good positions to shoot. This feature allows your team to send multiple waves of attack, which can be very devastating.
You also can switch from defence to attack very fast (4-4-2 to 2-4-4), and suit to your style (offensive, defensive, short pass, long pass, slow attack, counter attack, etc.).
- The keys: dynamic, or tenacious (or both), players, and good central midfielders (engine room players).
You can defend with 10 outfield players, and attack with 8. But I am more comfortable with aggressive play and counter-attacking football, usually I defend more and launch lightning attack with 2 to 4 outfield players, and the rest keep stand-by to prepare second wave of attack. I prefer effectiveness and efficiency over beauty  | | | |
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| 02-Jan-10 12:34
guest 213.67.125.41 | | | It can be everything from very offensive to very defensive. The only formation that migght be as good as this is the 4-3-3 and the 4-2-2-2. Where the latter one is quite similar to the usual 4-4-2. But it all depending on what players a team have.
This formation is also equally good for possesion play as it is for counter attacking football.
This formation however is usually not used by italian teams that rather perfer a more narrow tacitc, which is better if you want control of the midfield, specially in defending situations. It s also common for italian teams to have one or two attacking midfielders which is not useful for this kind of formation. | | | |
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| 21-Jan-11 17:21
trequartista
 Bayern | | | The best formation to create superior number situations on the whole pitch.
Best played with complete RM/LM players who can finish well and do their job in defence too(backtrace the wingers e.g.). If the SMFs go into offence the side-backs can fill up their space and back up the power-play situation and provide the width so the RM/LM can cut inside into the box with the ball or waiting for the pass into the gap theyre running in.
One of the FWs can play as a SS to escape the CB or man marks and play in the hole to provide playmaking abilities together with one of the CMs(strong passer), no need for a classic nr.10 anymore.
as someone said efficiency, but efficiency can be beautiful too.
The simple play is the most beautiful but also the hardest to play, with this formation u can make it look very easy and i like that. | | | |
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| 03-Sep-11 04:00
gazza
 New South Wales | | | A recent tactical innovation for this formation is that against similar formations, it is often the RB and LB that are more open and attacking. In attack they are paired up with opposing wingers, and many wingers are not defensively minded. | | | |
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| 28-Jan-13 11:46
Jake Hammatt
 Havering | | | This formation is the best formation to use if taking over a new team/club. This is because the formation is basic and easy to play, if played right. The right way to play this formation is when attacking with the 4-4-2 formation, it then should turn to 2-4-4 formation. The left and right back should push up in the midfield positions and the left and right midfielders should play upfront in strikers positions. This create more goals and attacking team will keep in the oppositions half. This because there 8 players in attacking positions, so therefore its easy to close down the oppostion quickly in there own half. This formation is flexable and should be used to play short, passing, attarctive football. This will create a better reputation for the club because fans like to see good short passing play, this will create a better fan base and revenue. This is all down due to this basic formation. The 4-4-2 can change to any formation in the world if tought and coached right , during a gameplay situation. This will create confusion to the opposite team and wont be able to keep up. If the formation is played this way, the attacking team playing this formation in this way will frash other teams. | | | |
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| 29-Jan-13 13:21
Soccer geek
 | | | I rather use it for longball tactics, ie; 2 backline of four sitting deep and two strikers at the top waiting for the long ball. | | | |
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