The 4-3-2-1 Formation.. According to Carletto

The 4-3-2-1 formation as devised by Carlo Ancelotti for A.C. Milan.

With many thanks to vasilli07 from Hardwarezone.

The 4:3:1:2 according to...Carlo Ancelotti.

What about 4:3:1:2 formation?

Its the formation we use with Juventus, but it has adapted so that we can exploit the skills of each player.

Why do you use it?

Because it's a formation that allows us to cover the wings with the players and not in a static way as we did last year. In fact, last year our game was more static and we had the tendency to center the game. Today we can be less predictable on the wings and alternate a lateral game to a central game.

What's the advantage?

As I've said before, the lateral wings are covered in a dynamic way because during the attacking stage there aren't static positions.

What are the problems?

Sometimes it's hard to close down the wings and to play as the fifth man during the defensive stage.

This might create some problems during the fast changes of game..

Of course. But if the back player doesn't have a man to mark, he can come out on the midfield players, otherwise he stays together with the defenders. If the opposing midfield players is way behind, he'll get cover by one of our midfield players. If the opposing midfield player stays ahead, then he'll be covered by our back player.

Do you let the makeshift striker come between the three midfield players?

No, because I think that we should ask for long runs from the makeshift strikers during the defensive stage. But it's obvious that they also have to be included in the defensive action.

How?

If the opponents have a defense with three men, the final third player marks the central defender and the forwards more towards the other two opposing defenders. If the opponents defend with four men, the makeshift striker closes (during a lateral pass) down the opposing midfield player near the ball.

What are the themes you follow during the attacking stage?

The width of the field has to be taken by the two fullbacks, who must have offensive skills. This is true also for the lateral midfield players, who must be able to move. If neither the fullbacks nor the midfield players can control the width of the field, one of the two forward will gurantee the control with a player positioned in the final third will move next to the other forward to reassemble the position. We must say that when the ball is in our half of the field, our "director" is the player positioned in front of defense, whereas in the other half of the field it's the makeshift striker who has to be seen. The reason is that with this formation the player in front of the defense has defensive duties and must help to build the game from the back. Unlike the two lateral midfield players he doesn't move forward too much. He has to take advantage of the characteristics of the makeshift striker he's playing with.

What are these characteristics?

As usual, technical qualities (especially in offensive 1v1 situations) and tactical qualities of penetrating balls and playing between the midfield line and the opposing defense, I also want to say that I prefer (as my other coaches) to have a fast forward, whereas the other is strong physically.

What if the reverse the problem and we have to face a makeshift striker?

If we play with four players in the back,one fo them will focus primarily on the defensive stage. If we play with 3 players, our central defender could play with 1v1 situation.

Do you think it's useful to vary the formation during a match?

Only if the team has the knowlege to do it. Of course if you have to move from 4:3:1:2 to 4:4:2, it's not a problem. Otherwise I think it's better to avoid any improvisation.

How do you see the future of soccer?

There is less space to move for everyone. The teams have a very well organized defensive stage. In Italy we play a kind of soccer where we like to limit more than create. To play differently we should take some pressures off the coaches. The quality of the coaches is very good, but we don't always have the chance to work for a long period. To change this thing it would necessary to find a revolutionary.