Positions and tactics have actually become really fluid in contemporary football. This short post will explain the factors behind this.

There are some essential elements that influence the manager's vision and gameplan, some are internal while others are external. For example, ranking on the table and thinking about the club's objectives for the season are primary factors to remember. Clubs that are aiming to get a place within the top 4 endeavour to win as many matches as possible, particularly against direct contenders who have comparable objectives. This is why the best football formations are frequently the ones that prioritise long-term objectives instead of individual games. Internally, the presence of specific players in key positions can typically indicate what formations to go for. This is merely since there are specific tactics in football that only work in the existence of key players with a specific skillset. This is another reason why injuries can be extremely disruptive, requiring coaches to consider alternative strategies, something that the Crystal Palace former owner is most likely aware of.

Maybe among the most used football formations over the last ten years, the 4-3-3 is a traditional tactic that includes efficient offensive characteristics that are difficult to beat. This tactic is deemed one of the most popular offensive football formations, and for good reasons. The genius in this tactic lies in the synergy in between the midfield and the attacking line. While there are different variations of the 4-3-3, many rely on one defensive midfielder and 2 attacking midfielders that support the wingers and the centre forward. The midfield stance appears like an inverted triangle with the defensive midfielder staying near the back line. This enables more defensive solidity when it comes to sudden and fast counterattacks, something that the AC Milan former US owner is likely familiar with. In order for this work to bear fruit, the wingers and centre forward need to be technically-skilled in terms of shooting and crossing.

Extensively considered among the oldest and most reliable defensive football formations, the 4-4-2 is a strategy that is still popular to this day. What makes this tactic more efficient than other defensive strategies is how balanced it is. This is due to the fact that the 4 midfielders tend to inhabit and dominate the midfield by maintaining possession of the ball. In so doing, they manage the tempo of the match and choose when to push forward and when to fall back. In the attacking position, two midfielders advance up the field to feed the centre forwards through balls and precise crosses that can make a distinction in the box. Long balls sent out from the midfield or even defense can likewise be utilised, something that the Aston Villa former owner would know. When defending, the midfield position changes into an arch that functions as a secondary shield or layer of defense that covers the back line.