deception

[donkarlito]

"Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces,
we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe
we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near." - Sun Tzu Art of War

When I read this quote I think he was talking about deceiving the enemy, Then I had a thought is it possibly to set up a defensive formation e.g. 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 etc but still be really attacking

I was wondering what your thoughts are?

 

[Max]

Yeah I'd say it was exactly like you said, coming out with something like a 3-1-6 formation and going extremely defensive.

 

[donkarlito]

my first attempt is a 5-3-1-1 with more expressive and more roaming

 

[sammyt]

4-4-2 in a y shaped midfield?

2 fullbacks that play attacking
2 centrebacks that play defensive
1 defensive midfielder that plays as a defensive playmaker
1 centre midfielder that plays as an attacking playmaker
1 left attacking midfielder that plays attacking winger or inside forward
1 right attacking midfielder that plays attacking winger or inside forward
2 stirkers of your choice

would that formation work as it looks attacking with the way you've setup your strikers and attacking midsbut your playing very defensive with your holding mid and defence, also your centre mid could help both out.

i would suggest using the attacking mids as wingers if you are playing with width but inside forwards if playing narrow. it's not realy been tested yet but it got a 3-0 scoreline against japan and a 0-0 draw with the czech republic whilst playing with the ivory coast so it might work. (the 0-0 draw was mainly to do with i didn't realise they were playing ultra defensive mentality untill the 60th minute.)

 

[donkarlito]

I think it will if I was playing against a team playing the 4-4-2 in a y shaped midfield i would think that the other team would just attack attack attack so i would start with the counter strategy just to how they play