4-4-2 counter attack -> how in hell do you get that formation working.

[Stonebiter]

Hi guys, i'm playing a Portsmouth youth challenge right now and since i had no AMC or DMs, i wanted to try a defensiv -> counter attacking flat 4-4-2 formation and i failed completely. That formation has so many disadvantages.

1. almost always outnumbered in the midfield

2. a lot of space between the CMs and Strikers because of the missing AMs

3. a lot of space between the CMs and the CDs

I tried it with all kind of roles, duties and shouts, but i wasn't able to close the defence.

I think the biggest problem is the room btw the midfield line and the defence line. These 2 lines should be really close together that there isn't a lot of space btw to use for the opponents AMs. If you play defensive strategy and you drop deeper than automatically the room btw the 2 lines becomes wider insteed of closer. So it seems to me that dropping deeper isn't an option. Is push high up the solotuion ? My defenders are slow.

The second problem is the double pivot. I tried to set it up with 2 defend duties in the middle -> 2 CWBs , but then the game becomes way to static, and the gap btw the Strikers and the CMs are way to big even when you have a DLF. If i go with 1 support duty i get a lot of goals through the middle.

It hast just never worked at all.

That was my last try:

and that was a previous try:

both don't work at all. I developed a offensive flat 4-3-3 which works good, but what is wrong with the 442 ? Is it even possible to get a defensive flat 442 to work ????

Suggestions please

[HamoudiLFC]

Maybe get the full backs to support (FB - S) and the wide midfielders to become wingers and just run up the pitch and get crosses in. maybe try 'Counter' also?

Here the full backs will be in line with the Central Midfielders and the Wingers will push up and offer the striker(s) help.

Also, if you have two CWB - A on each side and a WM - S too, it may become too predictable for the opposition. "two full backs aggressively pushing up to support the strikers with the wide midfielder staying in midfield and providing through balls". maybe change one to a winger to provide variety in attack. but as I said two CWBs is to aggressive for a defensive 4-4-2.

I'd also say try CF - S or a False 9 to play in the hole? (attacking midfielder zone) I've also tried DLF (support and attack) and I'd say that the DLF - A is successful for me because he stays deep, supports his teammates AND scores himself.

[dusziv]

Second tactic looks better, but there are few points that might improve things slightly.

Try TM(S) and P(A) combination upfront if possible. It should work well with direct passing.

You will have few specialists more, so go for a more rigid approach.

Try stopper/cover duties for CBs, it might help to restrict space between defense and midfield.

More defensive mentalities are all about breaking opponents at pace, so you could exclude last two shouts.

[RocheBag]

When I play any formation with only 2 midfielders, I play them as DM's. I'm using this 4-4-2 in my Borussia Moncehngladbach save right now:

Works really well, the defensive mids still get forward more than you'd think when they have nothing but space in front of them.

[Stonebiter]

thanks for the replies guys, i'll give it a shot.