After the departure of Spain from the World cup, in
harrowing fashion, and Bayern Munich’s failure to retain the Champions League
the “false nine” formation looks set to be locked away in the annals of
football.
The formation that has stood out so far in this World Cup is
the versatile 5-3-2 formation used to such great effect by the Netherlands and Mexico .
Both teams were unbeaten in the group stage, showing both
attacking flair and defensive stability.
It is naturally a counterattacking formation, almost a foil
for the “false nine” formation. Where the “false nine” style of play looks at
keeping the ball as much as possible, the 5-3-2 is set up to play direct and
with pace.
There is a lot of flexibility to this formation, however,
and it is not necessarily restricted to this setup. Obviously with wing backs,
when in attack it looks more like a 3-5-2. The three centre midfielders have
the option to be versatile, with one player able to play in a more advance
position, think Wesley Sneijder for the Netherlands , so that it looks more
like a 3-4-1-2.
The key components to the 5-3-2 are wing backs with the
ability to attack and defend, a ball playing centre back that can glide into
the oppositions half to start attacks and a genuine striker.
One of the reasons why this formation is so effective is
that when in possession teams can play keep ball. The three centre backs mean
that teams can pass it at the back with ease. The three centre midfielders do not
get over run in the middle. The wing backs offer the wide options and one of
the two attackers has the freedom to move to wide positions.
Secondly, with three at the back teams cannot break against
them as effectively. If the opposition decides to play more direct, there are
three recognised centre backs or defensive minded players able to deal with it.
With a ball playing centre back there, such as Rafael Marquez for Mexico , the
side can start an attack with a player who is just as comfortable stopping one.
Thirdly, there is always a player in the box. Sides that
play with a “false nine” formation are often criticised for not getting enough
players in the box. Germany, in the World Cup so far, look a much more dynamic
side when Miroslav Klose comes on giving them a different option and another
factor that defences have to deal with.
Finally, there is freedom for a “number 10” to drop off or
join the front man or move into the wider areas. Allowing these players freedom
makes it difficult for opposition to defend as they find little pockets of
space in the final third where they can be devastating. It doesn’t restrict
them, like Eden Hazard for Belgium
has found, to the wider areas and allows them to have more influence on the
game. Arjen Robben for the Netherlands
and Giovanni dos Santos for Mexico have been outstanding in
this role.
It would not be surprising to see Louis Van Gaal adopt this
formation in the Premiership next season and it could possibly see it take the
football world by storm.
