In a tournament which has seen the prevalence of the 4-2-3-1 formation, it is quite interesting and also something to marvel at that Cape Verde, one of the underdogs of the tournament, managed to deviate from the norm and chose to use a 4-3-1-2 (4-4-2 diamond midfield) as their default formation. In their group, both Morocco and Angola used the 4-2-3-1 and the host South Africa using 4-4-2.
On paper at least, it would appear that the 4-3-1-2 would offer little resistance to the 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 largely due to the lack of width attached to it. However, it does allow for its proponents to dominate midfield. In the games against South Africa and Morocco, Cape Verde did dominate possession, especially in the first half. They also won more free kicks. Both the above mentioned teams had problems dealing with the midfield diamond and more especially Platini, who occupied the trequartista role.
The main problem was that Cape Verdes opponents failed to attack using the flanks thus taking advantage of the lack of width of the 4-3-1-2 formation. Even when they did, they failed to move the ball quick enough from flank to flank thus unbalancing their opponents. It is also important to note that Cape Verde did put effort in overcoming their weakness by the front two moving out wide and dropping alongside Platini making two banks of three during the defensive phase. Nonetheless, had the ball been moved quicker, they still would have had problems.
To illustrate this point further, back in the 2012 Uefa champions league knockout stage first leg between AC Milan and Arsenal, it is alleged that Milan, who were using a 4-3-1-2 formation, deliberately made sure that the turf on the flanks wasnt good in an attempt to force Arsenals wide attackers and fullbacks inwards where the pitch was good. Maximiliano Allegri knew the problem with his formation and ended up stifling Arsenals attacks down the flanks with that simple ploy. However, in the second leg which was played at the Emirates, Arsenal made full use of the flanks stretching the play and ended up winning 3-0. The penultimate game in the Seri A 2011-2012, AC Milan played against Inter. Strammacchoni went with a 4-4-2 flat midfield and made sure to overload one flank and then immediate switch play to the right flank where Maicon was stationed and marauding forward. The Brazilians majestic strike coming down the right flank, sums up how effective use of the flanks can easily guarantee a win against a 4-3-1-2 formation.
The novelty behind the use of the 4-3-1-2 formation comes down to the fact that you present your opponents with something to think about. The 4-3-1-2 is not a new formation but it has becomes less commonly used, with Santos and AC Milan being the latest teams in top flight football to use it as their default formation. It can then be argued that somehow, people have forgotten how to deal with it and thus catch them unawares. It took Morocco till the second half to realize that they need to use the flanks more in order to open up the Cape Verde defense, the equalizer scored after an attack down their right flank. The same can be said of Juventus. With the use of the back four being stone cast, the reemergence of the back three and a slight different interpretation of it by Antonio Conte enabled Juventus to win the Seri A last season and also top their group in the Uefa champions league this season.
With Cape Verde most likely to face Ghana in the quarter final, who themselves play a 4-2-3-1 formation expect the game between the two teams to be decided down the flanks. It wont be a surprise if Ghanas play gravitates towards Asamoahs wing as he is well drilled in the need for marauding runs down the flanks thanks to his role as a wingback at Juventus. As for Cape Verde, this has been a good tournament for them and Ghana will do well not to underestimate them.
On paper at least, it would appear that the 4-3-1-2 would offer little resistance to the 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 largely due to the lack of width attached to it. However, it does allow for its proponents to dominate midfield. In the games against South Africa and Morocco, Cape Verde did dominate possession, especially in the first half. They also won more free kicks. Both the above mentioned teams had problems dealing with the midfield diamond and more especially Platini, who occupied the trequartista role.
The main problem was that Cape Verdes opponents failed to attack using the flanks thus taking advantage of the lack of width of the 4-3-1-2 formation. Even when they did, they failed to move the ball quick enough from flank to flank thus unbalancing their opponents. It is also important to note that Cape Verde did put effort in overcoming their weakness by the front two moving out wide and dropping alongside Platini making two banks of three during the defensive phase. Nonetheless, had the ball been moved quicker, they still would have had problems.
To illustrate this point further, back in the 2012 Uefa champions league knockout stage first leg between AC Milan and Arsenal, it is alleged that Milan, who were using a 4-3-1-2 formation, deliberately made sure that the turf on the flanks wasnt good in an attempt to force Arsenals wide attackers and fullbacks inwards where the pitch was good. Maximiliano Allegri knew the problem with his formation and ended up stifling Arsenals attacks down the flanks with that simple ploy. However, in the second leg which was played at the Emirates, Arsenal made full use of the flanks stretching the play and ended up winning 3-0. The penultimate game in the Seri A 2011-2012, AC Milan played against Inter. Strammacchoni went with a 4-4-2 flat midfield and made sure to overload one flank and then immediate switch play to the right flank where Maicon was stationed and marauding forward. The Brazilians majestic strike coming down the right flank, sums up how effective use of the flanks can easily guarantee a win against a 4-3-1-2 formation.
The novelty behind the use of the 4-3-1-2 formation comes down to the fact that you present your opponents with something to think about. The 4-3-1-2 is not a new formation but it has becomes less commonly used, with Santos and AC Milan being the latest teams in top flight football to use it as their default formation. It can then be argued that somehow, people have forgotten how to deal with it and thus catch them unawares. It took Morocco till the second half to realize that they need to use the flanks more in order to open up the Cape Verde defense, the equalizer scored after an attack down their right flank. The same can be said of Juventus. With the use of the back four being stone cast, the reemergence of the back three and a slight different interpretation of it by Antonio Conte enabled Juventus to win the Seri A last season and also top their group in the Uefa champions league this season.
With Cape Verde most likely to face Ghana in the quarter final, who themselves play a 4-2-3-1 formation expect the game between the two teams to be decided down the flanks. It wont be a surprise if Ghanas play gravitates towards Asamoahs wing as he is well drilled in the need for marauding runs down the flanks thanks to his role as a wingback at Juventus. As for Cape Verde, this has been a good tournament for them and Ghana will do well not to underestimate them.
