FOOTBALL FORMATIONS

About this formation

Great for small, quick build ups, and maximizes possession throughout the pitch. I used Villa upfront to switch off with Pedro since both players are ambidextrious, can play the wings, and excellent finishers. Iniesta and Fabregas will be the two attacking playmakers, while Xavi drives the tactical attack for the team and setting up most of the plays. The adventurous Ramos can attack on the right wing as well, setting up important crosses. Then could Xavi fill in defensively in the center while Puyol, with his diverse defensive positioning, can cover the right wing. Although it seems the left side of the pitch is where most of the attacking is done, this isn't completely true. We can always use either Torres or Villa as the target man while Iniesta sets in to finish, hense why his positioning is boasted a bit further up the field. For example, Xavi would send a through ball to Torres/Villa creating space in the middle allowing Iniesta to fill the spot and thus creating a chance. This formation is ideal for attacking. By applying pressure high up on the pitch, you'll keep the opposition from creating chances, and thus winning the ball back in the midfield. This also creates pressure on the opponents defense if the ball is won back in the midfield because the attackers are virtually already set in their positions. The idea is to always maintain ball possession while occupying your teammates position of the formation given; the theory of total football. The greatest weakness of this formation is that the center of the defense. It can be penetrated by a counter attacking formation if the defense is out of position or can be avoided by remarkable dribbler, given the skills of the attacker. This is, of course, a general set up of the 4-3-3 formation I like to use though I have many tactics in which I can apply when using it.