All things back three, featuring the Wide Centre-Back

[Jaye]

Popularity of back three formations

Playing with three central defenders was considered a defensive tactic, but as football has become a battle of high pressing and playing out of defence, the role of the central defender has changed. We are well past the days of of the central defender being purely about tackles, headers and clearances. 

The centre defender is now expected to be a competent passer, comfortable enough on the ball to bring it up the pitch, and even vacate their position to support their team further up the pitch. This evolution has come as a result of high pressing becoming common place in the modern game. The centre defender is now the key to bypassing the first line of the press.

This brings us to the three at the back. To successfully play out of a press, a team requires numerical superiority, with players who can pass under pressure. Teams pressing with four, even five players made it difficult for teams playing the usual back four to progress play into midfield. To solve this, managers began using an extra defender to either match-up or out-number the opposition press. As a bonus, the extra defender helped improve a team's defensive stability by providing cover for the aggressive modern wing-backs and forming a solid back five out of possession. 

But it doesn't stop there for the central defender. If they can pass the ball under pressure, then they can support the midfield, or even create overloads on the flanks as well. This fluidity of movement gives a team a spare man in any phase of play, without giving up too much defensive stability. If we look at the tactics of Antonio Conte, Thomas Tuchel, Gian Piero Gasperini and Chris Wilder, we can see this action. 

Football Manager has given this new role a name: the Wide Centre-Back. 

Wide Centre-Back breathes new life into back threes on FM

Three-at-the-back formations were usable in Football Manager, but they were always missing something. Their ability to sustain pressure on the opposition was limited by the central defenders remaining stubbornly on the halfway line and wing-backs not pressing high enough. Moreover, trying to get a Ball-Playing Defender to advance up the pitch required a specific set-up and even then, it only happened in certain moments. 

Luckily for us, the Wide Centre-Back solves a lot of these problems. Let's take a look at what he does. Here is the in-game description:

The main job of the Wide Centre-Back is to stop the opposing attackers from playing and to clear the ball from danger when required. However, unlike standard centre defenders, the Wide Centre-Back is encouraged to stay wide in possession and support the midfield more like a fullback.

With a Defend duty, a Wide Centre-Back is more like a traditional centre-back in a back five. They will provide support in wide areas at times, but from deep. Less likely to overlap or underlap and more likely to provide a diagonal backwards passing option.

With a Support duty, a Wide Centre-Back is willing to make overlapping and underlapping runs to create 2 vs 1 situations. 

With an Attack duty, the Wide Centre-Back is willing to make regular overlapping and underlapping runs to create 2 vs 1 situations, and also has a higher tendency to dribble with the ball. 

From this, it's clear the Wide Centre-Back is a combination of a central defender and a full-back who can perform the functions of both roles. This is reflected in their required attributes:

The key attributes of a central defender (Jumping Reach, Strength, Positioning, Heading, Marking, and Tackling) are combined with the key attributes of a full back (Pace, Stamina, Dribbling, and Crossing), with a dose of Work Rate and Off The Ball on top. We're looking for complete players to play here, possibly even converting full-backs and defensive midfielders to the role. 

My player of choice for this role is Rafael Toloi. While he doesn't quite hit all the key attributes, he possesses two good feet and a pair of very useful traits: Gets Forward Whenever Possible and Brings Ball Out of Defence. I can play him on a support duty and still have him make overlapping or underlapping runs, and he'll happily dribble up with the ball when the opportunity presents itself. 

This, of course, comes with risks attached. The role is designed to dribble with the ball, therefore a player who doesn't excel at this may run into pressure and lose possession. In addition, there's a chance he can be caught out of position while supporting the attack, leaving a sizeable gap on his flank. It's recommended you use a defensive midfielder of some kind in front of him, to protect that part of the pitch. 

Now then, let's take a look at this role in action.

Wide Centre-Back in the build-up

We know the WCB is expected to stay wide in possession and see this clearly in effect during a game at home to Spezia. 

Spezia are playing a defensive 5-3-2 with wing-backs. Below, you can see their defensive block making it difficult for us to play the ball through the midfield. When the ball is with Demiral, he finds all three of our midfielders being marked by Spezia's midfield trio. To make things even more difficult, Spezia's left sided forward is ready to latch on to a pass to our right-sided WCB, while also blocking a pass into our right sided central midfielder with his cover shadow. 

This leaves Demiral with three options: 1) attempt to dribble between the two strikers, 2) attempt a long pass to the forwards or wing-backs, or 3) play the simpler pass to our left WCB. He goes with option 3.

Example vs Spezia 1

Our left WCB, Palomino, has plenty of space thanks to the opposition's narrow block. He's able to advance up the pitch unchallenged, and in doing so, he bypasses the entire midfield. He's free to play an easy forward pass into one of my strikers, who has space and time to turn and play in his partner for the opening goal of the match.

Example vs Spezia 2

This dribbling is also useful against teams who press higher up the pitch, as was the case in a Champions League group game away to Monaco.

Monaco are pressing us in their 4-4-2 shape. The two wingers are prepared to close down our wing-backs, while the two central midfields have moved on to our two central midfielders. Their two strikers are in good positions to close down our two deepest centre backs when they get the ball.

Example vs Monaco 1

As play develops, the ball ends up at Toloi's feet. Monaco's left sided striker has blocked the pass to the middle central defender and the goalkeeper. Boadu is ready to intercept if he tries to pass to Maehle, while Tchouameni and Golovin will force Freuler and Koopmeiners backwards if they get the ball. Toloi's forward options are further limited by Golovin picking up Malinovskyi in his cover shadow, and our two strikers being marked. 

Since Monaco's front six are occupied, Toloi is able to bring the ball forward by dribbling into the gap between Golovin and Boadu.

Example vs Monaco 2

In doing so, he draws players to him. If he isn't decisive in this moment, he can put his team in trouble. Fortunately, Malinovskyi has used the opportunity to slip away from Golovin's shadow and become available for a pass. Also note the movement of our right sided forward, which attracts the attention of Monaco's left sided centre back.

Example vs Monaco 3

Toloi passes to Malinovskyi, who can turn. Duvan cleverly drops off his marker to offer a wall-pass, dragging the Monaco defender with him. Piccoli spins into the resulting gap and runs onto Malinovskyi's through pass to open the scoring.

Example vs Monaco 4

So as you can see, the WCB helped us play out difficult situations against two different types of defensive blocks by becoming a spare man and dribbling with the ball. 

Wide Centre Back as an attacking weapon 

The WCB has proven very useful in attacking situations as well. Here are some examples of him combining with our attackers and continuing his run into the opposition defensive third, much like an attacking full-back.

Over to You

Have you used the Wide Centre Back yet? If so, how are you finding it?

I'd like to discuss back three formations in more detail, so feel free to post your set-ups, what's working for you and what isn't. 

Thanks for reading. 

Edited November 13, 2021 by Jaye

[Louisking1992]

Some great clips there, lovely movement and passing. 

[Pattric_b]

I’ve used wide center backs with wingbacks in front and we have been able to average 60% possession in most matches against superior sides. I personally love the new role but feel it’s overpowered at this moment. 

[Fantasista10]

Really enjoyed your opening post - especially those GIFs! Some very Atalanta-esque goals there, good work. 

I've been meaning to reply here for a while but work's been kinda busy lately. But now I've got some time I wanted to share some of my thoughts on back three's in this years game, and how I'm using them. 

I have always been a lover of a back three, but haven't got it to work in the last few iterations of FM. I once had an all conquering 3-1-4-2 with Sassuolo in FM14 (or 15, can't remember exactly) and that has always been one of my favourite formations along with the 4-3-3. For some reason, and maybe it was the lack of support from the three central defenders, it never seemed to work in an attacking sense in recent years. To basically play with a back five was way too passive in FM and it suited more of a counter attacking style. 

As you have said, and demonstrated with your screenshots and GIFs, this is no longer the case. Those line breaking runs and passes from the new WCB opens up so many avenues in attack and can really help you beat the press if you have the right player. The back three is a viable option once more! 

For me, I'm currently set up in a Gasperini inspired 3-4-1-2 as I feel it's probably the most attacking shape, especially with the right roles. I've tested this a fair bit with a few different teams and I'm now enjoying a save with Serie C side Sudtirol. Here is my current tactic:

This is the system I start every game with currently. It is quite adventurous for a lower league side, but I feel you have to be when using what is essentially a 5-2-1-2 in FM terms (defensive formation). The only change I tend to make is increasing pressing urgency, line of engagement and defensive line (all up one notch, to the max) and this is situational if I feel like the opposition (defensive sides) is having too much possession. This is a recent change I've made, and we've actually been very dangerous with our counter pressing, especially winning the ball from opposition goal kicks. 

Without seeing your tactic, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like from the screenshots and GIFs that you are using a similar shape? Atalanta, obviously, a great side to us this with and have the right players - especially Toloi as a WCB! Unfortunately, my centre backs don't have any of those traits, or attributes really. I guess that's the challenge of being in Serie C! So as a result, I don't see those kind of movements/goal contributions often, but they do overlap/underlap and support attacks very well. We tend to sustain pressure in the final third purely due to the WCB being there as an outlet, or overloading one side of the pitch. 

It's early days for me still, but so far I'm very pleased. Just won 6-2 away from home in my last game, with my Poacher netting four times! The only concern, and I've mentioned this in another thread, is that I have to switch to a more conservative 3-4-2-1/5-4-1 to try and see out some games. I guess that's a drawback of having such gung-ho roles and instructions but I'm cool with that. I don't expect many 1-0 wins, and that's not very 'Atalanta' anyway! 

Would love to see your setup and how it differs, particularly with better players. Also curious to know how you, or anyone else, would setup a 3-1-4-2 with the new WCB role. Ideally, I'd like to use that as a secondary tactic because it creates a natural 3-1-6 shape in attack which could be beneficial when facing the common back five in Italy. 

[Jaye]

5 hours ago, Fantasista10 said:

Without seeing your tactic, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like from the screenshots and GIFs that you are using a similar shape? Atalanta, obviously, a great side to us this with and have the right players - especially Toloi as a WCB! Unfortunately, my centre backs don't have any of those traits, or attributes really. I guess that's the challenge of being in Serie C! So as a result, I don't see those kind of movements/goal contributions often, but they do overlap/underlap and support attacks very well. We tend to sustain pressure in the final third purely due to the WCB being there as an outlet, or overloading one side of the pitch. 

It's early days for me still, but so far I'm very pleased. Just won 6-2 away from home in my last game, with my Poacher netting four times! The only concern, and I've mentioned this in another thread, is that I have to switch to a more conservative 3-4-2-1/5-4-1 to try and see out some games. I guess that's a drawback of having such gung-ho roles and instructions but I'm cool with that. I don't expect many 1-0 wins, and that's not very 'Atalanta' anyway! 

Would love to see your setup and how it differs, particularly with better players. Also curious to know how you, or anyone else, would setup a 3-1-4-2 with the new WCB role. Ideally, I'd like to use that as a secondary tactic because it creates a natural 3-1-6 shape in attack which could be beneficial when facing the common back five in Italy. 

Yes, I've been using the 3-4-1-2 and 5-2-1-2 shapes, although they're not directly Gasperini inspired. Which one I used depended on how confident I was our wing-backs could dominate my opponent's flanks. As you say, most teams in Italy use a variation of a back five, so I wasn't worried about using the 3-4-1-2. However, against tougher teams, especially those playing the 4-2-3-1, I went with wing-backs. We managed to beat City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool in the Champions League in that shape.

I dabbled with the Mez and Car in the centre and it did make some very cool patterns on the flanks, where four or even five players would combine together. Those wide rotations are definitely an Atalanta thing, but what I found was the gap between the two centre mids could be readily exploited by a striker coming deep during transition. This was too risky for me, especially if the ball was lost while the WCBs was up the pitch.

In this set-up, the WCBs hooks around the CMd or DLPd and then feeds passes into the SS or AF. The pass into the right sided channel especially was a very profitable avenue for us. On the other side, the WCBd hung back, playing more like a wide pivot player whose job was to move the ball on to the left DW/WB or BBM. The left sided defended was initially a WCBs as well, but I only had one player for the role so went with some better suited to my other defenders.

Like you, I also had issues keeping clean sheets. We won Serie A with 110 goals scored, but 36 conceded. Part of this was down to the tactic itself, but I also think this ME has a few too many goals in it. When I look at our defensive efficiency over the whole season, only two teams had a stronger defence than we did:

As for a 3-1-4-2 shape, the key will be how the WCBs interact with the RCM and LCM, since they'll potentially occupy the same half-space. You could try something like:

WCB(S) - CD(D) - WCB(A)

WB(A) - HB - WB(S)

MEZ(A) - BWM(S) 

DLF(S) AF

On one side, you have a player arriving to support midfield while the Mez ventures forward. On the other, you have a more adventurous player driving forward from deep, with a ball-winner in front of him who helps protect the midfield. 

Ultimately, it depends on what defenders you have and whether they're capable of supporting the attack. If they're decent passes but can't dribble or cross well, then they can on defend or support duty while your midfield could be more aggressive.

[Fantasista10]

14 hours ago, Jaye said:

I dabbled with the Mez and Car in the centre and it did make some very cool patterns on the flanks, where four or even five players would combine together. Those wide rotations are definitely an Atalanta thing, but what I found was the gap between the two centre mids could be readily exploited by a striker coming deep during transition. This was too risky for me, especially if the ball was lost while the WCBs was up the pitch.

In this set-up, the WCBs hooks around the CMd or DLPd and then feeds passes into the SS or AF. The pass into the right sided channel especially was a very profitable avenue for us. On the other side, the WCBd hung back, playing more like a wide pivot player whose job was to move the ball on to the left DW/WB or BBM. The left sided defended was initially a WCBs as well, but I only had one player for the role so went with some better suited to my other defenders.

Very interesting setup! I have been thinking about changing the roles for the double pivot, and currently using two CM(S) as they're highly customisable, and performances have improved. Using a DLP(D) or CM(D) isn't something I'd considered but it would hopefully give us more balance. I'd also never really considered using a WCB(D) but coming to think of it - I don't really have players suited to Support roles, and definitely not Attack. I'm wary of tweaking too much as it is working well right now but this has given me a lot to think about so thanks! 

I have a couple questions on your setup though. Do you think that movement and passes into the right side channel are due to Toloi and his traits or more the selection of roles and duties? 

Also, how do the SS, DLF and AF combine? I'm using an AP(A) in the 10 role and getting pretty good numbers for goals, and as much as I'd like more assists from him, the numbers are decent. My issue is with the DLF, he doesn't seem to be involved as much - and this may be due to the roles around him. Does he have space to operate in yours? 

14 hours ago, Jaye said:

Like you, I also had issues keeping clean sheets. We won Serie A with 110 goals scored, but 36 conceded. Part of this was down to the tactic itself, but I also think this ME has a few too many goals in it.

Agree with this as well. Plenty of high scoring games so far, and a lot of teams outperforming xG considerably. I think it's quite common knowledge that crossing and heading/wing play is a little overpowered at the moment. Hopefully this gets fixed. 

14 hours ago, Jaye said:

As for a 3-1-4-2 shape, the key will be how the WCBs interact with the RCM and LCM, since they'll potentially occupy the same half-space. You could try something like:

WCB(S) - CD(D) - WCB(A)

WB(A) - HB - WB(S)

MEZ(A) - BWM(S) 

DLF(S) AF

On one side, you have a player arriving to support midfield while the Mez ventures forward. On the other, you have a more adventurous player driving forward from deep, with a ball-winner in front of him who helps protect the midfield. 

Ultimately, it depends on what defenders you have and whether they're capable of supporting the attack. If they're decent passes but can't dribble or cross well, then they can on defend or support duty while your midfield could be more aggressive.

Really like the look of this, thanks! I would refrain from using the WCB(A) until I have a player for the role so I'd maybe use one on Support with a BBM(S) in front, but this has given me a few ideas so appreciate that! 

Edited November 18, 2021 by Fantasista10

[Jaye]

8 hours ago, Fantasista10 said:

Do you think that movement and passes into the right side channel are due to Toloi and his traits or more the selection of roles and duties? 

The passes should happen so long as the WCB has the space and ability to play them. I've even had Djimsti, more of a classic centre back, in that role lobbing passes over defences. 

As for the moment, a WCB(S) should overlap/underlap, but how often is attribute driven. Having Brings Ball Out Of Defence is really helpful, but I wonder something similar can be achieved by telling the WCB to dribble more often, take more risks, etc. 

8 hours ago, Fantasista10 said:

Also, how do the SS, DLF and AF combine? I'm using an AP(A) in the 10 role and getting pretty good numbers for goals, and as much as I'd like more assists from him, the numbers are decent. My issue is with the DLF, he doesn't seem to be involved as much - and this may be due to the roles around him. Does he have space to operate in yours? 

I love them as a trio. The DLF(A) drops deep and out to the left, while the AF ensures the opposition always has someone to mark and peels off into the right channel. They work together to open a big gap between defenders that the SS can run into. Otherwise, the SS can drop deep or stay in the pocket to play through balls, or work together with either striker to create space for the other. 

The DLF is doing his job really well. If you look at the passing stats for my forwards (from left to right: appearances, minutes, pass attempts/90, successful passes/90, key passes/90):

You can see how Zapata and Piccoli, the two I rotated for the DLF role, each attempted around 42 passes per game, which was the same as my main AMC Malinovskyi. Meanwhile Muriel, who exclusively played as an AF, wasn't as involved, but still did pretty well with nearly 30 passes per game. 

[Fantasista10]

18 minutes ago, Jaye said:

Having Brings Ball Out Of Defence is really helpful, but I wonder something similar can be achieved by telling the WCB to dribble more often, take more risks, etc. 

Yeah good point. I haven’t really played around with PI’s for the WCB as of yet. I’ll give that a go! 
 

19 minutes ago, Jaye said:

I love them as a trio. The DLF(A) drops deep and out to the left, while the AF ensures the opposition always has someone to mark and peels off into the right channel. They work together to open a big gap between defenders that the SS can run into. Otherwise, the SS can drop deep or stay in the pocket to play through balls, or work together with either striker to create space for the other. 

That’s encouraging. I’ve been seeing some better performances from my DLF(A) after changing my AP(A) to a SS for a few games. You do see some great link up play between the three players, and end up with plenty options in the box for crosses and cut backs. 
 

Do you give your front 3 any PI’s? In my Gasperini replication I instructed the front two to Roam and Stay Wide so they could help create those wide overloads/rotations - and I’ve kept them like that ever since. I do wonder sometimes if they’re being drawn away from dangerous positions though. 

[Bruce Drundrige]

9 hours ago, Jaye said:

 

As for the moment, a WCB(S) should overlap/underlap, but how often is attribute driven. Having Brings Ball Out Of Defence is really helpful, but I wonder something similar can be achieved by telling the WCB to dribble more often, take more risks, etc. 

 

Can confirm that Brings Ball Out of Defence works nicely with a WCB (on Support in my case). I have a DLP(D) in front of him and he fills in the gap when the WCB strolls forward and picks his passes. I'm playing in the German 3rd Division but the player I use in the WCB position can also play DM or CM so he's nice and comfortable on the ball anyway and contributes well to the buildup play from the back.

And there a better sight than seeing the WCB get to the byline and cut the ball back for a striker to smash in?! 

[yann]

Le 17/11/2021 à 20:38, Jaye a dit :

Yes, I've been using the 3-4-1-2 and 5-2-1-2 shapes, although they're not directly Gasperini inspired. Which one I used depended on how confident I was our wing-backs could dominate my opponent's flanks. As you say, most teams in Italy use a variation of a back five, so I wasn't worried about using the 3-4-1-2. However, against tougher teams, especially those playing the 4-2-3-1, I went with wing-backs. We managed to beat City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool in the Champions League in that shape.

I dabbled with the Mez and Car in the centre and it did make some very cool patterns on the flanks, where four or even five players would combine together. Those wide rotations are definitely an Atalanta thing, but what I found was the gap between the two centre mids could be readily exploited by a striker coming deep during transition. This was too risky for me, especially if the ball was lost while the WCBs was up the pitch.

In this set-up, the WCBs hooks around the CMd or DLPd and then feeds passes into the SS or AF. The pass into the right sided channel especially was a very profitable avenue for us. On the other side, the WCBd hung back, playing more like a wide pivot player whose job was to move the ball on to the left DW/WB or BBM. The left sided defended was initially a WCBs as well, but I only had one player for the role so went with some better suited to my other defenders.

Like you, I also had issues keeping clean sheets. We won Serie A with 110 goals scored, but 36 conceded. Part of this was down to the tactic itself, but I also think this ME has a few too many goals in it. When I look at our defensive efficiency over the whole season, only two teams had a stronger defence than we did:

As for a 3-1-4-2 shape, the key will be how the WCBs interact with the RCM and LCM, since they'll potentially occupy the same half-space. You could try something like:

WCB(S) - CD(D) - WCB(A)

WB(A) - HB - WB(S)

MEZ(A) - BWM(S) 

DLF(S) AF

On one side, you have a player arriving to support midfield while the Mez ventures forward. On the other, you have a more adventurous player driving forward from deep, with a ball-winner in front of him who helps protect the midfield. 

Ultimately, it depends on what defenders you have and whether they're capable of supporting the attack. If they're decent passes but can't dribble or cross well, then they can on defend or support duty while your midfield could be more aggressive.

Donc you use any players instructions ? I'm on the quest of a 5212 and totally loss...