Guest Blogger tommysboy007 returns with his series titled ‘Space and Overloads’, which aims to detail a few tactical setups in Football Manager 2023. From passing networks, structural shapes and vulnerabilities this 433 post is the 2nd tactical piece of this series. The previous 442 post, and introduction to the series, can be found here: coffeehousefm.com/lattequarterly
I hope you enjoy them - FM Grasshopper
433
433 Passing Network
The strength of the 4-3-3 is ball progression via the natural triangles the structure offers. It makes this formation very suitable for keeping possession of the ball. Building up from the back the Defensive Midfielder can drop between the centre halves or wide into space vacated by a forward running full back to offer a third passing option. Alternatively, and increasingly, the modern Sweeper Keepers may step forward in possession to offer themselves as a passing option. The full backs and wide attackers offer passing options on the flanks. The near side Centre Back and DM make a triangle with the Full Back to pass around the opposition press. The FB, DM and near side Central Midfielder form a more advanced triangle. As the FB continues forward, the Wide Attacker becomes the third point with the CM. Finally, the Centre Forward, CM and Wide Attacker make the furthermost passing triangle and we’ve progressed the ball into attacking areas.
Typically, a playmaker is used at the base of the three man midfield - think Sergio Busquets. All play tends to pass through him. Your passing network graph will show this player right at the centre dictating play.
4-3-3 Structural Spaces
Half Spaces
It's a commonly accepted and understood term - indeed is referenced in some of the player descriptions in FM23 - but at risk of repeating myself and every football tactics blog, by Half Space I am talking about the gap between a centre half and full back in your opponent’s defence. The 4-3-3 offers the opportunity to place one of 4 players into this dangerous space:
Centre Forward
Wide Attacker
Central Midfielder
Inverted Wing Back
This variety is created by the 4-3-3 because the natural position of all these players above can pin the opposition’s centre half and full back to maximise the space and our opportunity to exploit it.
Gegenpressing
Less about creating space to attack, the 4-3-3 shape is incredibly useful to close space down for the opponents. The formation is used, most famously by Klopp, to counter press as soon as an attack breaks down. The 3 forwards positioned higher up the pitch means pressing can cover a back four with the aim to win the ball back in a dangerous area of the pitch or at least harry an opponent into kicking long and regain possession that way.
433 Structural Overloads
Flanks
We saw the ability to progress the ball up the field with the natural triangles created in the 4-3-3. The shape allows us to overload the opponents flank at different areas of the pitch by shifting the Defensive Midfielder, Central Midfielder and Centre Forward towards the flank, we are creating 2v1, 3v2 and 4v2 situations very quickly.
Through The Centre
With a holding midfielder shielding two centre backs, the 4-3-3 frees up to attack with seven players. As we looked at above, we can overload the flanks easily but if the opposition takes preventative action to counter that wide threat, it simply opens them up to being overloaded through the centre. Keeping our full backs push forward and wide, offers space for us to send our wide attackers and central midfielders through the middle with positions staggered to make it difficult to mark. For example, if we set both Wide Attackers as Inside Forwards against an opponent playing with a back four, we can create a 3v2 overload through the heart of their defence.
433 Vulnerabilities
At Full Back
In the 4-3-3, the Full Back or Wing Back players are responsible for creating width in possession but out of possession, it is vital they recover back to rejoin the defensive line. The physical and mental attributes of this role are very demanding. Getting the right player for these roles are essential because a poor player or a tired player can be a major vulnerability.
In addition to player selection/suitability, the space in front of the full backs can be exploited. With the wide attackers pushed further up the field, the opposition can find room to attack the potentially isolated full back. If caught on a counter, the defensive midfielder will need to come across to help cover opening up space in other areas of the pitch that could be potentially more dangerous.
433 Attacking Variance/Predictability
The variety of attacking shapes is arguably the biggest strength of the 4-3-3. As seen above we can attack down the flanks and through the centre and always in numbers that can overwhelm the opposition. The attacking shape below shows the staggering of player positions that makes it difficult for the opposition. With clever movement and patient passing even the most stubborn low block can be breached.
4-3-3 Transitional Shapes
Defends in a 4-1-4-1 or 4-5-1:
Attacks in a 2-1-2-5:
How to Beat a 433 in FM23
There are a few options for nullifying a 4-3-3 depending on your level of players relative to the opposition. If the teams are even (or you are better) you could match up against the attacking shape (2-1-2-5 as above) with a 3-4-3. A 5-3-2 line up will give you a numerical advantage in defence or go even more defensive with a 5-4-1. However, if you are up against a high pressing team a la Liverpool, you could take a leaf out of Thomas Tuchel’s playbook. When faced with Klopp’s side in the Champions League, his PSG side adopted a 3-3-4 shape. In the first leg Liverpool’s 4-3-3 featured two narrow banks of 3 forwards and midfielders which really dominated the centre of the pitch. The 3 forwards engaged high up the pitch to force PSG into mistakes. Learning from this, Tuchel set his team up with instructions to pass around the centre of the pitch and overloaded each fullback. This also stymied the attacking threat of the full backs. By skirting around the congested centre, PSG were able to progress the ball up the field and get their key creative players Neymar and Di Maria in space high up the pitch. PSG went on to win the game.
This is how I would set up my 3-3-4:
My 433 in FM23
It is unlikely in FM23 that I will have the talent at my disposal to get a fully formed 4-3-3 up and running but let’s pretend for now. I would prefer my team to be aggressive out of possession and patient in possession. Not Van Gaal Man Utd slow but patient. I am going with variation and (hopefully) balance. First up my goalie will be a Sweeper Keeper because I intend to have a high def-line with high press. I will want him to short kick out too as we’ll be Playing Out of Defence.
My defensive core will be Centre Backs both on Defend. One might be Ball Playing if he has passing ability. In front will be my metronome - Deep Lying Midfielder on Defend. Down one flank will be a Wing Back Support with an Inside Forward Attack ahead and a Mezzala Attack just inside. On the other a Wing Back on Attack with an Inside Winger Support and a Central Midfielder Support. An alternative for this flank would be an Inverted Wing Back Support, Winger Attack and Advanced Playmaker on Support.
Up top will be likely be a Deep Lying Forward on Support but a Complete Forward would be better.
That’s my thoughts on the 433, I’ll be back soon with a breakdown of a Welsh inspired 532 from World Cup 2022.
Thank you for reading,
tommysboy007