Mourinho used 4-5-1 @ Chelsea

Supposedly, in the first international match played between England and Scotland, England played a 1-1-8 (or 1-2-7) while Scotland played a 2-2-6. In the first World Cup played in 1930, Uruguay won playing with a 2-3-5 formation and in the 1950 World Cup, Uruguay played with a 4-3-3. It would appear that as the sport has evolved, it has seen a reduction in the number of forwards. Consequently, some consider the 4-5-1 as the next step in the evolution. Some would classify the 4-5-1 as “ultra-defensive”, perhaps because it has been used successively by the Italian team which has a reputation for defensive play. Others would argue that it provides the right balance between offense and defense.

There quite a few variations of the 4-5-1:

• The actual 4-5-1 with 5 flat midfielders, which is rarely used.
• The 4-2-3-1, as used by many teams in La Liga (Spain), where it is also referred to as the “doble pivote” due to the 2 defensive midfield pivots. Some say that it is the evolution of the 4-4-2 that was the norm in La Liga.
• The 4-3-2-1, at times used by Italy (Buffon – Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso – DeRossi, Pirlo, Gattuso -  Camoranesi, DiNatale or Rossi – Iaquinta)
• The 4-1-4-1, used by Spain in Euro 2008 after losing Villa (Casillas – Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila – Senna – Iniesta, Fabregas, Hernandez,  Iniesta – Torres).

The 4-2-3-1 (or “Doble Pivote”)

Setup

• 4 defenders: 2 centerbacks and 2 fullbacks (needed for overlapping runs and wing play, although it is the outside midfielders who are primarily responsible for wing play).
• 2 centrally located defensive midfielders near the defenders.
• 3 midfielders (right, center and left). The center midfielder plays slightly back and forms a triangle with the 2 defensive midfielders. The right and left midfielders, just behind the single forward, are creative players, responsible for wing play; but they must also defend and stop the opponent’s fullbacks.
• 1 forward. He has to be the type of player who can trap the ball with his back to the goal and distribute to the outside midfielders.

Pros

• Creates more bands to keep gaps manageable and easier to defend.
• Recognizes that players have natural tendencies and takes advantage of specialization of midfielders. Allows offensive midfielders to be creative, knowing there are defensive midfielders available to destroy the opponent’s counter-attack.
• Good defensive coverage. The center of the field is over-populated. And the outside midfielders are available to stop the opponent’s fullback from making runs up the field.
• Creates natural passing diagonals from the defense to the forwards, which helps move the ball more efficiently and quicker.
• Allows the outside midfielders to become part of the attack. They are further upfield and closer to the striker.

Cons

• The single forward is easily marked by the 4 defenders; the offensive midfielders have to get involved in the offense to spread out the defense. The single forward does not have anyone he can pass the ball up to.
• Due to the narrow field of the 2 defensive midfielders, the fullbacks are required to contribute to wing play along the midfield portion up to the outside midfielders. Also, the FB needs to help defend the wings.

The 4-3-2-1 (or “Christmas Tree”)

Setup

• 4 defenders: 2 centerbacks and 2 fullbacks (needed for overlapping runs and wing play).
• 3 centrally located defensive midfielders near the defenders. The center midfielder’s role is as the offensive pivot of the team.
• 2 midfielders (right and left) midfielders just behind the single forward. The right and left midfielders are creative players, and tend to play closer together to form a triangle with the forward; but they must also defend and stop the opponent’s fullbacks.
• 1 forward

Pros

• Points 1 through 5 of 4-2-3-1 Pros.

Cons

• The single forward is outnumbered by 4 defenders; the offensive midfielders have to get involved in the offense. The single forward does not have anyone he can pass the ball up to.
• Opponents could have very little resistance playing along the wings; the left and right midfielder play a narrower field and so it is more difficult to defend the wings.
• Due to the narrow midfield, the fullbacks are required to contribute to wing play along the midfield portion up to the forward.
• The attack may become too centrally oriented, since there are no true wingers.

The 4-1-4-1

Setup

• 4 defenders: 2 centerbacks and 2 fullbacks (needed for overlapping runs and wing play, although it is the outside midfielders who are primarily responsible for wing play).
• 1 centrally located defensive midfielder near the defenders. 4 midfielders spread out across the width of the field: 2 midfielders located in the central corridor and 2 on the wings, playing slightly more upfield. The center midfielders can play a more offensive role since they have the defensive midfielder backing them up; these midfielders might play up to the box. The right and left midfielders are creative players but must also defend and stop the opponent’s fullbacks. They may make diagonal runs and are responsible for the wing play, including up to the opponent’s goal line.
• 1 forward.

Pros

• Points 1 through 3 and 5 of 4-2-3-1 Pros.
• Unpredictability! Ideally, any of the 4 midfielders can start an attack, or join the forwards in the attack.

Cons

• The single forward is outnumbered by 4 defenders; the offensive midfielders have to get involved in the offense. The single forward does not have anyone he can pass the ball up to.
• Due to the narrow field of the 1 defensive midfielder, the fullbacks are required to contribute to wing play along the midfield portion up to the outside midfielders.
• With a relatively flat midfield, the midfielders need to be more pro-active (dynamic) in creating passing lane triangles.

Relevance to NT (or can Tabarez apply this to the NT?)

• Defense: Uruguay has played the last few games utilizing a 3-5-2. With only 3 defenders, at times, they have looked nervous defensively, probably because most defenders are playing in systems with 4 defenders. This 4-5-1 system brings some familiarity to the back 4 which is important since the opposition will be tougher.
• Midfield: When defending in a 3-5-2, due to the potential numerical superiority of the opposition, the wingers tend to drift back which results in the 3-5-2 becoming a 5-3-2. I believe this is the reason Alvaro Pereira was not the significant player we expected, he was too fatigued. With 4 in the back, he can concentrate on the wing work. Uruguay can also play a double “5” with Gargano and Perez, and then perhaps have Lodeiro on the other wing.
• Forward: This is where it becomes a difficult decision. Two of Uruguay’s best players are Suarez and Forlan. It may be possible to play Forlan in the attacking midfielder role since he likes to track back and leave Suarez as the lone striker. Or Forlan as the lone striker, Suarez as the winger and Lodeiro as the attacking midfielder.

   

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