What is a 4-4-2?
The 4-4-2 is a formation in football that is made up of three distinct lines. The back line of four defenders comprises two centre-backs and two full-backs. Ahead of them, a midfield unit of four features two players in the middle and one on each side. The front line of two is formed by two centre-forwards who, in attack, provide both height and goalscoring threat.
Where does the 4-4-2 originate?
Midway through the 20th century, the 4-2-4 formation emerged. This new shape featured two high and wide wingers who attacked alongside, and sometimes even ahead of, the front two. The Brazilian national team won their first World Cup in 1958 playing this formation. Twelve years later, a team then coached by Mário Zagallo – a member of the 1958 side – played a variation of the 4-2-4 when captivating the world to win the 1970 tournament.
Meanwhile, the Russian coach Viktor Maslov had developed another variation in which the two wingers dropped back alongside the two central midfielders. So originated the 4-4-2, which worked to overload opposition midfields with traditionally fewer numbers. Maslov is also credited with the development of more organised, disciplined team pressing; with this approach, he led Dynamo Kyiv to three consecutive league titles in the late 1960s.
What are the in-possession responsibilities of a 4-4-2?
In the 4-4-2 formation, the two centre-forwards provide height in the attack by occupying opposing centre-backs. They can hold the ball up before linking the play into runners, or drift or drop away from the opposing back line to create space for a penetrative runner from midfield. Ultimately, they create and finish chances in front of goal.
The two wide players in the midfield unit attack around the opposition back line (below) to provide crosses for the two centre-forwards, or cut inside and combine with shorter passes. They can also run inside and beyond as one of the two front players rotates out.
The two central midfielders connect the back line to the forwards through an accurate range of passing, and can operate deep or as box-to-box runners. They may also provide narrow crosses when supporting underneath the wide midfielders.
The full-backs also provide delayed support underneath the wide midfielders, and may move inside to help the midfielders during deeper build-up. If the wide midfielder ahead of them moves inside, the full-backs can overlap to provide crosses and cut-backs.
The two centre-backs provide forward passes into midfield, and may also drive into midfield through the inside channels. They can also switch play to the wide midfielder on the far side, or play more direct central passes into the front line.
What are the out-of-possession responsibilities of a 4-4-2?
The two centre-forwards screen access in front of the opposition pivot or pivots, and press on to the back line. This is usually against the centre-backs, where the forwards will press outwards to force the play away from the centre.
As the wide midfielders drop alongside the two central midfielders to form a flat four, this unit aims to maintain a compact distance between the front line and the back four (below). They move across when the ball is in wide areas, with the far-side wide midfielder covering central spaces. The central midfielders often press their direct opponent man for man, with the wide midfielders jumping to mark opposing full-backs.