The 4-1-2-1-2 (FIFA) that the OP is referencing to is probably the worst formation a team without a natural defensive midfielder can play, VULNERABLE should be its rename

forevergiggs:

It's easy to prove just type in google "barca play with 3 at the back 3-1-3-3" and see if there is any results. Don't have time to coment on injuries and players coming in because i,ve only 3 minutes before the forum closes :(

My problem was not with the formation (it is hard to put a number on Barca's formation) but the players.

You must agree though, that this Barca formation is a lot more defensibly viable than a 4-1-2-1-2 with wingers.

For one this team would not be dominated once the other team got possession.

Personally, I 'm a fan of the 4-1-1-2-1-1 formation

Jamesey:

forevergiggs:

Please explain why you think i don't watch Barca. Last time i looked i am living in Barcelona and went to about 80% of their home games. How many times have you watched Barca this season?

The point i'm trying to make is people are saying this formation 41212 is only seen on fifa and that in the real world it can't be done, what i'm saying is Barca a lot of the time play with THREE at the back with Mascherano playing in front of them which is an even bigger risk. So it can be done.

Because Masch has played at centre back most of the season, Busquets has played at defensive mid (made more apps than any other midfielder for Barca) Abidal, Puyol and Pedro have been injured for long speels of time with fabregas coming into the team in Pedro's absence.

Even still they have three permanent centre backs and a deep defensive midfielder along with he high energy high pressure Xavi and Iniesta and a wing back in Dani Alves and gets a back well. That leave far more players contributing to defense than a 4-1-2-1-2 with wingers.

forevergiggs:

What's the matter Jamesey? not replying? Or have you done a bit of research and found out i was right. Bit of advice, before you try making someone look like an idiot do your research first or the idiot will turn out to be you. Thanks

Greece vs Poland, straight to my Uncle's to help move a mirror, the back to the sofa for a bitta Russia vs Czech Republic. Sorry, for the slow reply, perhaps you can do some research to see that what I have said is true.

It's easy to prove just type in google "barca play with 3 at the back 3-1-3-3" and see if there is any results. Don't have time to coment on injuries and players coming in because i,ve only 3 minutes before the forum closes :(

forevergiggs:

Please explain why you think i don't watch Barca. Last time i looked i am living in Barcelona and went to about 80% of their home games. How many times have you watched Barca this season?

The point i'm trying to make is people are saying this formation 41212 is only seen on fifa and that in the real world it can't be done, what i'm saying is Barca a lot of the time play with THREE at the back with Mascherano playing in front of them which is an even bigger risk. So it can be done.

Because Masch has played at centre back most of the season, Busquets has played at defensive mid (made more apps than any other midfielder for Barca) Abidal, Puyol and Pedro have been injured for long speels of time with fabregas coming into the team in Pedro's absence.

Even still they have three permanent centre backs and a deep defensive midfielder along with he high energy high pressure Xavi and Iniesta and a wing back in Dani Alves and gets a back well. That leave far more players contributing to defense than a 4-1-2-1-2 with wingers.

forevergiggs:

What's the matter Jamesey? not replying? Or have you done a bit of research and found out i was right. Bit of advice, before you try making someone look like an idiot do your research first or the idiot will turn out to be you. Thanks

Greece vs Poland, straight to my Uncle's to help move a mirror, the back to the sofa for a bitta Russia vs Czech Republic. Sorry, for the slow reply, perhaps you can do some research to see that what I have said is true.

forevergiggs:

Jamesey:

forevergiggs:

Barca play a lot of the time with 3-1-3-3 -----------------Valdes---------------

----Puyol---pique----Abidal----

------------Mascherano--------

---Alvez-----Xavi-----Iniesta--

---Messi---Sanchez----Pedro-

And they don't play too bad, do they?

Well done for confirming to the whole forum that you don't actually watch Barcelona.

Even if this was true, it isn't a 4-1-2-1-2 and so is irrelevant to the point you want to make.

Please explain why you think i don't watch Barca. Last time i looked i am living in Barcelona and went to about 80% of their home games. How many times have you watched Barca this season?

The point i'm trying to make is people are saying this formation 41212 is only seen on fifa and that in the real world it can't be done, what i'm saying is Barca a lot of the time play with THREE at the back with Mascherano playing in front of them which is an even bigger risk. So it can be done.

What's the matter Jamesey? not replying? Or have you done a bit of research and found out i was right. Bit of advice, before you try making someone look like an idiot do your research first or the idiot will turn out to be you. Thanks

StatiXuK:

With the signing of Kagawa I think we should change to a 41212, not a 4231.

The formation would suit the squad better in terms of rotation and we would not have to drop a striker. It would look like this (sorry if this doesnt turn out well).

-------------------De Gea--------------

----RB------CB---------Vidic--------Evra

--------------Carrick/Scholes------------

---Valencia--------------------Young/Nani---

-------------Kagawa/Cleverley------------

--------Welbeck/Chicha-----Rooney-------

Opinions?

4-1-2-1-2 will only work if we had a narrow diamond midfield ie DM, RCM, LCM and CAM. this formation wouldnt work with a LM and RM as someone stated above our midfield will be weak. wit the players linked with united, i think 4-2-3-1 is the likely formation.

MexUnited:

forevergiggs:

Jamesey:

The 4-1-2-1-2 is a myth, it is not a commonly accepted formation because it is way to venerable in defense. The only place you will see this formation is on forums and video games.

Barca play a lot of the time with 3-1-3-3 -----------------Valdes---------------

----Puyol---pique----Abidal----

------------Mascherano--------

---Alvez-----Xavi-----Iniesta--

---Messi---Sanchez----Pedro-

And they don't play too bad, do they?

Please explain

this formation has some truth to it. carrick or jones playing the defensive midfield position. the other 2 mid can be box-to-box & ball winner/deep-lying play maker (if one is considering scholes in the setup). the trick is the full-backs. they have to be really energetic and tactically aware in the art of defense and attack as they provide the width. we've seen fergie play valencia in the full back position, possibly he'd do it again. the real playmaker is the attacking midfielder (kagawa, nani, young or even rooney) and the two strikers (advanced forward & a poacher). seems workable.

Jamesey:

forevergiggs:

Barca play a lot of the time with 3-1-3-3 -----------------Valdes---------------

----Puyol---pique----Abidal----

------------Mascherano--------

---Alvez-----Xavi-----Iniesta--

---Messi---Sanchez----Pedro-

And they don't play too bad, do they?

Well done for confirming to the whole forum that you don't actually watch Barcelona.

Even if this was true, it isn't a 4-1-2-1-2 and so is irrelevant to the point you want to make.

Please explain why you think i don't watch Barca. Last time i looked i am living in Barcelona and went to about 80% of their home games. How many times have you watched Barca this season?

The point i'm trying to make is people are saying this formation 41212 is only seen on fifa and that in the real world it can't be done, what i'm saying is Barca a lot of the time play with THREE at the back with Mascherano playing in front of them which is an even bigger risk. So it can be done.

Jamesey:

forevergiggs:

Barca play a lot of the time with 3-1-3-3 -----------------Valdes---------------

----Puyol---pique----Abidal----

------------Mascherano--------

---Alvez-----Xavi-----Iniesta--

---Messi---Sanchez----Pedro-

And they don't play too bad, do they?

Well done for confirming to the whole forum that you don't actually watch Barcelona.

Even if this was true, it isn't a 4-1-2-1-2 and so is irrelevant to the point you want to make.

there is a prize for not doing that? I want one!

forevergiggs:

Barca play a lot of the time with 3-1-3-3 -----------------Valdes---------------

----Puyol---pique----Abidal----

------------Mascherano--------

---Alvez-----Xavi-----Iniesta--

---Messi---Sanchez----Pedro-

And they don't play too bad, do they?

Well done for confirming to the whole forum that you don't actually watch Barcelona.

Even if this was true, it isn't a 4-1-2-1-2 and so is irrelevant to the point you want to make.

41212 is not a myth, a wide 41212 is, but a narrow one is quite common. Was used by Chelsea, and still does by Spain and Brazil. Ofcourse that means no wingers, unlike what the OP suggested. The only way to use it in an effective way with our current options is Jones infront of the back 4, 2 of Cleverley, Carrick, Scholes and Ando in the center and Kagawa behind the strikers.

forevergiggs:

Jamesey:

The 4-1-2-1-2 is a myth, it is not a commonly accepted formation because it is way to venerable in defense. The only place you will see this formation is on forums and video games.

Barca play a lot of the time with 3-1-3-3 -----------------Valdes---------------

----Puyol---pique----Abidal----

------------Mascherano--------

---Alvez-----Xavi-----Iniesta--

---Messi---Sanchez----Pedro-

And they don't play too bad, do they?

Jamesey:

The 4-1-2-1-2 is a myth, it is not a commonly accepted formation because it is way to venerable in defense. The only place you will see this formation is on forums and video games.

Barca play a lot of the time with 3-1-3-3 -----------------Valdes---------------

----Puyol---pique----Abidal----

------------Mascherano--------

---Alvez-----Xavi-----Iniesta--

---Messi---Sanchez----Pedro-

And they don't play too bad, do they?