The soccer game is all about the set of rules and regulations with different strategies applied in the game. Different types of formations are applied to make the game smooth and can attract the opponent’s strategies. Professional soccer or simply enthusiastic soccer players need to be aware of formation, what are the different formations that apply in the game.
We are looking into 4-2-4 formations in this article, and how this formation works and it is effective in the game. This formation is applied to balance the between the defense and defense, finding great opportunities to dominate the game and push the opponent team.
In the formation 4 2 4, the players were divided in the field, the four defenders formed a strong backline and were broken into other formations that included 2 central backs and two full-backs. The two midfielders in the formation play in the center and their responsibility is to control the game and distribute the ball to the forward.
There are four forwards in the frontline, they are broken down into two other formations, two wingers and two central- forward. The wingers are responsible to attract the defender opponent by running down the flanks, while the other central forwards with their aim to score the goal and with the combination with the midfielder.
A key feature of 4-2-4 formation.
Balanced Midfield and Defence: The 4-2-4 formation helps the two defensive midfielders to shield from the pressure of the opponent in the backline.
Winger Dominance: The effectiveness of the 4-2-4 depends on the use of wide attackers. The wingers play outside the defender and they are very crucial in this formation. Their responsibility is pressing high for opponent defense and creating space on central attackers and crossing the ball into the box.
Fluid Attack: The four forwards in the formation work on opponent defenses. The central strikers are supported by attacking midfielders, to create the gaps and have the chance to score the goals.
Pressing and High Line: The 4-2-4 formation is a very crucial combination of all the players which encourages a high defensive line and pressing tactics.
Origin of 4-24 formation
The concept of the 424 formation was first introduced in Brazilian club Santos Fc in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The credit for 4-2-4 formations went to the Legendary coach of Santos Fc, Osvaldo Brandão. Santos Fc used this formation to dominate the opponent and effective results came out. With the success of these strategies, Brazil applied this formation in the 1970 world cup. This formation has become popularised and used widely in the world as a strategy for scoring goals.
Advantages of the 4-2-4 Formation
The 4 2 4 formations should know exactly the strength and the weakness of the team. It well plans strategies by knowing the weakness of the opponent. In this formation. The players try to win the ball from the opponent’s half and put more pressure on the opponent so they can create mistakes and score goals. The 4-2-4 formations create a balance between the defense and forwards. When the opponent tries to put pressure, but your team’s already lined with four defenders similarly in the forward.
Disadvantages of the 4-2-4 Formation
It has been said that this 4-2-4 formation could press the opponent into high pressure and score goals. Of course, that works. But there is an imbalance in the midfield side, creating more pressure on the midfielders as they have to cover a large section of the pitch. Since the midfield has only two players. If the midfield can put themselves under high pressure, they cannot supply to the winger. It creates an overload of demand for the midfielder.
Role of 4-2-4 formation
The four attackers in the 4-2-4 formation have the primary objective of scoring and helping to maintain possession of the ball by creating many opportunities.
1. The main target of two forwards is to pass from the received ball from the midfielders. They have to control the ball and make a quick run into the penalty box for scoring the goals.
2. The two wingers are playing in the flanks and they have the responsibility for stretching the opposition’s defense by making runs down the wings. They have to be quick, agile and have good dribbling skills.
Modern Adaptations
The traditional 4-2-4 formation is the old strategy applied in football, but it seems to have slightly fallen out of favor in modern football. Many great coaches across the world have changed the 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation to other strategies of formation instead of the 4-2-4 formation. The new formation was more balanced than the 4-2-4 in the position of defense lines and midfield.
Conclusion
The 4-2-4 formation has been successfully applied in various soccer games in the world. The Brazilian Team used this method in the world cup in 1958 and the Team could successfully lift the title in the world cup. With the help of this formation, there are many football clubs such as Liverpool Fc used this formation and even Barcelona applied it.