The classic formation. The method came back into fashion in current years using the league successes of Atletico Madrid and Leicester City. Power is essential, with all of your outfield players needing to perform their defensive duties ultimately to win the ball off the opposition who will most likely have an additional man in midfield. Getting two strikers is the principal weapon and be sure no less than one particular of those is mobile sufficient to press the opposition (consider Jamie Vardy at Leicester). 1 of one's central midfielders will have to have to be focussed on defending so make sure his attacking help is changed to stay back through attacking.

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

Strengths: Probably thought of as THE classic formation, but thought of as less ‘fashionable' in the days of 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-2-1-2. However, it is still a reasonably well-balanced formation and an effective one with the right squad of players. The 2 ST's obviously provide you with opportunities for the vastly dangerous 1-2 passing as well as holding the ball up in the final 3 rd of the pitch while the four midfielders join in the attack. As with the 4-4-1-1, the two sets of 4 in front of your GK will be hard to penetrate if you are organized defensively.

Weaknesses: A considerable disadvantage of this formation and probably the reason for its decline in popularity (particularly on FUT) is without the right players with the correct work rates you can be quickly overrun in the middle of the pitch and be left very prone to the counter-attack and your back four exposed. If the opposition has a deep-lying playmaker such as Pirlo, then they can find ample space to dictate the play, which is obviously something you want to try and avoid.

Key player/position: The 2 ST's play a vital role in this formation. At times they can become a tad isolated especially if you have two defensive-minded midfielders or even more so if the wide midfielders are quite conservative in their forward runs as well. Therefore, it is crucial they can work together to create chances for themselves.

Most suited style of play: Possession play with medium-range passing and speed of game. Long balls into ST's can work too if played accurately and quickly from deeper areas in your own half.