Tifo's Guide to 4-3-3
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The 4-3-3 is one of the more popular formations in modern football, thanks in part, to its use by Rinus Michels at Ajax in the 1970s. And has been passed down, via Johan Cruyff at Barcelona, to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The 4-3-3 is typically seen as an attacking formation, and often used by coaches who look to dominate the ball. But while it has its strengths, there are weaknesses too.
Written by Eric Laurie, illustrated by Craig Silcock.
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#TacticsExplained - กีฬา
4231 has to be next. Another influential formation.
And then the rise of 352.
But for me, I’m more interested in the 343 diamond formation.
343 diamond formation? I've ever heard of that.
@@les_crow No formal wide defenders
@@les_crow I think Barcelona occasionally used it under Cruijf and Pep Guardiola
@@les_crow The 3-4-3 was basically the 4-3-3 the Dutch have used. When they had the ball, one of the centers pushed up forming a diamond since their 4-3-3 was based on being able to fluidly change their system in game situations. Ruud Krol was back then their libero.
The Dutch however werent the only one who did so. Germany for example did the same with Beckenbauer and later with Lothar Mattheus ergo the Libero role.
And yes since 'libero' is Italian, the italians have used it as well and actually originate it, however they used it during the cattanacio period in the 60's with the 'Libero' being actually the most defensive player who played as an aggressive sweeper chasing after every ball that fell over the defense.
Kinda like how Pepe played for example at Real Madrid who funny enough basically played with an oldschool libero in Pepe and a new school libero in Ramos.
@@les_crow the original formation used by Total Football before 4-3-3. Similar with 3-4-1-2 formation, both using the "10" as the creator in attack and the usage of deep playmaker.
I remember when Mou went to Chelsea he said something along the lines of...as long as English teams play 4-4-2, he wouldn't lose, he had the advantage (2:17)
Amazed he didn't even get a mention here, his first Chelsea team was a near-perfect example of the system working at its best (perhaps even more so than Barca given Chelsea didn't have a Messi-level talent in their team).
@@colinlittlewood9613 Before and After Real effect😅
@@colinlittlewood9613 Perhaps they didn't mention due to the focus being at the relationship of the 4-3-3 with positional play. That Chelsea side had even less patience to attack than Klopp's Liverpool. Mou's Chelsea was speed metal.
@@colinlittlewood9613 almost went invincible that season as well. 😤😤😤
The 4-3-3 has made the likes of Ibrahim Sangaré world class players in the eyes of Tifo 😉
In the eyes of the world
This joke gets boring and annoying, shut up!
@@IrsakS calm down
Old joke
@@IrsakS chill out, being aggressive by telling people to shut up makes you look like a tw@
Truth be told, it was Mourinho, before Pep or Klopp, who brought a winning 4-3-3 to EPL with Chelsea. The advantage against the traditional 4-4-2 was the basis of his success in English football.
Given Spurs personnel aligning so well with the defensive requirements of the system, I find it amazing that he was so adamant about sticking with a defensive pair. As soon as Conte switched to a back 3, Spurs’ problems moving the ball seemed to instantly vanish.
Though perhaps it was more deployed as a 4-5-1 with the wingers dropping into the midfield flanks to wait for counters, wasn't it?
4-3-3 took off in England with Jose and Rafa in 2004.
Rafa played 442 in 2004, then 4231. I don’t think Rafa likes 433 really
4-4-2 and now 4-3-3? I'm hoping you'll be covering my 1980's primary school formation of 2-3-5 next!!! Ossie Ardiles was not the PE teacher at my school.
2-3-5? Me and my schoolmates always used a formation called the 0-0-10!
we used 0-0-10 or 10-0-0 based on the situation
There is another facet of 4-3-3 that you did not discuss: one introduced by Jose Mourinho in Chelsea and the one he used with Real Madrid. These were not designed to dominate possession per se.
He used as part of his Tactical Periodisation approach.
yeah, although there were def parts in this video that could have been talking about that first Chelsea team. one of the central midfielders making late runs into the box (Frank, obv), the wingers (Duff & Robben) staying relatively wide as traditional wingers rather than being inverted as is often the case these days, etc
Mourinho's 4-3-3 revolutionize the Premier League in the early 2000's
Zidane's three-peat team had lot in common with how Guardiola usually sets up his team. Pressing, DM dropping between CBs, attacking full-backs.
There is a misconception that Italy played a 4-3-3 in the Euros . Whenever in possession, they actually transitioned into a 3-5-2 with di Lorenzo as RCB and Emerson/Spinazzola as LWB. Nevertheless, great video!
Generally the formation is the way players are positioned out of possession. The great Dutch teams were always nominally a 433 but in possession it could easily become a 343 or even a 235.
Pep Guardiola is obviously famous for his 433 but in possession it’s always a 235 or 325
A lot of teams who play 433 are lop sided. For eg. All of Mourinho s teams. On a technical note, a teams formation is it's average resting position, not position during possession alone. So, Italy would still be called a 433 side.
@@regulatorsmountup4931 Exactly. The nominal formation does not really matter, it is how the team is organized and how quickly it transitions to other formations.
Other than the occasional successive counterattack, a rigid 433 will not break competent defenses down. As you say, a serious attack is going to be a 325 or similar.
When Liverpool was chasing a goal against the Wolves a couple weeks back, Klopp changed from a 433 to a 4231. But 4231 is not intrinsically more attacking -- it could be used as a defensive shape, too. Klopp's 4231 here transitioned instantly to a 244 or 235 when in possession, and then morphed quickly to other shapes, too.
Shreyas you don't even know a single thing.
Italy transformed into 3-2-5 in attack and not 352.
Chiellini Bonucci Di Lorenzo
Jorginho Verrati/Lucatelli
Spinaza Insigne Immobile Barella Chiesa
Spinazzola was the winger in attack where Insigne and Barella Occupied Inside forwards and Chiesa as Right Winger
@@regulatorsmountup4931 Ya especially with the way Pep's teams wing backs move around. Cancelo, Walker, Zinchenko and even Laporte at times drift into the midfield and it completely shifts. Good shout
What about Mourinho's first spell at Chelsea (04/05, 05/06)? He basically one handedly change all manager's mindset from 4-4-2.
Yeah in the UK maybe.
@@silviofelix1991 Wdym in the UK maybe? Jose popularised the 4-3-3 in multiple countries long before Pep did.
@@hermitcrack9091 4-3-3 was already popular all over the world before Mourinho took over Chelsea take the 1996 champions league final Juventus side for example. UK was the only place where 4-4-2 was still very popular. But yeah credit for Mourinho for bringing 4-3-3 into the EPL which also led into Sir Alex adaptation of the 4-3-3 using the 4-4-2
Was it Mourinho who reintroduced the inverted wingers into the 4-3-3 during that period? Was Robben on the right flank of Chelsea's team or did it rotate depending on opponent? Mourinho's time at Barca probably influenced him with this formation
@@hermitcrack9091 when Mourinho arrived in the UK after is time with UD Leiria and Porto in Portugal the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 was already very popular. The same in Spain or others countries but in the UK that's not the case.
That Juergen Klopp design looks like it’s about to ask me if I know Tame Impala
Pep: You're telling me that I actually need to play a DM?
The 8s have to be both defensive cover, but also support the striker as a half-10, as well as assisting the wide men.
Depends a bit if you are playing Klopp style with advancing wingbacks and more defensive 8s or Guardiola style with advancing 8s and wingbacks that take their roles.
@@Apfelstrudl correct. The players used changes the dynamic of this formation so much
can’t wait for the 3-4-3 video. then i can send it to my players.
Mourinho introduced the 433 to the premier league not Guardiola
Tifo never said that Guardiola brought it to Premier League,they said it was one of his most preferred setup at Man City
@@morganclement4852 no bro. Watch it again. At some point he said Pep introduced it
@@davidparry9511 go to 0:31 onwards. and listen very well
hi Tifo, i request you do one for 4-2-2-2... Ralf Ragnicks formation. strengths and weaknesses
Tifo’s very basic guide to 4-3-3. There are almost as many different 4-3-3s as there are teams playing it. Pep’s Barca 4-3-3 is different to his Man City 4-3-3 which is different again to Klopp’s at Liverpool and again to the Italy 4-3-3.
Who's Togo?
@@nickchivers9029 the autocorrect version of Tifo, probably.
It's a 6 minute video, mate 🙄
@@nickchivers9029 wasn't he on Mystery Science Theatre 3000?
Agree a bit simple overall. I think the formation style is critically dependent on what type of players are available too.
Best TH-cam channel for football
Tifo thanks for uploading sensible videos
Great video Tifo! love coaching the 433 formation. This will be a perfect little intro clip to show my players. Cheers!
I love these. Do more. Thanks,
Love this series!
Nice one and the VO is great
My absolute favorite. As a River/Barça-loving Argentinian-American who watches Man City too, this is the most beautiful and fluid formation. 2008-12 Spain executed it to perfection as well at times, but Pep's teams are the dictionary definition of 4-3-3 fluidity and dominance. So graceful and effective when done well, and with a good GK and center backs to boot
I would go with 3-4-3. With amazing defenders, balanced center mids, young and coachable outside mids and attacking players
Keep it up guys! 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 next please.
Dang, this animation is so goooood!!! 👏👏👏. It's really satisfactory to watch.
the first really successful 4-3-3 in England was implemented by ... José Mourinho. people forget this.
Yeah I’m quite surprised they missed out on it! Mourinho revolutionised the prem with his 4-3-3. It wasn’t the usual tiki taka and the possession based football but it was very direct. It had certain elements which influenced the English football in so many facets. Makelele was the holding mid, with Tiago as the hybrid 6-8 and Lamps played a hybrid 8-10. But imo it was Drogba upfront who had the biggest impact on the English game. Prior to Drogba, no No.9 played alone uptop. He changed the definition of a “target man” in so many ways..earlier a “target man” was just a 6’2+ geezer who would just stay up-top to simply bully CBs, head the ball and create space for his smaller strike partner but Drogba changed all of that!
True. The idea was to outnumbered the midfield because of the teams at the time were using 4-4-2 formation.
@@miz5138 absolutely agree w everything you say here. great analysis.
we often played 4-3-3 at school, in the mid-70's. People forget about Mr Tigg the PE teacher.
5:00 I love that the coach has the word ‘coach’ on his head
Thinking of the best 4-3-3 sides, Zidane's Real Madrid seems to be one of the prime examples of how devastating and controlling this formation can be.
How the wingers Marcelo and Carvajal used to make overlapping runs. The midfield trio with creativity and control opened defences and kept possesion. In CDM position the single pivot of Casemiro covered ground, harrowed opposition players and revitalized the back line. How counter-attacking can be devastating with this formation with pacy wingers.
I think it was a prime example of 4-3-3.
Pep barca 433??
@@wadaya4844 of course not discrediting Pep's Barca, which the narrator mentioned is great. This is an additional example, and probably one of the best.
Yup and losing to Barcelona's 4-3-3 all the time.
@@satyamsangal6659 Zidane's 4-3-3 lost only 2 matches to Barcelona out of 11 and won 7 out of them. So, yes they lost all the time. 😁
@@AkashRastogi17 its 9 matches with 3 Draw and 2 lose actually.
Do more of these for other formations
one thing i took from the negatives is that it takes a very intelligent group to make it work, hence why two of the best teams to use it had an almost identical midfield, and a true testament to how good Spain's midfield depth 2006-2016 was
Xavi: Write that down. WRITE THAT DOWN!
nice video!
Any other leads to more in depth understanding of formations? Roles and responsibilities? Adaptations?
Links to read/video appreciated.
Do one for 4-2-3-1 formation. It's the most devastating and attacking formation with Bayern munich took them to new heights.
I think this video is somewhat of an ode to pep guardiola. It's really spot on but what caught my eye was the fact that you talked about its weaknesses. People rarely speak about the weaknesses. I think it's great too because it shows how good of a coach guardiola is. He uses tactical fouling to not only preserve his play, he can keep his system flowing. This resonated with me after watching PSG vs city in the group stage. Once again, great video guys, your content really makes my day.
Any chance of doing a video on 3-4-3 and 3-5-2?
As a Palace fan I’ve been impressed with Viera’s 4-3-3 formation he’s implemented this season.
It’s not been a success for us in the past but this season it’s been entertaining 🔴🔵
Viera’s Red N Blue Army!!
Ever since I switched to using 4-3-3 from 4-2-4 in FIFA, my possession stats per match have yet to go below 50 percent. It really is the best system for keeping the ball provided you have good passers in the team.
Mourinho’s 4-3-3 at Chelsea in 2004-05 with Makelele and Lampard as 2 of the midfield 3 was absolutely brilliant
Striker can also drop deep drawing out a defender to help wingers in making runs behind
A breif history is the best part of this channel
I feel like you've given Pep too much credit here. Personally, the first time I really became aware of a successful deployment of 4-3-3 was Mourinho's first stint at Chelsea, when Pep was still playing in Qatar/Mexico. And obviously, (as your video makes clear) Jose didnt invent it either. Nevertheless, my recollection of events is that its growing popularity i(n the English game at least) was really kickstarted by Jose rather than Pep.
People like to miscredit formations all the time in England. Same with 3atb
Yeah, agree. Mourinho was too renowned by his 4-2-3-1, but his 4-3-3 and the birth of 'Makelele role', really impacted the tactical landscape back then
When people say 433 they can easily mean very different things. It is the tactics and transitions to other formations that really matters.
433 was popular back in the 80s when I was in HS. Even with our modest level of tactical sophistication, we understood that you cannot play a static/rigid 433 unless you plan on simply lumping the ball forward out of the back.
@@ComradeOgilvy1984 What do you mean, can't lump it out? Norway in the nineties used left fullback as playmaker, amr target man, and fast striker to do 5 touch route one counterattacks. A very effective 433 elevating the Norwegian national team to peak at top 4 on the FIFA ranking, despite having mediocre at best players.
I would love a video about a double six in a 4-2-2-2.
Glad to see people in the comments giving Jose the credit he deserves
Do 4231 next tifo. I need more info about the formation. tq
Everyone knows that José Mourinho’s 2004-06 Chelsea made the 4-3-3 known worldwide. Plus, I feel Mourinho has uses it differently (and more tactically) than those given credit here.
My fav
Next try the 4-2-3-1 or the 3-5-2 they're also one of the most preferred formations
fun formation to play in
Great
4:50 I'd give that honour to MoU's '04 Chelsea, after that SAF switched from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 too.
Can you do a video on the 3-4-3 diamond formation?
Hey 👋🏻 this is fan from Hong Kong, is it possible to also talk about guide of 4-1-2-1-2/ 4-4-2 Diamond?
I love this 😘
I would love a 4231 analysis
Moyes favoured formation
please talk about europa league and europa conference league, how does it work actually. thanks
Never knew 433 is played without a goalkeeper
Please make 4-2-3-1 next
4231 next one of the most imp formations in fb in my opiniin the best as it can be moulded into any formation and more it has all tge positions the football sport has and bayerns domination using it shows its brilliance and this is the reason nagellsman uses it and it is the best pressing formation too...
4 3 3 on paper mostly becomes 3 5 2 and 3 2 5 in game especially when attacking like Liverpool and city do .It's always changing during the game
Can you do a 4-2-3-1 formation explains
Can you please cover a 4-1-2-1-2
It’s sick how managers can use the same formation but it totally different ways. Just look at City and Liverpool. Or even Madrid or PSG. It’s probably the most tactically flexible set up you can use, especially in midfield
No mention of Real Madrid winning three back to back UCLs using the formation, but otherwise great video!
Also Brazil's 2002's Triple R 4-3-3 was way ahead of its time. But to be fair they could've played any formation that year and win.
What about the 262 formation I use in football manager when I’m down 2 goals in the 80th minute?
Perfect, now I can learn how to play Football Manager properly.
Please do the W formation
Whats that background music called?
i was using this formation 20 years ago
My FM 22 gonna be lit
The jazz though
can u do the 4-4-2? not many coaches can pull it off
how much you cost ? after free trial ? reply please
343 next please!
The Pep META
Wait a second, mourinho popularised this formation way before pep's time. Back when he wrecked prem using a Chelsea side playing in a time when the 4-4-2 was doctrine.
The formation that got Ole the United job and could’ve saved his job at the end. If only he had the intelligence and the balls to use this formation more often
he doesn't really have the personnel for this. not excusing him, just stating the issue he never addressed
Didn't have the passers for this, counterattack was the only way with that speed up top
@@sususegar 3 full summer windows to get a DM and none was signed. It's on Ole sadly
@@Chilavertish players wearing #6 and #18 are good enough passers I think
Petition to release one of these for the Christmas Tree formation on Christmas day.📝
Now do a 343 or a 352 pleaseeee
I found it curious that this video considers the 4-3-2-1 to be the defensive shape instead of the 4-1-4-1. The wingers can play wider than the midfielders as well.
Jose Used The 4-3-3 bought Dominance in the EPL during his first two spells in Chelsea.
Given the time of year TIFO, how about a look at 5-4-1? 🎄 🎅
Ibrahim Sangaré THE MYTH
Up Next : Tifo's guide to populate Mars:
1. You Build a big fu***ng rocket.
2. You send some humans on Mars.
3. Done
The 4-3-3 is my favourite formation
4-3-3
4-4-2 Diamond
4-5-1
4-3-1-2
5-3-2
I prefer these formations 👌🏼
I don't like a 3-man defence, either 4 or 5 defenders
This vid made me appreciate Sergio busquets a lot more
The holding mid is the most important player in this system
Can you guys do either 4-2-3-1 or one of the formations w 3 center backs next?
Tifo jazz is as good as their content
my all time xi
lw- r10
st- r9
rw- messi
cm- zidane
cm- iniesta
cdm- vieira
lb- maldini
cb- cannavaro
cb- nesta
rb- lahm
gk- buffon
HOW DOES THE VIDEO START AT 4:47
I’d consider the 4-3-3 moderately intuitive
Someone send this to tuchell, please!
The Klopp drawing.... That there is a violation...
The bad implementation of 4-3-3 on Nuno's Spurs should be mentioned if team cant maintain possession and attacking players constantly be in the defensive roles
4-3-3 can also have a box to box CDM and CAM like bayern
I don't think Muller counts as a CAM. He doesn't do the roles of a CAM, he is very different. His role is unique only to him and very very few players in the past 10 years
I always use this for fifa and only use this formation even if it isn’t the meta
Real Madrid also used a 4 3 3 to win 3 UCL's in a row
@LIEonel PESSImissT is a loser but i 8-2 say that Very false