Kyle Walker and Danny Rose provided attacking threat from the full-back positions, overlapping to give the team width in attack (below). Christian Eriksen played as a central number 10 or sometimes as one of the wide attacking midfielders, although he would move central to help the double pivot break through the opposition midfield. Son Heung-min also provided penetrative movements, but did so more often following transitions. In Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1, Harry Kane was supported by Dele Alli as a penetrative number 10 who often ran beyond the centre-forward. Which coaches and team have used a 4-2-3-1? Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham Hotspur This can be in a mid-block, low block or when pressing high. In any of these shapes, the far-side wide midfielder will move narrow to add a body in the centre of the pitch. An in-possession 4-2-3-1 can therefore become an out-of-possession 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. The centre-forward will often instigate a high press, with the number 10 pushing forward to press alongside them as a flat two, or covering beneath and marking the opposition’s pivot. The attacking midfield three and centre-forward will narrow, screening the central spaces when in a mid or low block. One may jump forward to press alongside the number 10 or a wide midfielder, as well as moving across to support a full-back. The double pivot also supports behind a higher press, working from side to side to cover the gaps between the three attacking midfielders. The double pivot provides protection ahead of the centre-backs, covering the spaces between the lines. The central defenders will mark the opposition’s strikers. The full-backs tuck in, and will defend against wide players in one-on-one situations. The back line of four will defend as a compact unit. What are the out-of-possession responsibilities of the players in a 4-2-3-1? They will rarely dribble into midfield, as there is already a double pivot ahead of them. The centre-backs will bring the ball out of defence, passing into midfield or playing direct balls into the attackers. The double pivot gives security behind the ball, allowing both full-backs to push forward simultaneously. From here, they can deliver crosses and cut-backs from out wide, and provide an option for a switch of play. With many wide midfielders working infield, the full-backs can overlap to provide width in the attack (above). These two players provide the link between the back four and the attacking unit of four. For the most part, though, they remain central and connected to the centre-backs. During transitions, one of the double pivot can push forward to provide extra threat on the counter-attack. The two players in the double pivot support underneath the ball, and are free to drift wide to help the team switch play. The nine and and 10 will also rotate and swap positions to drag defenders out of shape and create space in central areas for the wide players to run in behind. It's also common for the wide attacking midfielders to cut inside, often playing on their unnatural flank – as ‘wrong-footed’ players – to provide a more direct threat on goal. The single centre-forward is supported by the number 10 to provide the team’s main central attacking threat. What are the in-possession responsibilities of players in a 4-2-3-1? Manchester City assistant manager Juanma Lillo is thought to have instigated the change from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 in Spanish football, with the high press a significant contributing factor. The double pivot covers the space in front of the back four but also supports the press behind the centre-forward and attacking midfield three. This formation became more popular as pressing became a bigger part of the modern game. This initially stemmed from having a single pivot covering these spaces – Claude Makélélé was the most notable of these – before a second defensive midfielder was added ahead of the back line. With many teams using a withdrawn centre-forward in a 4-4-2 in the late 1990s, the 4-2-3-1 was eventually introduced in the 2000s to prevent access into central spaces between the lines. Further forward, an attacking midfield three play behind a lone centre-forward. Two deeper central midfielders operate ahead of the back line and are often referred to as a double pivot. In defence, there is a back four consisting of two central defenders and two full-backs. The 4-2-3-1 formation operates with four lines.
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