The system relies on a flat back four, a midfield that has all-round skills and two forwards.
The 4-4-2 had been a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson's successful Manchester United sides. It's also the traditional formation that players are taught in England.
The forwards in the formation normally act as 'pair', similar to the partnership of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke during Manchester United's treble winning season of 1999.
This formation uses a four man attack with the added security of two holding midfielders. The system is secured by a standard back four.
Of the four attackers, one is generally an attacking midfield player who will 'sit in' when defensively required. Counter attacks can be used to great effect with this set-up, as demonstrated by Roberto Mancini's former Manchester City team.
This system is flexible and adapts to different attacking situations.
Two very forward players (target men) are supported by a mobile 3 man midfield. Wing backs patrol the flanks and attack when needed, whilst a libero (ball playing centre back) can push the team further up the pitch when bringing the ball out of defence.
This can create space for the 5 players in front of him, as it will cause uncertainty as to who should try and close him down.
The system relies on a flat back four, a midfield that has all-round skills and two forwards.
The only difference is that instead of a straight four in midfield, it is switched into a 'diamond' creating a defensive player to protect the defence and an attacking (No.10) role to support attacks.
This formation is a more defensive one but has elements to be attacking. A flat back four, three central midfielders, two wingers and a centre forward make it congested in the middle of the pitch.
The two wide players in the midfield have the task of providing plenty of crosses. The centre forward usually has to be tall to head the crosses and that can put its back to goal to control passes.
Jose Mourinho's Chelsea team used this formation to win back-to-back Premier League titles between 2004 & 2006.
A formation experimented by Louis van Gaal and has took Manchester United's players time to slowly adapt to this setup in the 2014-2015 season.
The two wing (full)backs in the midfield are seen as wingers who control either flank. This means these individuals have to be physically fit and have excellent stamina as they attack to help the two strikers and defend to assist the three centre backs.
In practice, 3-5-2 is simply 5-3-2 in an offensive (attacking) mode.
A setup made up of four defenders, two midfielders, three advanced midfielders (one playmaker, two wingers) and a striker.
Two midfielders are defensive. Ahead of them are the wingers, who usually work very near the touchline to spread out the opposition. The playmaker is the key, being the one who controls the attacking play. He is usually the most skillful, creative, tactically aware and is free to roam.
In the 2010 World Cup, three of the four semi-finalists used this system (Germany, Spain and Netherlands).
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One of ...
A Manch...
The last line of defence for any team.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Agility | Reflexes | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A Brazi...
A caree...
The right-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
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Part of...
A one c...
The left-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
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A world...
Some of...
The right-sided player in a normal formation.
Skills Required:
Technique | Vision | Crossing | Communication
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The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
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The left-sided player in normal formation.
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The goalscorer!
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One of ...
A Manch...
The last line of defence for any team.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Agility | Reflexes | Communication
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Ronaldo...
The&nbs...
The goalscorer!
Skills Required:
Quick Feet | Finishing | Pace | Bravery
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A legen...
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An attacking left-sided player.
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One of ...
A playe...
An attacking left-sided player.
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Acceleration | Dribbling | Stamina | Accuracy
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Remembe...
One of ...
A midfielder who sits in front of the defence.
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Tackling | Discipline | Communication | Passing
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A playe...
Arguabl...
A midfielder who gets involved with attacking the opposition.
Skills Required:
Finishing | Confidence | Bravery | Technique
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See today's stars:
Remembe...
One of ...
A midfielder who sits in front of the defence.
Skills Required:
Tackling | Discipline | Communication | Passing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A Brazi...
A caree...
The right-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Part of...
A one c...
One of ...
A Manch...
The last line of defence for any team.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Agility | Reflexes | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A playe...
Arguabl...
A midfielder who gets involved with attacking the opposition.
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Finishing | Confidence | Bravery | Technique
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See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
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See today's stars:
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The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
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A marve...
A forward who drops off and operates between the midfield and the striker.
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A defen...
An attacking defender.
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A defen...
An attacking defender.
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See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
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Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
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One of ...
A defen...
A ball playing centre back with freedom to join attacks.
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An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
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A tall ...
Scored ...
One of ...
A Manch...
The last line of defence for any team.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Agility | Reflexes | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A Brazi...
A caree...
The right-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A world...
Some of...
The right-sided player in a normal formation.
Skills Required:
Technique | Vision | Crossing | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
One of ...
A marve...
A forward who drops off and operates between the midfield and the striker.
Skills Required:
Vision | Finishing | Pace | First Touch
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Ronaldo...
The&nbs...
The goalscorer!
Skills Required:
Quick Feet | Finishing | Pace | Bravery
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Part of...
A one c...
The left-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A very ...
One of ...
The left-sided player in normal formation.
Skills Required:
Technique | Vision | Crossing | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Ronaldo...
The&nbs...
One of ...
A Manch...
The last line of defence for any team.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Agility | Reflexes | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A Brazi...
A caree...
The right-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Part of...
A one c...
The left-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
One of ...
A playe...
An attacking left-sided player.
Skills Required:
Acceleration | Dribbling | Stamina | Accuracy
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A legen...
A legen...
An attacking left-sided player.
Skills Required:
Acceleration | Dribbling | Stamina | Accuracy
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A tall ...
Scored ...
One of ...
A Manch...
The last line of defence for any team.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Agility | Reflexes | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Current...
Probabl...
The all rounder of the team.
Skills Required:
Vision | Fitness | Confidence | Tackling
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Gary Ne...
A defen...
An attacking defender.
Skills Required:
Speed | Tackling | Timing | Crossing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Gary Ne...
A defen...
An attacking defender.
Skills Required:
Speed | Tackling | Timing | Crossing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Ronaldo...
The&nbs...
The goalscorer!
Skills Required:
Quick Feet | Finishing | Pace | Bravery
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Ronaldo...
The&nbs...
One of ...
A Manch...
The last line of defence for any team.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Agility | Reflexes | Communication
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A Brazi...
A caree...
The right-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Part of...
A one c...
The left-hand side of the defence.
Skills Required:
Pace | Stamina | Awareness | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
An expe...
Given t...
The centre of any defence.
Skills Required:
Bravery | Positioning | Communication | Timing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Remembe...
One of ...
A midfielder who sits in front of the defence.
Skills Required:
Tackling | Discipline | Communication | Passing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Remembe...
One of ...
A midfielder who sits in front of the defence.
Skills Required:
Tackling | Discipline | Communication | Passing
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
One of ...
A marve...
A forward who drops off and operates between the midfield and the striker.
Skills Required:
Vision | Finishing | Pace | First Touch
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
Ronaldo...
The&nbs...
The goalscorer!
Skills Required:
Quick Feet | Finishing | Pace | Bravery
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
One of ...
A playe...
An attacking left-sided player.
Skills Required:
Acceleration | Dribbling | Stamina | Accuracy
Watch the legends:
See today's stars:
A legen...
A legen...
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