FanPost

Could the 4-2-3-1 possibly work for us this season

Last season, upon his arrival, Koeman tried out the 4-2-3-1, and though the results in the beginning were good, with time the football became less attractive, and lots of points were dropped. This was, I believe mainly due to the lack of players needed for this formation, predominantly the lack of a proper 9. This post is to analyse if the 4-2-3-1 can work for us this season or not. Before that, a few notes-

  • I do not want the 4-2-3-1 to be our primary formation. It has to be 4-3-3. This is just a secondary formation which can be used in matches where we need to go all out attack.
  • This is not something I'd use straight up in an important match, we need to try this in the pre season first (if we have the required players at our disposal)

Requirements for a 4-2-3-1

These are the basic roles in a 4-2-3-1 -

  • Two overlapping full backs
  • Two pivots- one box-to- box, the other a more defensive one
  • Three attacking midfielders
The problem we had last year was that we had no proper 9, who would sit in the box, and who could convert the chances. This season, if we manage to register all our players, we would have two 9s. One is Aguero, who last season too spent most of his time inside the opposition box and Memphis Depay, who isn't a proper 9, but spent majority of previous season operating in that spot.

The basic structure and roles will remain the same as in the above image. Now how we can attack this season is-

This looks very disorganised, and scattered, so let me explain

  • Garcia will be operating as a ball carrying defender. He will receive the ball from Ter Stegen as we play out of the back. Araujo meanwhile stays deeper, as Garcia is more comfortable in carrying the ball ahead, and Araujo is more of a no nonsense defender.
  • De Jong will operate on the right side of the pivot, and be the main person who stays deeper. Pedri will be the other pivot, who'd play a more creative and free role. Ansu will drift in like the normal requirement for his role, and Alba will overlap the left, creating a 2 v1 with the opposing RB. If the opposing RM tracks back and creates a 2 v 2, Pedri can move out wide as well, to give the numerical advantage.
  • Aguero will stay deeper in the box, and attract one of the two opposition CBs out of position, something which Suarez used to do. He will not be a goalscorer, someone who will score 20-30 goals a season, but rather the person who makes space for Messi
  • Now the problem lies with the roles of Messi and Depay. Depay is already playing central, and Messi prefers to operate behind the striker rather than cutting in late into the box.
  • So, Depay will play the role of a False 9. Not a proper F9, but some aspects of it. He will either attract a CB, or one of the mids, staying closer to the midfield. If neither of them are attracted, then we have seen his dribbling skills, he can receive the ball from Messi, and make his way into the defence, along with Messi, and they can play a 1-2. If he does attract one of the players, then that creates more space for Messi, who can move central, in front of the space left by Depay (who can even move out wide to the right)
  • In transition, Messi and Emerson can create a 2 v 1 with the opposing LB. If the opposing LM tracks back, Frenkie can move wide and Pedri stays in the defensive role. However, with Messi's dribbling skills, this should not be needed.
This is what I would like to see at the end of any attack


Now I would prefer Griezmann as the 10, becuz he is very good at tracking back, then he has started linking well with Messi. Plus he can move towards the right more comfortably to fill up the space left by Messi. In this Depay is benched, to avoid the 3 10s problem. But his staying is undecided yet, and I don't believe he would play anyways.


Against Counters:

We need to be wary of counter attacks too. This tactic however provides a way to cover this as well.

  • Araujo and Garcia cover the 9 of the other team.
  • Depay + Emerson cover any counters from the right, while Pedri and Alba cover any counters from the left
  • De Jong prevents central counter attacks.

In Defence:

In defence, we form a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Messi and Aguero aren't the best at tracking back, so they stay up for quick counters. The wingers and wing backs track back.

This formation however, cannot be used against 3 at the back defence, as the spaces are less, and we need to g with a 4-3-3, for more width. Also, we cannot play all three Griezmann, Depay and Messi in this formation. We can in a 4-3-3, but not a 4-2-3-1.

I'd love to hear what you think about this in the comments, and if there are any changes which can be made.

<em>This does not represent the views of Barca Blaugranes or SBNation</em>