Challenges 7 Crazy Formations, 7 Seasons, 1 TEAM Challenge

[Cockers2505]

7 Formations, 7 Seasons but only 1 Team battles the Crazy Formations

This challenge could be the key to finding the challenge that unlocks your missing Gem, this could make you or break you.

Formations and tactics are crucial in football. Striking the right balance between attack and defence is instrumental in building a successful team. The vast majority of coaches are usually quite rigid in their approach to formations.The modern game has seen the rise of the 4-2-3-1, while the 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 systems are also still widely deployed. Of course, former Premier League managers such as Brendan Rodgers and Louis van Gaal have popularised playing three at the back. While using just a trio of defenders may not seem all that strange in the context of the modern game, once upon a time it was viewed as outrageous. Down the years, certain managers and teams have broken free from the shackles of tactical rigidity and found success with more outlandish and daring formations. Here are seven teams that flourished with weird and crazy formations.

There is no Transfers allowed or other countries selected but the one of your team due to these Formations had to be made with the teams they already had be it Internationals or Injuries.

Can you take maximum points with the same team, using the different Formations each Season. The following Formations to use for this Crazy Challenge is: 

Formation 1 - Ajax (1994/95): 3-3-1-3

Spoiler

In 1995, Louis van Gaal’s Ajax captured the imagination of the footballing world by winning the Champions League using a team built on the strength of its own homegrown talent. That season, Ajax also went unbeaten en route to a Dutch league triumph and looked utterly unshakable. 

What was strange, however, was that they looked unshakable using an extremely odd formation. Van Gaal stretched the boundaries of tactical conventions and consistently played with a 3-3-1-3 formation.

Frank de Boer, Danny Blind and Michael Reiziger were often used as the defensive trio behind the sitting midfielder, Frank Rijkaard. Further forward in midfield were two of either Edgar Davids, Ronald de Boer and Clarence Seedorf. Then, Van Gaal had the immensely gifted Jari Litmanen roaming the channels in a free-role behind the front three of Finidi George, Marc Overmars and Patrick Kluivert. 

It was a truly astonishing system used at Ajax, but one that bore great fruit for the Amsterdam club. Van Gaal was hailed as a tactical genius for his innovative style at Ajax and it is a reputation which has largely stayed with him through his coaching odyssey right up to his tenure with Manchester United. 

Season 1 - The Ajax Formation

 

Season 2 - Australia (2006): 3-6-1

Spoiler

Under another Dutch maestro, Guus Hiddink, Australia excelled employing the little-used 3-6-1 formation and managed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1974 using that particular system. Having six men in midfield, deployed in two banks of three, enabled Hiddink to facilitate tactical fluidity as he could adjust the shape to suit attacking and defensive needs relatively smoothly. 

Mark Viduka was usually deployed as a lone striker, but he was supported by a trio of attacking midfielders – Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell and Jason Culina. The formation helped Australia see plenty of possession during the World Cup. They managed 55%, 56% and 58% against Japan, Croatia and Italy respectively, even managing to gain 47% of the ball against a vastly superior Brazil squad. 

Reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup was an immense achievement for the Socceroos and their journey that year showed that a 3-6-1 formation can actually be quite effective.

Season 2 - The Australia Formation

Season 3 - Barcelona (2009/10): 4-2-4

Spoiler

Pep Guardiola is a managerial mastermind, there are no two ways about it. When he succeeded Frank Rijkaard at the helm of the Camp Nou, nobody expected that their former captain would sweep all before him in a managerial tour de force that left the watching world wishing they played like the Catalan giants. 

Although Guardiola mainly used a conventional 4-3-3, at times he switched it to a 4-2-4. The 4-2-4 is a notoriously difficult formation to execute adequately as it is the formation that leaves a lack of balance in midfield. Lesser teams would simply be overrun in the middle if they chose this particular system, but Barcelona under Guardiola were not a lesser team. 

With Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi and Pedro Rodriguez all alternating the role of ‘main striker’, Barcelona thrived and won four trophies that season – the La Liga trophy, UEFA Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana and the Club World Cup. 

Entrusting Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets to efficiently carry out the midfield duties, Guardiola had Henry, Andres Iniesta, Messi and Pedro all operating in an attacking role.

Season 3 - The Barcelona Formation

Season 4 - Spain (2012): 4-6-0

Spoiler

Vicente Del Bosque’s Euro 2012 winning Spain side gave rise to the ‘False Nine’ formation, using it to perfect effect as they won the tournament playing football that their opponents simply could not contend with.

Del Bosque’s cutting edge tactics helped propel Spain to unprecedented levels of success, as they won both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. At times, the false nine formation was used with devastating impact. Cesc Fabregas performed the role of the false nine with great aplomb, scoring twice despite the role being recognised as one of the toughest in football. 

Barcelona, under Pep Guardiola, also found great success using the false nine, but it is a tactical trend which has largely gone out of fashion in recent years. 

Season 4 - The Spain Formation

Season 5 - Bayern Munich (2013/14): 3-4-3

Spoiler

Guardiola strikes again. At Bayern, his latest managerial masterstroke had been the dawning of the 3-4-3 at the Allianz Arena. Recognising that Bayern had sufficient ammunition and tactical nous to inhabit such a system, Guardiola tweaked the system of his predecessor, Jupp Heynckes, and to great effect. 

The Catalonian tactician made use of Bayern’s tremendous squad depth. Following a mounting injury list which included Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Guardiola transformed Philippe Lahm into a meticulous deep-lying midfielder.

Lahm proved to be an outstanding deputy in midfield and Bayern were rampant in the Bundesliga once again, clinching the title in record time on matchday 27, ending up with a winning margin of 19 points.

Season 5 - The Bayern Munich Formation

Season 6 - Chile (2010): 3-3-1-3

Spoiler

Another intriguing tactical innovation at the 2010 World Cup was Marcelo Bielsa’s attack-minded 3-3-1-3 with Chile. The eccentric coach has always possessed a fascinating tactical artillery and he used it in South Africa as his Chile side garnered many plaudits for their endeavour and bold style of play. 

He had four defensively minded players in his side, the back three and the holding midfielder. He then had two wing-backs who surged forward energetically, adding pace and penetration to the Chilean attacks.

The idea behind Bielsa’s system at Chile was to press high and aggressively and stretch the play whenever possible. The system let players such as Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal come to prominence and announce themselves as two of the world’s most talented footballers. 

Under the 3-3-1-3, Bielsa and Chile left the 2010 World Cup with their heads held high after valiantly bowing out at the last-16 stage following a defeat to Brazil.

Season 6 - The Chile Formation 

Season 7 - France (1984): 4-2-2-2

Spoiler

This was Les Blues’ fabled ‘Magic Square’ formation which is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest midfields in footballing history. Coach Michel Hidalgo constructed a midfield of supreme creativity, muscle and technique with the quartet of Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, Spanish-born Luis Fernandez and the magnificent Michel Platini.

With Fernandez occupying the holding role, Tigana, Platini and Giresse all had license to roam and display their remarkable playmaking qualities. Tigana would regularly drop in beside Fernandez to ensure France’s back four were receiving sufficient cover.

Working wonderfully in tandem, the talented quartet acted as both the engine room and creative hub of the triumphant France side. Platini, operating at the peak of his powers, scored a stunning 9 goals in 5 games to help propel his nation to European glory.

Season 7 - The France Formation 

You simply need to pick ONE team for the whole challenge, taking 1 Formation and 1 season at a time, before re-loading and move onto the next season.

Challenge

• Load ONE country of choice (The one who's team you are managing)
• Pick 1 Team as your Challenge Team
• Select the Formation in numbered order (Ajax formation then Australia etc etc)
• Try and win as much as possible
• After 1 season, start again with the same country, same team

Rules

• Only 1 Team allowed throughout the Challenge
• Only 1 Country selected
• No TRANSFERS allowed
• Any Tactics allowed, but no changing the Formations
• Sacked, so what, move on to next formation 
• No editing of any sort including hex or IGE.
• No unlockables unless earned in the save.
• No reloading.
• If you are sacked, don't worry, just Minus 10 Points and continue
• Have fun.

Screenshot Required

• Managerial before and after
• Transfer History
• League Table
• Tactics Page

Scores

• League Points +
• Goals Average (GD) +
• 50 Points Bonus for Winning the League
• 20 Points Bonus for any Cup's Won
• -10 for being Sacked

Leaderboard

@geordiekrispy 322 Pts  - Career

Edited December 6, 2018 by Cockers2505
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[BatiGoal]

Dude, Cockers mate, looks like you made this challenge just for me. 😅 My kinda challenge. Love it!! 

Informative read as well. Kinda lazy to posts careers atm but I really have to give this one a shot. 👍 

[Cockers2505]

1 hour ago, BatiGoal said:

Dude, Cockers mate, looks like you made this challenge just for me. 😅 My kinda challenge. Love it!! 

Informative read as well. Kinda lazy to posts careers atm but I really have to give this one a shot. 👍 

Cheers mate, I actually thought for some reason I would get nobody to want to try it due to the lack of transfers, and the one team only rule?

Thanks for your comments mate, it's made my day 🙂

[Kanegan]

Brilliant challenge mate.

[BatiGoal]

1 hour ago, Cockers2505 said:

Cheers mate, I actually thought for some reason I would get nobody to want to try it due to the lack of transfers, and the one team only rule?

Thanks for your comments mate, it's made my day 🙂

The lack of transfers is appealing to me. Gives me less to overthink 😂 and the one team as well, but more importantly it makes for a great comparison between each of the 7 formations. So for me it feels like an experiment and challenge in one. Having the 4-2-4 in there is a bonus for me hehe! 

[Cockers2505]

Thanks mate, I left it up to the individual how they want to work out the Tactic, some will play a INF where others will pick a AM or winger, and some will pick a Poacher or Target man, I'll probably pick the CF, so as long as the position stays the same, the Tactic is up to the Challenger

[Kanegan]

Just now, Cockers2505 said:

Thanks mate, I left it up to the individual how they want to work out the Tactic, some will play a INF where others will pick a AM or winger, and some will pick a Poacher or Target man, I'll probably pick the CF, so as long as the position stays the same, the Tactic is up to the Challenger

Poacher or TM for me as well. In my Pensioner's challenge, these are the two roles that i have played with and have got success. Also playing as a poacher limits the injuries for this oldies i think as i have not had a single critical injury till now, atleast in Newcastle.

[Titjes]

Great looking challenge mate

For season 4 and 7 I take it you need to play ITN teams? 

[Cockers2505]

9 hours ago, Titjes said:

Great looking challenge mate

For season 4 and 7 I take it you need to play ITN teams? 

No mate, just the INT formation, this is a challenge for 1 team, so for example you pick Man City, every Formation has to be played with Man City each season, the tactics can be of your choice, but the Formation and the Team has to stay the same throughout

I'm happy to take suggestions or tinker it a little if better ideas to improve it though?

[Titjes]

7 hours ago, Cockers2505 said:

No mate, just the INT formation, this is a challenge for 1 team, so for example you pick Man City, every Formation has to be played with Man City each season, the tactics can be of your choice, but the Formation and the Team has to stay the same throughout

I'm happy to take suggestions or tinker it a little if better ideas to improve it though?

Ooh like that, missunderstood a bit

I think I'm going to take a shot at this

[FuddledFox]

Love the fact you based this challenge on some classic old formations.

Great work.

[geordiekrispy]

Currently trying this challenge with Newcastle. Just halfway through the first season and formation and it's actually fairly hard as they don't have the best midfield or defence. I'm getting some crazy results... It's like watching Keegan's entertainers...

Muto in a poacher role is smashing them in.

 

I'll do a proper right up hopefully Monday night.

 

Edited November 25, 2018 by geordiekrispy

[Cockers2505]

19 hours ago, Foxy said:

Love the fact you based this challenge on some classic old formations.

Great work.

Cheers Foxy, thought long and hard about making a Challenge where you don't have an option of picking the Formation, as for the Tactics being your own Idea, I thought someone might find their favoured Formation for future Challenges or Careers, I'll be giving it a go when I complete my other challenge

5 hours ago, geordiekrispy said:

Currently trying this challenge with Newcastle. Just halfway through the first season and formation and it's actually fairly hard as they don't have the best midfield or defence. I'm getting some crazy results... It's like watching Keegan's entertainers...

Muto in a poacher role is smashing them in.

 

I'll do a proper right up hopefully Monday night.

 

Glad to see you give it a go @geordiekrispy, I guess you are getting these scores with the Ajax Formation? I said in the challenge be wise who you pick, each formation will not suite some teams , and others it will fit perfect. Good luck mate, you will have to make your own career thread so we can see how you get on.

Muto looks really good currently, look forward to seeing your Career with this mate

[geordiekrispy]

@Cockers2505 One thig

On 23/11/2018 at 21:20, Cockers2505 said:

 

Challenge

• Load ONE country of choice (The one who's team you are managing)
• Pick 1 Team as your Challenge Team
• Select the Formation in numbered order (Ajax formation then Australia etc etc)
• Try and win as much as possible
• After 1 season, start again with the same country, same team

Rules

• Only 1 Team allowed throughout the Challenge
• Only 1 Country selected
• No TRANSFERS allowed
• Any Tactics allowed, but no changing the Formations
• Sacked, so what, move on to next formation 
• No editing of any sort including hex or IGE.
• No unlockables unless earned in the save.
• No reloading.
• If you are sacked, don't worry, just Minus 10 Points and continue
• Have fun.

Screenshot Required

• Managerial before and after
• Transfer History
• League Table
• Tactics Page

Scores

• League Points +
• Goals Average (GA) +
• 50 Points Bonus for Winning the League
• 20 Points Bonus for any Cup's Won
• -10 for being Sacked

 

One thing that's just occurred to me @Cockers2505, for goals average points; you say GA, but that normally means Goals Against.  Do you mean that or goal difference?  Or if you have a minus goal difference, do we minus points from our score?

 

[Cockers2505]

Sorry mate, I mean Goal Difference,  I will amend thanks

[Tigahz]

Can we use players promoted from the youth team?

[Cockers2505]

11 minutes ago, Tigahz said:

Can we use players promoted from the youth team?

Yes mate, just no transfers in