Xabi Alonso 3-4-2-1 - Tactical Breakdown and Video

[The Flying Scotsman]

We all love how Xabi Alonso has his Bayer Leverkusen team playing this season, as they sit top of the Bundesliga and still in the DFB Pokal and the Europa League knockout stages.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR FULL TACTIC RESULTS

Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 formation is a tactical system that emphasizes possession-based football. The formation consists of three central defenders, four midfielders, two attacking midfielders, and one striker. The two attacking midfielders are positioned behind the striker and are responsible for creating chances and scoring goals. The four across the middle are split into two central midfielders and two wing-backs. The central midfielders are responsible for controlling the game’s tempo and distributing the ball, while the wing-backs provide width to the team’s attack and defense.

The formation is designed to create numerical superiority in midfield, allowing the team to dominate possession and control the game’s pace. The attacking midfielders are positioned in the half-spaces, which makes it difficult for the opposition to mark them. This positioning also allows them to create overloads in the central areas of the pitch, which can lead to scoring opportunities.

The formation’s defensive structure is also noteworthy. The three central defenders provide a solid base, while the wing-backs drop back to form a back five when the team is defending. This defensive structure makes it difficult for the opposition to create chances through the middle of the pitch.

Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 formation has been successful in both real-life football and Football Manager. It is a versatile formation that can be adapted to suit different playing styles and opposition tactics. However, like any tactical system, it requires the right players and a lot of hard work on the training ground to be successful.

 

Xabi Alonso 3-4-2-1 - Football Manager Tactics - FM24 - Football Manager 2024 (sortitoutsi.net)

Edited January 28 by The Flying Scotsman

[Bahnzo]

I tinkered with the 343 for a couple seasons in my save, but I found it next to impossible to find quality WB's that are actually natural at that position. And since they are so important to the tactic (IMO) they are some of the most expensive players in the game it seems. It's the one thing that keeps me from experimenting with it, but as I've grown the club and gotten more resources, I might give it another try. Does it make sense to try to take more conventional WB's and retrain them?

[The Flying Scotsman]

Yeah quality wing backs cost a fortune now in FM.

Nowadays for a formation like this your WBs need to be insanely fit, give the video a watch and check out the wingbacks used.

Who are you managing etc and I can try recommend some. 

[Bahnzo]

3 hours ago, The Flying Scotsman said:

Yeah quality wing backs cost a fortune now in FM.

Nowadays for a formation like this your WBs need to be insanely fit, give the video a watch and check out the wingbacks used.

Who are you managing etc and I can try recommend some. 

Thanks, but I'm like 15 years into a career now. I doubt you know any in my world at this point.

But you are spot on about them, beyond everything else, they *have* to be fit. Which means finding 2 good one (and 2 decent ones for backups) is quite the feat. Which is why I wonder if it's worth trying to train them into the role.