In the latest article of our series on popular football formations, we are going to look at the 4-1-4-1, which is a formation that many top managers have used over the years.
How are teams set up in a 4141 formation?
The 4141 formation is a highly versatile formation that can be both defensive and attacking, depending on how a team is set up and how the manager of a team wants to play.
The formation usually involves two full-backs flanking two centre-backs. In the 4-1-4-1 formation, a defensive midfielder or single-pivot sits in front of the backline as a defensive shield.
There are usually four midfielders in front of the defensive midfielder, which is the area of the team that offers variety. The most common configuration of the midfield is two wide players or two wingers, with two central midfielders sandwiched in between.
These two central midfielders can either be an orthodox pair or two number tens who provide primary support to the team’s lone striker. They can be the key to this formation’s success. One of the two central midfielders may drop deeper to aid the single pivot, with his midfield partner playing a more advanced role.
The midfield configuration dictates whether this formation is attacking or defensive. If it is a flat midfield with two wide midfielders, it is considered defensive. Alternatively, if the midfield four consists of two wingers and two number tens, it can be highly attacking.
The lone striker is supposed to be the main goal threat and score the majority of the team’s goals. However, in the 4-1-4-1 formation, the lone forward may drop deeper to allow the midfielders to break into the box, especially if the team is playing with two number tens.
Any striker playing up front has to be able to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into play, especially if his team is playing the more defensive version of the 4141. If he doesn’t hold the ball up for the cavalry of teammates, it can lead to the opposition gaining the ball and inviting pressure on his defence.
Once again, the lone forward could be a false number nine, depending on whether the team is using the defensive or attacking variation of the tactic.
While a team may line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation at the start of a game, it may morph into more of a 4-3-3 when playing on the counter-attack. It is also very similar to a 4-5-1 if the defensive style is used.
When was the formation first developed?
According to the Coaches Voice, the 4-1-4-1 was first developed by football innovators Brazil during their successful campaign in the 1958 World Cup, as their 4-3-3 morphed into a 4-1-4-1 when defending and was more of a 4-3-3 when attacking.
In the more recent past, Chelsea has used the formation under various bosses, including Jose Mourinho, in the 2010s. French defensive midfielder Claude Makelele was perfect for the role of shielding the defence. He was so good in the role that the role was redefined as ‘The Makelele Role’ when talking about defensive midfielders.
Another modern Premier League head coach who successfully used the formation during his early years at Manchester City is Pep Guardiola. Due to the quality and intelligence of their players, their 4-1-4-1 was highly versatile.
As Makelele was at Chelsea, Brazilian schemer Fernandinho was perfect for the single pivot role. He broke opposition attacks up, was good with distribution and covered his full-backs perfectly when they ventured forward.
That allowed Guardiola to pick a highly attacking pair of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva as the midfield two. The pair often both attacked, as Fernandinho would cover an immense amount of ground.
Both Makelele and Fernandinho are good examples of why a team playing 4141 needs an outstanding single pivot. In recent years, another City player, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, Spanish international Rodri, has emerged as the best defensive midfielder in the beautiful game.
What are the pros and cons of the 4-1-4-1 formation?
The pros and cons of this formation are defined by how a head coach sets his team up to play. One universal pro, whatever way a team is set up, is that they are usually well covered in midfield and can create overloads in the centre of the pitch.
The 4-1-4-1 is also a formation that can overload in attacking areas at the right time. The wingers can push alongside the lone forward, while if the central midfielders push up, it can mean that a team has five players in attacking positions.
One con of playing the defensive configuration of the 4-1-4-1 formation is that a team can fall too deep into their own half, which means that they have to be adept at hitting teams on the counter attack. The forward also becomes an isolated figure in attack if his teammates are too far behind to support him.
Suppose the wide players or wingers don’t work hard to protect their full-backs. In that case, the defence can be exposed to opposition counter-attacks, especially if the two central midfielders are caught upfield and can’t shuffle across to aid their teammates.
Is it popular on FM?
This formation has been the basis of some of my favourite FM tactics in recent years. When your team becomes world-class and you dominate most games, you then have the luxury of playing the more attacking configuration of the 4-1-4-1.
I haven’t used a 4-1-4-1 formation in FM24 (that I can think of anyway!) However, I had a lot of fun with 4141 Static-X Focus Striker by Delicious Story on FM23. I haven’t actually tried the tactic on FM24. Maybe it could work just as well on the latest edition of the game.
It is undoubtedly a fun formation to use if you have the right players, especially that all-important single pivot. If you haven’t got the right players, though, it can cause defensive chaos, but it’s at least entertaining!
Have you used a 4141 formation in FM? If you have, was it successful?
