4-5-1 Formation
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| SoccerManager.com 4-5-1 Formation |
Traditionally favoured by European teams, the 4-5-1 formation is becoming ever more popular in the Premiership.
The 4-5-1 formation that is four defenders, five midfielders and one striker - is often seen in European games where teams face a tough away fixture and the manager chooses to pack the midfield.
It can be very effective, particularly at keeping possession, and with five midfielders covering the defence it provides a solid base.
Sometimes you will see 10 men behind the ball. But it also means that attacking options are limited.
The poor old striker often has a lone battle up front.
It works best with a big, strong front man, such as Chelsea's Didier Drogba, who can win the ball in the air and hold it up until support arrives.
Otherwise it can produce relatively few goal-scoring chances.
This system has a lot in common with the 4-3-3 formation, where the wide midfielders join the lone striker.
Jose Mourinho uses this particularly well at Chelsea.
Put simply, they play 4-3-3 when they have the ball and 4-5-1 when they do not.