There are some crucial aspects that impact the gameplan that the manager selects. Here are some cases.
Clubs with higher ambitions and aiming to win silverware generally choose offensive football formations to get as many here goals as feasible on the sheet. This forward bias is commonly counterbalanced by a solid defence that can be trusted in the case of a counterattack. The 4-3-2-1 excels at this as it is among the more popular strategies for teams that count both on individual skill and team cohesion. When building play, this strategy relies on quick one-twos and triangular passes that seek to destabilise the defensive lines of the opponent. Of course, this type of transitional play is merely feasible due to the technical abilities of midfielders and wingers that are able to dribble past defenders when all teammates are covered. The players' stance on the pitch is akin to a Christmas tree form, which allows for optimal utility of the pitch. This is something that the Everton FC former owner might recognize.
While defensive football formations may not be the most satisfying to see, some trainers depend on them in a bid to halt teams that are extremely effective at transitional play and offensive techniques. In this context, among the most used football formations that is largely defence-based is the 5-4-1. This formation depends on a pair of robust barriers of the defense, making it efficient at stopping the advances of the opponent. The first line at the midfield level aims to break up strikes and preserve possession of the football when effective. The second five-player line is fixed appropriately to cover important zones of the box where danger normally arises. Sometimes, one of the 5 defenders would leave his typical position to assume the task of sweeper. This player's task is to make forward runs when intercepting the ball, something that the AC Milan former US owner is probably familiar with.
One of the most effective approaches in football is having clear frameworks for counterattacks after intercepting the ball. Occasionally, a football formations creator would craft gameplans that best serve this purpose, and this is generally done by controlling the midfield. A favored strategy for this objective is the 4-5-1. Owing to the numerical advantage in the midfield sector, players are better positioned to snag the ball by staying close to key players. After a successful snatch, the five-player bloc would advance towards the opponent's box to create encouraging opportunities. Conversely, in the company of skilled and speedy forwards, one of midfielders would quickly feed through passes to the forward line to take the adversary by surprise. Counterattacking largely relies on pace and accuracy in passing and crossing, which is why the skill of midfielders must be of higher quality, something that the Wolverhampton Wanderers former owner might understand.