Hopefully this hasn't been posted yet:

source: http://theirtactics.com/the-4-3-3-is-not-jose-mourinhoE28099s-favorite-system-neither-is-the-4-2-3-1/

I copied just the last part of it:

1. The 4-3-1-2 / 4-4-2 diamond (depending on personnel)
This is the formation he turns to most. At inter Milan, Mourinho used the 4-4-2 diamond or 4-3-1-2 in 97% of his home games and he only turned to the more cautious 4-2-3-1 for the majority of the games away from home. The ability to switch between systems was mainly attributed to the versatility of two special talents in Wesley Schneider but more so Samuel Eto’o who played on the right flank in one system and then on the left side of the central striking pair in another- amazing.

At Fc Porto, Mourinho also built a team of two systems that usually started games with the diamond midfield then ended them with the 4-2-3-1. Porto would change systems after taking the lead where in most cases a striker usually Carlos Alberto was withdrawn for a winger/left midfielder say Alenichev .

PS: It’s important to point out that both of Mourinho’s sides that won the champions league were able to play two different formations.


What do you think guys? I remember back in forums.goal.com, some of you have discussed that 4-4-2 diamond would be the perfect system for madrid to counter barca.

IMO, with Sahin, we should have the perfect players for this system too...

I disagree to be honest, way too risky of a formation.

I have expressed it before, the 433 is by far the best formation to counter barcelona. that would be my choice.

Any form of 3 man midfield, who can support the attack, press and defend, with fullback supporting the attack, would give barca a world of troubles.

Diamond is best for counter attacks nick It's your usual 4-3-3 but the guy at the tip of it starts off in the midfield Fullback support is present as well
Also, it ensures proper passing With the fast guys we have at our disposal, it would be very easy to deploy but team orientation and chemistry are needed for it to work (CR7...)

--------Casillas----------
------Pepe--CB---------
Ramos---------Marcelo
---------Alonso---------
Sahin----------Coentrao
--------Ozil/Benz--------
Ben/Ozil----------CR7--


@Klinsi, if you didn't notice, Mou is trying to play progressive, not on reaction It means, we don't just counter anymore but try to impose our game on Farca. For that you need 4-2-3-1 against them or their defenders will have too much freedom to join attacks ( high pressing up the field + skip the midfield)

Blah, 4-3-3 is not needed.

I understand why Mou prefers 4-2-3-1, it's honestly the best formation for attacking counter attacking. He should stick to it IMO unless we improve our build up (which is hard with Ronaldo)

Damn babun said it before me

I actually prefer this one, I've been thinking about it before actually (when we bought Sahin). I don't think 4-3-3 is the right for us, but this one is perfect.

ah, we werent thinking the same thing. when i saw diamond midfield i thought about the formation with wide wingers, not the 41212

It was 4-3-3 at Chelsea. He won the CL with 4-2-3-1 at Inter.

I don't think we need to worry about the specific formation in the league. We tend to switch from a 4-2-3-1 in defense to a 3-2-3-2 with marcelo joining the upper midfield.

It has worked for us against all the teams, we only failed when we had Alonso/Marcelo missing which was a crucial part on how we play and dictate the tempo of the game. Mou fixed both with a versatile Coentrao that can cover many positions and Sahin.

Mou has been practicing pressuring the opposition high up the field to quickly get the ball and counter in the opposition's half, kind of what barca does to open up space. We'll perfect it by December [or I think January if the league is advanced a week because of the strike].

I prefer the 4-3-1-2 out of all formations but too unlikely.

Turok_TTZ wrote:I prefer the 4-3-1-2 out of all formations but too unlikely.

Yes, with no benzema.

4-3-1-2 (That could have been)
Benzema - Aguero
Ozil
Ronaldo - Sahin - Di Maria
Coentrao - Pepe - Carvalho - Ramos
Casillas

This would have been perfect for us.

lol, that's fantasy football dude, straight out of fifa

3-5-2

I have advocated diamond 4-4-2 since the beginning of time.... Now that we have the central midfield depth for it, we must do it!

An added benefit is that with a diamond 4-4-2, Ronaldo is stuffed! he won't be able to play wide midfield or wing forward because the position doesn't exist and he certainly can't play CAM - hence my dream will come true that he will be one of two striker in a 2 man front pairing.

------------------------Casillas-----------------------
Arbeloa------Pepe-------------Ramos-------Marcelo
------------------------Alonso---------------------------
------------Sahin-----------------Coentrao------------
-------------------------Ozil------------------------------
---------Ronaldo---------------Benzema---------------


This system cannot fail, we'll play silky possession football in the middle of the park and fullbacks can bomb forward on the wings on occasionally and still be well covered. Especially in Marcelo's case, if he bombs forward, Coentrao just slips into the gap that he leaves.

Its like Mou's Chelsea but with more technical midfielders who can actually play the ball. The team desperately wants to attack through the middle, lets give them the ultimate formation for doing this as soon as Sahin comes back.

for me its really about the players on the field, not the formation.