Pace is key if they are up against a speedy winger, while they will also be expected to help defend against opposition set-pieces so good heading ability is also required.The 4-2-3-1 formation came to prominence in Spain in the 1990s and early 2000s and is now used by many teams throughout the world.
The two players in front of the back-four, known as the ‘doble pivot’ (double pivot) in Spain, give support to the defense,
with one player breaking up opposition attacks, and the other putting more emphasis on distributing the ball to the attacking players.
The formation should ensure teams are not out-numbered in midfield, and with so many advanced players, there is great flexibility.
Striker in the 4-2-3-1 Formation
In this formation, the striker should not lack support as he has three players whose job it is to supply him with ammunition.
If the players behind the main striker are of genuine quality, the formation can be a dream for a striker as he should receive plenty of balls into the penalty area.
The 4-2-3-1 formation can accommodate a big target man who can hold the ball up and lay it off for the oncoming midfielders,
or a more nimble striker capable of running on to balls and finishing chances.
It is important that the front-man is a strong physical specimen as, despite the support from midfield, he will need to hold off defenders as he looks
to carve out chances for himself or teammates.
Attacking Midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 Formation
The three attacking midfielders can be hard for opposition defenses to pick up, especially if they interchange and run in from deeper positions.
There is usually one central creative force, playing behind the striker. When Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia won Spanish League titles
in the first half of the last decade under Javier Irureta and Rafael Benitez respectively, Juan Valeron (Deportivo) and Pablo Aimar (Valencia)
both featured behind the striker, their subtle skills creating havoc in opposition defenses.
To either side of the playmaker, there are two wider players whose job it is to create chances from the flanks as well as cutting in.
There is also an onus on these three players to help out defensively, particularly those playing in the wide roles. When on the back foot,
these players should be helping their full-backs, and the formation will look more like a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1.
Defensive Midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 Formation
It is imperative that the two players have positional sense in order to protect the back four properly. One of these two is generally more of a tackler,
with the other concentrating on distribution. In that title-winning Valencia team, David Albelda and Ruben Baraja formed an excellent partnership.
Albelda did much of the tackling, while Baraja was more offensive. The pair complimented each other superbly.