Compact or wide formation?

[foss]

I'm struggling to find a good balance. What formation do most people go for?

When I play online and notice people with custom formations, the majority of players that play well or have a good team seem to play either a very compact formation (high defensive line and forwards close to midfield) or very open with 4 defenders sitting on the edge of the box and forwards all the way at the top of the pitch.

Typically I've played with a high defensive line and have my center forward around the top of the box and 2 wide players hugging the touchline on both wings.

I just feel like I can't get the balance between attacking and defending. Just curious what formations people typically use with respect to high defensive lines and compact formations.

 

[StringerBell]

I play with 2 formations mainly a 4–2–3–1 with Fenerbache this is very good with using aainst Barcelona becasuse I dont want to play that team wide. Plus I have Alex (who is very underrated) giving pinpoint pass to either a) Guiza who is your typical strong lone striker or b) Niang who is extremly fast and agile and can get around Pique or Puyol if need be. If neither of those options work I'll put in Smieh around the 70 min and he has a super sub card.

With Fiorentina I use a 3-6-1 putting Vargas as a Left wingback brings him up to an 89! Plus at the moment (since many of these players have left or are going to leave the team over the summer) you have Montolivo, D'agistino, Donadel to bring up the midfield. You can afford to do this formation because of the teams solid defense like Frey, Kroldup and Gamberini.

 

[waywardcloud]

When I play online and notice people with custom formations, the majority of players that play well or have a good team seem to play either a very compact formation (high defensive line and forwards close to midfield) or very open with 4 defenders sitting on the edge of the box and forwards all the way at the top of the pitch.

both of these formations are very annoying because defensively all they do is press x and square to pressure, without having to actually play any defense. i for one dont call them good teams. sure they have numbers and players but no footballing quality

4-2-3-1 is very flexible formation which i use for the most part. i also venture to a 4-2-2-2 , with an ss or a 4-1-3-2.

again u have to figure out what u play your best football with. The way to balance would be not sending to many of your players forward while attacking and if someone just pressures u all the time, try to dribble your way out of it or take the foul, most ppl cant even defend decent delivered free kicks.

 

[cr381ve]

You base your formation on your strengths and weaknesses, 1st of all, and then based on the team strengths and what works for them. If you are weak defender you should play a defensive formation. A 4-1-2-1-2 is good, for players who aren't that great defensively.

You have your regulation backline with 2 CBs and 2 side backs, with the CBs sitting just in front if the D.

A defensive midfielder is big help in supporting your defense and while providing a link between your defense and attack. He should be positioned on the center circle in your own half.

The next two players should be positioned just ahead of the center circle. You can choose to play 2 SMs or 2 CMs depending on your team's players. If you play wingers, don't put them right on the touch line, rather position them as central as is possible while still allowing them to be SMs.
If you opt for central midfielders (my personal preference), position them on either side of the central circle. This gives you good support and allows for close knit intricate passing. This can rip apart any team. Your CMs should be players with good passing ability, above all else.

Next you place an Attacking midfielder in line with a side of the 18 yard box. He should be your teams best passer, preferably a Talisman as well as this will give you good attacking impetus and accurate final ball delivery.

Your SS should play off just off your CF and should be the main man coming back to retrieve the ball and assist build up play. It would helo if he was agile and nimble, with good acceleration too.

Your CF should be the only player positioned inside or beyond the edge of your opponents 18 yard area. He should also be the most accurate shooter on your on squad.

I've added the above to help you out.

All your tactical sliders should be set to 10 initially. You will fine tune as you play and see how u need to adjust them. Clear all the startegies in the management edit section of your teams management configuration, so you will have no auto tactics set. Your will find the players in close knit formation when in possession allowing for quick, short, passing. Use the short passes and build up fairly slowly, making sure that you don't rush the ball to your attackers too quickly, and allow your midfielders to push up and support your attack.

I'm pretty sure this will give you a solid base and team shape, you can then adjust and edit as you will begin to understand how your team plays. I use Palermo online, and I can confidently say that this formation is solid, and very innovative all round the park.

Hope that helps, good luck mate.