When it comes to formations in football, different coaches and teams favour different styles and set-ups. Some are set up to attack, while some are considered more pragmatic or defensive.
One of the formations that usually fits into the latter category is the 4-5-1. In today’s article, we will look at the 4-5-1 formation in-depth.
How do teams set up in a 451 formation?
In essence, the 4-5-1 formation is used by teams that want to defend first and attack, possibly on the counter-attack. A perfect example of its use is when teams are facing a superior opponent. Another would be a difficult away game against another top team.
The formation is usually set up with two banks of four in defence and five in midfield, with one striker upfront.
There will be full-backs/wings, depending on how adventurous the team wants to be, who flank two centre-backs.
In midfield, there will be three central midfielders, which is a crucial area of strength in this formation. The three central midfielders may be given different instructions. Usually, one will be a defensive midfielder or single pivot, while the other two players’ roles vary depending on the game plan.
Left—and right-sided midfielders flank their central colleagues. In attack, these wide players may become wingers. They can also offer vital support to the lone central striker, and they need to have good stamina and work rate to fulfil their roles.
The lone striker in the 4-5-1 has the thankless task of carrying the attack. He must hold up the ball long enough for his teammates to get up into support.
The lone forward is one of the key players in an effective 4-5-1, as, without a strong central striker, the system fails.
When was the formation first developed?
The 4-5-1 is considered an adaptation of Brazil’s 4-3-3 formation, which they used at the 1958 World Cup after switching from a 4-2-4 set-up.
The evolution from the 4-3-3 to the 4-5-1 saw the wingers drop slightly deeper into more defensive positions. This change allowed better defensive coverage of the wide areas.
Some of the modern generation’s top head coaches have used this formation. For instance, Jose Mourinho used it at both Porto and during his early tenure at Chelsea. His success with the tactic led to other bosses using the set-up.
At times, Jurgen Klopp also used the formation during his successful stint as Liverpool’s head coach. Although in possession, his team would be more of a 4-3-3, but out of possession, the wingers would work hard to get back into deeper roles to help their full-backs.
During his time with England, Gareth Southgate would also use the formation when out of possession, but in possession, similar to Klopp’s teams, would morph more into a 4-3-3.
Eddie Howe used the formation to transform Newcastle United from relegation-threatened to a team that qualified for the Champions League. The team’s wide players, who were predominantly wingers, would drop deep to help out defensively, but in attack, it would be a 4-3-3.
What are the pros and cons of the 4-5-1?
One of the main pros of this formation is that it provides defensive solidity, which many other formations don’t offer. If nine of a team’s ten outfield players are behind the ball, it’s obviously harder to break them down defensively.
One of the other benefits of this formation is the midfield superiority it gives a team. The three central midfielders can overload the centre of the park, sometimes outnumbering the opposition.
The midfield is a crucial area of the pitch, and it can be crucial to the difference between winning and losing.
As previously mentioned, wide players with pace and stamina are vital in this set-up. This is a big pro, as they will be doing lots of work up and down the flank.
The biggest con of this formation is that your lone forward can become isolated, especially if the other players are slow to push up the pitch.
If the wingers or the central midfielders don’t have the pace and willingness to get forward, then the lone front is likely to be left on his own.
This is likely to lead to more pressure on the defence. If the forward fails to win the ball against all odds, can’t hold it up, and loses the ball, the ball will come straight back at the defence.
The formation can also invite pressure on your defence if the players don’t carry out the duties asked of them by the head coach.
Is it popular on FM?
As in real life, the 4-5-1 formation can be very useful in certain situations. For instance, if you are managing one of the biggest underdogs in the Premier League.
Most of your opponents are likely to have superior players. However, by nullifying their attacking threat, you give yourself a chance of hitting teams on the counter-attack and picking up something from the game.
I can’t say I have used it in recent FMs. However, I do remember creating the perfect 4-5-1 formation as Everton boss in FM05, and I managed to get James Beattie to score 30 or so goals in a dreadful team.
The key to its success was that the wingers were fast and direct. We also scored a lot of goals from a set-piece routine I created. I was proud of myself, as if I remember correctly, we won the league in the first season.
I am sure there have been 4-5-1 formations that have worked well in FM24. However, on my FM travels and while doing tactic testing, I have yet to find one that has worked for my teams.
What do you think of the 4-5-1 formation in real life and in FM24?
