How Different Managers Use the 3-4-2-1 | 3-4-2-1 Tactics Explained | Strengths & Weaknesses

3-4-2-1 Formation Tactics
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So far this season, 21 different teams Across Europe have used this line up making it one of the most Popular Choices for managers. With a 52% win rate and 1.6 goals per game, there’s a reason why Antonio Conte’s Spurs, Jose Mourinho’s Roma and Christophe Galtier’s PSG are all choosing this line-up. In today’s video we’re going to be taking a look at the main tactics behind this formation and why its one of the most versatile starting line-ups around.
The 3-4-2-1 is a slight variation on the 3-4-3 who’s origin can be traced back to Vittorio Pozzo in Italy in the 1930’s and Herbert Chapman in England, but it wasn’t until Johan Cruyffs total football that the formation started to gain some serious attention. In recent years, the 3-4-2-1 has been the choice for many successful teams, including Thomas Tuchel’s Champions league winning Chelsea side, Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund in 2018 or Antonio Conte’s Inter interchanging this lineup with the 3-5-2 during their serie a winning season.
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:45 Origin & Succesful Teams
01:17 Player Roles & Structure
05:37 Different Types of Build-Up
07:58 Final 3rd
09:52 False 9
10:51 Defensive Principles
12:06 Weaknesses
13:30 Closing Remarks

[@Greene0]

Bayern Leverkusen is hammering this formation so hard and they have intelligent players too

[@user-mt7ky3yr8u]

Yes. Bayern Leverkusen are using this formation and they dominating Bundesliga. GOAT formation of all time

[@fut8769]

My favourite tactic by far. I think if you have a CM like Valverde, who can shoot really well outside of the box, you could force corners with those shots or even get a goal.

[@totalefootball8637]

3-4-2-1 is a fantastic formation if executed well. I love ur content man. SIMPLE AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND. CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT VIDEO

[@FootballMeta]

Thanks man appreciate all the support 🙌🏻

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@FootballMeta but is there a difference between a 3-4-3 and a 3-4-2-1

[@playmakerlab]

This is a nice general overview! I'd be interested to see your analysis on different attacking patterns with some of those rotations. Depending on the team and the setup of the defense, some of those inside forwards make runs diagonally away from goal towards the corners.... leaving opportunities for underlaps. I'd also be interested in your breakdown of triggers for the #9 to check and be involved. A lot of the time when in possession, it feels more like a 3-4-1-2 than a 3-4-2-1. Good work!

[@Qammar_GGMU]

I love the way Kane's dropping back, plays a long accurate pass to right or left wing back and then run into the 18 yards box to win headers or be at the right place to score from another player's ricochet. Sadly to see Spurs struggling because of not having good wing backs.

[@rhysjones5323]

Or Kane then not getting into the box after he’s dropped deep 🤦🏻 particularly for England

[@JonahXVII]

The 3-4-2-1 won me my first league coaching

[@stijnr2924]

Incredible video, dealt with all important parts of the 3-4-2-1 and the visuals are very clear and useful!

[@adolphusquao5299]

My favourite formation. In my version, one of the inside forwards play as a false nine, always coming to the midfield to dictate play. The 2 CMs will sit deep but occasionally 1 joining the attack if necessary. Their main job is to cut out opposition attacks through the middle and also cover the flanks if the WBs don't retreat early. The WBs always wide to maintain the width. The CF looking to run behind the defenders for those through ball. Anytime a cross goes into the box, at least 4 players would be in the box plus one of the CMs just outside the box.

[@zionikoroha]

Am happy you finally treated this formation knowing it's the formation of the future. You outperformed tifos take on this formation

[@agostonpad4183]

Great video, I was waiting for it. Maybe chelsea in-attack should have been mentioned

[@Jvstvs_Gombe]

Amazing work mate, I love how your videos are well put up ✅

[@FootballMeta]

Thanks bro 🙌🏻

[@Plato3745]

Johan Cruyff literally invented and innovated modern football

[@miguelporras8366]

More Rinus Michels than him. Cruyff incarnated the revolution more than anyone, however

[@xxballer099gfxxzz3]

Definitely didn’t invent it

[@dzemilmehovic5271]

Ernst Happel and Tomislav Ivić should take credit for that, tho u wont hear anyone mentioning them

[@PeleHPrada]

Hungarian W-M formation antecedes cruyff, and passing football predates even that by the scots.

[@bolivariandoapatriagrande2736]

In 1920, this formation was already "fashionable".

[@AnantaAkash.Podder]

A great analysis Man... watched few of your Previous Video... and as a Football enthusiast i instantly Subscribed... keep the Great work♥️♥️

[@FootballMeta]

Thanks bro 🙌🏻

[@Freshfootwork17]

Can you do a video on the back 5 , Great job man I love the videos

[@nharikrishna7818]

Great. Ever improving 💯

[@armchaircritic4178]

Hi, great video as always. Which formation works best against low blocks while being strong against counter attacks?

[@republicgalaxy4348]

Glasner at Frankfurt? I'm surprised he is not mentioned on this list!

[@RavageStudio]

I use the 3 - 4 - 2 - 1, but i have one of the cm moving down as a centerback when we defend, and one of the IF covering the space in the middle, essentially creating a 4 - 4 - 2. Better for the wingbacks stamina, but you give up a little more safety by ditching the back 5.

[@giodonn5172]

The inside forward is a hard position to master in the 3-4-2-1

[@faddiax8482]

I create a new position called advanced wingback just like the wingback they must support both offense and defense when playing defense they can cover a space or steal the ball when playing offense when they had the ball they must pass to anyone in their team who is wide open if they don't had the ball and the person with the ball is being marked they can try to find spaces so the person with the ball can pass to it or pass to anyone one else if they want to when they are in the final third they had two options options number one either score a goal or create space for wingers or strikers if all the player in your teammate is being marked including you than try your best to dribble and score a goal.

[@evergonzalez71]

I like the idea of making a solid back 5 when defending with wingers that can go up and down the pitch more like a 5-2-3

[@miguelporras8366]

Carlos Bilardo also used 3-5-2 in Mexico 86 succesfully There is a very good video of him explaining the stopper role

[@davidmeneses712]

Great analysis.

[@abdyayman7197]

Hi would you please do an analysis of Bayern - barca game 🥺

[@Mohit-gg3cl]

I love these types of videos ❤️📊📈

[@taizyaharawa7543]

An underrated team using this is Crystal palace. Eze and Olise as inside forwards always cause problems for oppositions

[@Car_NitroWrestling]

Hi Napoli are really taking Europe by storm I think an analisis would be great

[@FootballMeta]

I'll be covering them soon 😉

[@abdullaloko5807]

great video

[@mcmaleny]

CF Montréal has been playing this formation for a few years now. I just wish Saputo wasn’t so cheap and buy some better quality players. Wilfried Nancy also uses this formation for Columbus Crew

[@LandonURL]

city have started to use this recently and have really changed the way this is played

[@ferlin3371]

someone that executes this tactic perfectly is Oliver Glasner of Eintracht Frankfurt, he has had great success with it over in the bundesliga and champions league.

[@doncorleole2356]

Nice! In Fifa I once "invented“ a very similar formation (my central forwards became cams and the cms dropped to become cdms) and it was hugely successful because in in Fifa midfielders simply refrain from any defensive action, so on the flanks I was always 2 v 1 against the fullback

[@kobeymatt4062]

Does anyone know a good 9v9 precursor for this I’m wanted to to teach this before my team goes u13 next year

[@karumehuie1407]

Information great

[@user-mq5ou3tq5j]

Great video. ps Hateboer is pronounced like Hatebur where the U is like the U in the italian word Tutti

[@bekzatissetov502]

Please, can you do 3-5-2 formation?

[@rujoke2437]

Can you analyze benfica and napoli as well?

[@FootballMeta]

Napoli coming up 😉

[@thabangtlhoaele8757]

And for For World Cup marches

[@DpKris]

Can you do a video on what is lacking in today's games, something you miss a lot. Also about the offside rule.

[@FootballMeta]

That could be interesting, thanks! Here is a video on the offside rule: kzbin.info/www/bejne/panHmp6KjZ2arpY&ab_channel=FootballMeta

[@thrombolic]

This formation puts a lot of responsibility on wing backs & requires perfect stamina, speed & tactical awareness…I can understand why 4231 is much easier to implement when they have slower players

[@mindsai7]

Such different methods! For example, Gasperini uses it to win while Potter uses it to lose.

[@taln95]

תודה!

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you bro 🙌🏻

[@mr.gathuru828]

Hello Sir What formation does RB LEIPZIG use ? Can you please do an analysis of their system?

[@estif7011]

Can you do real Madrid tactics

[@ramymedhattobia]

pretty sure that in xavi's barcelona the wingers are the ones staying wide, the midfielders operating half spaces and the fullbacks cut inside

[@FootballMeta]

Sure, a lot of the times it looks like that, but the wingers are also very dangerous in the half spaces and will often move into that position

[@Never_Wr0ng]

Arteta's Arsenal 5-5 analysis when ?

[@metooonoob3668]

Well it is must to have defensive full backs bcuz it creates lot of space with wingers in opposition team who can be fast would be a call walk for them ex Liverpool 😂

[@mohamedabdelkader8665]

Awesome to watch this joyful and meaningful Channel.

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you bro 🙌🏻

[@mohamedabdelkader8665]

@@FootballMeta Could you please have your say what went wrong with Liverpool this season because they couldn't cope with intensity or the problem is the formation? .Thank you Football Meta.

[@FootballMeta]

@@mohamedabdelkader8665 I think I will try and take a look at liverpool soon, next up is napoli 😉

[@mohamedabdelkader8665]

@@FootballMeta Thank you for your concerns i think it is far better for Klopp to back to his old (GegenPressing) to keep Salah and Nunez wide ,Firmino under them but if you watched Liverpool Vs Napoli ,Liverpool was playing 4-3-1-2 so far so good because it worked for them.

[@mattdrayton2668]

"The 3 4 2 1 futures 1 goalkeeper"

[@yurisimon7581]

What about 9v9 tactics. Need that shit to finish not at the bottom of my kreisklasse tabel.

[@coachpcuzz9023]

Play a 3-3-2

[@balancingcandle8362]

I always use this formation when playing fifa 😆

[@user-cs5tl8dl5l]

jag har sett klart den den va jätte bra jag önska jag va charlie för du fallafel träfa han

[@ncebazakhemenziwa3855]

The is any team at this time is playing with 4-4-2, how this formation good?

[@JohnDoe-ic5cy]

Add Jorge Jesus with Fenerbahce

[@vmfayis]

👍🏾

[@katagiri_yuuichi_69]

xavi alsonso 😌

[@elchinseyfullayev6733]

Sorry, but you lost me when you said Donnarumma has great short and long passes.))

[@karumehuie1407]

You need to do a video 📹 why Chelsea a struggle dont tell me because of injuries please. Because I don't see a clear idea in how he want his team to play with and without the ball. Don't see effort 😕 help me please 🙂

[@FootballMeta]

Just uploaded a video about Chelsea 😉

[@halilibrahimdirik4339]

357

[@m-vendor]

Van gaal tactic since 2014

[@coolkidsplayz983]

I like watching teams plays 4-3-3 better. I feel like a defensive 4-2-3-1 forces teams in attack to use crosses which is boring to watch

[@mxsthxted]

4-2-3-1 is so boring

[@user-cs5tl8dl5l]

jag lovar du kan fråga någon om filmen och jag kommer veta och kan vi spela jag heter KFC NoDe

[@fabricefils-aime7142]

PSG 3-5-2 is a disaster It could be a better formation if they had more muscles in the middle like Casemiro, Kante , Partey, Rodri ..

[@sleepybear6032]

Bro really said one goalkeeper. Soccer is played with two goalkeepers and football is played with only one. 🤣

[@Frank-nk2pv]

😂😂😂It's funny how he said the 3-4-2-1 has 1 goalkeeper, 3 centreba... Like bro which formation has more than 1

[@diogomartins8755]

im quite early..

[@diogomartins8755]

a few examples at Sporting CP: pedro porro right wingback marcus edwards (more of a inverted winger tbf) Paulinho target man

[@remedanhassan9438]

3-2-3-1