Manual FIFA - 5-3-2

5-3-2 

Strengths

Simply put, if you are against a serious threat of attack constantly in the game or are trying to hold onto a lead in the closing moments of a white knuckle game, then this system shores up and basically puts your team into a strong defensive posture. Once again, there are an odd number of true defenders, which means that the center player is usually the sweeper, or the clean up man.

The LWB and RWB are great at running up the wings and provide additional numbers into the attack. Roberto Carlos for Brazil and Real Madrid was a master at creating the odd man attacking threat from the wing. He would come up from so far back so fast that mids and defenders alike were often caught off guard, instantly giving his team numerical superiority and creating a lot of goal scoring opportunities. The 3 center defenders stay compact and make it tough for your opponent to get through runs. The center mids likewise have great flexibility to play compact and move as a unit which can dominate the middle of the field.

Weaknesses

The ability to keep the ball in your opponent’s third of the field is tough against certain line ups, like the 4-4-2, where your players need to be creative to penetrate successfully. Also, if the 3 center mids start to spread wide to play the width of the field, it does leave holes for teams with strong midfield numbers (like the 3-5-2) to take over the middle of the field and exploit any holes on your defence. You may find yourself always under attack and seemingly starved for possession of the ball. Your opponent will look for opportunities to attack quickly when the wing defender is in their third of the field.

Tips

Most importantly, make sure that only one wing back at a time makes that long run into the attack so that the other can hold, leaving 4 remaining in the back so that you are not vulnerable to a quick counter attack. If you commit too many players into the attack, then the strength of this formation starts to break down quickly. Have your center mids jockey more when on the attack to try and stop the threat of attack down the middle of the field, and force your opponent to play wide into where your defensive strength is strategically waiting. This line up is just like the 3-5-2, with the exception that the LM and RM have defensive priority.

Best Formations to Counter the 5-3-2

The 3-5-2, based on numbers controlling the middle of the field, as well as the balance from a 4-4-2 can be very good at keeping the heat on your defence and out possessing you.