Why Back-Three Formations Are Increasing in Popularity | 3-4-3/3-5-2 Tactics

3-4-3 Formation Tactics
Formations such as the 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 are becoming more and more popular within elite football. The Defensive stability along with the width it naturally creates make it one of the hardest formations to play against. Managers Like Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel are performing extremely well with this line up, and its likely that they will continue to do so. In this video We're going to break down the main threats it posesses, and why it could become the most used formation over the next few seasons.
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MUSIC: / cram_sounds
INSTAGRAM: / thefootballmeta
TWITTER: / footballmeta1
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Roles
04:10 Attacking Principles
07:30 Defensive Principles
09:02 Weaknesses
10:05 Outro

[@isakr5391]

something to add is in these formations, wide diamonds with positional interchanges are also adapted by teams like Tuchel's Chelsea and Atalanta, bringing more attacking possibilities.

[@TheBusbyBabes]

he said that

[@RajorC17]

Like Johan Cruyff?

[@jdantanks]

I coach a U13 team and switched from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-1-2 last season when I saw how effective Tuchel’s back three was. Having a double pivot sitting in front of my back three gave me so much more defensive stability. And having two strikers (one who likes to run in behind and the other who likes to come short and have balls played to his feet) made life much difficult for other teams’ CBs than our prior single striker setup. It helped that i have a couple of wingbacks who can run all day.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

nice. did you win the title? play in some tournaments?

[@JB-kd9wg]

Such an underrated channel, you deserve 900K minimum, such quality content

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you so much man, maybe one day lol

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@FootballMeta can you uploading the Belgian national team formation soon ?

[@f1-morgan]

@@lexkanyima2195 isnt that 3 at the back?

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@f1-morgan a 3-4-3 formation. Yes

[@rmadridista369]

totally agree

[@mickgarrett4809]

This is a great channel, I have run a boys team from them being aged 6 to now at 15, we have won series unbeaten (until Covid put a stop to things), I prefer 3-5-2 but I also find you can’t be tied down to one formation that you like to play but rather concentrate on the players abilities that you have available to you for each match!

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you! Yes I agree, I feel a lot of managers fail trying to do that, they had one system work really well for them at one club and just assume it will work perfectly for every other club. Knowing your players is the most important thing!

[@nofurtherwest3474]

You must have added players over the years since at youngest age you play 4v4 or 5v5, then 7v7 usually for U9/U10, then 9v9, then 11v11.

[@mickgarrett4809]

@@nofurtherwest3474 in Sweden it begins with 3v3,then progresses to 5v5, 7v7,9v9, 11v11 but I always used the same principle from 7 a side onwards that choose a formation that suits the players I had available for each match. Especially as the younger they are the more equal time you must give them regardless of ability.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@mickgarrett4809 Oh you are in Sweden; very nice. Good point.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@mickgarrett4809 Can i ask, since you have worked with youth - do you rotate all players through positions? do some stay in one position if they really are a natural fit for it?

[@kingcorner3741]

Most underrated football channel on KZbin 💯

[@AA-wk5jn]

Well done mate brilliant analysis. For the next video could you do the 3-3-1-3 often used by Marcelo Bielsa who was inspired by the Chilean team Colo Colo's 1991 Copa Libertadores winning season coach Croatian Mirko Jozic?

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you! That's a good idea, I have a few other videos to get through but I'll add it to the list 👍🏻

[@stevesrover]

Best football tactic videos on KZbin. I run an U14 team and, looking at my squad, have been thinking that 1-3-4-3 or 1-3-5-2 is their future. This has been really helpful in developing my thoughts.

[@oisamojesamson8139]

I predicted in 19/20 season that the back 3 formation is soon going to be the new META and I’m happy it is starting to happen, it’s such an effective formation.

[@BallonRondMTL]

Your explanations are clear and to the point. Well done on this and other videos as well.

[@THEmajnik]

I've just discovered your channel, and it's great!

[@lauralassan325]

Very interesting and informative content. Keep it up bro 👍

[@SaddamOmar66]

Dude.. i loved it. They way you easily explain and present things. Maybe oneday you will reach millions of subs.. keep up🤗 And would love to analyse big matches tactics.

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you so much! And I will definitely try and do some breakdowns of big matches, it's a good idea 👍🏻

[@caldrissian8178]

I just discover your channel and I'm impressed by your very easy to understand and thorough explanations of tactics. This channel is priceless for football fans. Great job 👍

[@elitesoccerschoolbangalore3189]

Brilliantly explained,. Subscribed immediately

[@maxwellgridj4060]

Exactly the page we needed Cheers

[@martinslvsten428]

It's how our national team (Denmark) does aswell, which everyone saw during the Euro's. However when the opposition presses high and disrupt our play out of defence, Like Russia and Wales tried to do, we opt out of the long ball to the attacker, as the attackers we normally use, aren't good enough in that aspect. Thankfully we have Andreas Christensen from Chelsea, whom we instead push up as a defensive mid and drag our wingbacks further back a bit, which essentially make us go from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3, which opens up new spaces for our passing game. And if they react to that we just change back again if need be. But good video. You've gotten another follower :)

[@fredred5037]

This channel is awesome! Exactly what I wanted to know.

[@travelling571]

Thanks for informations❤️👍🏼

[@mr_crush]

Great work enjoyed this

[@LightGreenCorona]

How can this channel not have millions of views? Is it just not that old?? Anyway, thanks for the content. I will implement this free knowledge in our amateur level club.

[@FootballMeta]

Haha thank you! I only started the channel in November, but I'm very happy with how it's been growing lately

[@sreeramkinayath3832]

Great analysis 🔥🔥🔥

[@gianniskefallonitis7252]

Very good, objectively analysis of the formation, with excellent illustration i really enjoyed this video. ⚽💪

[@B757addict]

Hell yes, thanks for this!

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you!

[@mattlivingston9862]

Could you please do a video on the 3-4-2-1 formation? Conte and Tuchel use it and it’s a popular formation at all levels of 11v11 football. Love your content! Super helpful and informative

[@silverbullet1628]

Very interesting and informational, thank you very much

[@harrymorgan2627]

subscribed good content keep it up

[@zwehtunphyo1753]

Jeez this channel has really awesome contents.love it man keep going

[@FootballMeta]

Thank you!!

[@stephenjeltema2323]

Awesome content!

[@brandonholmes9200]

I am the assistant to a 16u boys team in the Heartland League. We run a 3-1-4-2 with the holding mid having more of a defensive role and one of the center mids running the false 9 in attack. We have had tremendous success with it. It's all about the personnel and knowing their roles and everyone else's roles. The width and depth of the formations makes several options for trailing and attacking. Can be vulnerable to quick transitions.

[@lucapanzeri8548]

I think 352 has advantages and disadvantages as other sistema have them. But the preeminent difficult when using this, Is That you need ti have at least 3/4 particular players of you want to use it at the full potential. The libero, the 2 wings and for me at least 1 other player between defensor and midfielder. They must have a lot of skills, They must be multipurpose. If you don't have these players you will have a lot of problems in the game. For example Inter with perisic. In last season the gave him on loan because Conte didn't see him ready for this role (but not for me). During the Summer they bought hakimi (a Specialist of the role) and worked hard for reuse perisic. And as libero they use de vrij, That play in this position since he was a baby 😂 (Lazio, Holland, Feyenoord). Another interesting point Is That this system Is frequently used only as an offensive system by a lot of teams, drawing back a midfielder in the center or side (in la salida lavolpiana). Beautiful video! ❤️ I Need to recover the lasts

[@FootballMeta]

Antonio Conte is definitely a master with a back three. What he's done with Inter this season is fantastic to see! I remember how he completely changed the premier League when he was at Chelsea

[@mcash7090]

It’s very difficult to press effectively with 352

[@ca10k65]

Great vid!

[@thegogetter8476]

Amazing content

[@ricardoarriaga30]

Very insightful

[@CaraVerde]

I was in love with this type of formation in Roma's scudetto season (3-4-1-2/3-4-2-1 variation). This formation would work wonder if you have extraordinary wingbacks (like in Candela/Cafu partnership), who are good at both defensive & offensive. I wish Madrid has a bit more guts to field this formation, since historically they like the aggressive type of wingbacks much more than the defensive ones.

[@christopherflyger2284]

Good work with the channel mate, any chance you could do a 3-1-4-2 or 3-1-2-4 video next?

[@101airborne07]

Seen this in the Germany x Portugal match in Euro 2020. Everything you discussed happened offensively and defensively, the pros and weaknesses.

[@balkanske.pjesme26]

Thank you 🙏

[@s.sanders4873]

It doesnt't matter what sport it is, you shouldn't tie yourself to any one single scheme or system because while you'll live by it, you'll also die by it. The best advice I ever got from a coach was: unless you're coaching college or higher and have your pick of the lot; fit your system to your personnel and not your personnel to your system.

[@inst4rmin.x4_onYT]

Personally love back 3 formations.. But choosing a formation/system always starts with the player personnel available and what their individual as well as collective strengths (and weaknesses) are.. This may be easier to achieve flexibility with, the higher up in competition level one is working (especially the professional level), but even there it can sometimes come to certain restrictions... As a lower competition level youth coach, I have played in a back 4 at times primarily because I didn't have three healthy CBs available or a back 3 because I had no proper FB/WBs available 😅

[@vascovalerio8091]

Men i was looking exactly for this, really good content, you should do a review on sporting clube de portugal season comanded by Ruben amorim, they played all season on a 3-4-3 formation and became champions after 19 years. Keep up with the good work.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

I think 3-4-3 is a way to beat a stronger team. Because then you can use the width most effectively and that always creates problems for the opponent no matter how good they are. Or you can attack direct.

[@papagalloka5535]

Well explained

[@jerryofosuhene]

You just got a new subscriber

[@MrPom11]

Good explain 👍😍

[@americansoccerunited]

Fantastic! Could you do one like this for a 3-5-2? I know you kind of mentioned it already but I imagine it has its own details and intricacies to explore as well.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

Once the games starts the 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 are not that different, it's basically same but with a false 9.

[@aleksandarpleskonjic6841]

@@nofurtherwest3474 u mean attacking midfielder

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@aleksandarpleskonjic6841 yeah i guess that's right, i'm not an expert

[@aleksandarpleskonjic6841]

@@nofurtherwest3474 firmino and messi in 2009-2012 are false 9, but zidane and maradona are attacking midfielder, or simply 10

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@aleksandarpleskonjic6841 but doesn't messi play the 10 sometimes? or is he always false 9 or winger?

[@elizabethpcnwoha571]

Great video

[@Kaustav.Biswas.]

Now I am part of your yt channel Subscribed ❤️ New subscriber

[@HayKay_]

Tuchel and Conte have entered the chat. I hope Chelsea keep this formation in the 21/22 season. Up Blues.

[@ruvend2581]

It won them the Champions league and there havent been any big changes in the team so why would they change it lol

[@pokerface9291]

These tactic videos are very interesting

[@mykezza]

Hi Football Meta, thumbs up for the great content! Could you analyze the 4-4-2 diamond formation, since it was used by Ferguson and Ancelloti's Milan?

[@lalon2337]

0:26 Isn't the 3-4-3 formation the one Rinus Michels uses? It shifts, starting with 4-3-3 as the libero moves up into the midfield. The total football (the revolution with the most significant worldwide impact) was around late 60's and early 70's.

[@deanmiller6463]

Really great video and cool channel. Only thing is you are speaking a little fast, which is sometimes to much for my little head.

[@nathan225]

Roma and Marseille are also good examples of these tactics, I also remember Dortmund using this formation at one point and the Belgium national team specializes at this

[@lucasfreire8360]

And soon, Paris avec Galtier

[@nathan225]

@@lucasfreire8360 oui naturellement

[@corradoborsotti5970]

Ciao, complimentissimi per il canale che trovo veramente fatto bene, a titolo di curiosità...mi piacerebbe saperne di più sul 343 di Zaccheroni. Non è che potresti fare un video?

[@pedropierre9594]

Press resistant and defensively strong, with pressing teams increasing, this formation is the sort of default for teams that used to play 4-4-2

[@Sugoi_Flash]

I'm impressed.

[@russellmoxham5625]

You might consider numbering the player counters when you're jump-cutting between configurations within a formation. In this instance you might also have given more emphasis to the close connection (via Johan Cruyff) between the 4-3-3 and the 3-4-3. For me they can be almost different phases of the same formation. Good channel though.

[@FootballMeta]

Thanks for the tip, I'll make sure to include it next time

[@Stormvionics]

Great video, here’s a comment for the YT algorithm

[@avyuktkochhar8374]

the biggest advantage this gives against a 4231 or a 433 is that it reduces the possibilities of the opposition dominating half-spaces or getting space between the lines. Both concepts were popularized by Guardiola and for 2 years nobody had an answer to it. With the pivots and back 3 very narrow, and the front 3 fluid allowing more people on the midfield, it takes away guardiola's aforementioned strengths and his biggest asset- numerical advantage in the midfield. it also allows an outlet with the fluid and clever readers of game in wing-backs and inside forwards.

[@lawrencepack3624]

1) interesting video 2) where is that tactical board from😍

[@nofurtherwest3474]

I like the 3-4-3 the best. It's provides the best coverage over the pitch. And you can attack wide or centrally.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

I think the 3-5-2 is a bit better. But the 4-3-3... is great too, esp for buildup. Prob best is a 4-3-3 that transitions into a 3-5-2 in attack.

[@Isaac-bc3nr]

Watching Conte's 343 in tottenham, all you have to do is sit back and overload the midfield to completely nullify all attacks. Hopefully we can get some quality wingbacks.

[@blessingatirene675]

It nice how football have gone to the next level with good tactics. I hope to past all this in my local church.

[@ivankazimir9759]

can we see 433 !?? thank you very much for the excellent and instructive video

[@FootballMeta]

Of course, keep your eye on the channel for any updates 👍🏻

[@underratedplayerstv5666]

This formation was very hard for Arteta break…Arsenal press Chelsea from the right side of their own half then mount or Kovacic will play a long pass to Reece James to break arsenal defense. That’s were all their two goals come from ❤️💕 You good bro 😎

[@dogbabass7980]

Can you recommend a book that explains the advantages and disadvantages of these various systems.

[@angHoangSonCHESS]

Could you suggest the counter formation to the 343? This formation has a lot of cover all over the pitch and the team using it can quickly overload the wide area. Besides that, the space between the lines can be closed down quickly as the wingers can move narrow or the extra defender can move up to join the press.

[@q.veyane5388]

Ive always been a huge fan of the back 3 as much as I am of a front 3 funny enough. But I love more the diamond midfield 3 4 3/3 3 1 3.

[@mahmudtursunboyev7358]

thanks

[@PilotFlame226]

Where can you get that tactics board and pieces?

[@winniolanimus4995]

Question is what could break the meta of a back 3 next... Maybe something even more midfield centric?

[@peseworld-s3162]

Hii, Please tell me which type of passing style using for this formation (3-4-3)?

[@angelotavares6700]

Forgetting Sporting Clube de Portugal tittle after 20 years with 3 at the back is such a shame! Every single game, either winning or loosing they played with the same 3-4-3

[@armani_asr]

How do you effectively counter this formation..?

[@nickvdk11]

Could you do a video 3-4-3 vs 4-3-3? I see the back 3 formation trend a bit over rated. To have the extra central defender, you are sacrificing either a defensive midfielder in the 4-3-3 or central playmaker in 4-2-3-1 resulting in a 2v3 center midfield leaving your defensive back line more exposed. The back 3 is more complicated due needing to work with the 2 wingbacks to rotate marking the opposing AMR/AML

[@seanandrews5329]

A versus scenario series is honestly a great idea

[@CaraVerde]

Formation is not the only aspect that wins you games, plus it's not always rigid one from the start to final whistle. In many cases, those 3 CDs are more likely "sacrificing" the wings (in 3421/3412) or AM/Striker (in pure 343 or 343 with false 9 striker), not the DM. Since the double center pivots are usually MCs with strong defensive capabilities, or even DMs.

[@pathikify]

Sir u made euro 2021 tactics plz

[@mattvarner5825]

I didn't see how old this video was at first, and then I heard the phrase "Antonio Conte's inter Milan"

[@RajorC17]

So back 3 got a buff and it's META Now!

[@rhodigian]

I am learning that Italian and English have some tactical false friends words: Italian centravanti is not centreforward (literal translation) but striker (attaccante, generic name for a forward) english centerforward may be translated with "seconda punta" (second striker)

[@Qassimsport]

you didn't talk about it's transformation & its relationship in a 4-3-3 formation, as Real Madrid does, & as Argentina did in the last World Cup in Qatar 2022

[@ManjongpearlManjongpearl]

Do a video on baca formation of 3412

[@re1v3r]

Here to learn wtf Tuchel is trying to do

[@safifaruqi]

I love how all of us r just so dedicated to the cause haha

[@salmanfaris3776]

What role will we give to fonte🇵🇹 in back in this formation?

[@guyphilippe8628]

what software you use for the animation?

[@FootballMeta]

I use davinci resolve. It's free and the amount of features you get is incredible

[@thestrictlysoccershow7763]

@@FootballMeta Thank you

[@elitesoccerschoolbangalore3189]

I have a request in you - could you let me know the software you use to animate this formation ?

[@FootballMeta]

Hey man, so the arrows and graphics are done with nacsport and klipdraw, while the editing with text is done with DavinciResolve, hope that helps

[@marcocampos2611]

Where did you get that football board for tactics?

[@FootballMeta]

I made it myself, I painted a piece of wood I found in the Garage

[@floran8913]

Where did you get that tactics board?

[@FootballMeta]

I made it myself. pretty easy to do if you have the time!

[@louisdedman8055]

Feel like a tactical genius, England used this against Italy besides losing it was very effective

[@johnjonah3490]

I hated it when Southgate switched to a 4-3-3 when they conceded. It made them weaker

[@ay613]

Football in cycles? The return of the sweeper?

[@Deadmanams]

What's a possibility of playing a false-9 in a 3-men defense?

[@Puru19]

Next video on 352 formation

[@ekoprasetyo3150]

Now i realize how most perfect 343 is... Chelsea with the Last puzzle of the tactic, Lukaku, Will dominate the whole competition this year even so on... I can't see the best tactic other this can beat chelsea.... Only hans flick's munchen can beat chelsea with his overload players on front... But flick isn't at bayer now... I dont know for sure about the successor with his tactic, nagelsman, is it more than flick tactic or no...i dont know... I cant wait for that big match... They are, chelsea and munchen, ideal for the champions final

[@elusivent]

So would the 433 be the formation to i guess out play the 343?

[@softmarite171]

10:13

[@paulm8791]

Very difficult to win the Prem with 3 central defenders.

[@nizamnizar6224]

You should include real match now and then

[@martinodanvers6252]

I would use a back 3 but not the biggest fan of it

[@papagalloka5535]

3 4 3 or MW system.

[@thedawnoftheblackhearts2745]

the back three defense leaves open space at the rear. I don't like also that 2 / 4 midfielders must be left and right back defenders. For me the midfield era should be covered with a clear 6, a 6-8 and an 8-10 player. So i prefer the 4-3-3

[@ahmadsyafiq1110]

Done subscribe

[@genri.a9128]

Incresing in popularity? Maybe in 2016 or something, it's pretty common today.

[@mpitsikletiuser6081]

the only reason to play 3 at the back is cause you dont trust the defensive ability of your team. especially the defenders nowadays. Look at Conte, at juventus he had to play 3 CB's and three in the middle to make some balance and assure a great defending structure, while on his chelsea tenure, cause of Kante, he ditched the midfield trio for a duo.

[@nekosaurus]

No.

[@CaraVerde]

No. From what I saw, teams with 343 and its variations are very offensive. Contrast to what we often see on drawing board, they often defend with those DMs to act as a screen/first responders, not with those 3 CDs, who act as more like last resort defense. So contrary to what you're saying, using 3 CDs usually means that the team trusts their defence, so much that they think 4 defenders is "waste of talent", and prefer that the extra man can be used on more forward up on the field role instead.