4-5-1 formation
Compact and cautious: a crowded midfield, with one striker waiting for counter-attacks.
How it plays
Four defenders, five midfielders and one striker. With five players in the middle, the opposition finds little space to pass through. The team defends in two tight banks and breaks quickly when it wins the ball.
Strengths
- A crowded midfield: hard for the other team to play through.
- Solid in defence, with a lot of players behind the ball.
- Good for counter-attacks when the wide midfielders run forward.
Weaknesses
- The lone striker is often isolated and short of support.
- Little attacking presence unless the midfielders run forward.
- It can invite pressure by giving the other team the ball.
Best for
Matches against a stronger team, or when you need to defend a result with a fit midfield.
Coach’s tip
Pick a striker who is strong with his back to goal. He has to hold the ball for the midfielders to arrive.
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