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.

Nike Unveils New Singapore Kits

the following is an article of mine which i wrote for KallangRoar.com and Nike, after attending the Lions Unleashed press conference which saw the new Singapore kits being unveiled.

Link to article

Basil Yeo
basil@kallangroar.com



SPORTSWEAR giant Nike unveiled the new national team kit for Singapore in a closed-door ceremony held at the Red Dot Traffic Museum this afternoon.

The launch of the kits could not have come at a better time, as the Lions face Asian Football Confederation newcomers Australia in a friendly on 22nd March, in preparation for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers game against Lebanon on the 26th.

Nike Southeast Asia's marketing director, Tim Parkinson, said that the launch is a sign of Nike's commitment towards its strategic partnership with the FAS in January 2007, allowing the Singapore national team access to all its premium products on and off the pitch.

The new kits incorporate the latest technology and performance credentials as worn by the world's best footballing nations such as Brazil, the Netherlands, South Korea and Portugal, and soon, France. The NikeFIT DRY Technology pulls sweat away from the body and aids in rapid evaporation, keeping the players dry and comfortable.

Also, the kit is constructed in a dynamic fit silhouette, which allows maximum movement and reduces shirt-pulling by opponents. The back of the kit features a zonal cooling technology which provides ventilation when players sweat.

Nike has taken all details into consideration, even making sure the seams along the shorts are heat-transferred to prevent chafing, maximising the player's potential.

Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, President of the FAS, added that the signing of the contract with Nike in January 2007 was the threshold of a new challenge for the Lions, and brought many firsts in for Singapore. Associate Professor Ho also believes that Nike's strive for excellence is also what propels the players to be proud, passionate and committed when wearing a Nike jersey emblazoned with the national flag.

Teenage prodigy Hariss Harun is overjoyed with the launch of the kit, as well as his first time appearing in an advertisement.

"I love the new kit. It keeps us cool and I feel very proud to be wearing it," said Hariss.

"This is also the first time I have been involved in an advertising campaign and I feel very privileged to be able to experience this."

National captain Indra Sahdan could not agree more, and said that this was the best kit he has ever worn in 11 years playing in the national team.

"This year's advertising campaign was more fun the last year's, because this year I am working with my team-mates, and we had a lot of fun as well," said the 29-year-old.

The 2008 Nike-Singapore integrated marketing communications campaign, "Unleashed", will begin today, together with the sale of the jerseys, related apparel and equipment in authorised Nike retail outlets as listed below:

Nike retail outlets:
Nike by B.I.R.D Suntec City Mall
#01-114/124 Suntec City Mall

Nike by B.I.R.D Vivocity
#01-138 Vivocity Mall

Nike by B.I.R.D Cineleisure
#03-08 Orchard Cineleisure

Nike Wheelock
#02-02/03 Wheelock Place

Nike @ Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2
#026-081 Airport Boulevard

Weston Corporation
#04-09 Peninsula Shopping Complex
#01-22 Queensway Shopping Centre

Unlikely Hot Favourites

This year's FA Cup is looking set to be history in the making, as the only English Premier League team left in the tournament is Portsmouth, who knocked out hot favourites Manchester United on Saturday, thanks to a 78th minute penalty from Sulley Muntari.

Pompey not only knocked out the 11-time winners of the competition, but stole the hot favourites title from them as well, but the lesser clubs which remain should never be underestimated, as they have demonstrated the ability to knock out top flight teams like Liverpool, Chelsea and Middlesbrough.

The beauty of the FA Cup is definitely in the possibility of the bigger clubs being eliminated by the smaller clubs. This year's competition is living up to that beauty with so many upsets for the Premier League and so much joy for the lower league teams.

The first team to make fans sit up and take notice are non-leaguers Havant & Waterlooeville F.C., who beat League One side Swansea City 4-2 in a 3rd Round replay after initially drawing 1-1, and set up a 4th Round tie with Liverpool, shockingly going 2-0 up before going down 5-2.

The first EPL teams to be killed off were Derby County going out 4-1 to Preston North End (Championship), and Manchester City downed 2-1 by Sheffield United (Championship).

A bigger surprise was in store for the EPL fans as Liverpool were knocked out 2-1 by The Championship's Barnsley. Barnsley subsequently went on to knock out Chelsea 1-0 in the 6th Round to reach the Semi-Finals.

The remaining clubs who have qualified for the FA Cup Semi-Finals are Portsmouth and Cardiff City, who killed off Middlesbrough with two early goals within 25 minutes of the game which ended earlier this evening.

The only remaining League One side, Bristol Rovers, have avoided all top level opposition in their run to the 6th Round. They will face Championship side West Bromwich Albion, who are this close to repeating its unique feat of 1930/1931, when they won the FA Cup and promotion to the top flight in the same season, the only team to do so yet.

Out of all the teams which remain in the competition, only the Albion have tasted FA Cup glory more than once, winning the competition 5 times between 1888 and 1968.

The final 6th Round match will be played in just a few moments, and more updates on the FA Cup and early Semi-Final thoughts will come later.