4-4-2
Two banks of four and a front two. Compact, balanced and easy to organise — the timeless default for structured, counter-attacking sides.
Build 4-4-2 →4-3-3
A back four, a midfield three and three forwards. Width from the wingers and a strong central trio make it the go-to shape for possession and high pressing.
Build 4-3-3 →4-2-3-1
A double pivot shields the defence while three creative players supply a lone striker. One of the most balanced and widely used modern systems.
Build 4-2-3-1 →4-1-4-1
A single holding midfielder anchors a flat four ahead of the defence. Defensively compact, ideal for controlling the centre and pressing in midfield.
Build 4-1-4-1 →4-3-1-2
A narrow midfield three with a number 10 behind two strikers. Central overloads and quick combinations, but relies on full-backs for width.
Build 4-3-1-2 →4-1-2-1-2
The classic narrow diamond. A holder and a 10 frame two central midfielders behind a front two — dominant through the middle, light on the flanks.
Build 4-1-2-1-2 →4-4-1-1
A 4-4-2 variant with a second striker dropping into the hole. Adds a creative link between midfield and a lone target man.
Build 4-4-1-1 →4-2-2-2
Two pivots, two wide attacking midfielders and two strikers. Direct and aggressive, with width from the attacking band rather than the full-backs.
Build 4-2-2-2 →3-5-2
Three centre-backs, wing-backs providing width, and a packed midfield five behind two strikers. Controls the centre and overloads midfield.
Build 3-5-2 →3-4-3
Three at the back with wing-backs and a front three. Aggressive and high, it commits numbers forward while relying on wing-backs to cover the flanks.
Build 3-4-3 →3-4-1-2
A back three and midfield four with a number 10 behind two strikers. Central creativity with wing-back width.
Build 3-4-1-2 →3-4-2-1
Three at the back, two inside forwards behind a lone striker. Compact and flexible, strong in the half-spaces.
Build 3-4-2-1 →3-1-4-2
A back three with a single anchor and an advanced midfield four behind two strikers. Very attacking, demanding disciplined wing-backs.
Build 3-1-4-2 →3-5-1-1
A back three and midfield five with a striker and a supporting forward. Solid and patient, built to control tempo.
Build 3-5-1-1 →5-3-2
Five at the back (wing-backs tucked in), a midfield three and two strikers. Defensively solid, ideal for absorbing pressure and countering.
Build 5-3-2 →5-4-1
A deep, compact block of five and four with a lone striker. The most defensive shape, designed to frustrate and counter.
Build 5-4-1 →5-2-3
A back five with two central midfielders and a front three. Combines defensive security with a quick attacking outlet on the break.
Build 5-2-3 →