I will try to explain how I moved from my desired 4-1-3-2 to a more efficient 4-2-3-1.
The formation I desired, which goes with my style of play, is the following:
FC FC
AML AMC AMR
DMC
DL DC DC DR
GK
By the way, I play Barcelona. Most people say with such team you should win with any formation, I do not agree, there are some issues which can decide a game apart from good players.
The problem was that the line between DMC and DCs seemed to be an easy area for rival FCs to move and do as they pleased. I tried to put DMC on a more defensive role, but he just kept taking a bigger part of field onwards than backwards. Also, if I placed defence line a bit more forward, then I started conceding lots of goals from direct or thorugh passes. At the same time, the MEC line (which I did not want to use) proved to be not really necessary in defensive terms, as my AMs together with the agressively advanced DMC were already controlling that area. But when attacking, there was a lack of connection between both lines, and always had to resort to passing to wings, so I lost some through pass options. Finally, the two attackers also seemed to be unnecessary, as my wings and specially AMC were highly offensive and hit the net from second line quite often.
So I decided to change my formation instead of modifying their instructions, so that I would occupy most part of field, without letting any empty spaces.
This was the process: In Defence line, I eliminated the DMC, and instead used a DC/DMC with a front arrow
´
´
´
´
´
DL DC/DMC DC DR
GK
The idea is that one of the two DCs will push forward to cut any moves and passes in that Area, and the result was that I started being more solid there. And surprisingly, the defence line remained quite solid. What I saw was very important was to have very strong right and left defenders, and place their mentality on 2/3. Anyway, I am not using them in attach further from half line.
In forward line, I took one FC out, and added two MECs, one of them in reality a DMC with back arrow, to cover a bit more of space.
FC
AML AMC AMR
ME ME
I
I
I
I
The result was a better link between all lines, the same offensive power, and a more balanced way of defending. I did not change any instructions to any of wingers. I am using a slow tempo, high width, with no counter attack and not using target man, the way Barça play.
This may not be new to most of you, but it was interesting for me to see how it is not necessary to place people in all areas in order for these to be covered efficiently.
My recommendations:
-Very strong DC/DMC, with high ratings on ball recovery and game destruction fields
-Use DMC in position of backarrowed MEC, the performance is good, and is an excellent complement to DC/DMC
-I never use Long shots, because I think the ai tends to overuse this
good luck!
Problems with 4-1-3-2 
Linear Mode
