3-4-2-1 Formation in Football: Modern System With Strong Midfield For Playing Out From The Back

In the latest in our series on popular football formations, we take a look at the 3-4-2-1 formation, which has grown in popularity in recent decades with teams at the top level of the beautiful game as more and more head coaches look to gain the upper hand over the opposition.

How is the 3421 set-up?

tactics 3421 extreme voltsAt the base of the 3421 are three centre-backs, who form the defensive foundations of this formation. In decades gone by, one of the three centre-backs would have been a libero or sweeper.

However, the modern iteration of the formation no longer contains a sweeper or a libero. When in possession of the ball, the player who would have previously played the role will be the centre-back who stays central, while the two other centre-backs split by moving into wider positions, which is usually where the full-backs would operate.

In front of the defensive trio are usually two central midfielders and two wing-backs or wide midfielders. The central midfielders will form a double pivot, protecting the team’s backline.

One will usually be a more defensive player who helps out the defence, while the other is given more license to get forward. When out of possession, though, the player with the more advanced role will drop back in alongside his midfield partner.

In a modern 3-4-2-1, the players flanking the two central midfielders tend to be wing-backs, who can offer teams attacking width. When in possession, they will get forward to aid the attack in wide positions. When out of possession, they will drop back to help out their defenders, often dropping into full-back positions.

In front of the four midfielders are two attacking central midfielders, or number tens, who can sometimes operate as inside forwards. The pair provides primary attacking support to the lone forward and is often relied upon to be the team’s creative spark. They may have some creative freedom, so they can move into positions usually taken up by wingers, which helps give the team width.

The lone forward is the focal point of the attack. They need to be good at holding the ball up long enough to bring their teammates into play. They are likely to be the player who scores the majority of the goals for their team.

When was the formation first developed?

rinus michels press conference 1974
Fotograaf Onbekend / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The formation evolved from the Ajax and Netherlands teams of the 1970s under the late great Rinus Michels, who often played a 3-4-3 formation when out of possession but a 4-4-3 when in possession of the ball.

Michels protégé Johan Cruyff used a more defined 3-4-3 formation when he managed Barcelona’s now famous ‘Dream Team’. The only real difference from Cruyff’s 3-4-3 is that the team utilises two number tens rather than two wide forwards to support the lone front player.

More recently, former Chelsea head coaches Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel have used the system with great success after moving the wide forwards inside to the attacking midfield roles.

Conte also sometimes adapted to more of a 3-5-2 system at Chelsea and Inter, dropping a number ten into midfield and moving one of the other attacking midfielders alongside the lone forward. Tuchel employed the system when he was Blues boss, a time in which he helped the south west London outfit to their second Champions League title.

One of the most prominent recent uses of the 3421 formation was by Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xavi Alonso. Using the system, Die Werkself won their maiden Bundesliga title in season 2023/24 while suffering just one defeat in all competitions.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the 3-4-2-1 formation?

3421

One of the main strengths of this formation is that it allows teams to be strong in midfield. The two attacking midfielders can drop into the centre of the pitch and create an overload, which in turn gives the team control of the midfield.

This formation is also good if teams are looking to play out from the back. The three centre-backs are available, as well as the double-pivot. That means there are more options for the player on the ball when building up from the back.

With two attacking midfielders and a forward, the team should always have players in attacking positions. The fact that the attacking midfielders have a lot of creative freedom should also help create chances.

One of the main weaknesses of this formation is a lack of width. This puts pressure on the wing-backs to be able to get up and down, doing a defensive and attacking job for the team. If they are caught up field the defence can suffer. On the flip side, if they are too deep, then they won’t be able to provide attacking width.

The more advanced of the double-pivot needs to work hard getting up and down the pitch. If they break forward while the team has possession, then they need to get back quickly to help the team defensively.

Is this formation popular on FM?

tactics 5-2-1-2 DP OP NiestandardowaThe 3-4-3 formation, in general, is highly popular on FM, but many tactics use the wide player’s version rather than the two attacking midfielders. However, there was a solid 3-4-2-1 formation for FM23 that I tested called the 5-2-1-2 DP OP Niestandardowa by Matias 1996.

Contrary to the name of the tactic, it sets up more like a 3-4-2-1 than a 5-2-1-2, as the title suggests. The tactic helped my Everton team finish fifth place in the table despite a points deduction.

There are plenty of other FM tactics based on a 3-4-3, such as recreations of Ruben Amorim’s tactics during his time at Sporting CP or Fabian Hurzeler’s tactics at Brighton. It is undoubtedly a formation that can be successful on FM, especially with the right players.

What do you think of the 3421, and would you use it on Football Manager?