Over the years, football has become more tactical. At the core of this are new and evolved game principles and formations. Where football used to be an all-offense game, it has since introduced more balanced formations where defence is given just as much importance. No two teams using the same formation will play exactly alike. However, formations generally give an idea about a team’s intentions, strengths and weaknesses.
So, how have football formations changed over time? What are currently the most common formations? And how have some formations changed the game?
Early formations: from attack only to 235
In the early days, football was mostly a game of attackers, where a formation of 118 was not uncommon. The first more structured formation was the Pyramid formation (235). Putting slightly more focus on defence compared to before, it included a back two of fullbacks, a midfield of three halfbacks and a forward line of five. By the 1890s, the 235-formation had become the standard.
Uruguay used the Pyramid formation when they won the 1924 and 1928 Olympics and the 1930 World Cup. During those three tournaments, La Celeste played 14 matches, scoring on average 3.4 goals per match while conceding 0.7. They had the best defensive record amongst those reaching at least the quarterfinals.
Most teams used a 235-formation, and the scores reflected the formation’s attacking nature. The 1924 and 1928 Olympics recorded 4.0 and 6.11 goals per match respectively. At both tournaments around half of the matches ended in a goal difference of three or more goals (including an 11-3 in the bronze medal match).
At the 1930 World Cup, there were 3.89 goals per match. With champion Uruguay scoring 15 goals (3.75 goals per match) and conceding three (0.75 goals per match) in four matches. With the introduction of formations that give as much relevance to defence as offense, offensive output has decreased. The 2022 World Cup, for example, recorded 2.69 goals per match (comparable in 2014 and 2018). While 2.29 goals per match were scored at Euro 2024.
The 2323-formation and changes in the offside rule
With time more formations were introduced, including the 2323-formation (Metodo formation). This setup strengthened both the midfield and defence, while still allowing for effective attacking. The Italian national team used the system while winning the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. During the 1934 tournament, Italy had the best defensive record by conceding only 0.6 goals per match. Including recording two clean sheets in five matches.
In 1925, the offside rule had been changed so only two instead of three players had to be between an attacker and the goal line to be onside. It resulted in the introduction of the 3223-formation (WM formation) that included a centre back supporting the two fullbacks. Especially in England, clubs used it effectively. With manager Herbert Chapman eventually refining the system at Arsenal, creating an effective counter-attacking team. In the 1930s, the Gunners dominated English football, winning five league titles and two FA Cups. Between 1930/31 and 1934/35, Arsenal scored on average 105 goals per season while conceding 52.2 (in the league). It had become the favourite formation for most English clubs by the end of the 1930s.
During the 1950s and 1960s, several new formations were successfully introduced. Including the 3232 and 334 formations. The former being the preferred choice of the Hungarian Golden Team, considered the best international football team. In 69 games between 1950 and 1956, they recorded a win percentage of 84 percent scoring on average 6.3 goals per match.
The first formation using a back four, the 424, was also introduced with success. With the Hungarians and Brazilians developing it further.
433-formation at the basis of Total Football
By adding an extra midfielder instead of a forward, the 433-formation arose. Although used occasionally throughout the 1950s and 1960s, it became famous in combination with Total Football during the 1970s. It was the formation used by the Dutch national team during their famous 1974 World Cup campaign. In which they scored 2.1 goals per match, while conceding 0.4. Eventually losing out on the title to Germany.
Ajax also preferred the 433-formation when they won three consecutive European Cups between 1970/71 and 1972/73. They played 69 percent of their matches in a 433-formation, including all three European Cup finals. Across those three seasons, they scored on average 2.7 goals per match while conceding 0.6.
The 433-formation is by many still considered a pillar of the Dutch football school. Despite some big-name managers having deviated from it. Like Louis van Gaal during the 2014 World Cup. Believing his team would not be able to compete with the world’s best with a back four, he moved from a 433-formation to a 352 and 532. In Brazil, the Netherlands finished third scoring 15 goals, while conceding four in seven matches. Noticeable was that van Gaal decided, or was forced due to the scoreline, to change his formation midgame multiple times.
The rise of the 4231-formation
Adjusting formations to suit the players, combined with tactical innovations have led to the introduction of many new formations over the years. Simultaneously, teams’ preferred formation has also changed over time. For example, the 422-formation was traditionally popular amongst Premier League teams. However, this is no longer their first choice.
Between 2020/21 and 2023/24, the 4231-formation was the most popular in the Premier League. It was used as starting formation 30 percent of the time. In 2023/24, even 39 percent of the 760 starting lineups used it. With nine teams using the formation as their first choice.2
The 4231-formation’s popularity continues growing. During the first seven weeks of the 2024/25 season, it was used in 57.1 percent of the starting XIs. By then 17 teams had used it, including 11 teams using it as their first choice. The strength of the 4231-formation (or tweaked versions like the 4321 and 4321) lies in allowing teams to more effectively block off passing lanes to central midfield.
433-formation still popular
Only during the 2021/22 season was the 433-formation used more often (24 percent of the time) than the 4231 (21 percent). With the 433 being the second most popular formation during these four seasons with 23 percent. In 2023/24, the top 13 sides all favoured either the 4231 or 433. Only one of the bottom seven teams used them as their preferred setup (Nottingham Forest with a 4231).
433 was the preferred starting formation of both Arsenal and Liverpool during 2023/24. Not once did they deviate from it during league games. However, both teams have players who can and would drop into other positions. So, it was more of a fluid formation that would alter based on being in or out of ball possession and the phase of the game.
Compared to 2022/23, the 433-formation was used six percent points less (2023/24: 23 percent). Yet, it was still above the 2020/21 levels (15 percent of the time).
Once popular 442-formation losing ground
In the meantime, the 422-formation seems to be losing popularity. With its usage across the league declining from 17 percent in 2020/21 to seven percent in 2023/24. During the 2023/24 season, only one Premier League club (Burnley) used it as preferred option. Its decreasing popularity could be explained by the formation’s weaknesses. With the two central midfielders in a 442 often being dominated by teams playing a three-man midfield. While also being vulnerable to line-breaking passes.
The 442-formation has long been a popular choice though. Especially during the 1990s and early 2000s. It was also Sir Alex Ferguson’s first choice formation during his 27 seasons at Manchester United where he won 38 titles. During his last five season (2008/09 – 2012/13), he used it 59 percent of the time. Sometimes using a diamond, other times a flat midfield with double six.
The 4231-formation was his second most used starting formation (23 percent of the time). During his final season, he used it more often (59 percent) than a 442-formation (33 percent). Remarkable as he had used the 442-formation in 81 percent of the matches the season prior in which United finished second.
The formation change did not impact the number of points in the league (both 89). Across all competitions, United earned slightly more points (2.15 vs 2.09). While output decreased from 2.2 goals per match to 2.1. Furthermore, United conceded more goals on average (1.2) than the season prior (1.0).
The 352-formation
An alternative to the four-man defence remains a three-man back line. Argentina won the 1986 World Cup using a 352-formation. With the formation also popular during the following World Cup. As there are three central defenders, there is more freedom to step up into midfield to defend or during buildup. The wingbacks have a key role. They generally cover the most distance and support both the attack and defence. The formation can also be tweaked into a 532-system making the setup more defensive.
Some managers use the formation often, including Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini and Antonio Conte. The latter used a 352-formation or back three at multiple teams he managed, including Juventus, the Italian national team, Chelsea, Inter, and Tottenham (currently not at Napoli).
When Conte was appointed manager at Juventus in 2011, the club had just recorded two consecutive seventh place league finishes. During his first season, the 433-formation was his first choice. However, during the second half of the season he used a 352-formation more and more often. Where Juventus scored on average 1.68 goals per match in a 433-formation that season, they scored 1.94 goals per match in the 352-formation. They did concede slightly more on average (0.63 vs 0.5), suggesting the 352 may not have given more defensive security. Overall, Juventus conceded with 26 goals, far less during the 2011/12 season than during the two seasons prior (2010/11: 57 and 2009/10: 71). Seasons in which they never used a 352-formation.
During Conte’s second season, Juventus played in a 352-formation 87 percent of the time. Only once did they line up in a 433. They conceded slightly more (0.72 versus 0.6 in 2011/12), with goals scored rising from 1.79 to 1.83 goals per match. During Conte’s final season at Juventus, they won the title for the third consecutive time. In 95 percent of the matches, they used a 352-formation. They had their most productive season under Conte with 106 goals scored (1.93 per match), while conceding 37 (0.67).
Three at the back losing popularity
In the Premier League, the three-man defence is not as popular as a back four in recent seasons.2 Moreover, it is losing ground. During the 2020/21 season, 30 percent of the starting XIs used a back three. While this was only 21.7 percent during 2023/24. In which five clubs did not use a three-man defence at all.
When using a back three, the 3421, favoured by Luton and Wolves, was more popular than the 352, favoured by Brentford and Sheffield United.
Different formations bring success
There is a lot of variety in the formations used amongst the leagues. The 2023/24 champions of the Big Five leagues all had a different preferred starting formation. Premier League champion Manchester City used a 4231-formation in 53 percent of their matches. They used five different formations. 24 percent of the time they used formations with a back three.
Real Madrid also used five different formations, although always including a back four. With the 4312-formation the most used (68 percent).
Leverkusen only lost the final of the Europa League. The 3421-formation, they used the most (68 percent of the time), was one of six different formations used during the season. Only PSG had with seven different formations more variety. The Ligue 1 champions’ first choice was a 433, which they used 72 percent of the time. While Italian champions Inter saw no need to change formations throughout the season, always starting with a 352-formation.
What starting formation did the 2023/24 Big Five leagues’ champions use?
| Club | League | Different formations | Favourite formation | How often |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | Premier League | 5 | 4231 | 53% |
| Real Madrid | La Liga | 5 | 4312 | 68% |
| Inter | Serie A | 1 | 352 | 100% |
| PSG | Ligue 1 | 7 | 433 | 72% |
| Leverkusen | Bundesliga | 6 | 3421 | 68% |
Europe’s best’s favourite formations
The five last Champions League winners all used their most used starting formation in the final as well. With Chelsea (2020/21) and Manchester City (2022/23) each using their favourite formation 38 percent of the time during their successful Champions League campaigns. Chelsea used the most formations (six) in the Champions League of the last five champions. Which can be explained by Frank Lampard being replaced by Thomas Tuchel midseason. With the German preferring a back three (three variations), where Lampard chose for a back four (also three variations).
Real Madrid won their 14th and 15th Champions League titles in 2021/22 and 2023/24 respectively. Both times they had a clear favourite formation which they also used in the final. However, it was not the same system across the two seasons. In 2021/22, they used a 433-formation 85 percent of the time. While they used a 4312-formation on nine occasions during the 2023/24 season. 2019/20 champion Bayern Munich had a 4231-formation as favourite starting formation (with 73 percent).
Europe’s best thus also prefers different starting formations, with the last five Champions League champions having four different formations as first choice.
What starting formation did the last five Champions League winners use?
| Season | Champion | Different formations | Favourite formation | Used % (matches used/total) | Formation in final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Bayern Munich | 2 | 4231 | 73% (8/11) | 4231 |
| 2020/21 | Chelsea | 6 | 3421 | 38% (5/13) | 3421 |
| 2021/22 | Real Madrid | 3 | 433 attacking | 85% (11/13) | 433 attacking |
| 2022/23 | Manchester City | 4 | 3421 | 38% (5/13) | 3421 |
| 2023/24 | Real Madrid | 4 | 4312 | 69% (9/13) | 4312 |
From rigid to fluid formations
So, there have been many different formations throughout football history. Where football’s early formations were predominantly made up by attackers, these days it can be made up by mostly defenders. With teams sometimes using a defensive 541-formation (or 451) with the defenders and midfielders close together. Its only aim keeping the opposition from scoring by ‘parking the bus’.
Most new formations were introduced to create a more balanced team or to get the maximum out of the players available. Formations are no longer as rigid or sacred for managers though, with teams using different setups in and out of ball possession. It is more about occupying certain zones and game principles. With five substitutes making it even easier to tweak formations during games. Yet, all setups can eventually be distilled in some kind of formation. And as the game keeps developing, new formations or new interpretations of existing formations will continue emerging.