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The Modern Offensive Structure in Football 2021
The one base structure everyone seems to be adopting and why
What is it?
It seems that in the last season we have seen rapid traction being picked up by one offensive shape. What is exciting is that even though many teams are adopting this shape the concepts they apply within their team are so different. The formation or shape everyone seems to be applying in their team is 3–2–4–1. This shape is mostly applied by coaches and teams who have a philosophy that includes using possession as a tool to create superiority and promote their positional play principles.
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Dissecting The 3–2–4–1
This shape consists of a first line made up of 3 CBs. The next horizontal line that follows is two holding midfielders. This 3–2 shape creates a natural staggering and diagonal passing options. In front of these players are 2 offensive midfielder or interior midfielders that typically occupy both half spaces joined by the wingbacks in the wide area using single width throughout the team. The last player is the…
