Counter-attacking is a unique tactic in the sense that it appears in numerous different sports and is common at both amateur and professional levels. Despite how common and universally understood it is, the tactic is still completely viable in the modern game, and many teams today will base their entire system around the concept.
Although basing an entire team around counter-attacking may seem elementary, it's a great tactic to use when implemented correctly, as it inherently offers defensive solidity while also providing a constant attacking threat. Furthermore, it can be used by both defensive sides, like Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace team, and offensive sides, like Ole Gunnar Solskjær's Manchester United.
This guide will look at three different formations in particular, though the counter-attacking system detailed later in the guide can be implemented for almost any common shape in Football Manager. It's important to note that this guide shouldn't simply be copied but used as a general guide that can be altered to suit the needs of the available players and expose opposition weaknesses. Finally, it's worth mentioning that this guide will be geared towards teams that are set up with a defensive mentality, as it's the most common use for the tactic.
Updated on July 27, 2021, by Jack Pursey: Unfortunately, when it comes to implementing a style of play, creating the tactics is only half of the battle. Without the right players, the team's entire game-plan will crumble, as they will simply be unable to effectively perform the style that their manager is aiming for.
So, to give managers an idea of what players to sign, we've included a model team of recognizable players that suit this guide's counter-attacking style. The intent isn't to give a list of players that should be signed, but a team of players with well-known strengths and weaknesses, so that managers can look for similar players within their price range.
7 Shape 1 - 433
The 433 formation rose in popularity with Johan Cruyff's Ajax and Barcelona teams before becoming one of the most common shapes in the world when José Mourinho won his first Premier League title with Chelsea.
The shape offers excellent defensive cover thanks to the three players in midfield, including a defensive midfielder that will guard the two center-backs. The pictured formation's player roles are designed for the team to predominantly attack down the left-hand side. Attacking down one side is ideal for teams that are wary about the strength of the opposition, as it ensures that the team isn't over-exposed when moving up the pitch.
As mentioned before, this guide is geared towards defensive-minded teams, so a Cautious Mentality has been selected to ensure that the side prioritizes defense but is willing to burst forward when a counter-attacking opportunity presents itself.
6 Shape 2 - 4411
The 4411 formation has grown in prominence over the last few decades after the 442 formation fell out of fashion due to its lack of cover in the center of the pitch. The 4411 fixes the 442's issue in a straightforward way by dropping one of the midfielders back into an attacking midfield position.
One similarity between all three formations in this guide is that it's important to have at least one defender who is comfortable on the ball. This isn't essential, but it's highly advisable as a competent passer at the back can be a great weapon for starting an attack; the goalkeepers in all three shapes are set to Sweeper Keeper with a support role for the same reason.
5 Shape 3 - 4321
The 4231 formation is one of the most popular shapes today. It's very similar to the 4411 but offers more offense, with its two wingers pushed further up the field to create a dangerous attacking unit.
In all three of these shapes, it's important to keep the pace of players in mind. Simply put, a counter-attack with a group of slow players isn't going to be as dangerous as one with pacey players on the wings and up top, who can get up the pitch in a flash to expose the opposition's defensive vulnerabilities as soon as possible.
This 4231 formation will be used for the remaining images, but as mentioned before, the style of counter-attacking detailed below can be used in almost any common formation.
4 In Possession
A high Tempo and direct Passing Directness is fundamental in counter-attacking, as it ensures that players are looking to make forward passes as soon as possible, rather than looking to methodically control possession.
Another point of interest is the lack of Final Third selection. This is because counter-attacks are unpredictable, so it's generally a good idea not to offer any specific instruction, as it may not be the optimum option when the counter-attack is in full flow.
Be More Expressive can be selected in Creative Freedom if the team has a great range of talented passers, but it should be used with caution as one poorly placed pass can completely ruin a promising counter-attack, potentially setting up the opposition for a counter-attack of their own.
Attacking Width has been put on Wide, as a good counter-attacking team will use the entire width of the pitch to expose as much free space as possible.
3 In Transition
The In Transition section is the most important element when creating a counter-attacking tactic.
First and foremost, When Possession Has Been Won must be set to Counter, or else the entire game plan will crumble.
For this guide's defensive-minded system, Regroup is the best selection for When Possession Has Been Lost, as it will get plenty of players behind the ball to contain the opposition's attack. Regroup also has its offensive benefits, as the players will be set up in a compact unit that can burst forward together when the team wins the ball back.
As mentioned before, it's beneficial to have a goalkeeper with great distribution when trying to counter-attack. This is why Take Short Kicks has been selected, though it could be worth selecting Take Long Kicks and Distribute Over Opposition Defensive if the team has suitable players for it like Leicester City have with Kasper Schmeichel and Jamie Vardy.
2 Out of Possession
To finalize this guide's concept of putting men behind the ball in defense who will burst forward when the opportunity presents itself, it's important to make sure that the defensive lines are implemented correctly. The lines picture above are ideal, as they provide a compact structure that intends to frustrate the opposition by offering no clear pathways through to the goal.
For teams wanting to be even more defensive, there are a few alterations that can be made. For example, the Defensive Width could be made more narrow, offering an even more compact unit around the box that will push players out to the wings. This narrow defensive shape has its issues, though, as it will harm the team's initial attacking width when counter-attacking.
The defensive lines can also be dropped a notch deeper, though again, this will harm the team's attacking ability.
1 Model Team
To give an idea of what players to look for in the transfer market, above is a model team for the 4231 formation. The chances of getting this exact team is next to impossible, but this Premier League XI of recognizable names should give an insight into the types of players that are ideal for this counter-attacking style of play.
• Ederson - Manchester City's Brazilian keeper earns a spot on this team for his incredible distribution. Ederson can start a deadly attack in a flash by accurately pinging balls out to players all over the pitch for them to run on to.
• Robertson - Andy Robertson has proven to be one of the most dangerous wing-backs in the world in recent seasons, thanks to his incredible stamina and wand of a left foot that makes him a constant threat in wide areas.
• Van Dijk - Van Dijk is an obvious choice for this model team, as the center-back is both comfortable on the ball going forward and dominant in the box when defending in a low block.
• Maguire - Maguire is on this list for similar reasons to Van Dijk and because his world-class heading ability is invaluable when defending so deep.
• Walker - Walker's pace is predominantly what earns him the right-back spot. The Englishman can bomb up the pitch when the team is counter-attacking and come back and sweep up any danger if the attack fails and the opposition springs a counter-attack of their own.
• Kante - Kante's excellent stamina and ball-winning abilities make him a perfect choice for this team. His ability to constantly charge around the pitch for 90 minutes allows the team to play such a demanding style, while his ability to prevent opposition attacks ensures that the team isn't over-exposed when pressing forward.
• Jorginho - Due to Kante's defensive dominance in the middle of the park, it's possible to employ a more creative midfielder beside him. Kante's fellow Chelsea player is one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the world today, whose passing proficiency has helped his club and national team win the Champions League and European Championship, respectively.
• Mount - Mount completes a Chelsea trio in central midfield, largely thanks to his work rate. There are certainly more creative options than Mount in the Premier League, but due to the counter-attacking team's reliance on springing up and down the pitch with fast transitions, his work rate will be invaluable.
• Rashford - Ole Gunnar Solskjær's Machester United side has become known for its counter-attacking proficiency, so it makes sense to include one of his key players. Marcus Rashford is an absolute nightmare for opposition full-backs, with his blistering pace and close-control that help him skip past defenders with ease.
• Sancho - Manchester United have finally got their man, signing Jadon Sancho after a year of trying. United's reason for singing Sancho is exactly why he features in this model team, as he can improve the counter-attacking side by providing creativity from the wings while also offering solid work rate down the right side.
• Vardy - Jamie Vardy is a near-perfect striker for counter-attacking systems, thanks to his fantastic acceleration that lets him get one-on-one with the keeper. Vardy is also one of the best finishers in the Premier League and has the ability to find the back of the net while running at full pace.
A handy way to look for similar players to the 11 above is to click on the player's profile and then head to the Player Comparison option. This will offer an easy-to-understand comparison of the two chosen players, letting managers purchase their own variation of this counter-attacking team within their club's price range.