The_Emperor5I just thought of another formation to use with Madrid. A 4-2-3-1, but different to what Mou is currently using. Ronaldo is now a LAM (Left Attacking Midfielder), Di María a RAM, and Özil turns into a CAM. You say that's exactly what Mourinho is applying, but the in-game positioning is going to be different.
How? This time Ramos will be moving forward during the attack to be that extra man in the midfield. He has good ball control and I'm sure he can distribute the ball at times. But that would leave the D a bit open, so defensively Alonso will go backwards. At times, Ramos will take Alonso's position as that "Deep-Lying Playmaker" and at other times Alonso will stay with his original role. This way the "Advanced Sweeper" turns out into an inter-changing of positions between Alonso and Ramos, since originally the attacking libero comes from behind to carry out the counter-attack.
Due to this idea I have the fullbacks no longer have their base positions affected as in the last formation. Not saying their work rate will be no attacking as they will attack when needed, but in a more conservative style. To explain in other words, instead of turning into wide midfielders while attacking, they turn into like wing-backs. They won't move forward as often to also keep the back protected.
So this means it will be much of a narrower formation. The wide attacking and defending won't be affected much. The focus is to support more the central area with adding that extra man [the attacking "sweeper" role is taken between my ball-playing centre-back (Ramos) and my defensive midfielder (Alonso) in their interchanging of positions] to the midfield.
The wide areas will still be a threat with my wide attacking midfielders getting support when needed from my fullbacks, but without my focus being that.
When talking about facing Barcelona, the midfield will be more defended with those players positioned in it. The wide areas of the base back four will be defended as well as my fullbacks will no longer be moving forward much higher up the pitch like they did in my last formation. So as it is great attacking, it is defending. And when the opponent attacks and I recover the ball, my counter-attack (main offensive weapon) will take place, catching off-guard the advancing fullbacks of the other team with the wide attacking mids (or inner forwards).
Note: I've been testing my formations in FIFA 12 and, while you and I can say it's just a sports simulator or video game, the results have actually turned out positive. I as well have used the 4-1-2-3 (or 4-3-3 with def. mid.) formation, and have had many victories. In fact, I turned to this 4-2-3-1 the moment I went into Division 3 and won 3-1 (with Man. U.).
23.01.2012
The_Emperor5So I just found out that moving the CB out of position is way too risky, and it left my D wide open. I paid for that, and it cost me like four games. I knew it was my defense, so I had to fix some issues.
I made a 5-2-3 with a false ST (or 9) and it had kinda good results. But I knew that due to the new off-side laws that a SW was obsolete, and I used it anyways and paid for it. And it is stupid to use one, anyways. I went back to a back four and to the "Advanced Sweeper" system. I haven't tested it yet, but I guess it will work out efficiently.
I will post the improved and more sophisticated formation later on.
23.01.2012
