Not a Footium Blog

Back to it! In this match we were taking on 4-2-2-2 WB, having already taken on 4-2-2-2 some time ago (and drawing that match 2-2 in the process!).

The Line Ups

Our Line Up

Other than our very weak wing backs, this is definitely a formation that plays to our strengths. This is a more recent screenshot, so the players were slightly weaker when the match happened, but we have invested a lot in the middle of the park so it was good to be able to use them!

Average Squad Rating: 43.5 (at the time of playing).

Opponent’s Line Up

4-3-3 A for these guys. A super attacking formation, and one I was a little bit apprehensive about going into the game!

Average Squad Rating: 42.6 (at the time of playing)

This gave us a slight advantage of 0.9 in squad rating.

Real Life Context

Looking again at ‘real life’, we can look at the strengths and weaknesses of 4-2-2-2 as a formation.

This formation came out of Brazil in the 1950s, and initially was widely used in South America before making its way to Europe.

It’s designed to overload the midfield, and offer creative midfielders the chance to do their business, with the CF’s occupying the opponents back line.

With this specific Footium variation, there are Wing Backs instead of Full Backs. They offer a bit more width in the formation, and may reduce one of the key weaknesses of regular 4-2-2-2, which is how narrow that formation is.

Strengths:

• Two Strikers – they can occupying the opposing defence, whilst well supported by the two attacking midfielders. They can drop in short, or run over the top.
• Central Defensive Cover – The double pivot gives great cover in front of the CBs.
• Midfield Overloads – With essentially 4 midfielders and 2 forwards occupying the central part of the pitch, it can easily overwhelm midfields and allow lots of options centrally.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of width – The full backs can get exposed, especially against good opposition wingers. Even with these Wing Backs, it’s only two wide players in the entire formation.
• Holding Possession – Due to so many players occupying the same central stretch of the pitch, it can make it difficult for players to find space in a slow build up.

The Match

Sometimes it’s nice to have a little bit of simplicity in life, and this match was nice and simple.

We won 3-0, and you can’t ask for anything more than that!

We got a couple of goals from Jongsoo Go (who has 4 in 6 this season), and one goal from Adam Balić, which was his first goal of the season from RWB!

Looking at the stats, it seems we were really direct! Less possession and a lot less in the way of passes, but with more shots, more corners and 3 big goals!

Really pleased with this.

See you all on the pitch!