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5-4-1

Diagram of a 5-4-1 on a pitch: the back five highlighted in red, a flat midfield four in front of it and a single striker.

Formations and roles · Analysis

5-4-1 Formation: Nine Behind the Ball and One Man Up Front

The 5-4-1 plays five defenders, four midfielders and a lone striker. How the back five defends deep, where it counters, and how to break it down.

3 Oct 2026 · 8 min read

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