There are some crucial aspects more info that influence the gameplan that the manager opts for. Below are some cases.
While defensive football formations might not be one of the most satisfying to watch, some coaches depend on them in an effort to stop groups that are highly effective at transitional play and offensive tactics. In this context, among the most used football formations that is primarily defence-based is the 5-4-1. This formation depends on two robust obstacles of the defensive line, making it efficient at halting the thrusts of the challenger. The initial line at the midfield level aims to break up attacks and preserve possession of the ball when successful. The second five-player line is positioned appropriately to cover key zones of the box where threat normally emerges. Occasionally, one among the five defenders would leave his usual spot to take on the role of sweeper. This player's task is to make upfield runs when repossessing the ball, something that the AC Milan former US owner is probably familiar with.
Among the most effective tactics in football is having clear frameworks for counterattacks after intercepting the ball. Occasionally, a football formations creator might design gameplans that best serve this objective, and this is generally done by controlling the midfield. A preferred formation for this task is the 4-5-1. Owing to the quantitative upper hand in the midfield sector, players are better positioned to snag the ball by staying close to key players. After a successful snatch, the five-player bloc would charge towards the opponent's box to create promising chances. Conversely, in the company of talented and speedy forwards, one of the attacking midfielders would swiftly feed through balls to the attacking line to take the adversary by surprise. Counterattacking largely depends on speed and precision in passing and wide deliveries, which is why the skill of midfielders should be of superior caliber, something that the Wolverhampton Wanderers former owner might understand.
Clubs with loftier ambitions and aiming to win silverware typically opt for offensive football formations to score as many goals as possible on the sheet. This attacking propensity is commonly offset by a robust defense that can be trusted in the event of a counterattack. The 4-3-2-1 excels at this as it is among the more popular strategies for teams that rely both on personal skill and team unity. When setting up play, this formation relies on rapid one-twos and triangular passes that seek to destabilise the defenses of the opponent. Of course, this form of transitional play is only possible thanks to the technical abilities of midfielders and wingers that can dribble past the defence when all fellow players are covered. The players' stance on the pitch is akin to a Christmas tree design, which allows for maximum utility of the field. This is something that the Everton FC former owner would recognize.