4-3-3
The 4–3–3 was a development of the 4–2–4, and was played by the Brazil national team in the 1962 World Cup, although a 4–3–3 had also previously been used by the Uruguay national team in the 1950 and 1954 World Cups. The extra player in midfield allows a stronger defence, and the midfield could be staggered for different effects. The three midfielders normally play closely together to protect the defence, and move laterally across the field as a coordinated unit. The formation is usually played without wide midfielders. The three forwards split across the field to spread the attack, and may be expected to mark the opposition full-backs as opposed to doubling back to assist their own full-backs, as do the wide midfielders in a 4–4–2.
A staggered 4–3–3 involving a defensive midfielder (usually numbered four or six) and two attacking midfielders (numbered eight and ten) was commonplace in Italy, Argentina, and Uruguay during the 1960s and 1970s. The Italian variety of 4–3–3 was simply a modification of WM, by converting one of the two wing-halves to a libero (sweeper), whereas the Argentine and Uruguayan formations were derived from 2–3–5 and retained the notional attacking centre-half. The national team that made this famous was the Dutch team of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, even though the team won neither.
In club football, the team that brought this formation to the forefront was the famous Ajax team of the early 1970s, which won three European Cups with Johan Cruyff, and Zdeněk Zeman with Foggia in Italy during the late 1980s, where he completely revitalised the movement supporting this formation. It was also the formation with which Norwegian manager Nils Arne Eggen won 15 Norwegian league titles.
Most teams using this formation now use the specialist defensive midfielder. Recent famous examples include the Porto and Chelsea teams coached by José Mourinho, as well as the Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola. Mourinho has also been credited with bringing this formation to England in his first stint with Chelsea, and it is commonly used by Guardiola’s Manchester City. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp employed a high-pressing 4-3-3 formation with dynamic full-backs and a potent front three (Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino) to win the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. [28]
Guardiola
Klopp
Zidane
Mourinho
http://outsideoftheboot.com/2015/07/14/guide-formations-4-3-3/ Wing backs provide width so wide attackers can move into centre Centre backs spread and dm sits in the middle to cover wing backs
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1433563-breaking-down-the-4-3-3-formation-when-to-use-it-and-why The midfield will house one certified anchor http://outsideoftheboot.com/2015/07/14/guide-formations-4-3-3/ Defensive midfielder: The defensive midfielder’s primary role is to win possession and then start an attacking phase. Within this he needs to cover spaces in between the midfield and defense where the opposition’s number 10 would be likely to be operating whilst also being aware when the full-backs had pushed forward. In modern football, the defensive midfielder also has a role to play in starting attacks; Xabi Alonso’s ability to dictate games from this position is a great example of an expert in this role. That was under key roles of the formation http://www.elitesoccerconditioning.com/4-3-3/433basics.htm This formation favors teams boasting a good central defensive midfielder who is able to hold their position, disrupt the oppositions attack and maintain possession offering support in front of the defensive line and support behind the two other central midfielders and attackers. http://www.amherstsoccer.com/coach/807068.html Defensive Midfielder The three midfielders perform different defensive and offensive roles. At the centre, often playing just in front of the four defenders, there is a defensive midfielder whose job it is to break up opposition attacks before releasing the ball to teammates. These were my 4 first results from google after searching for ‘4-3-3’. If you want me to find further sources I can do that for you but it would be a bit of a waste of time. Again I know that a 4-3-3 can mean a lot of things but if you see it mentioned without any disclaimer as to which specific 4-3-3 you can assume said person is referring to a team with one defensive midfielder and two central midfielders in front. worldsoccer.about.com Barcelona and Arsenal both employ the attacking 4-3-3 formation and are two of the most attractive teams to watch in world soccer. The formation works best when a team is going forward and attempting to win a match, rather than simply trying to contain the opposition. However, the respective managers of Barcelona andArsenal, Josep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger, do their best to ensure there are enough players defending when their teams are on the back foot. The attacking 4-3-3 formation is used by many clubs in world soccer, but rarely with such devastating effect as the two Spanish and English sides. Here we look at how it works from an attacking standpoint. The Central Striker The formation relies on an out-and-out striker to play in the center of the front three, capable of holding the ball up and bringing the two players on either side of him into the play. In Barcelona’s case this is often David Villa, while Robin van Persieundertakes the role for Arsenal. Their other main function is to be on the end of chances created. Wide Attackers Offensive midfielders on either side of the striker are instructed to use their pace to get at full-backs and cross the ball in for the central striker and advancing midfielders. It is important that these wide players have the skill and technique needed to beat opposing defenders. In Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin - we have two prime exponents of this art. Often you will see these types of players cut inside and run at the central defenders, regularly playing quick passing exchanges with teammates before getting into the penalty area and releasing a shot. Messi, for example, plays on the right of the central striker but being left-footed he loves to cut inside before shooting or passing. While it is the central striker’s job to score goals, these players are also expected to weigh in. Defensive Midfielder The three midfielders perform different defensive and offensive roles. At the centre, often playing just in front of the four defenders, there is a defensive midfielder whose job it is to break up opposition attacks before releasing the ball to teammates. Sergio Busquets or Javier Mascherano perform this role for Barcelona, and it is Alex Song’s responsibility in the Arsenal team. Neither score many goals, but their role in the team should not be understated as their teammates can attack in the knowledge that they have a dependable tackling midfielder behind them. All-Round Midfielders There are two players flanking the defensive midfielder whose duty it is both to defend and attack. These “box-to-box” midfielders should be getting into the opposition’s penalty area regularly with the aim of finishing off the chances created by the wide attacking players. It is also their job to construct attacking moves once they have received the ball from one of the four defenders or defensive midfielder. For these roles to be carried out well, such players need to have superb passing abilities, like Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere. Other Responsibilities Of the six players we have looked at in this 4-3-3 formation, you will see five regularly going forward, but they must also be mindful of their other responsibilities. A team cannot always be on the attack, and when you see Arsenal under pressure from the opposition, it is not uncommon to witness their formation switch to a 4-1-4-1 as the wide midfielders drop deeper to win the ball back. 442