15 Tactical Formations and What They're Good for | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
David Schmidt
Published Mar 23, 2026
The 4-4-1-1 and the 4-4-2 are like cousins. They're closely related, yet several differences exist between them.
This formation is one of the most flexible in world football and can be used to counter almost any specific threat the opposition provides.
It's essentially four at the back, a flat-four midfield, one support striker and one out-and-out striker. Modern football has seen managers twist this formation in directions previously unheard of, though, and some of its uses are fascinating.
Slaven Bilic used Mario Mandzukic in a "suffoco" role for Croatia during Euro 2012 to nullify the threat of Andrea Pirlo, while Michel Gonzalez used Ivan Rakitic in the same way for Sevilla's 1-0 victory over Real Madrid this season.
The spare "1" can also be used to drop off and aid the retention of the ball like Wayne Rooney did last season for Manchester United, or it can even be used as a Marouane Fellaini-esque supplementary target man.
