4-3-3 is one of football’s most popular formations, having been popularized by the famous Dutch teams of the 1970s and ‘80s, before being brought into the modern-day through coaches such as Pep Guardiola. It is a formation known for producing silky, possession-focused sides, and still remains one of the most popular picks for Fifa players competitively. With that being said, it is regarded by many in the community as the ‘sweaty’ pick in the game and can be a frustrating setup to keep coming up against.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 4-3-3 set-up in Fifa.
The pros
Without a doubt, one of the biggest pros of 4-3-3 as a formation is the closeness and link-up potential of the six men in the midfield and the frontline when transitioning the ball forward, especially with a dedicated CAM on the free roam custom tactic. Quick one-twos and interchanges can make defending against the 4-3-3 a living hell, and the option of having wide players fizzing in a well-drilled ground or aerial cross has proven to be a meta-breaking tactic in various FIFA titles over the years.
There are so many overpowered wingers in Ultimate Team who slot perfectly into a 4-3-3 build, with their pace and dribbling attributes allowing for some devastating counter-attacking possibilities. A strong weak foot trait is also unleashed the best with a formation like the 4-3-3, with the wide players being given license to cut in or go wide on either foot.
The cons
With only one out and out striker on the pitch, the burden on a number nine in a 4-3-3 team setup in FIFA is huge. The striker needs to have the pace and physical presence to drop in between the defense, whilst keeping up with the wingers in their side and competently holding up the ball when taking it to feet.
The 4-3-3 formation might be the best option in the Fifa universe for those who love quick counters on the flanks, but with that comes a serious risk of leaving those wide players isolated and the rest of the team being put under considerable pressure. A strong CDM pairing with players such as Casemiro, N’Golo Kante, or Rodri can be a great remedy for this and help players keep hold of the ball better, but their effectiveness is still seriously dashed if a player isn’t comfortable quickly recycling it out wide again.
How to counter the 4-3-3
When coming up against a FIFA player using a 4-3-3 formation, the number one priority should always be to keep the effectiveness of their wingers as minimal as possible. Formations such as the 4-2-2-2, 3-5-2, or 3-4-2-1 allow players to always have options and the numbers advantage out wide and ensure that there is another body in the defense for the opponent’s striker to have to wrestle with.
The midfield is also a key battleground in deciding the outcome of a Fifa game, however, when up against the 4-3-3, this duel is even more crucial to win. With the middle of the park being the weakest part of the 4-3-3, having midfield pivots that can harass and continuously win the ball through substantial pressure can be a great counter to utilize.
