3-6-1: the future of football?
It is a very tricky task predicting the next fashionable soccer formation. 4-4-2 is the default setting in England although their have been dalliances with sweeper systems and wing-backs over the last couple of decades. The recent trend though has been towards one centre-forward playing in front of a three-man central midfield, within either a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 formation. The defensively-oriented 4-5-1 is probably the more prevalent of these two configurations.
An additional trend is an adaptation of 4-5-1 with two defensive midfielders shielding the back four. This 4-2-3-1 formation was rarely played in England prior to recent seasons, but is now in vogue and several commentators recommended this approach before the national side’s recent friendly against Switzerland. This formation has a longer history on the continent and was used by Real Madrid circa 2002 with Claude Makelele and Flavio Conceicao as the holding players. Italy also adopted this tactic at the 2006 World Cup with the division of labour at the base of midfield apportioned between the enforcer Gattuso and playmaker Pirlo. The reinforced midfield provides a platform to allow the attacking midfielders to support the lone forward and also enables the full-backs to progress up their flanks. Post-2006 and 4-2-3-1 started to catch on in England, with Man Utd notably deploying it in their 7-1 demolition of Roma in the Champions League.
Future trends may therefore be based on a mutation of 4-2-3-1. This formation essentially allocates six players to a defensive role and four players to an attacking role. One possible amendment to this style is 3-6-1, with the midfield divided so that it maps out as a 3-3-3-1 formation. This, therefore, has the same 6 to 4 balance between defence and attack as 4-2-3-1 but resources are focused on the midfield, which can enable greater on-pitch flexibility. It should be noted that 3-6-1 is not an entirely untested formation and was used to some success by Guus Hiddink’s Australia at the last World Cup.
3-3-3-1 requires three central defenders and three defensive midfielders; in front of this sextet are situated the three attacking midfielders and centre-forward. The six-man midfield should provide adequate coverage of the back-three but also sufficient support for the forward. The balance between central areas and the flanks can also be negotiated between the midfielders: two defensive midfielders may adopt positions reminiscent of wing-backs, whilst the wider attacking midfielders will have the scope to adopt positions akin to wingers. If this situation occurred simultaneously, two midfielders would still be located centrally which would match the number of central midfielders employed in this area under 4-4-2. However, it is likely that, when faced with a six-man midfield, opposition sides lined up under alternative configurations will usually be overrun in central regions of the pitch. 3-6-1: it’s the future of football!
How Man Utd should line up under 3-6-1:
Edward @ February 20, 2008
It’s been done before:
Systema Toshack
That’s right John Toshack at Real Madrid
The only concern I’d have with the 3-3-3-1 is a possible lack of width - both defensively and in midfield. But, as a relatively defensive, tight formation it’s ok.
I can just see the 3-man defence struggling with no wide players in front of them as protection. That’s why I’d prefer a 4-2-3-1.
man utd need to have better formation when he goes away.Im a fan of man utd and when man utd lose any match im angry with the players and coach sir alex ferguson.Man utd need to buy new players from other teams to make strong team like the others.GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE
Well.. US Team use 3-6-1 in ‘98 world cup and the result was totally disaster.. They went winless with it..