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3 most popular formations in football today

There are various types of formations in football.
There are various types of formations in football.

Formations in football provide a general positioning of all players on the field of play except the goalkeeper. Typically, formations are denoted by three or four numbers separated by hyphens. These numbers represent the number of players in each row from closest to the goalkeeper to further out.

The type of formation deployed by a team depends on various factors like the abilities of players at disposal, the type of opposition or the preference of the team's manager. Formations are generally fluid and can be changed mid-match depending on the match situation.

Like the game of football itself, formations have evolved over the years. In the early years (19th century), defensive football was an unknown entity, and teams used to line up with up to seven or eight forwards.

Over time, football formations have become more sophisticated, with greater emphasis being placed on defence. On that note, let us have a look at the three most popular formations in football today.

Three most popular formations in modern-day football:


#1: The 4-3-3 formation

The 4-3-3 formation consists of four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.
The 4-3-3 formation consists of four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

The 4-3-3 is one of the most radical formations in football primarily because the system relies upon three forward players staying on top and providing depth and width in attack.

Until very recently, the 4-3-3 was not a very widely used formation. In English football, the 4-4-2 was used more often.

Pep Guardiola is a master of the 4-3-3 system.
Pep Guardiola is a master of the 4-3-3 system.

In a 4-3-3 formation, the emphasis is first placed on attack; other aspects of the game become secondary. A team lining up in a 4-3-3 means business, and it primarily looks to win by trying to outscore their opponents.

This formation relies heavily on the attacking prowess of the two wide wingers. They not only provide width upfront but also act as passing options if and when the midfield gets too congested. By switching play to the flanks, teams ensure that they still retain possession and carry on the attack from a different route.

Liverpool FC found much success of late employing the 4-3-3 formation.
Liverpool FC found much success of late employing the 4-3-3 formation.

What makes the 4-3-3 formation unique is the wide range of attacking tweaks that can be made to it. For instance, a centre-forward can be deployed as a false nine to confuse the opposition's centre-backs.

Today, the 4-3-3 is the most widely used formation by teams who look to play stylish, attacking football. In fact, it has become the go-to formation for ambitious teams.

Apart from Barcelona, other teams such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City, Ajax and others have found massive success using this formation. Real Madrid won three Champions League titles on the trot. Liverpool similarly owe their European and Premier League success to this system, thanks to their terrific trio of Sadio Mane (LWF), Roberto Firmino (CF) -Mohamed Salah (LWF).  

The 4-3-3 has been instrumental to the recent European success of Real Madrid.
The 4-3-3 has been instrumental to the recent European success of Real Madrid.

However, there is a weakness in the 4-3-3 formation: this formation has room for only one midfield destroyer.

In other words, only one central defensive midfielder can be accommodated in a 4-3-3 formation. This may leave teams vulnerable to counter attacks unless t players of the ilk of Casemiro, Claude Makelele or Sergio Busquets in their ranks, players who are probably the best in this position.

Also, funnily enough, the 4-3-3 makes a team's attacking intentions absolutely clear because it is a system that makes a statement of swagger and intent.

However, the 4-3-3 tends to make the defending team more careful. Often they try to sit back and soak up the pressure. The 4-3-3 is a system that thrives on exploiting spaces at the back, and so, defending teams often try not to leave gaps in behind by 'parking the bus'.

It is a term coined after Jose Mourinho's masterclass against Barcelona in the 2010 UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg when he was in charge of Internazionale.

Mourinho's Inter won the 2010 Champions League after stifling Barcelona's 4-3-3 in the semifinal.
Mourinho's Inter won the 2010 Champions League after stifling Barcelona's 4-3-3 in the semifinal.

Thus the 4-3-3 can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is a great attacking, stylish system. But on the other, it also makes the opposition more wary and careful in defence, making the task of the attacking team more difficult.

However, the benefits of the 4-3-3 far outweigh its weaknesses. In many ways, the 4-3-3 is the best formation in modern-day football.

It offers the opportunity to widen the pitch to exploit spaces on the flanks. It does not suffer from a rigidity of structure, which is the case with many other formations. The 4-3-3 also offers a plethora of opportunities for attacking combinations and extensive wing play.

The 4-3-3 formation is often employed by elite clubs such as FC Barcelona.
The 4-3-3 formation is often employed by elite clubs such as FC Barcelona.

As modern midfields become more congested, it is even more necessary for teams to find an outlet out wide; this is where the 4-3-3 formation works at its best. It is a system that provides the perfect balance between width and narrow build-up play. It is also suitable for short, build-up play and quick counter-attacking football.

While the 4-3-3 can be used to play with a possession-oriented mindset, it can also be used for a more direct, counter-attacking approach.

In a nutshell, the 4-3-3 formation is here to stay. And it will get more popular as midfields become more congested. It gets even better when fullbacks join the party in attack. The 4-3-3 is definitely the most popular formation in football right now.

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