The Return of the 4-4-2

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ย. 2022
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    4-4-2: the formation that many current players and fans grew up on. The formation that Manchester United used to win the treble. The formation that Brazil used to win the World Cup in 2002. But more recently it has fallen out of fashion.
    But as Jon Mackenzie explains, it is returning, in a defensive state. Illustrated by Henry Cooke.
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  • กีฬา

ความคิดเห็น • 351

  • @vincemassara3283
    @vincemassara3283 ปีที่แล้ว +342

    442 never left (as said in the video). Easiest way to organise a press. And if you stretch the meaning to also include the 442 diamond, that's incredibly popular too. A 433 with inverted wingers and a false 9 is basically a 442 diamond

    • @phomo561
      @phomo561 ปีที่แล้ว

      🔥🔥🔥🔥

    • @dylanmurphy9389
      @dylanmurphy9389 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Liverpool have basically played 4-4-2 diamond this season

    • @triaxe-mmb
      @triaxe-mmb ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I have a feeling you didn't watch the video...just commenting off the title...

    • @vincemassara3283
      @vincemassara3283 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@triaxe-mmb hahaha definitely watched. But there's no point just regurgitating lines from the video is there. It's not only without the ball 442 is still common

    • @ravecrab
      @ravecrab ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Not sure I agree with that last statement. Inverted wingers might come inside but their starting positions are far too wide to be considered strikers.

  • @amadoubah9296
    @amadoubah9296 ปีที่แล้ว +128

    When I was kid (late nineties and early 2000´s), the 4-4-2 was so prevalent that I assumed that’s how the game was supposed to be played. In our local games, We always arranged our ourselves in that way, or tried to approximate it when we weren’t playing with 11 players.

    • @thejoulesthief6841
      @thejoulesthief6841 ปีที่แล้ว

      Its just a really well balanced formation. The “weakness” of the formation is that it doesn’t do anything *really well*. There are better formations to field to pull opponents out of position, form an attack, or counter quickly in transitional play, but the 4-4-2 is reliable and scalable, if predictable and medium.

    • @SK-kh2rs
      @SK-kh2rs ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Tiki taka destroyed striker position. If all kids start playing 442 more strikers and complete mids will come through.

    • @matt7matt722
      @matt7matt722 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@SK-kh2rs You're absolutely spot on, with that assessment.

    • @ivanmunoz9055
      @ivanmunoz9055 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SK-kh2rs tiki taka was "invented" by Luis Aragonés and the Spanish national team and it was used in a 4-4-2 formation with actual strikers.
      Football is a simple game and the hardest thing to do is play simple football. So most time we see tactical inventions such as the having no striker on the team is usually because of what's available and not what's most effective.

    • @DeanRavenMusic
      @DeanRavenMusic 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@ivanmunoz9055so true!

  • @TheMixCurator
    @TheMixCurator ปีที่แล้ว +266

    Jonathan Wilson's "Inverting the Pyramid" is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of football tactics.
    There's an immense part of the book based on Valeriy Lobanovskyi's (of FC Dynamo Kyiv fame) formations and tactics.
    Would be a really good secret santa/stocking filler for someone 👌

    • @XxEpIcFrOzEnzZxxx
      @XxEpIcFrOzEnzZxxx ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Couldn't agree more- absolutely loved the chapter about Bela Gutmann, the Mourinho of his era!

    • @devononair
      @devononair ปีที่แล้ว +5

      i just bought a copy for a friend for Christmas, so I heartily agree!

    • @terky3052
      @terky3052 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@XxEpIcFrOzEnzZxxx ohhh that chapter is elite!!

    • @benwilliams8667
      @benwilliams8667 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      If you buy the audiobook the gusto in which he pronounces non-english names is worth the purchase alone.

    • @jonatanolsen37
      @jonatanolsen37 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Loved that book

  • @sld1776
    @sld1776 ปีที่แล้ว +161

    2010/2011 Villarreal played a possession-based 4-4-2. The two 'wingers' (one was Cazorla) would move inside, while the fullbacks would provide the width. Both forwards were very mobile and could either drop as a #10 or help overwhelm the wide areas. Finished third that season if memory serves.

    • @andrasszabo1570
      @andrasszabo1570 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Yeah, I loved that Villarreal. They signed players and coaches based on their style and ideas rather than results, so they always found the underrated tools and punched well above their weight. With one of the lowest budgets in the division, they qualified for Europe in every season but one between 2003/04 and 2011/12.
      They put such a magnificient XI on the pitch with a shoestring budget, it's ridiculous. This was their team in 2010/11:
      Rossi, Nilmar (Altidore)
      Cazorla, Bruno (Senna), Valero, Cani
      Capdevila, Musacchio (Marchena), G. Rodríguez, Ángel (Mário)
      Diego López

    • @ashtonalmond9024
      @ashtonalmond9024 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Montpellier too when they won. 2 wingers to cross to Giroud

    • @safe3220
      @safe3220 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ashtonalmond9024 Montpellier didn't use a 4-4-2 that season? In fact, the #10 in-front of their midfield pivot was one of the key components of their title win.

    • @brapblap0429
      @brapblap0429 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      sounds incredibly similar to the monaco team that beat city in the champions league and won ligue 1. bernardo and lemar both cut inside while mbappe and falcao could both drop into the middle or push wide.

  • @ViniciusSC10
    @ViniciusSC10 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    I hope the 4-3-1-2 makes a comeback. Being Brazilian I grew up watching strikers duos and attackings fullbacks, really miss those days.

    • @fmac6441
      @fmac6441 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      especially with the "diamond" format that Wanderley used.

    • @leonbernshausen2568
      @leonbernshausen2568 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Dont you have that in a 3412 too?

    • @prsancho
      @prsancho ปีที่แล้ว +8

      It was 4-2-2-2. The diamond was more common in Argentina.
      However, in Brazil, the 2’s weren’t never equal. Even the forward 2. It was never 2 #9.
      Think of Brazil 1994. Mauro Silva e Dunga were very different players. So were Mazinho e Zinho. Also, Romário and Bebeto. There was flexibility in the Brazilian 4-4-2, which would count with the attacking fullbacks as well.

    • @fmac6441
      @fmac6441 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@prsancho In 2006 we also played like this, taking out Juninho Pernambuco, who was on the right in the diamond formation, for Adriano to enter, setting Zé Roberto next to Emerson and Gaúcho next to Kaká

    • @ViniciusSC10
      @ViniciusSC10 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@prsancho I was thinking more of the Wanderley Luxemburgo diamond midfield, that @fmac6441 said. But the 4-2-2-2 was awesome too because you have the balance between players that defend and create, with two midfielders that created a lot. And people tend to forget players like Cesar Sampaio, Rincon and others, that were defensive midfielders but were huge forces going forward. We had players capable of doing the box to box needed today.
      I think we have had a decline in quality at the fullback position because they don’t attack was often as they did in the past. Also the wingers were turn in to fullbacks in the past (like Cafu and Serginho). Nowadays they stay as wingers.
      But I think today teams have a huge difficulty facing closed defense because they use only one striker and this is showing in this World Cup. I think a second striker (not a second poacher), a faster striker, that can dribble and pass as Edmundo and Paulo Nunes were back in the 90s would help this. One, because they would give a partner to the striker and another thing to defenders to worry. Two, because they would open space to fullback to go further upfield.
      We have players that have that characteristics like Lautaro, Gabriel Jesus and Joao Felix, but they are obligated to play as strikers or wingers because every scheme in today’s game uses only one striker.

  • @thejungwookim
    @thejungwookim ปีที่แล้ว +99

    It's interesting to see 4-4-2 being so prevalent it's nearly the perfect defensive structure

    • @andrasszabo1570
      @andrasszabo1570 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Arrigo Sacchi loved the 4-4-2 because it's the best in terms of covering the space.
      Wherever the opponent passes the ball, you always have at least 2 players nearby.
      I would add that its simplicity makes it easier to build a team, you don't need many positions to sign players.

  • @y.a.46
    @y.a.46 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Morocco has been using this formation out of postion extremely well in the world cup, only conceded three goals in the whole tournament and two of them came in the semifinals.

    • @kash5439
      @kash5439 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      One of those was an own goal

  • @fadhilideche2831
    @fadhilideche2831 ปีที่แล้ว +245

    The return of the 4-4-2 as a specifically in-possession formation seems to be part of a more general transition towards what could be called phase-specific formations. In other words, I think it's become more widely accepted to no longer see starting line-ups as having a single-set formation, but different set-ups to occupy given the state-of-play (e.g. attacking, defensive transition etc.). Something similar has happened with how common it is to see teams adopt the W-M or 2-3-5 as an in-possession set-up.

    • @titaninsane
      @titaninsane ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Great observation. I’ve been noticing how the shape of the team changes depending on the situation, so it’s definitely how the game’s going to evolve

    • @fadhilideche2831
      @fadhilideche2831 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@titaninsane Thanks. And perhaps the culmination of that (or at least the next phase) would be to denote players in terms of their "roles" rather "position". So, for example, no longer calling Trent, Cancelo and Wan-Bissaka "full-backs" just because that tends to be their nominal starting position. I remember HITC Sevens made a video arguing basically that same point.

    • @titaninsane
      @titaninsane ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@fadhilideche2831 Your definitely onto something. Players need to be so versatile in the modern game, simple labeling them by their holding positions definitely doesn't reflect their contributions to the game.

    • @matheus5230
      @matheus5230 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@titaninsane It has already evolved like that. The future is here and now.

    • @stuckupcurlyguy
      @stuckupcurlyguy ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's more like a WW as the mezzalas don't usually overlap the forwards but I see what you mean

  • @derkaiser16
    @derkaiser16 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    4-4-2. The formation that I first know back when I started watching football. I was still at Elementary school that time. Seeing tifo made a video about this somehow kicks some memories in my brain

    • @karanskaushal
      @karanskaushal ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The modern 4-2-2-2 is my go to formation

  • @SKa-tt9nm
    @SKa-tt9nm ปีที่แล้ว +93

    The original 4-4-2 had a sweeper. So defensively it’s not quite the same.

    • @lewisblackwiththenicehair
      @lewisblackwiththenicehair 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It's interesting how the covering man has moved from being a centre half to being one of the midfield two

  • @RaZeyLWindBladE
    @RaZeyLWindBladE ปีที่แล้ว +17

    There is also the addition of the sweeper keeper or keeper playmaker; teams like Arsenal or Man City plays these vigorously with either Ederson playing further upfront as an additional defender or Ramsdale playing the quick over the top or a fast ball through the mid and being crucial to the transition phase.
    They allow their teammates to maintain a better defensive shape while having the potential for quick turnovers. In attack, Arsenal moves forward ala 2-3-4-1 shape while defending as a 4-4-2 with Xhaka as that box to box player and Odegaard as a second striker / No 10 role.
    And while opposing coaches can understand and even play against these teams, the sheer amount of control and possession socks the life out of the opposing team and constant threat all over the pitch highlights it.

  • @andrasszabo1570
    @andrasszabo1570 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Arrigo Sacchi loved the 4-4-2 because it's the best in terms of covering the space.
    Wherever the opponent passes the ball, you always have at least 2 players nearby.
    I would add that its simplicity makes it easier to build a team, you don't need many positions.

  • @aryantandon4011
    @aryantandon4011 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Leonardo Jardim's 442 at Monaco (16/17) was something else.

  • @RatedROliveirav2
    @RatedROliveirav2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Sérgio Conceição has been using the 4-4-2 ever since he took charge of FC Porto, it's the flexibility and adaptability that matters. Having Evanilson and Taremi, he has a striker that can push deep and another striker who has more freedom on the pitch. He did this with Aboubakar and Marega. It's all about the input you try to give your team when attacking and defending,

  • @confidenceismymiddlename
    @confidenceismymiddlename ปีที่แล้ว +24

    It's used a lot by Ancelotti at Real Madrid with Valverde on the right
    Really effective and imo one of the main reasons they won the CL last season

    • @soyjusthyn7850
      @soyjusthyn7850 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      true.. vini and benzema on top

  • @frebs5603
    @frebs5603 ปีที่แล้ว +98

    442 always well adapted to international football since there isn’t as much time to develop true gameplan philosophy, and it forces horse shoe offense from opposition by pushing them wide, and a good strike partnership can never fail.

    • @abstraqtphilosophy7357
      @abstraqtphilosophy7357 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Senegal, Croatia, France, and Portugal have had their national team coaches for over 5yrs. Are you saying these managers don't have your so-called true game plan philosophy because they are international coaches? The disrespect!

    • @Victor-kh5rh
      @Victor-kh5rh ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That’s not true at all. Tite has been with Brazil for six years, with a pretty consistent squad, and the way the South American qualifiers are structured it means playing everyone in home-away games. Tite didn’t deploy the 4-4-2 structure until late in the process. We attack in a 4-2-1-3 or 4-2-4 and defend in 4-4-2 with Neymar dropping deep looking to unleash Richarlison or one of the wingers. 4-4-2 works very well with our trigger based press, and it’s -effect for launching counter attacks.

    • @abstraqtphilosophy7357
      @abstraqtphilosophy7357 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Victor-kh5rh Talk to that man, mate. Tell him

    • @frebs5603
      @frebs5603 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@abstraqtphilosophy7357 it’s not disrespectful. Didier Deschamps is a great coach and he’s done a great job, but tactics are definitely not a skill of his. His skills are man management and player selection, substitutes, but not tactical intelligence. And even if you have a coach that can do that (such as Enrique for Spain), you must understand that it’s simply just much harder to develop a stable possession based gameplan due to international teams not being able to play together nearly as often as club teams. That’s why international football is often more back and forth and there’s much less intricate buildup like you might see in top tier clubs

    • @frebs5603
      @frebs5603 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Victor-kh5rh I never said every single team had to use it 😂😂 Argentina does tho and so do most other teams out of possession. I’m just saying it’s always a solid option

  • @bigbearrecordingstudio7921
    @bigbearrecordingstudio7921 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Leicester miracle season was a 4-4-2 w Vardy and Okazaki/Ulloa up front and was, evidently, very successful!

    • @andrewthornton6192
      @andrewthornton6192 ปีที่แล้ว

      442 and very direct, almost a throwback. At the time I thought maybe it would become more prevalent with an aggressive direct style.

  • @lewisrowden3544
    @lewisrowden3544 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    The 4-4-2 is like Rock music. People always seem to want to claim that it's dead, so that they can bring it back to life. Yet, like Rock music always in some form being on the radio, every year we see 4-4-2 being played at all levels of the men's and women's game.

  • @glassjournal7598
    @glassjournal7598 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    In Portugal, since the beginning of Sérgio Conceição's era, FC Porto has been playing in 4-4-2, sometimes looking like a 4-2-3-1 (for example, now Taremi plays as Second Forward) in a very high pressing style (usually with quick counter). Benfica, this season, with Schmidt, has been doing something similar, but with more possession style, with a formation that sits between a 4-4-2 and a 4-2-3-1 (with Rafa Silva playing as kind of a #10 or a Second Forward)

  • @danielfsmoreira89
    @danielfsmoreira89 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Sergio Conceição's FC Porto is using 442 for the 6th consecutive season. One striker dropping a bit but roughly maintaining two lines of 4 players. The RM usually joins the CMs when in possession. A 622 was used a couple of times when defending against stronger teams.

    • @joaomaio9070
      @joaomaio9070 ปีที่แล้ว

      A couple of games in the CL this season where, while defending attacks from the left side, Zaidu would close in with the CBs and Galeno would drop to the LW position. Weird but it worked great against oponents with fast players on the wing.

  • @CrystalSauceOnEverything
    @CrystalSauceOnEverything ปีที่แล้ว +19

    My favorite formation is the “Christmas tree” 4-3-2-1 and its cousin the 4-3-1-2, which is a 4-4-2 variant, as exemplified by AC Milan in the mid 2000s

    • @AKM96
      @AKM96 ปีที่แล้ว

      Before the World Cup break, we(Liverpool) were playing in that formation. The 4-3-1-2

    • @JJ_Forza
      @JJ_Forza ปีที่แล้ว

      4321 is one of the worst positions available imo

    • @Your-wife-sexual-partner
      @Your-wife-sexual-partner ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@JJ_Forzawell Milan win champions league with this formation back in 2007

  • @the_one_the_only4651
    @the_one_the_only4651 ปีที่แล้ว +570

    Can you do a documentary on the San Marino national team (football's biggest underdogs) and their never-ending struggle in international football. Loving the content ❤

    • @LoyalFan9383
      @LoyalFan9383 ปีที่แล้ว +62

      Why are they an underdog when they always always always and I mean always lose minimum of 4-0

    • @Youngcarter354
      @Youngcarter354 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      @@LoyalFan9383 lol maybe he meant underdog as in a team who’s not expecting to win

    • @amucci7
      @amucci7 ปีที่แล้ว +59

      @@LoyalFan9383 😂do you know what underdog means?

    • @snorkz455
      @snorkz455 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Extremely good idea

    • @baiscj
      @baiscj ปีที่แล้ว +40

      Can you stop spamming bro? You've been commenting the exact same comment everytime. If they're interested they would've done it already. Or maybe they're working on it. Seeing your spam everytime i watch tifo videos just become annoying now.

  • @kailaskrishnan7
    @kailaskrishnan7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My favorite formation, brought me many career victories in Manager Mode on FIFA 15. The last great FIFA game. That first champions league with Sheffield United felt so sweet and brought to me all by the usage of the 4-4-2.

  • @syrenpippa9388
    @syrenpippa9388 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Tifo u dey always burst my head...God bless keep the good work going..genuine fan

  • @anxofernandez3344
    @anxofernandez3344 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    The most popular formation in the late 80s and for most of the 90s was the 442 diamond. There usually was a central midfielder (Rijkaard, Albertini, Redondo, Guardiola...); there were two midfielders on the sides that could be more like wings or more like extra central midfielders; and an offensive midfielder that could be kind of a predecessor of the box to box (Gullit for Milan or Bakero for Barcelona) or a playmaker (Baggio, Laudrup, Schuster..). Some teams would use the 442 with two central midfielders (holding and box-to-box) and no actual playmaker and two more offensive midfielders, forming a square shape. In the late 90s and early 2000s some teams began to use only one striker, bring back the playmaker and turn the offensive midfielders almost into wings. Then the Spanish teams found success with the 433 formation and the 442 and 4231 kinda went away for a while. And now what was old is new again.

    • @croskoal
      @croskoal ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Excellent information and awesome trip through memory lane. Only nitpick, the box to box is a much older concept that made a comeback in the early-mid 2000s (Lampard, Scholes and Gerard at different points in their careers, and Michael Ballack)

    • @anxofernandez3344
      @anxofernandez3344 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@croskoal Gerrard was half playmaker and half box-to-box. He could do both very well. Ballack and Lampard were better as the box-to-box type but he was more creative than either of them. I get your point though.

    • @croskoal
      @croskoal ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@anxofernandez3344 oh yeah, what a complete midfielder. Good times

  • @mayankgautam840
    @mayankgautam840 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Brazil and Portugal played their last matches with 442 out of possession.

    • @filipesiegrist
      @filipesiegrist ปีที่แล้ว

      Brasil looked more as 4-1-4-1 last game.

  • @alficammy6159
    @alficammy6159 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Sir Alex Ferguson favourite formations even in his last season with Manchester United he used this formation to win the league with aging players and average squad plus Van Persey and Rooney partnership is one deadly duo shame we could only see it for one season tho

  • @thisIsFunnyLolz
    @thisIsFunnyLolz ปีที่แล้ว +32

    What goes around comes around. Like fashion, things come in cycles and with formations having only a limited number of combinations and the ever evolving, never ending, tactical duels between clubs, the 4-4-2 was bound to return with some twists. Love the content

    • @stormmeansnowork
      @stormmeansnowork ปีที่แล้ว

      Speaking of evolving tactics, I would say that an effective formation could sometimes depend upon the popularity of formations. 442 may be effective when out of possession, but I believe it to be so only when most team plays (for instance) 4231 when attacking. One day when most people opt for some other in-possession formation, maybe a 352 would return as the best formation too, just hypothesising. These kind of things called formation actually counter one another in some ways and it also depends on whether or not you have the players to make the best out of a certain formation.

  • @Snaily
    @Snaily ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My local side actually still plays a 4-2-4 and has done since the 70's, though with the pace of the left-back and right-winger we've got it does often become more of a 3-3-4 or a 3-2-5 on attack. Going fairly well for them now, winning most games by at least 4 goals minus the odd dodgy lino.

  • @iamthemanwithnoname6140
    @iamthemanwithnoname6140 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Viktor Maslov deserves a lot more recognition than he gets. The price for being part of the Soviet bloc I guess. One of the greatest pioneers in Football. There is something distinctly Soviet about the way he developed the game. The idea that individual skill can be nullified by teamwork, discipline and fitness.

  • @philthornton1382
    @philthornton1382 ปีที่แล้ว +157

    All sports tactics are cyclical
    I’m looking forward to the big man little man strike force and hard as nails cb making their comeback

    • @IVIRnathanreilly
      @IVIRnathanreilly ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Can see the big man little man being moreso a "striker" and a "winger" where the little man is always taking up a wider position on either side.

    • @munmunyee
      @munmunyee ปีที่แล้ว +14

      In 30 years the expected football IQ of top flight players will be so high we'll have gone back and retried total football

    • @LuisGarcia-zz2qv
      @LuisGarcia-zz2qv ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@munmunyee how do you know this ? I don’t understand why you say this

    • @LuisGarcia-zz2qv
      @LuisGarcia-zz2qv ปีที่แล้ว

      How do you know this will happen I am curious to know your point of view on how all sports tactics are cyclical

    • @theflashgordon193
      @theflashgordon193 ปีที่แล้ว

      can't wait to see 424 back then

  • @jonnywishbone4805
    @jonnywishbone4805 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    United usually played with a link man like Sheringham, Cantona or even Yorke to an extent- even Scholes occasionally played there originally

  • @maudalmusicalmachines3541
    @maudalmusicalmachines3541 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    USMNT switching from 4 4 2 to
    4 3 3 in possession is working a charm.

  • @yunglordz5907
    @yunglordz5907 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The history and tactics (mentioning the dwight yorke part was a plus) really respect this video, it was worth watching 🙏🏽

  • @aeugenio97
    @aeugenio97 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Excellent analysis as always.

  • @64Ahmed
    @64Ahmed ปีที่แล้ว +8

    These new formations were created to counter the 4-4-2 , but this also means that the 4-4-2 can counter them.
    As we see with how high pressing can be countered by counter attacking and sometimes counter attacking can be countered by pressing high to stop the attacks from starting in the first place.
    I think it comes down to which teams can execute their plan in the best way and that's why there isnt really a "right" way to play football

  • @littlewing62
    @littlewing62 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    it always depends on the situation on the pitch, it's rare to see teams play a rigid 442 or 433 in the modern game

  • @thekingofafrica6720
    @thekingofafrica6720 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Poland defended in a 4-4-2 formation today and only conceded when they where out of it... I noticed this too in some games over the WC. This formation never really died..

  • @prsancho
    @prsancho ปีที่แล้ว +2

    In Argentina, the 4-4-2 had a diamond in midfield (4-1-2-1-2). In Brazil, it was a square (4-2-2-2). In both countries, one would RARELY see the midfield in line. I was expecting to see those formations, but they weren’t mentioned.

  • @SDCLFC1
    @SDCLFC1 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I've not seen a 4-4-2 as a pressing system - only a mid-block. Occasionally they might initiate a press by mostly it's preventing space. A full-press where traps are set is usually a 4-3-3 with the a midfielder joining the front 3 and the full-backs joining the midfield, I never see that happen in a 4-4-2

  • @crimsonmage1265
    @crimsonmage1265 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Something about 442 just makes me love it

    • @neocell710
      @neocell710 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's a sexy and symmetrical structure.🥰

    • @crimsonmage1265
      @crimsonmage1265 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @SeanL94 perfectly described lad

    • @ravecrab
      @ravecrab ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It seems like such an aggressive formation by modern standards. It surrenders control for sheer firepower.

  • @Maxim89Il
    @Maxim89Il ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Formation are more often than not effected by the tools at hand. For example, the 4-3-3 worked in Guardiola's Barcelona because that was the most effective formation for the players he had. Many coaches who tried to copy it failed because they didn't have the same tools.
    Victor Maslov was intelligent and insightful enough to realise the footballers were becoming fitter, stronger, and with higher endurance, which allowed to drop some of his forwards back and control the midfield better while maintaining their attacking functions.
    His Torpedo Moscow was one of the best teams in Europe, and had the Soviet bureaucrats not been so dumb and allowed Soviet Teams to join the European Cup earlier, who knows? Maybe Russia would've had a finalist, or even a winner, already back then.
    Also, while Dynamo Kiev had won one title before his arrival, it was he who really created the "great Dynamo" and paved the way for the great Lobanovsky.

  • @GlodelaniaChannel
    @GlodelaniaChannel ปีที่แล้ว +1

    4-2-2 is so popular in Inazuma town, the crown champion of Football Frontier, Raimon starts using it. Although in Glodelania, the formation 4-3-3 is the most prepared one although the national team uses 3-4-1-2 instead.

  • @amrelarcher8990
    @amrelarcher8990 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    every time a big global tourney comes around, the 4-4-2 always comes into fashion again.

    • @devononair
      @devononair ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It's more common at international level because it's easier a slightly safer system, and international coaches to tend to adopt conservative strategies overall.

  • @melaniesmelodies
    @melaniesmelodies ปีที่แล้ว

    3:46 I was excited to watch this video because I started seeing it with Arsenal this season where Odegaard moves up and presses with Gabriel Jesus, and Saka and Martinelli drop in with Xhaka and Partey

  • @haitiankid9456
    @haitiankid9456 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Was thinking about this since the start of this world cup cause every tactico the 442 was finished and outdated cause of the midfield inferiority but it still works on an international level a lot of teams use it. Even Bayern adopt a form of it sometimes

  • @robert2690
    @robert2690 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’m still in love with Johan Cruyff’s 343 Diamond tactic.
    Very attacking and very defensive depending on the situation.

  • @bigburrito2373
    @bigburrito2373 ปีที่แล้ว

    an organized press, overloading the wings and utilizing partnerships at forward, midfield, and defense all are fundamental in the modern game. a 442 structure accomplishes these goals well and allows flexibility in selection in attacking areas.

  • @anthtan
    @anthtan ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That eponymous magazine will be happy to hear this, I imagine.

  • @Tacocat_145
    @Tacocat_145 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    442 is the most balanced formation.. you can evolve it to 424 if your on super attacking mode, 4411 if you want to hold the line upfront if you have a target man or a 451 if you want to win a midfield battle and even a 4231 is a form of 442 if you want to put 2 DM's in defending mode

  • @mujeebahmed7940
    @mujeebahmed7940 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good information..

  • @georgeleach4514
    @georgeleach4514 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is really interesting as I feel like Guardiola’s 433 would which all the time to maintain his strict positional play.

  • @kingmidas89
    @kingmidas89 ปีที่แล้ว

    great content!

  • @dau1024
    @dau1024 ปีที่แล้ว

    4 diamond 2 is one of my favorite formations

  • @trollpotatoe
    @trollpotatoe ปีที่แล้ว +5

    love 442😍

  • @darkkingrc-1414
    @darkkingrc-1414 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    These formations feels like a cycle to me . 442

    • @bonito613
      @bonito613 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Teams switched to 352 when Conte's success at Chelsea also.

    • @bonito613
      @bonito613 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      3-5-2/3-4-2-1*

    • @darkkingrc-1414
      @darkkingrc-1414 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thnx for reminding 👍

    • @user-go2xi7zq5q
      @user-go2xi7zq5q ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Mourinho brought in the 433

  • @Cesco_S
    @Cesco_S ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It’s coming back, it’s the best way to beat the 4-3-3 because of the quicker transition from defense to attack, especially when playing against a team that wants to keep possession and pushes wing backs high. But you need very strong box to box midfielders to keep up with the pace, Everton have the players for this type of midfield.

  • @tunnelvision9462
    @tunnelvision9462 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Can u do an explanation on how the coaches get along with tactics when they have players like Mbappe or others that don't take part in pressing.

  • @johnd.hernandezrey8577
    @johnd.hernandezrey8577 ปีที่แล้ว

    I agree with the analysis. The only thing I can add is Sean Dyche has used 442 successfully at Burnley.

  • @Zazzy280
    @Zazzy280 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Barcelona’s 4-4-2 under Valverde when they almost went the whole season unbeaten 😢

  • @hassanhamdan3754
    @hassanhamdan3754 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nagelsmann tried a 442 press with Bayern no?

  • @jakelfc3472
    @jakelfc3472 ปีที่แล้ว

    Creating a mid-block is something Brendan Rodgers half did briefly when he was at Liverpool fc, unless pressing for 5 seconds as a team inside your own half is not creating a mid-block (?).
    The 8 pushing up to the centre-forward is what I'm into, Gerrard and Torres was one of the best attacking partnerships in football, literally everyone played well around them. Balance is key imo, if Liverpool hadn't had Suarez as a right forward then interchanging with the front three would not of been as effective. Leicester's back 4 when they won the title was a formation with good defensive structure that Claudio Ranieri created.

  • @user-yw2ny4it3h
    @user-yw2ny4it3h ปีที่แล้ว

    I think the 442 as an out of possession formation has long been popular ever since Someone took charge of Atletico.
    The big point of focus in tha last few years is how teams playing in a 433/4231 attacking formation switch in between that and the 442 when defending. And how that is part a consequence of trying to accommodate number 10's like Neymar, Messi, Ødgaard and even Muller at Bayern.
    Players who fulfill the same role as The CM when attacking(with higher impact) but dont really (or can't) defend like a standard CM.

  • @poojith6549
    @poojith6549 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yesterday Senegal made it impossible for equador to play forward using their wing backs, whenever they tried to use the WBS senegal regained position and took advantage

  • @muhammedgamal5871
    @muhammedgamal5871 ปีที่แล้ว

    Totally true, Southampton used it against city last season for example and pep talked about it

  • @sfisozonke865
    @sfisozonke865 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have noticed a number of teams favouring the 4-1-4-1 in this world cup i.e Brazil, Australia, Morocco, Tunisia. What are advantages of this system, especially in the context of international tournament football and what are it's potential pitfalls in defence.

  • @connorcoleman0379
    @connorcoleman0379 ปีที่แล้ว

    Here in Ireland our idea of football is the 442 and long ball has been for 50+ years although it’s old and not great to watch it’s what we know so good to see the mainstream return

  • @billyferaldy
    @billyferaldy ปีที่แล้ว +1

    2-3-5 in possession is something of a trend as well but yeah most teams defend in a 4-4-2 shape.

  • @chinballs2
    @chinballs2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I remember on FIFA when you could play a lofted through ball and drop it right in behind the defence, giving the attacker something to "run on to". The implications of this were profound; teams were forced to see the game more peripherally and a lot less in terms of interpersonal relations, and with less emphasis on the lightweight properties of an individual's boots or haircut. Nowadays I'd much rather play a 2-2-6 star (or "chicken coop") formation with emphasis on underlapping runs through the defence.

  • @Varraz
    @Varraz ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Even the 4-2-4 is making a small comeback with its ability to transform into a 4-4-2 off possesion

  • @kohikappu
    @kohikappu ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I used to play with 4-3-1-2, easily the best formation in playing with Milan in any game platform (FIFA, PES, & WE)

  • @sadsixersfan.
    @sadsixersfan. ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I wonder if we'll see a resurgence of a 10 between the lines as teams move away from having a 6 in favor of two blocks of 4

  • @cowboy9316
    @cowboy9316 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    442 is one of my favorites because you can keep the system but change individual roles to exploit weaknesses in the opponents gameplan.

  • @smoggies88
    @smoggies88 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    carrick currently doin a 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 press for boro

  • @kieran8845
    @kieran8845 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The issue with the 442 (flat) in the modern era has been the lack of numbers in the centre of the pitch. That can be compensated for if you have a strong defence , two extremely hardworking midfielders in the middle and enough pace to hit on the break effectively (leicester 2015, vintage Atletico under Simeone) these examples though are rare. In general games are dedided by the midfield and having 2 v 3's is just a tough ask.

  • @DeKaged
    @DeKaged ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I propose the 1-1-8 formation. I've never heard anything bad about that, so it must be good.

  • @matthewmcneany
    @matthewmcneany ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "Time is a flat circle" - Some German guy (probably Seb).

  • @joaquinmayorga4961
    @joaquinmayorga4961 ปีที่แล้ว

    Finally a video about actual football. Great.

  • @efanferdiantowibowo9610
    @efanferdiantowibowo9610 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I doubt big clubs would implement 4-4-2 regularly. Maybe for certain matches, but not regularly. With the introduction of attacking fullbacks, we dont need more wide wingers.

    • @SGProductions87
      @SGProductions87 ปีที่แล้ว

      The issue with this is that it's difficult to find the necessary quality of attack in a full back. Full backs are asked to do these things when they aren't skilled in doing so, and sometimes your full backs are injured and you have to use centre backs as makeshift full backs.

    • @efanferdiantowibowo9610
      @efanferdiantowibowo9610 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SGProductions87 thats why I said big clubs

  • @nsoper19
    @nsoper19 ปีที่แล้ว

    This needs to be understood with respect to the change in the offside rule in 2005.
    The rule change allowed players to be in an "offside" position but not interfering with play. This forced defensive lines deeper creating more space in the middle. Two men simply cannot cover that space anymore hence the need for three in midfield. And only on one striker. Look at any games from the 90s and the defences played much higher up with strikers looking to get in behind much more often.

  • @robbiethepict2783
    @robbiethepict2783 ปีที่แล้ว

    I miss the 442 with the sweeper.

  • @ranjanprithvi
    @ranjanprithvi ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Till today, I thought Segue was spelt as Segway 😄

    • @nifemi_o
      @nifemi_o ปีที่แล้ว

      Segue is the word meaning "to transition", Segway is the two wheeled transporter thing hippies like

  • @SonicAvalanche
    @SonicAvalanche ปีที่แล้ว

    Need to do a segment on Antoine Griezmann. Guy is talismanic for France, probably their most important player of the last 10 years and he's showing it again

  • @runrafarunthebestintheworld
    @runrafarunthebestintheworld ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I love the 4-4-2 much better than the 5-4-1.

  • @madhatten00
    @madhatten00 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    the 4-4-2 by argentina is closer to a 4-3-2-1 formation
    messi roams into the middle making this a 4-3-2-1 with Alvarez running front

  • @dr.wrinklebrain2667
    @dr.wrinklebrain2667 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Didnt they make this video for the last World Cup too?

  • @mohdazmi10
    @mohdazmi10 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This formation was first used by England in the 1970 WC.

  • @Kenny-lz3gh
    @Kenny-lz3gh ปีที่แล้ว

    This formation is the goat. Perfection

  • @bogstandardash3751
    @bogstandardash3751 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hang on, 4231 is identical to 442 if one of the attackers drops back a bit to help the build up, and 4231 has been very popular for years.

  • @Bastien060
    @Bastien060 ปีที่แล้ว

    And that's exactly with this out of possession system that france won in 2018 with Matuidi as a left midfielder and Griezmann taking the right ! And it is the same this year with titme Griezmann on the left and Dembele on the right, letting in both system Mbappe upfront for counterattacks alongside Giroud that can plays deviation for him

  • @yester9037
    @yester9037 ปีที่แล้ว

    This made me discover 442 magazine is still going, its a survivor

  • @fpsoccer9791
    @fpsoccer9791 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    In the 7v7 high school team I am currently coaching, I'm using my 6 outfield players in a kind of similar way. 4-2 (Or 2-2-2?) mid block.
    In possession I use a 2-3-1 and between these two formations they are easy to transition between (Striker drops next to the central midfielder, and wingers turn into fullbacks).

  • @Kushtah
    @Kushtah ปีที่แล้ว

    SAF 4-4-2 was amazing.

  • @Diddy1970AD
    @Diddy1970AD ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm no tactical genius but I can't work out a system that covers the space better than the 4-4-2 and is the most balanced and logical system whereby players can adjust to other formations easily. Among others Arsene Wenger favoured this formation before moving to the 4-5-1.

  • @btb3614
    @btb3614 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Argentina played a 4-4-2 against Mexico recently.
    I can’t understand why, as it’s yet another formation that doesn’t play to Messi’s strengths.
    Perhaps it’s illegal to play 4-3-3 in Argentina.

    • @btb3614
      @btb3614 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Haha, Scaloni must have read my comment.

  • @CakeAndNipples
    @CakeAndNipples ปีที่แล้ว

    If you can keep your head when all about you
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
    If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
    But make allowance for their doubting too;
    If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
    Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
    If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;
    If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
    If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
    And treat those two impostors just the same;
    If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
    Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
    If you can make one heap of all your winnings
    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
    And lose, and start again at your beginnings
    And never breathe a word about your loss;
    If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
    To serve your turn long after they are gone,
    And so hold on when there is nothing in you
    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
    If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
    Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch,
    If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
    If all men count with you, but none too much;
    If you can fill the unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
    Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
    And-which is more-you’ll be a Man, my son!
    England will be playing 4 4 f***ing 2

  • @rylandwhitaker2183
    @rylandwhitaker2183 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have never liked in possession due to the lack of 45 and 30 degree angles to pass out of the back in build up

  • @ldn5986
    @ldn5986 ปีที่แล้ว

    Copa Libertadores 2022 champions Flamengo plays 4-4-2 in possession as well

  • @pato2200
    @pato2200 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tactical formations are of course subject to fashion.
    The adoption of 4-4-2 by arrigo sacchi at AC Milan was influential in making it respectable and orthodox again against the trend away from it in Europe. its success in 90s serie A, the most prestigious league in the world then.
    The trend away from 4-4-2 to 4--3-3 had much to do with the success of Barcelona who adopted this Dutch style structure to build tiki taka.
    There is nothing wrong with 4-4-2 it will always make a comeback.
    Even mike Bassett knew this.

  • @ATominator9911
    @ATominator9911 ปีที่แล้ว

    The 4-4-2 was never away