La Galaxia de Estrellas

When I use the terms 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-5-1 etc. no one except a football fanatic would immediately understand as to what they are. For people who still dont understand, I am talking about formations, to elucidate, the way in which a footballing side lines up on paper strategically. These are the things which make football a subject which can be studied. The reason why I say is that most of you people including a few football 'freaks' would imagine football as a game which is just a joy to watch. Yes, I do agree with you. It is fun watching football. But there is also a litlle more to it. The strategies which every team follows is what I am talking about. The way each manager/coach puts his team out to face their opponents are issues we can think about or atleast which think about.
There are a variety of formations from the traditional 4-4-2's to the more modern 4-2-3-1's. All have their own advantages and disadvantages. And each depends on the kind of player who is there in your squad for the picking. Here are some of my favourites....

You must note here that the numbers x,y and z of x-y-z denote the number of outfield players....

The 3-4-3:

3-4-3 is my favourite formation. I like it because I like to play attacking football with a solid defence. And this I think gives the proper balance. It has three centre backs with two holding midfielders in the centre. This is solidifies the defence. It also has two traditional midfielders who operate on the attacking half who are more on the sides than in the centre. In front of them are two wingers preferably pacy and skillful with an ability to go past full backs and deliver the right ball to the lone forward who will be waiting inside the penalty area to pounce on anything that comes in. I would prefer someone like Adriano for that position. You also need a very strong shot stopping Goal Keeper.
The disadvantages in this formation are that even if the opponent have moderate wingers the wings can be easily exploited and the team will surely be punished for that. Or if one of the midfielders diverts one of the centre backs into the wing then there will only be two defenders at the back line to protect the goal.
The advantage of this formation is just one and that is the fact that Goals!! are assured. We must not forget that only goals win matches for you.

My Dream Team for this formation will be:

Goal Keeper:
Gigi Buffon

Centre Backs:
Lillian Thuram (R)
Fabio Cannavaro (C)and
Roberto Ayala (L)

Holding Midfielders:
Claude Makelele (R)
Xabi Alonso (L)

Side Midfielders:
David Beckham (R)
Luis Figo (L)

Forward:
Robinho (R)
Adriano (C)
Cristiano Ronaldo (L)


The 4-1-2-1-2:

A formation which the French national team made famous. With Zidane in an attacking role and Henry and Trezeguet lurking in the centre, the french won Euro 2000 with this formation. I needn't say much about this formation. It has the perfect balance.

My Dream Team:
It will be one of the best teams France has ever produced....

Goal Keeper:
Fabien Barthez

Defenders:

Lillian Thuram (R)
Bixente Lizarazu (L)
Marcel Desailly and
Laurent Blanc (C)

Midfielders:

Claude Makelele/Didier Deschamps (CDM)
Zinedine Zidane (CAM)
Patrick Vieira and
Youri Djorkaeff (CM)

Forwards:

David Trezeguet (R)
Thierry Henry (L)