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451

The 4-5-1 lineup is seldom a starting lineup but rather a formation used later in a game, when a lead or a tie need to be saved over time.

Sweeper (SW): The sweeper should have a good understanding of the game and be a leader on the field. He controls the defense, always staying behind the fullbacks.

Stopper (ST): The stopper is responsible for marking the centerforward or centermidfielder of the other team. He also has an important offensive part of distributing the ball to the midfielders.

Left/Right Backs (LB/RB): In the flatback formation, they mark the opponent's forwards and are the only real defenders. These players have to be dependable and willing to give up any kind of offensive play.

Left/Right Defenders (LD/RD): They mark the opponent's forwards. In the flatback version, or in more advanced teams these players are used to carry the ball up the outside with the midfielders, allowing more effective crossing.

Left/Right Midfielders(LM/RM): When playing 4-5-1, outside midfielders need to take charge and demand the ball more than usual. With only one forward, offensive plays have to be played over the outsides, since a 5 men midfield can hardly push up fast enough to support the single forward.

Centermidfielders (LC/CM/RC): Even though offensive plays should be played over the outsides, quick passes through the middle can be an effective tool. If at least two of the centermidfielders are fast enough to perform a counterattack, they can easily involve the forward into this play and either win time or go for the goal.

Forward (F1): The single forward will have to cope with a game with few chances to score, for this formation is usually used to hold the ball and win where offense is ranked only second. The forward will also have to fight for every ball in the offense and do a tremendous amount of running. A substitute should be brought into the game should the 4-5-1 be performed over a longer periond of time.

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433

The 433 is an evergrowing formation over recent years as more and more teams are using it. The roles of the three forwards, however, are clear. Two should be making runs to the outsides and one either dropping back or waiting for the cross. The midfielders adapt their runs and running paths to those of the forwards. The defense can't count on much support from the midfield.

Left/Right Backs (LB/RB): They are the only real defenders. These players have to be dependable and willing to give up any kind of offensive play.

Left/Right Defenders (LD/RD): They mark the opponent's forwards. These players can beused to carry the ball up the outside with the midfielders, allowing more effective crossing. They also can be sacrificed for a defense with more depth.

Centermidfielders (LC/CM/RC): Distribute the ball among the offenders and try to stop or slow down opposing plays before they get to the defensive line. Also, the offense depends on occasional crosses and long balls down the lines, since the 3 midfielders cannot work the ball forward. These players have to concentrate on holding possession.

Forwards (F1/F2/F3): Runs to the corners feed the offense, and dropping back is usually the only way of getting the ball, due to just 3 midfielders

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343

3-4-3 is probably the most offensively concerned startup formation. It is used against teams that are expected to play defensively, or in cases when several goals are needed, for whatever reason. The positions are basically the same as in other startups. The only difference might be that the outside forwards need to make runs to the corners, since the outside midfielders are rather busy with defensive jobs.

Sweeper (SW): The sweeper should have a good understanding of the game and be a leader on the field. He controls the defense, always staying behind the fullbacks.

Left/Right Backs (LB/RB):Mark the opponent's forwards.. These players have to be dependable and willing to give up any kind of offensive play.

Left/Right Defenders (LD/RD): They mark the opponent's forwards. In the flatback version, or in more advanced teams these players are used to carry the ball up the outside with the midfielders, allowing more effective crossing.

Left/Right Midfielders(LM/RM): They are in charge for the crosses in the offense, and they usually carry the ball up the field, since they have more room than the centermidfielders. This time, the defense should be the more important of the tasks.

Left/Right Centermidfielders (LC/RC): Distribute the ball among the offenders and try to stop or slow down opposing plays before they get to the defensive line. Good passing, and ballhandling skills are needed to fill this position.

Forwards (F1/F2/F3): Runs to the corners are the primary weapons of forwards. The centerforward and the opposite forward should break inside to receive the cross

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532

The 5-3-2 is a rather defensive lineup against teams who are known to have a weakness in the defense center. Due to the lack of real outside midfielders offensive plays are likely to develop through the middle.

Sweeper (SW): The sweeper has a little more freedom in this lineup. He is able to make runs to the midfield since the defense can get along without him. He should avoid becoming the fourth midfielder though, since the opposing offense can easily adapt to this change.

Left/Right Backs (LB/RB): In the flatback formation, they mark the opponent's forwards and are the only real defenders. These players have to be dependable and willing to give up any kind of offensive play.

Left/Right Defenders (LD/RD): They mark the offensive midfielders, making the game easier for the midfielders. In more advanced teams these players are used to carry the ball up the outside with the midfielders, allowing more effective crossing. The 5-3-2 isn't suited for this, though.

Left/Right Midfielders(LM/RM): Defense prevails when playing 5-3-2. Through good communication, the midfield can win a man for the offense, if at least one midfielder does the defensive part of the play.

Centermidfielder (CM): Distribute the ball among the offenders and try to stop or slow down opposing plays before they get to the defensive line. Good passing, and ballhandling skills are needed to fill this position.

Forwards (F1/F2): The forward basically have to do all the work for themselves by themselves. That means hustling after every ball and dropping back into midfield on more than one occasion

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541

The 5-4-1 adds to a 4 men flatback a sweeper, which indicates that this lineup is highly defensive. It is used as a starting lineup for teams that are playing a team with a faster midfield than one's own. As in the 4-5-1, the forward (F1) will have to run tremendously, so that a substitution will be necessary.

Sweeper(SW): The sweeper should be supporting the midfield, since the defense ought to be able to stop or slow down an attack without the sweeper.

Stopper (ST): The stopper is responsible for marking the centerforward or centermidfielder of the other team. He also has an important offensive part of distributing the ball to the midfielders.

Left/Right Backs (LB/RB): In the flatback formation, they mark the opponent's forwards and are the only real defenders. These players have to be dependable and willing to give up any kind of offensive play.

Left/Right Defenders (LD/RD): Cover the outsides of the field. If successful, opponents' offensive game is shut down severely. Since the entire 5-4-1 concentrates on defense, these players should not be expected to support the offense.

Left/Right Midfielders(LM/RM): When playing 5-4-1, outside midfielders need to take charge and demand the ball more than usual. With only one forward, offensive plays have to be played over the outsides, since a 5 men midfield can hardly push up fast enough to support the single forward.

Centermidfielders (LC/CM/RC): Fast centermidfielders with a good ball control are essential for counterattacks, usually the only way to score with the 5-4-1 (assuming that the opponent is considered somewhat superior). It is also necessary for the midfielders to hold their positions and not to fall back too much, because that would crowd the space in front of the own goal to such an extent that getting rid of the ball becomes possible only by clearing the ball: a certain way of losing possession.

Forward (F1): The single forward will have to cope with a game with few chances to score, for this formation is usually used to hold the ball and win time where offense is ranked only second. The forward will also have to fight for every ball in the offense and do a tremendous amount of running. A substitute should be brought into the game should the 4-5-1 be performed over a longer periond of time

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235

This formation, also known as the Pyramid, or the classic formation, as it was used for 50 years after its invention, has only two defenders. Three midfielders and five forwards should be sufficient evidence to show that this is an attack-oriented formation. Attacking plays generally began from the center-half, who had usually two options: to pass to one of the five forwards or to dribble forward himself. The defence is manned solely by the defenders (naturally) and thewing-halves, the two outside midfielders, helped out by marking the opposing wingers.

The Danubian style, based loosely on the 2-3-5 and used successfully by the Austrian, Hungarian and Czechoslovakian national teams in the 1930s, was only different in one aspect. The passes used by the players were strictly kept on the ground, and no aerial passes were used.

Advice on the 2-3-5: This formation requires defenders that have good stamina, good sense of positioning, and good tackling skills, as they have to do the defending of the goal alone. The wing-halves should be able to run fast and pass well, and possess some amount of trickery, for they will have to outwit the opposition wingers.The centre-half should have a great control of the ball, superb sense of positioning and good passing. Wingers have to be creative, have a decent aptitude in dribbling down the flanks, and be able to beat defenders with ease, for they are the suppliers of the goals, and must beat the opposing wing-halves to do so. Great passing is another important asset for the winger, as he has to find the centre-forward in good positions to enable him to score. The centre-forward must be one man who is able to get the goals; people who can put the ball over the bar from two metres out need not apply. The centre-forward must also have a strong shot and good passing, so that in case he gets into trouble, he can pass it out to the wingers to try again

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352

The 3-5-2 formations are used by teams whose players know to work together. This lineup is slightly more offensive than the 4-4-2. The defenders need to communicate well, and the midfield has to be included into defendeng a great deal. Details are below

Sweeper (SW): In this formation, the sweeper needs absolute control over the defenders. The communication between the defenders has to be errorless, since they are more likely to be outnumbered than the 4-4-2 defenders.

Stopper (ST): The stopper has more responsibilty than usual. He does mark a forward, but he also organizes the defense.

Left/Right Defenders (LD/RD): Communication is the key to a happy marriage and a stabile 3 men defense. These players should be less active in offensive plays unless the midfielders can fill in sufficiently.

Left/Right Centermidfielders (LC/RC): Both centermidfielders play a defensive part in this lineup. They cover for the centermidfielder who leads the offensice plays, and at least one of them functions as a defender when the ball is in their own half.

Left/right Midfielders (LM/RM): Need to call for the ball more than usual, since a team with a central midfielder tends to drive the ball up the middle rather than the outsides.

Centermidfielder (CM): This player needs good ballhandling and passing skills, for he has the control over the offensive plays, distribution of the ball in the opponent's half, and standard situations.

Forwards (F1/F2): One of these should occasionally drop back to support the centermidfielder. Other than that, the forwards' assignment should be clear.

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HUNGARY'S GOLDEN TEAM - THE MAGICAL MAGYARS 1954 WORLD CUP

Even more than Pele's Brazil, the Magical Magyars was often referred to as the greatest national team of all-time. The side contained at least five players that considered as the finest of ever. Their attack was led by Puskas, the "Galloping Major" and team captain. Partnering him was Kocsis "the Golden Head". Hidegkuti was the first player to perfect the deep-lying center-forward role. Czibor was one of the greatest left-winger of all-time. Boszik was the a graceful midfielder and master playmaker. Apart from having great players, Hungary also plays a revolutionary formation, the prototype of Brazil's 4-2-4 four years later.

Achievement: Reaching the 1954 World Cup Final after winning the 1952 Olympic and completed a four-year unbeaten run.

Team formation and Tactics

DEFENCE

Lorant was the sweeper. Buzanszky was an attacking right-back and Lantos played on the left. Zakarias was a defensive midfielder but concentrate more in defence than in making play.

MIDFIELD

Hidegkuti was the key man of the new tactic. He was a center-forward but attack from a deep position from forward-midfield, combining with Puskas and Kocsis. Bozsik was the playmaker and the brain of the team.

ATTACK

Puskas was the key man in attack, creating and scoring goals. Kocsis played as the other central striker. Czibor occupied the left-wing but could also score goals. Budai played on the right. Unlike the orthodox wingers, both men would also drop back to help the midfield.


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BRAZIL OF PELE AND GARRINCHA
1958 WORLD CUP

The 1958 Brazilian team was the only team that can match the Magical Magyars for skill and class. Brazil's line-up, boosting a 17-year-old Pele and the devastating winger Garrincha, also had other all-time greats. Didi was perhaps the greatest midfield tactician of all-time. Vava provided the team with the scoring touch and Zagalo the drive and balance. In defense, Brazil also had the world's best pair of full-backs in Djalma and Nilton Santos. Gilmar was the greatest Brazilian goalkeeper of all-time.

Achievement: Winning the 1958 World Cup and then the 1962 Cup with a similar squad.

TEAM FORMATION / TACTICS

Defence

Djalma Santos and Nilton Santos were the attacking full-backs, making overlapping runs to support the attack. Captain Bellini and Orlando marked zonally.

Midfield

Didi was the chief playmaker who build most of the team's attack. Zito played more or less as defensive half. Left-winger Zagalo frequently dropped back to help the under-manned midfield.

Attack

Garrincha sticked to the right winger, beating defenders before providing deadly crosses for Vava. Pele and Vava played as twin center-forwards.

424 or 433

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BRAZIL'S TEAM OF THE CENTURY 1970 World Cup

The 1970 Brazilian team was the best ever, with a forward line comprised of Pele, Jairzinho and Tostao. The midfield was run by the master-passer Gerson and the splendid Rivelino. The strength of their defence could only be rated at averaage, but their attack was so strong that, except in the 1-0 win over England, they always score three or more goals in the tournament. One fascinating fact about the team was that they fielded 3 superb left-footers - Gerson, Rivelino and Tostao.

Achievement: Winning the 1970 World Cup with superb, stylish and attacking football.

TEAM FORMATION / TACTICS

Defence

Carlos Alberto marshalled the back four from attacking right-back position. Everaldo performed the same full-back role on the left. Brito and Wilson Piazza marked zonally.

Midfield

Gerson was the playmaker from whom most of the team's attack was build. Clodoaldo's role was primary defensive but also attack occasionally. Rivelino played mostly on the left side as a false winger, a role occupied by Zagalo in the previous Brazilian team.

Attack

Jairzinho occupied the right wing, providing crosses and also cutting inside to score goals. Tostao was the nominal center-forward but he setup more goals than he score himself. Pele played in attack but would often drop back to "make play".

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