I don't see what is so uncommon about this. 4-4-2 with midfield diamond (so 4-1-2-1-2) where fullbacks are brought up to wingbacks, which I do myself in every game I play.
And I don't really think that it is possible to get your defence work very differently to the usual way. Maybe you could post a video how the defence works in a game? Or possibly player instructions for centre backs and defensive midfielder.
And I don't really think that it is possible to get your defence work very differently to the usual way. Maybe you could post a video how the defence works in a game? Or possibly player instructions for centre backs and defensive midfielder.