One of the most popular post-war formations, the 442, enjoyed a significant rise in its use in the 1960s in certain countries. In today’s article, we will examine the often-derided formation.
How do teams set up in a 442 formation?
As the title suggests, in a 4-4-2 formation, a team will line up with four defenders, four midfielders and two forward players.
In a 4-4-2, the wide midfielders tend to be the biggest support system to the two forward players, as if either of the central midfielders ventures too far forward, the team can be horribly exposed in midfield.
However, one of the central midfielders is usually slightly more offensive, while one is more defensive-minded, even if they are not in either box.
The full-backs can also support the attack if a team wants to be slightly more proactive in attack. It is helpful if the full-backs have pace and stamina in order to get up and down the flank if they are asked to participate in the attack.
It is always beneficial if the wide midfielders are quick players in order to not only get forward to support the attack but also get back and help out their full-backs. Pacey wingers also aid in the counter-attack in transitions.
Often, in a 4-4-2 formation, teams have one taller, strong forward and one faster small forward. This way, they have the option of playing a direct style of football by hitting long balls to the big forward, with his partner looking for knockdowns.
The faster forward could also be played in behind the opposition’s backline, which keeps the opposition guessing. The faster forward is ideal in a counter-attacking situation.
When was the formation first developed?
There is no individual team or head coach that is identified as the inventor of the 4-4-2 formation. However, in the British game, it is associated with former England World Cup-winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey.
Sir Alf stepped away from the popular 2-3-5 formation for the 1966 World Cup on home soil, and it proved to be a winning move, as the Three Lions claimed the trophy for the first and only time in history.
Due to Ramsey’s success, the formation became more popular with other managers and coaches in the following decades. The formation remained popular for years to come, and its use was especially prevalent in the English game.
However, it was popular in other parts of the world, too, as legendary Italian head coach Arrigo Sacchi used the formation with his highly formidable AC Milan team of the 1980s. The Rossoneri used a pressing version of the formation to great effect.
Although the 4-4-2 is not as popular in modern football, Atletico Madrid’s highly-rated head coach, Diego Simeone, has at times used it to great effect in La Liga, including when Los Colchoneros won the Spanish top-flight title in season 2013/14.
To a lesser degree of success, Sean Dyche used the formation’s solidity to help Burnley maintain their status in the Premier League in the 2010s and punch above their weight for the first time in the current era of the game.
What are the pros and cons of the 4-4-2?
The main benefit of the 4-4-2 is the balance it can provide between defence and attack. Unlike some formations that can leave teams exposed defensively, the 4-4-2 can be the ideal formation for those who want to play a very structured and solid game.
If a team is facing a particularly dangerous attacking team, then having two banks of four in front of their goal can prove difficult for the opposition to break down. This is the perfect formation for an underdog team.
The other notable pro for the 4-4-2 is that you always have two players in attacking positions.
They provide an outlet for your defenders if they are under pressure and can get the team up the pitch, as the opposition defence is occupied with two players instead of one forward in a formation that utilises just one front player.
The biggest con for the 4-4-2 in the modern game is if you play against a team with three in the middle of the pitch, then you get outnumbered and overrun.
The midfield is a vital area of the pitch, and sometimes, the game can be won and lost in the middle of the field.
Having an extra player in the midfield can make a big difference, even if it is only a number ten dropping in from a more advanced position to help his deeper teammates.
Also, if the full-backs get caught up the field, there are fewer players to fill any defensive gaps.
The 4-4-2 can also be considered a defensive formation, depending on how offensive the manager’s instructions are. If the team is told not to venture too far forward, then this can lead them to be far too deep and to a lack of attacking threat.
Is it popular on Football Manager?
Well, like in real life, the popularity of the 4-4-2 has taken a nose-dive in Football Manager. It was once a go-to formation for many when it came to setting up their teams on FM.
However, in recent editions of the game, it has been harder to create a successful 4-4-2 formation.
The main reason is precisely the one we stated in the cons section of the article: Your team gets overrun in midfield, leaving your defence open to attack against more forward-thinking quality teams.
It is not a formation we at THTP would decide to use very often on FM. In fact, if you visit our tactic testing page, there are few, if any, 4-4-2 formations that we tested successfully.
