In the latest of our articles on football formations, we will look at the 3-5-2 formation, which is a formation that has been seen in various forms in recent decades.
It is a formation that has helped many clubs to win not just games but also trophies.
How do teams set up in the 352 formation?
As the name suggests, the formation is set up with three players in defence, five in midfielder, and two up front.
In defence, often, the two centre-backs will split and move into full-back positions when the team is in possession of the ball.
Sometimes, one of the centre-backs will push up into midfield if the opposition is playing with just one forward player. The three-man defence usually makes the team defensively solid if they know their positions well enough.
The midfield five is not really a five. It usually consists of two wing-backs and three central midfielders. The wing-backs are a crucial component in the 3-5-2.
These players participate in both defensive and attacking duties. When defending, they can drop back alongside their centre-backs to form a more defensive five at the back. This gives the team more of a defensive solidity.
However, they are expected to get up and down the flank in support of the team’s attack. With the formation lacking traditional wide players or wingers, it’s the wing-backs who will provide the attacking width.
Due to their position, wingbacks require stamina and excellent fitness. Pace is a highly useful attribute for a wing-back, too.
The central midfield can be set up in a variety of ways. It is very rarely a flat central midfield three unless a team is aiming for a massive overload in the centre of the pitch.
Usually, at least one of the central midfielders will be a defensive midfielder, who will protect the defence. That means the other two players may be more offensive or do a bit of everything.
In another setup, two of the central midfielders can form a defensive midfield double-pivot, with the remaining player having slightly more freedom to attack, sometimes even playing in a number ten role behind the forwards.
The two forwards are usually a pretty straightforward two-player partnership, working off each other. Setting up in a 3-5-2 means that, ideally, the team should always have at least two players in attacking areas of the pitch.
At times, one of the forwards drops deep to create an overload in the midfield. If they do, this creates space for one of the midfielders to move into, preventing the team from being short of attacking players.
When was the formation first developed?
Argentinian national team boss Carlos Billardo is considered to be the first head coach to use the formation. At the 1986 World Cup, Billardo came up with the formation in an attempt to get the best out of star forward Diego Maradona.
The tactic worked, as La Albiceleste went on to win the tournament, with the Napoli forward playing a vital role in the victory.
At around the same time, German head coach Franz Beckenbauer also started using the formation.
In recent years, the formation has become popular with many elite coaches who look for the right balance between defence and attack.
For instance, Internazionale head coach Simone Inzaghi has used it to great effect in Serie A, including winning the Scudetto in season 2023/24.
Inzaghi’s compatriot, Antonio Conte, has used this formation for much of his coaching career at Juventus and Chelsea, among other teams.
Atletico Madrid chief Diego Simeone has also favoured this formation since joining the club from the Spanish capital in 2011.
Meanwhile, new England boss Thomas Tuchel has also previously used the formation in his managerial career.
What are the pros and cons of the 3-5-2?
One of the main pros of the 3-5-2 formation is that it gives a good, solid defensive foundation while still allowing the team to provide an attacking threat. It strikes a good balance between the two.
The formation also offers flexibility in defence and attack. It can become a 5-3-2 in defence, or when the team has possession of the ball, it can be more of a 3-6-1.
The three central defenders bring a certain solitary, too, which allows the wing-backs the leeway to venture forward and help out the attack.
As previously mentioned, the 3-5-2 means that at least two players should be in attacking positions at all times. This makes it easier to turn defence into attack.
Like any formation, it’s not perfect, and there are some cons to using this formation. One of the cons is that the midfield can get congested, even if it still leaves the team with an overload, especially if a forward player drops deep, which can be both a pro and a con, depending on the personnel.
The 3-5-2 can leave teams slightly susceptible to a counter-attack if the wing-backs and midfielders don’t track back and help out defensively.
Another big con is that the success of the system depends on having players who are disciplined and know their jobs exactly. To achieve this sort of understanding, a coach needs to work hard on the training ground.
If they have the right players who understand the formation, then it can work brilliantly. However, if they don’t, then it can be a recipe for a disjointed team shape.
Is it popular on FM?
I have to say that I have been a big fan of this tactic in previous versions of FM. The attraction is the right balance between defence and attack.
However, it is not a formation that I have used in FM24 that much. The main reason I haven’t used it much is because my teams always end up with brilliant wingers who would have to be sacrificed to use the 3-5-2.
Also, sometimes, I have found it difficult to find wing-backs with all the right attributes.
In my tactics testing, I did find a good 3-5-2 called GYR-DRAX FM24. This tactic worked really well, and if I didn’t love wingers so much, I would probably use the tactic more.
In real life and FM, the 3-5-2 can be a formation that can bring great success, but only if you have the players with the right mentality.
Do you use a 3-5-2 formation on FM? Let us know via our socials.
