England utilized this formation on their method to the Globe Cup semi-finals as it protected their unreliable defense without the need of sacrificing numbers in midfield. The weakness can come in the wide regions, with just the wing-backs around the flanks, but if they get the suitable help in the center backs, central midfielders and strikers, this concern can be resolved. It can be essential that 1 of your attackers is pacey, and need to appear to drift into Wide regions. All of your outfield players apart from your most central defender and most central midfielder need to have a lot of legs to cease gaps from appearing. To help you with the defensive perform, get no less than 1 of the strikers to go in for aggressive interceptions and press the backline on the directions tab. Your two wider central midfielders must be conservative in their interceptions to balance this out.

FIFA Expert's recommended work rates:
Right Wing Back – High Attacking / High Defensive
Left-Wing Back – High Attacking / High Defensive
Right CB – Low Attacking / High Defensive
Left CB – Low Attacking / High Defensive
Central CB – Low Attacking / Medium Defensive
Right CM – Medium Attacking / Medium Defensive
Left CM – Medium Attacking / Medium Defensive
Central CM – Medium Attacking / Medium Defensive
Right Striker – High Attacking / Low Defensive
Left Striker - High Attacking / Low Defensive

Strengths: The most solid of the five at the back formations in terms of defensive set-up and overall structure. This is mostly down to the extra CM, which in turn means the team shape has a better balance and can usually match other teams in midfield with the defense again being very hard to break down. If you have two quick forwards with good stamina, you can still pose opposition defenders lots of problems.

Weaknesses: Lacks the natural width playing with 3 CM's who needs to be balanced in terms of work rates. If the 3 CM's sit deeper, then options in the box are also limited. This is so the ST's aren't isolated for the entire game as it will be easy to defend against. The defensive work rates aren't as vital for the CM's, but if they can provide some cover to the back five then obviously it will make you harder to break down.

Key player/position: 3 CB's. As above the only time we have selected the CB's for a key position. They are the spine and core of the team. At least two of the center-backs need to be comfortable in possession of the ball to start your attacks as well as being tall, strong, athletic and quick. There are only a handful of players who fit this criterion, so if using the 5-3-2 makes sure you select your CB's carefully and build the team around them.

Most suited style of play: A very rigid set-up allows for patient build-up in terms of passing with focus through the CM positions.