442 is a formation most of us love. It can be defensively compact while also offering some attacking threat.
Personally I've always been intrigued with the way you can create such a solid, compact defense that can be hard to penetrate for a lot of opposing teams. I wanted to modernise a 442 that offers the same compact impenetrable defense but also has a fluid lethal attack
My inspiration has been Unai Emery's Aston Villa and especially how they transition into the 325 from their 442. My recreation has a mix of my own beliefs while also implementing Emery's philosophy and some of De Zerbi's.
My setup
Goalkeeper - And Sweeper keeper but my newgen is exceptional so hence the Attack duty
Fullbacks - One IFB and the other Wingback on Attack. This creates the 325 in attack
Centrebacks - Wanted one CB playing safer hence the standard CD and then the other one which is a BPD to create more risks and bring the ball up down the left side.
Central Midfielders - Opted for a BWM Support and a DLP Support to control the midfield but also hold their positions when they're attacking.
Wide Attackers - IF support especially on the side of the Wingback. That IF Sits narrower and acts as a LAM in attack. The other one can be any role but has the player instruction to stay wider.
Strikers - One focused on scoring so can be AF or Poacher. The other one can be a DLF on support or a F9 to drop deep and pull defenders out to create space for other players.
Team Instructions:
Shorter passing and Slightly higher tempo for possession, work ball into box and lower crosses again for better possession and not to waste chances. Focus play through middle as I want our attacks and risks taken more in the middle of the pitch. Overlap left to encourage my Left Wingback to make those runs and for players to look for him. The frequently waste time setting is on to help invite the pressure how De Zerbi does as it can help break teams down.
In transition I use Distribute to centrebacks so we can start to play out from the back and encourage the opposition press. Throw it long as take short kicks seems to always bug out for me and create weird and unnecessary mistakes. Hold shape to encourage more possession. Counter press to apply pressure after losing and then go back to our shape
Out of possession I use Higher defensive line with a mid block to restrict space and keep that solid 442 shape. I toggle on and off the Prevent GK distribution. Trap outside and invite crosses are to also make our shape incredibly compact and hard to play through. I use stay on feet as all my players besides Centrebacks have the Player Instruction of Tackle harder, I want them to be forceful but stay on feet.
The main component that I haven't mentioned yet is Opposition Instructions. These are crucial for this system and just need to be toggled on before every game:
You can use whatever mentality you prefer. My preference is Cautious or balanced but do your own research regarding Mentality so you understand all that it actually does.
Some results this season
What the tactic looks like when controlling possession and attacking
What the tactic looks like when defending
General stats this season using this tactic
I'm constantly tweaking and will be updating this tactic as and when I see fit or if personnel changes and I need to tweak to suit those players.
Thank you for hopefully reading this and I hope it can inspire you to test my tactic and also create your own 442!
Personally I've always been intrigued with the way you can create such a solid, compact defense that can be hard to penetrate for a lot of opposing teams. I wanted to modernise a 442 that offers the same compact impenetrable defense but also has a fluid lethal attack
My inspiration has been Unai Emery's Aston Villa and especially how they transition into the 325 from their 442. My recreation has a mix of my own beliefs while also implementing Emery's philosophy and some of De Zerbi's.
My setup
Goalkeeper - And Sweeper keeper but my newgen is exceptional so hence the Attack duty
Fullbacks - One IFB and the other Wingback on Attack. This creates the 325 in attack
Centrebacks - Wanted one CB playing safer hence the standard CD and then the other one which is a BPD to create more risks and bring the ball up down the left side.
Central Midfielders - Opted for a BWM Support and a DLP Support to control the midfield but also hold their positions when they're attacking.
Wide Attackers - IF support especially on the side of the Wingback. That IF Sits narrower and acts as a LAM in attack. The other one can be any role but has the player instruction to stay wider.
Strikers - One focused on scoring so can be AF or Poacher. The other one can be a DLF on support or a F9 to drop deep and pull defenders out to create space for other players.
Team Instructions:
Shorter passing and Slightly higher tempo for possession, work ball into box and lower crosses again for better possession and not to waste chances. Focus play through middle as I want our attacks and risks taken more in the middle of the pitch. Overlap left to encourage my Left Wingback to make those runs and for players to look for him. The frequently waste time setting is on to help invite the pressure how De Zerbi does as it can help break teams down.
In transition I use Distribute to centrebacks so we can start to play out from the back and encourage the opposition press. Throw it long as take short kicks seems to always bug out for me and create weird and unnecessary mistakes. Hold shape to encourage more possession. Counter press to apply pressure after losing and then go back to our shape
Out of possession I use Higher defensive line with a mid block to restrict space and keep that solid 442 shape. I toggle on and off the Prevent GK distribution. Trap outside and invite crosses are to also make our shape incredibly compact and hard to play through. I use stay on feet as all my players besides Centrebacks have the Player Instruction of Tackle harder, I want them to be forceful but stay on feet.
The main component that I haven't mentioned yet is Opposition Instructions. These are crucial for this system and just need to be toggled on before every game:
You can use whatever mentality you prefer. My preference is Cautious or balanced but do your own research regarding Mentality so you understand all that it actually does.
Some results this season
What the tactic looks like when controlling possession and attacking
What the tactic looks like when defending
General stats this season using this tactic
I'm constantly tweaking and will be updating this tactic as and when I see fit or if personnel changes and I need to tweak to suit those players.
Thank you for hopefully reading this and I hope it can inspire you to test my tactic and also create your own 442!
