Is 3-4-3 A Good Formation?
The 3-4-3 is a formation that offers considerable flexibility in the defensive phase.
Teams can quickly turn their back three into a four or five.
This can be a tactical decision based on the opposition they are playing or by being fluid in the different phases of their oppositions attack.
For example, if a team is playing a higher level of opposition, the wing-backs may always remain close to their centre-backs to quickly create a back-five.
If the team wants to press high, one or both wing-backs may be involved in the final third whilst recovering from joining the backline when the ball is nearer their goal.
This tactical fluidity that the formation allows can make it particularly appealing for teams like Sporting CP.
In this tactical theory, we will take a look at current Manchester United??boss R??ben Amorim tactics while at Sporting CP, where he successfully used the 3-4-3 to dominate domestic games while competing in the Champions League against Europes best.
A 3-4-3 formation allows teams to be both high-pressing and overloaded at the back under sustained pressure.
This tactical analysis focuses on how teams press in the opposition half.
Examples of Sportings high press under Amorim will be analysed.
Also included in this analysis is former Premier League and Championship coach Steve Keans implementation of a 3-4-3 mid-block.
Kean used these tactics whilst working with Scottish Premiership side Hibernians U19s in their impressive UEFA Youth League run.
We will also analyse teams reactions to the first line of pressure being broken and offer suggestions for coaching a 3-4-3 press.
High pressing in a 3-4-3 Formation
This tactical diagram is based on Sportings high press in a 3-4-3 against Benfica.
Sporting encourages the opposition to play down one side.
When the ball enters the wide area, Sp
