What a formation is in football and how to choose one
A formation (or system) is the way the ten outfield players are arranged, counted from the back: defenders, midfielders and forwards. A 4-4-2 has 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 forwards.
When a side is said to play 4-3-3, that is its formation: 4 defenders, 3 midfielders and 3 forwards; the goalkeeper is not counted. Some formations add a number, like 4-2-3-1, to mark intermediate lines. Every formation has its strengths and risks: more defenders give solidity, more midfielders give control, more forwards give goals, always at the expense of another zone. There is no perfect formation, only the one that fits the players you have.
In ELDT you can choose from 15 formations: 4-4-2, 4-4-2 diamond, 4-3-3, 4-3-3 false nine, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1, 4-5-1, 4-4-1-1, 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 3-4-1-2, 3-6-1, 5-3-2, 5-4-1 and 5-2-3. The engine takes into account how many players you put in each line.
The guide's advice is simple: pick the formation to suit your players, not the other way round. A player out of his natural position performs worse, and without quick wingers a 4-3-3 is a way to lose.
See it in the game: the manager's guide.
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See also: online football manager · guides on the blog