In today’s article, we examine the 3-5-1-1 hybrid formation, which has been used by some of the more forward-thinking head coaches in the beautiful game in recent years.
How is the 3511 set-up?
At the base of the formation are three centre-backs whose primary job is to prevent the opposition from scoring goals. They tend to play in a line, with the two wider centre-backs often splitting and moving into where the full-backs would usually occupy.
In front of the three-player backline tends to be a double pivot of defensive midfielders. These players play a significant role in protecting the defence and breaking up opposition attacks. They can also be the players who start attacking moves from deep. The key attributes of defensive midfielders are passing and tackling.
Just ahead of the double pivot in this set-up will be another central midfielder, who will be more of a box-to-box player, so contributing to defensive and attacking play. This player may be slightly more technically gifted and will need strong stamina and a good work rate.
Out wide, two wide midfielders flank the central players on either side of the pitch. It’s their job to get up and down the flanks. They need to be players with pace, a steady work rate, and high levels of stamina.
They can create chances for the attacking players with crosses or get back and support the defence. Sometimes, these wide players are actually wing-backs. When their team is defending a lead, they will often drop back alongside their defence to create more of a back-five.
Further up the pitch, an attacking midfielder/centre-forward, or number ten, sits just behind the central striker. The number tends to be either a creative player who is the team’s main playmaker or a player who scores goals coming from deep.
They are the primary attacking support for the striker. At times, they will move alongside the main striker. The central striker is obviously the main focal point of the attack and should be the team’s main goal threat. Often, they will stay up the pitch, so the team always has a player in an attacking position.
When was the formation first used?
The 3-5-1-1 is just an adaptation of the 3-5-2 formation, with one of the two forward players dropping deeper into the number ten role. The Argentina national team under Carlos Bilardo were supposedly the first major team to use the 3-5-2 during the 1986 World Cup.
The decision aimed to allow star forward Diego Maradona more freedom to roam and have an impact on the game. He did just that as the South American nation lifted the World Cup, with the then-Napoli star being the catalyst.
In more recent years, the 3511 has been used by Manchester City’s master tactician, Pep Guardiola, as he aimed to control the centre of the pitch.
Graham Potter successfully employed the system during his time with Brighton Hove Albion, turning the Seagulls into one of the best passing teams in the Premier League.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the formation?
One of the main strengths of the 3-5-1-1 formation is that it gives an overload in midfield. With so many players in the central area of the pitch, it’s easier to control the game, which can prove to be crucial in winning matches.
The formation is also highly flexible, as it gives players the freedom to move around the pitch more, especially the central midfielders, as there are usually players covering for them. This freedom also allows the more advanced central midfielder, as well as the wide midfielders, to get forward.
In defensive situations, the 3511 can be highly useful. The wide midfielders and the box-to-box midfielder can drop back into more defensive positions, making the team harder to penetrate, which in turn makes it harder to score against.
Like with any formation that doesn’t feature full-backs, the 3-5-1-1 can allow space down the flanks if opposition teams hit on the counter-attack. If the wide midfielders are caught up field, then these gaps can be exploited by the opposition. That is why the wide midfielders must have pace and good stamina.
It also works in reverse, as the team can often lack attacking width in the 3-5-1-1 formation. That is why the wide midfielders have such an important role in the formation. The wide midfielders’ intelligence and ability to find the right balance are vital to the team’s success.
Another weakness is that the forward can be slightly isolated, so the team heavily relies on midfield players and the attacking midfielder to support the lone forward. If they don’t, then the team will consistently turn the ball over.
One factor in the 3-5-1-1’s success is that the players are tactically astute enough to know when to attack and when to defend. Otherwise, this formation can leave a team in a mess, with players out of position and the team losing its shape.
Is the 3-5-1-1 popular on FM?
As the 3511 is just a variation on the 3-5-2, it isn’t widely used in FM. While looking for tactics, I haven’t seen any 3-5-1-1 formations for FM recently.
However, Josh Daly has a 3-5-1-1 available to download for FM23 called ‘Allegri’s Elite 3-5-1-1’. It is a slightly different set-up, with two box-to-box midfielders and a single pivot, but it is very similar to the conventional 3511.
The tactic has received favourable reviews from those who have used it. However, as it doesn’t use wingers, it’s not really my thing, but that’s just my personal preference. The 3-5-1-1 is a formation that would certainly have potential on FM, but only if you have the right players, especially the wide midfielders.
Have you ever used the 3511 formation in Football Manager, and if you have, what are your opinions on it?
