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Image by Thomas Serer

3-5-2 Formation Breakdown

3-5-2: This is a defensive formation featuring three central defenders, five midfielders, and two forwards. The three central midfielders play in a triangle, with one defensive midfielder behind two central midfielders, and the two forwards play up front as a pair.

Strengths:

Weaknesses

3-5-2 | Attacking Positional Responsibilities

Goalkeeper (1): The last line of defense, responsible for stopping shots on goal and organizing the defense.

Center Back (2): Marks the opposing team's strikers, prevents them from scoring goals, wins aerial duels, and plays the ball out of defense to start attacking moves.

Center Back (3): Marks the opposing team's strikers, prevents them from scoring goals, wins aerial duels, and plays the ball out of defense to start attacking moves.

Center Back (4): Marks the opposing team's strikers, prevents them from scoring goals, wins aerial duels, and plays the ball out of defense to start attacking moves.

Central Midfielder (5): Protects the defense, intercepts passes, breaks up the opposition's attack, and provides passes to the midfielders.

Central Midfielder (6): Controls the midfield, dictates the tempo of the game, provides passes, creates chances for the attacking players, and supports the defensive midfield.

Right Midfielder (7): Responsible for attacking from the right flank, crossing the ball into the box, and creating chances for the striker and other attacking players. Also helps to defend the right side of the field by tracking back.

Central Midfielder (8): Links the defense and the attack, providing passes, creating chances for the attacking players, and supporting the defensive midfield.

Striker (9): The main goal scorer, responsible for pressuring the opposing team's defenders and creating goal-scoring opportunities.

Attacking Midfielder (10): Plays behind the striker and is responsible for supporting the attack by providing passes, creating space, and scoring goals.

Left Midfielder (11): Responsible for attacking from the left flank, crossing the ball into the box, and creating chances for the striker and other attacking players. Also helps to defend the left side of the field by tracking back.
 

3-5-2 | Defensive Positional Responsibilities

Goalkeeper (1): The last line of defense, responsible for stopping shots on goal and organizing the defense.

Center Back (2): Marks the opposing team's strikers, prevents them from scoring goals, wins aerial duels, and plays the ball out of defense to start attacking moves.

Center Back (3): Marks the opposing team's strikers, prevents them from scoring goals, wins aerial duels, and plays the ball out of defense to start attacking moves.

Center Back (4): Marks the opposing team's strikers, prevents them from scoring goals, wins aerial duels, and plays the ball out of defense to start attacking moves.

Central Midfielder (5): Protects the defense, intercepts passes, and breaks up the opposition's attack. Also helps in the transition from defense to attack by providing passes to the midfielders.

Central Midfielder (6): Protects the defense, intercepts passes, and breaks up the opposition's attack. Also helps in the transition from defense to attack by providing passes to the midfielders.

Right Midfielder (7): Defends the right side of the field and prevents opposing attackers from crossing the ball into the box. Also helps to defend the right side of the field by tracking back and providing cover for the right fullback.

Central Midfielder (8): Protects the defense, intercepts passes, and breaks up the opposition's attack. Also helps in the transition from defense to attack by providing passes to the midfielders.

Striker (9): Pressures the opposing team's defenders to force them into making mistakes and prevent them from launching attacks from the back.

Attacking Midfielder (10): Pressures the opposing team's midfielders and forces turnovers to regain possession quickly.

Left Midfielder (11): Defends the left side of the field and prevents opposing attackers from crossing the ball into the box. Also helps to defend the left side of the field by tracking back and providing cover for the left fullback.

Type of Pressure in a 4-4-2 Formation

High Press

Midfield Press

Low Press

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