The 4-1-4-1 formation: football tactics explained

What is a 4-1-4-1 formation?

The 4-1-4-1 formation starts with a back line of four defenders – two centre-backs and two full-backs. A single defensive midfielder operates just ahead, with a second unit of four in a midfield line, comprising two central midfielders and two wide midfielders. A single centre-forward then completes the formation as the highest player (below).

What are the origins of the 4-1-4-1 formation?

The 4-1-4-1 formation isn’t too dissimilar to a 4-3-3, as both operate with a back four and one defensive midfielder – sometimes referred to as a single pivot, or a number six. With a 4-3-3, however, there are two wingers who attack much higher and often position themselves in line with the centre-forward. The distance between the full-back and winger is then increased, creating more room for wide movements from the midfield. By contrast, the 4-1-4-1 places the wide midfielders deeper, often connected closer to the rest of the midfield unit and the full-backs.

The 4-1-4-1 is mainly used in a defensive capacity, similar to the 4-5-1 shape. The main difference with the former is the staggered nature of the central midfield unit, as opposed to the flat midfield line within the 4-5-1. When defending in a 4-1-4-1, the defensive midfielder protects the spaces between the lines, and rarely moves up to join the midfield unit of four.

Naturally, the 4-1-4-1 often becomes a defensive component of the 4-3-3. The first real use of a 4-3-3 is often considered to be when Brazil’s 1958 World Cup winners converted their 4-2-4 system into a 4-3-3 shape as they attacked. When coaches began to adopt the 4-3-3 as a preferred attacking shape, dropping the wingers when defending then formed the 4-1-4-1 structure (below).

What are the in-possession responsibilities of a 4-1-4-1?

As the 4-1-4-1 is very much a defensive shape, teams employing it will usually convert into a 4-3-3 when attacking for prolonged periods. As well as scoring and creating goals, the centre-forward in the 4-1-4-1 must secure and maintain possession. This allows the wide midfielders to push higher, or the central midfielders to run forward, forming the 4-3-3. A dropping centre-forward, such as a false nine, can also be used well in an initial 4-1-4-1 shape.

The central midfielders can provide penetrative movements when attacking, often running inside the wide midfielders. They may also narrow to become more of a number 10 underneath or around the central striker (below). Alternatively, one of the central midfielders can drop towards the ball to support a deeper build-up, forming a brief double pivot when required. Ultimately, the three in central midfield are responsible for instigating counter-attacks through forward passing, or maintaining possession to then enable the 4-1-4-1 to move into a new shape.

The wide midfielders are often the main outlet during counter-attacks, making forward runs in behind. However, as they are typically deeper than wingers in a front three, they must progress the ball forward more with dribbles and ball-carries. They also provide crosses for the central forward, opposite wide midfielder and any central-midfield runners. Due to the depth of the central-midfield unit, however, there is also space for them to move inside, both with and without the ball.

The full-backs provide earlier, secondary support in the wide areas, especially with the wide midfielder not starting as high as a traditional winger. This allows for more passing combinations compared with other structures, with adapted movements based on those ahead and slightly inside.

The two centre-backs provide forward passes into the midfield unit, or more direct passes into the wide areas for the wide midfielders to receive or run on to. They can also drive into midfield via the inside channels, especially if the single pivot has dropped deeper or the central midfielders have vacated the space.

What are the out-of-possession responsibilities of a 4-1-4-1?

The centre-forward will press on to the opposing centre-backs, attempting to force the ball one way, most commonly outwards and towards the touchline, to lock the play. Alternatively, they can drop deeper and screen access into the opposition’s pivot. This can then allow the central midfielders behind to take up more of a zonal defensive screen, better blocking access through the centre of the pitch.

The central-midfield trio can use player-oriented marking, or apply zonal cover to the central areas. The two central midfielders may be required to jump out and support the forward’s press, again helping lock the ball one way. The sole responsibility of the single pivot – between the two units of four – is to screen, cover, duel, intercept and protect that space ahead of the central defence.

The wide midfielders take up a narrowed defensive position to support the two central midfielders inside. They also support ahead of their full-back teammate, often tracking opposing full-back forward runs (below). Usually, they will force the ball outwards, using the touchline as an extra defender. Ideally, once play has been locked on one side of the pitch, they should help their full-back block crosses and cut-back attempts.

The centre-backs have cover and protection ahead due to the presence of the single pivot, so they can focus more on the spaces behind. However, they may have to individually jump forward to deal with balls into the feet of the opposing central forward – particularly to stop them from turning. In a more reserved block, the back four maintain compactness, shifting across as the team locks the ball one way. Here, they are ready to drop back or squeeze up in relation to the movement of the ball and opposing runners.

Examples of teams using a 4-1-4-1

1. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City

Although Pep Guardiola has focused on a 4-3-3 with Manchester City, he has also used the very similar 4-1-4-1 shape (below) – especially in the period when he had no traditional centre-forward threat. When Phil Foden, Ilkay Gündogan, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling or Ferran Torres played as a false nine for City, the wide midfielders initially started deeper. Along with the two central midfielders, this helped cement a numerical overload in midfield. Once the forward was fully connected, the wide midfielders and central midfielders repositioned, often as traditional wingers with penetrative number-eight runs inside.

2. José Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur

José Mourinho often utilised mid and low blocks with Tottenham, with a 4-1-4-1 block stemming from their 4-3-3 attacking shape (below). Mourinho would often ask his pivot(s) to remain in close contact with his centre-backs. Indeed, there were occasions when his Spurs side ended up forming a back five – and sometimes even a back six – as the pivot(s) ended up dropping between members of the initial back four. The closest central midfielder then screened access back inside in a very organised, defence-first mentality.

3. Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool

Jürgen Klopp favoured a 4-3-3 during his time at Liverpool, coupled with high pressing and aggressive counter-pressing through midfield. No team can constantly press, though, so his Liverpool side often adopted a 4-1-4-1 shape to defend just inside the opposition half (below), rarely fully retreating into a low block. Klopp’s wide midfielders were still aggressive to jump out, with the far-side wide midfielder narrowing significantly, but also moving higher – better positioned to counter-attack after a regain. This also allowed the central-midfield pair to cover less ground, taking the screening reliance off the single pivot between the lines.

4. Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti has used a variety of formations and strategies following his return to Madrid in 2021. In European competition especially, Madrid have often won games via clinical attacking moments from counter-attacks, or prolonged but solid defensive displays just inside their own half. Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 has morphed into a 4-1-4-1, using versatile midfielders such as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Casemiro, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham. Vinícius on the left – before his central role – had licence to stay higher from the 4-1-4-1 block, ready to counter, with the rest of the midfield unit then adapting across (below).

What are the benefits of playing with a 4-1-4-1?

Without the ball, the 4-1-4-1 shape provides lots of central compactness and protection, with numbers, balance and cover making it very difficult for the opposition to progress through the middle of the pitch. The 4-1-4-1 therefore provides the foundation for a very effective low or mid-block. But if needed, teams can quickly and efficiently switch to higher pressing.

The single pivot protecting between the lines also helps cover a significant attacking space, which almost all teams try to exploit, one way or another. And with the wide midfielder and full-back pairing stopping wide overloads, numbers are then ready for subsequent crosses and cut-backs.

When starting with a 4-1-4-1, a team can shift in one movement to different shapes and structures, giving fluidity and versatility. The wide midfielders can advance into winger roles to become a 4-3-3. One of the back line can advance as a second pivot – now a common Premier League trend – to create a 3-2-4-1. The central midfielders can also adapt to form a 4-2-3-1.

What are the disadvantages of playing with a 4-1-4-1?

As the 4-1-4-1 is very much a defensive structure, or a base from which to instigate counter-attacks, the depth of the players can invite pressure as teams attempt to build upon a regain. As this occurs, teams must therefore be able to pass and receive, potentially under significant pressure.

Although the main strength of this shape is the placement of the defensive midfielder, that does remove a presence from elsewhere on the pitch. Those ahead have an increased defensive responsibility to protect the spaces, with one player fewer.

The wide midfielders must work back to help their full-back, defending deep. As such, their own counter-attacking output can be severely reduced.

The single centre-forward can be isolated and easily overloaded when beginning a counter-attack – especially off direct, forward passes. Therefore, teammates must make early runs of support. The earlier teammates support with forward runs, however, the less defensive compactness will be available in the prior phase.

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Author: The Coaches' Voice

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