The 4-4-2 is THE classic formation in football and is accordingly one of the strongest in FIFA 21. We provide you with the best tactics and instructions in our guide.
After we have already looked at the 4-2-2-2 and the 4-2-3-1 in detail, we dedicate ourselves to a timeless classic in the new FIFA 21 Formation Guide. The 4-4-2 is losing ground in real life but that's not the case in FIFA 21. See what you can do with it!
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The 4-4-2 in FIFA 21
If you are looking for a balanced and flexible lineup for your FIFA 21 team, the 4-4-2 is the right choice. Our individual tactics will further show you that a classic does not have to be boring.Compared to the 4-2-2-2, this formation offers two wide midfielders that are positioned a little more defensively, but that will also noticeably improve your wing play with the help of individual player instructions.Two central midfielders provide extra security in front of the defensive line and provide the wing players with passes. The only thing missing from the formation is a CAM behind the strikers, which can make link up play a bit more difficult to execute.
The Best 4-4-2 Tactics
For the past two to three years, the 4-4-2 has been one of the most popular formations in the FIFA series. FIFA 21 does not break that trend. You have a balanced squad that can exploit the flanks, which is much more useful this year.
Try out the following individual tactics:
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 5-6
- Depth: 5-6
- Offensive Style: Long Ball
- Width: 5
- Players in the Box: 8
- Corners: 2
- Free Kicks: 2
These settings are particularly suitable if you have pacey forwards and wide midfielders that are also good with the ball at their feet. An equally suiting offensive style, in that case, would be Fast Build-Up.
4-4-2 Player Instructions
Much more important for the 4-4-2 formation, however, are the individual player instructions. You must make the correct calls so that your players move into the spaces necessary for a successful counterattack.The main focus in this formation is on the two central midfielders. You will need a defensive CM with good defensive and passing stats (the classic "six") and a more offensive midfielder that can play as a borderline CAM and be that link to attack that the 4-4-2 desperately needs.Even the offensive CM is still a CM, though, so he isn't spared all defensive duties. High stamina and at least decent defensive stats are almost a must at this role.These are the player instructions you should go for:
- Full Backs: Stay back when attacking
- Defensive CM: Stay behind when attacking, Cover the center
- Offfensive CM: Cover the center
- Wide Midfielders: Get In behind, Get into the box for cross
- Strikers: Aggressive interceptions, Come back on defense
The instructions of your two strikers are particularly interesting here. With more defensive settings, both strikers retreat further and form an almost uniform line with the wide midfielders, which in its own way enables faster counterattacks because the forward line is closer to each other.
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Original article by EarlyGame's Philipp Briel.
