Stopping the barca 4-3-3?

[leaderoftheshed]

How do people cope with the barca/Man City 4-3-3 formation that has the full backs, wingers and two MCas on forward runs?

I play a very similar formation but when I come up against this formation I really struggle. I thought i had cracked it by playing a conuter attacking tactic which won 4-1 at camp nou, but in the return leg I was lucky to get a 1-1 draw. The next week I played manu who have adopted the same tactic, and I was played off the park!

Any help countering this tactic? Or if you cant beat them, how to join them!

[el sid]

It's not always tactics mate. Barca and Man Utd do have quality players, and you might have been played out of the park due to the quality.

[leaderoftheshed]

True, but Im playing as chelsea in 2015 and man u are not the force they are at the start of the game. My main rivals are man city who also play this formation.

[ianmforbes]

I try to negate their wings and use my LB/RB to man (specific) mark them. They will be super tired by the end if you want them overlapping offensively as well.

It's not a cure all, but it's something you can do as both of your CBs can now focus on the ST and any MCs making forward runs.

[micro-ice]

i have a very simple method that alway works for me when the opposition employ a 433:

- wingers/wide men on ultra high closing down.

- wingers loose man mark their full backs (only if they get forward though).

- dont play too wide/ too narrow.

- use high closing down to deny them any space

this also works perfectly against arsenal too.