[Massgeno_Side]

Does anyone know of any team in any of the top leagues around the world that play an 'official' 4-2-3-1?

[mpruitt]

We don't generally deal with a lot of that kind of stuff around here, and as ou can maybe tell we don't get a lot of traffic through these parts regarless. Your best bet might be to ask the same question in this forum.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forum...php?forumid=24

Can I ask why you're wondering though. Are you trying to draw some kind of theory on success of different formations?

[beineke]

Originally posted by maxim-1

Can I ask why you're wondering though. Are you trying to draw some kind of theory on success of different formations?

Tracking success/scoring trends/etc. would certainly be interesting; Last season Peter Hirdt had some nice observations about the 4-4-2 vs. 3-5-2 in MLS.

Getting back to the original question, this article (in Italian) seems to suggest that Deportivo la Corun~a "traditionally" plays a 4-2-3-1.

http://it.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/...Report=PR.html

[Massgeno_Side]

Originally posted by maxim-1
We don't generally deal with a lot of that kind of stuff around here, and as ou can maybe tell we don't get a lot of traffic through these parts regarless. Your best bet might be to ask the same question in this forum.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forum...php?forumid=24

Can I ask why you're wondering though. Are you trying to draw some kind of theory on success of different formations?

Yeah, I'm interested in particular application of lineups and the resulting statistics relative to success ratio.

Thanks for the link!

[Massgeno_Side]

Originally posted by beineke
Tracking success/scoring trends/etc. would certainly be interesting; Last season Peter Hirdt had some nice observations about the 4-4-2 vs. 3-5-2 in MLS.

Getting back to the original question, this article (in Italian) seems to suggest that Deportivo la Corun~a "traditionally" plays a 4-2-3-1.

http://it.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/...Report=PR.html

I really appreciate the effort on finding the link.

I'm fascinated with player personnel, style application and relative positioning - as well as the comparative results from unique lineups.

Thanks again!

[mpruitt]

Welcome to the fold. I'm wondering how woudl you go about making the comparrison or comparing them?

[Nutmeg]

Originally posted by Massgeno_Side
I really appreciate the effort on finding the link.

I'm fascinated with player personnel, style application and relative positioning - as well as the comparative results from unique lineups.

Thanks again!

Big-time Deportivo fan here. I usually attend a couple of games a year in person (this year some family health problems have kept me home), and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about how Depor uses their 4-2-3-1.

Take care.

[Nutmeg]

Originally posted by Massgeno_Side
I really appreciate the effort on finding the link.

I'm fascinated with player personnel, style application and relative positioning - as well as the comparative results from unique lineups.

Thanks again!

Big-time Depor fan here. I usually attend a couple of games a year in person (this year some family health problems have kept me home), and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about how Depor uses their 4-2-3-1.

Take care.

Just an FYI on earlier comments regarding the formation and scoring - I have no idea without some research on how Depor's scoring has compared with the rest of La Primera, but I do know they've used the formation to create two pichichis (European top goal-scorers) out of Tristan and Makaay. Pandiani - their latest front runner (or the "1") - was on a holy tear at the beginning of this season before he was injured. Counting Champions League, Copa del Rey, and La Liga matches, I think at one point he'd scored in 8 straight matches and 9 out of 10.

Javier Irureta almost never, ever detours from the formation. It works best when Valeron is healthy and in form, Mauro Silva is the prototypical DMid for the formation, and it helps to have two good wingers on each side.

Like I said, if you have any other questions, just drop me a PM or email.

[1953 4-2-4]

This formation is really just a modified 4-2-4--but i'm biased

[Karl K]

Nutmeg, since you've seen the 4-2-3-1 a lot, could you spend some time discussing it's strengths and weaknesses? Who else plays it?

I think that would be interesting in and of itself, apart from a purely statistical analysis.

I think a soccermetric study of formational approaches measured against goals allowed and goals scored would be very stimulating. Since, as you say, Deportivo uses this formation consistently, they seem to be an excellent candidate for this kind of study, compared to say a team that uses another formation consistently.

As you know, Bruce said earlier in the last WC cycle that he thought the international play demanded 4 in the back, given the high quality front runners you would face. Then, of course, he changed his mind facing both Mexico and Germany in the knockout rounds.

Then you have Brazil, who abandoned their traditional 4-4-2 for a twin d-mid setup.