FUT 21: Formation 4-2-3-1 - ready-made tactics, best formations FIFA 21 guide, tips
Last update: 04 November 2020
In this section of the FIFA 21 guide, you will find a description of one of the best formations in FUT 21 (FIFA Ultimate Team) – 4-2-3-1. You will also find all the important tactical settings for each game plan, as well as important instructions for footballers playing on certain positions.
The 4-2-3-1 formation consists of 4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 3 central offensive midfielders, and 1 striker. This formation, due to its narrow alignment, is based on playing a ball between three middle offensive players which opens up many attacking opportunities. 2 defensive midfielders will greatly strengthen the team's defensive line.
- Ultra Defensive game plan
- Defensive game plan
- Balanced game plan
- Attacking game plan
- Ultra Offensive game plan
Ultra Defensive game plan
You can use an ultra-defensive game plan during the first minutes of a match to get an idea of your opponent's playstyle or when your team is winning and there is not much time left until the final whistle.
Defense
- Defence playstyle: balanced;
- Width: 4 bars;
- Depth: 3 or 4 bars (setting a lower value will give the opponent more space in the middle of the field).
Offensive
- Attack playstyle: possession of the ball;
- Width: 5 bars;
- Players in box: 3 bars;
- Corners: 1 bars;
- Free kicks: 1 bar.
Instructions
- Central defenders: stay back, normal interceptions;
- Side defenders: stay in the back, normal interceptions, mixed offense;
- Defensive midfielders: stay in the back, balanced defense, normal interceptions, cover center;
- Offensive midfielders: return to defense, balanced runs on goal, guard position, normal interceptions;
- Striker: balanced width of play, mixed attack, normal interceptions, basic defense support.
Defensive game plan
You can use a defensive game plan when you have a 1 or 2 goal advantage and you don't want to take unnecessary risks when there are about 30 minutes left. The defensive plan allows for safe play, but it also gives you the ability to go into the offensive.
Defense
- Defence playstyle: balanced;
- Width: 4 or 5 bars;
- Depth: 3 or 4 bars (setting a lower value will give the opponent more space in the middle of the field).
Offensive
- Attack playstyle: balanced or possession of the ball;
- Width: 6 bars;
- Players in box: 5 bars;
- Corners: 2 bars;
- Free kicks: 2 bars.
Instructions
- Central defenders: stay back, normal interceptions;
- Side defenders: stay in the back, normal interceptions, mixed offense;
- Central defensive midfielder (more offensive-oriented): balanced defense, balanced offense, normal interceptions, center cover;
- Central defensive midfielder (more defensive-oriented): stay in the back, balanced defense, normal interceptions, center cover;
- Central offensive midfielders: return to defense, get into the box for cross, stick to position, normal interceptions;
- Striker: balanced width of play, mixed attack, normal interceptions, basic defense support.
Balanced game plan
A balanced game plan is one with which your team starts the match. It allows for a solid defensive game, but also to make offensive actions and counter-attacks. You will be using this plan throughout the majority of a match.
Defense
- Defence playstyle: balanced;
- Width: 5 bars;
- Depth: 6 bars for defenders with a good pace (over 70 points). 4-5 bars for slower defenders.
Offensive
- Offence playstyle: balanced;
- Width: 6 bars;
- Players in box: 6 bars;
- Corners: 3 bars;
- Free kicks: 3 bars.
Instructions
- Central defenders: stay back, normal interceptions;
- Side defenders: stay in the back, normal interceptions, mixed offense;
- Central defensive midfielder (more offensive-oriented): balanced defense, balanced offense, normal interceptions, center cover;
- Central defensive midfielder (more defensive-oriented): stay in the back, balanced defense, normal interceptions, center cover;
- Central offensive midfielders: basic defensive support, balanced runs on goal, stick to position, normal interceptions;
- Striker: balanced width of play, mixed attack, normal interceptions, basic defense support.
Attacking game plan
The attacking game plan is usually used when there are about 30 minutes left and the opponent has a 1 goal advantage. It should be noted, however, that the intense pressing will make your players get tired faster.
Defense
- Defense playstyle: pressing after losing the ball;
- Width: 5 bars;
- Depth: 7 bars for defenders with good pace (over 70 points). 6 bars for slower defenders.
Offensive
- Offence playstyle: balanced;
- Width: 6 bars;
- Players in box: 6 or 7 bars;
- Corners: 4 bars;
- Free kicks: 4.
Instructions
- Central defenders: stay back, normal interceptions;
- Side defenders: stay in the back, normal interceptions, mixed offense;
- Central defensive midfielder (more offensive-oriented): balanced defense, balanced offense, normal interceptions, center cover;
- Central defensive midfielder (more defensive-oriented): stay in the back, balanced defense, normal interceptions, center cover;
- Central offensive midfielders: basic defensive support, balanced runs on goal, stick to position, normal interceptions;
- Striker: balanced width of play, mixed attack, normal interceptions, basic defense support.
Ultra Offensive game plan
Ultra offensive game plan is used in situations where there are only a few minutes left in the match and the opponent still has at least a one-goal advantage. It should be noted here that using this game plan puts you at risk of a counterattack. Also, your players will get tired faster.
Defense
- Defense playstyle: constant pressing;
- Width: 5 bars;
- Depth: 7 bars for defenders with good pace (over 70 points). 6 bars for slower defenders.
Offensive
- Offensive playstyle: create actions fast;
- Width: 6 bars;
- Players in box: 7 bars;
- Corners: 4 bars;
- Free kicks: 4.
Instructions
- Central defenders: stay back, normal interceptions;
- Side defenders: stay in the back, normal interceptions, mixed offense;
- Central defensive midfielder (more offensive): balanced defense, balanced attack, normal interceptions, cover wing;
- Central defensive midfielder( more defensive): stay back, balanced defense, normal interceptions, cover wing;
- Central offensive midfielders: basic defensive support, balanced runs on goal, stick to position, normal interceptions;
- Striker: balanced width of play, mixed attack, normal interceptions, basic defense support.