What is the weakness of 4-2-3-1?

The 4-2-3-1 is a commonly used formation with a back four, five midfielders, and a center forward. The advantage of this formation lies in its flexibility: it can easily be changed into a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. In addition, defensive stability and offensive firepower are balanced well. A lot of top international teams currently use this formation, for example Paris Saint-Germain with their midfield axis of Kylian Mbappé – Neymar – Angel Di Maria behind center forward Mauro Icardi. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also operates this formation regularly, in addition to a more classical 4-3-3. The configuration of this formation also prevents the opposition forming any attacking phases, even when situated in their own half. With its strong center, the 4-2-3-1 encourages a strong defense in midfield by forcing the opposition to pass inwards, which then hopefully sees a defensive or offensive midfielder win back possession. Preferably the team would then begin midfield pressing (meaning attacking from about 30 foot in the opposing half to the middle of the team’s own half). The staggering of four rows creates depth and therefore great possibilities for triangulation and smooth combination play. Creating scoring opportunities: over the wing and through the center Quite often a player on the wing moves toward the center to create space for an approaching fullback near the ball.

The 4-2-3-1 formation is a popular choice among top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. Coaches that think about employing the 4-2-3-1 have a lot to go over before they commit to this new formation. It isn't as simple to teach as the 4-4-2 formation, so they need to be sure it's the right fit for their teams. While it is a great formation when executed properly, its weaknesses can be taken advantage of if every player isn’t doing his or her job. The 4-2-3-1 can be frustrating to face because there is usually a player or two in every part of the field. With five midfielders, teams that utilize the 4-2-3-1 can control the game by forcing defenses to pinch in, leaving space down the sidelines. The top teams that run the 4-2-3-1 will often allow their players to have freedom all over the pitch. The 4-2-3-1 forces normally attack-minded players into having to put in a lot more work defensively. Forwards can often get stuck up front on his or her own, causing them to get fewer opportunities and reducing the amount of time the team has possession of the ball. Full backs are often left to deal with the opposing team’s best outside players, and if a counterattacking pass makes it to one of the opposing wingers, the full back will have to stop that winger or he/she will be through on goal.