F.C. Barcelona Football Formation

Lineup (4-3-3)

Great for small, quick build ups, and maximizes possession throughout the pitch. I used Villa up front as the finisher and target man with Pedro and Messi on either side as the wings. Iniesta will be the main attacking playmaker, while Xavi drives the team setting up most of the plays as well as attacking, and Mascherano defending the middle recovering balls. Dani Alves can attack on the right wing as well, setting up important crosses, if needed, and attacking thru the middle as well (temporarily forming a 3-4-3). Then could Xavi fill in defensively in the center while Puyol, with his diverse defensive positioning, can cover the right wing (Thus again forming a 4-3-3 until all players return to their rightful positions on the field). Although it seems the left side of the pitch is where most of the attacking is done, this isn't completely true. We can always use either Pedro or Villa as the target man while Iniesta sets in to finish, hense why his positioning is boasted a bit further up the field. For example, Xavi would send a through ball to Pedro/Villa creating space in the middle allowing Iniesta to fill the spot and thus creating a chance. This formation is ideal for attacking. By applying pressure high up on the pitch, you'll keep the opposition from creating chances, and thus winning the ball back in the midfield. This also creates pressure on the opponents defense if the ball is won back in the midfield because the attackers are virtually already set in their positions. The idea is to always maintain ball possession while occupying your teammates position of the formation given; the theory of total football. The greatest weakness of this formation is in the center of the defense. It can be penetrated by a counter attacking formation if the defense is out of position or can be penetrated by remarkable dribbler, given the skills of the attacker. This is, of course, a general set up of the 4-3-3 formation I like to use though I have many tactics in which I can apply when using it.