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5-4-1 formation: positions and roles

A 5-4-1 formation has a goalkeeper and ten outfield players: 5 in defence, 4 in midfield and 1 in attack, as the digits read from the back.

5-4-1 formation diagram with every position
There is no settled shirt numbering for a back three, so the diagram shows positions only.

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Positions in the 5-4-1

Position
Goalkeeper
Left wing-back
Centre-back
Centre-back
Centre-back
Right wing-back
Left midfielder
Central midfielder
Central midfielder
Right midfielder
Striker

All positions and what their numbers mean

How the shape changes

With the ball it often turns into a 3-4-3 formation. 3-4-3

With the ball it often turns into a 3-4-2-1 formation. 3-4-2-1

Read the full guide to the 5-4-1 formation

How many defenders, midfielders and forwards are in a 5-4-1?

A 5-4-1 formation has a goalkeeper and ten outfield players: 5 in defence, 4 in midfield and 1 in attack. The digits of a formation count the outfield lines from the back.

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