The best formation in FIFA 21 is, for many, the closed 4-2-3-1. But we've brought other good schemes for you to decide which formation is best for your style of play. See tips on tactics, players and teams to use them with maximum efficiency on virtual pitches!
4-2-3-1 (closed)
This is considered the best in FIFA. The main reason is that it is balanced across all sectors, as well as transforming as needed. If she knows how to use tactics, she's perfect!
What does she demand?
You can have a 4-2-4 when you're attacking, as the guard midfielders advance and support the striker. When it comes to defending, you can migrate to a 4-5-1, which can only occupy the center of the field or everything.
The guard midfielders must have good breath. They will come back to help several times to help with the defense, so they can't get tired. The midfielders must have an exemplary pass. The attacker, preferably, should be fast, as he will act a lot as a sixth midfielder and as a ball conductor.
How to play with this formation?
This formation is very good for ball possession and for counterattack. With so many men in midfield, he can either keep the ball under control, with pass changes, or he can invade the opponent's field by running.
Some teams for this formation
- Juventus
- Real Madrid
- AC Milan
- International
4-2-2-2
Many consider this the "standard" lineup in FIFA. So much so that beginner players use it for being 50% defense and 50% attack. In the right measure, without taking risks, it is even ideal for those who are starting.
What does she demand?
The two midfielders protecting the defense need to have a good game output to link the defense with the offensive players. And the four forwards must be as skilled as they can be.
The most important players are the midfielders. They will be the link between the midfielders and the attackers, so they must have good reaction and agility, ball control and short pass. Otherwise, they will lose the ball as soon as they receive it.
How to play with this formation?
The midfielders may be instructed to cover the center of the field. This will leave defenders and full-backs stuck, but it's good. If the defensive midfielders cover the sides, the defense will go up to fight, which is dangerous.
Socks must have instruction for free movement of creation. At least one of them needs to be really fast. That way you can create quick moves down the flanks or even attract the marking, leaving room for infiltrations down the center.
Some teams for this formation
- Bayern Munchen
- Borussia Dortmund
- Atletico Madrid
- Tottenham
4-3-3 (defensive)
Another very balanced formation between defense and attack. With two good defensive midfielders and a central midfielder, you're unlikely to concede those silly goals that we all hate. But it's a formation that sacrifices a bit of attack if you're not creative.
What does she demand?
The ideal is to have a central midfielder of De Bruyne's level, oriented to maintain position. Without this, you will have a very good formation on defense, but with little presence on offense.
The wingers need to be sprinters, while the striker needs to have a calibrated foot, like Lewandowski's. There are a lot of pieces to fit together, but it will be worth it when the goals start to come.
How to play with this formation?
Don't send the attacker running behind the back. Have him pivot. As you "officially" have few offensive players, everyone has to participate in the offensive play.
It is worth using this formation as a counterattack in tactics. It can be deadly in that sense if the central midfielder and attacking players are ideal.
Some teams for this formation
- Juventus
- Barcelona
- PSG
- Real Madrid
3-5-2
Anyone who thinks that the 3-5-2 values ââdefense only is wrong, as it is an offensive formation if you use the right tactics. But in the end, what matters here is not taking risks and keeping possession of the ball.
What does she demand?
Three defenders and 2 strong midfielders with a lot of resistance, to begin with. If possible, be agile. As well as the 2 support wings. They must have an absurd start to take the ball quickly to the offensive sector.
Wings are the most important here. They need to be very fast and tough. You will use them to defend and to attack all the time. So avoid using them to counterattack. This formation will wear them out, which makes them lose to opponents when trying to defend counterattacks.
How to play with this formation?
If you have the right tactics and instructions in place, you can engage your opponent in an unbeatable game. It's touch the ball, patience and seek the infiltration of the wingers.
The midfielder must be an excellent passer. De Bruyne, for example, or Neymar. It is he who will feed the offensive sector. Strikers, on the other hand, only have to worry about attacking, and they should be excellent finishers. The idea is to have little chance of scoring, but take advantage of all of them.
Some teams for this formation
- Naples
- Arsenal
- Manchester United
4-3-2-1
A formation for those who are not afraid of scoreboards full of goals. This scheme can make you destroy your opponent in 15 minutes, but it can take you to suffer a rout in 2 or 3 of the opponent's attacks.
What does she demand?
This formation requires two very fast and dribbling wingers. They will terrorize the opposing team, always with depth, trying to play behind the defenders' backs. In this formation we recommend that the wingers are only focused on attacking.
We also indicate total pressure. Make the central midfielders support the attack, arriving with 6 men in the opposing area.
How to play with this formation?
You will have to play VERY cool. If you take a goal straight away, calm down: don't give up on the pressure strategy. Ideally, you try to kill games in the first 30 minutes. If it's online, you can make the opponent give up the match, which won't wear out your players.
Some teams for this formation
- PSG
- Barcelona
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
3-4-2-1
This formation can be known as "all or nothing", because if you don't use the right tactics, you will suffer heavy and constant counterattacks. The 3 defenders and the 2 central midfielders may not be enough if the open midfielders do not help in the defence, for example.
What does she demand?
So how to make this training useful and effective? First, make sure that the open midfielders have good stamina and speed to compose the defense whenever necessary. Central midfielders must be great passers and have good tackling. Here, being able to disarm the opponent's game in the middle of the field will count a lot.
Your tactics must be very well thought out. Keep the side socks open to create through the aisles, but make them stay when being attacked. Be sure to give the center midfielders freedom of movement as they need to find space until the attack.
The second strikers must be fast and must ask for the ball and seek the game. Make sure the striker is fixed, as this formation is great for finding the top scorer close to the goal to score.
How to play with this formation?
The ball touch is essential here to start the game. No long balls, even when counterattacking. The counterattack must be quick but organized. A lot of table between the central midfielders and the side midfielders, calling the second strikers to play.
Crossings can be a good strategy. If your center forward is tall, order the support attackers to drop down the flanks to receive from the middle and cross.
Some teams for this formation
- Manchester City
- Liverpool
- Real Madrid
4-1-4-1
The value of this formation is that it is mutant. Just by changing the tactics you go from a super defensive formation to a more aggressive one, with pressure on the opponent's field as soon as the ball comes out. Or it can be relocked with quality if you need to hold on to the result.
What does she demand?
The secret here is, as always in the middle. The midfielder needs to be a Busquets or Kante type, who is good at marking and intercepting balls. He must be ordered to stay on defense during attacks.
Center and side midfielders are the army. The wingers need to be good runners and passers. Names like Douglas Costa, Jadon Sancho and Min Son are examples of quality. The centre-backs, on the other hand, need to have an exemplary ball touch: Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and De Bruyne are perfect.
The attack is lonely. Here it counts a lot to be someone fast and killer. Mbappé, Neymar, CR7 and Messi are obvious choices, but you can be more modest and use Suarez or Dyballa.
How to play with this formation?
The game here is 8 or 80. Put a lot of pressure on the top at the beginning of the game, looking to kill the match in the first half. All midfielders, with the exception of the defensive midfielder, must have offensive tactics. Send the attacker to seek the game with the midfielders, to ensure greater connection with the midfield.
If you don't know how to play well with full pressure, make sure you're good at dominating possession. Rotate the game from one end of the field to the other, looking for spaces. Be patient and call the sides to attack. Here you should climb slowly, to avoid a counterattack impossible to defend.
Some teams for this formation
- Real Madrid
- Manchester United
- PSG
- Barcelona
5-2-1-2
This is a formation that few know how to play with. But believe me, it's one of the best! It is very balanced, allowing you to quickly go from 5-2-1-2 to 3-5-2 or even a powerful 3-2-5. See what it takes for every scenario!
What does she demand?
The stars here are the wings. Alexander-Arnold and Kimmich are the two best names for these positions. They will take the game to the attack with speed and quality of passing to create the offensive plays along with midfielder. This should be an excellent passer and, if possible, have a quality long shot.
Central midfielders can help in the attack, but we advise that one of them is more defensive and that he is posted in front of the defense. The other can gain more freedom to help the guard midfielder and the wingers in the creation.
The attackers must be fast and with a good shot on goal. No fixing them waiting for the balls. They will actively participate in the creation of plays, almost acting as midfielders.
How to play with this formation?
As said, you can transform this formation into others as you go on the attack. The 3-2-5 is possible if you reach the attack with both wingers at the same time and have the guard midfielder at the edge of the penalty area. You must combine tactics so that the wingers are in the attack and so that the midfielder is also close to the attackers.
But it's best to transition to 3-5-2 during offensive moves. Don't let the wingers go up too much, because the risk of taking a deadly counterattack is high with 3 defenders and 2 central midfielders to defend.
Some teams for this formation
- Liverpool
- Juventus
- Real Madrid
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