Cape Verde’s 4-3-1-2 wins them a quarter final spot

In a tournament that has seen the prevalence of the 4-2-3-1 formation, it is quite interesting and also something to marvel at that Cape Verde, one of the underdogs of the tournament, managed to deviate from the norm and chose to use a 4-3-1-2 (4-4-2 diamond midfield) as their default formation. In their group, both Morocco and Angola used the 4-2-3-1 and the host South Africa using 4-4-2.
 

On paper at least, it would appear that the 4-3-1-2 would offer little resistance to the 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 largely due to the lack of width attached to it. However, it does allow for its proponents to dominate central midfield. In the games against South Africa and Morocco, Cape Verde did dominate possession, especially in the first half. They also won more free kicks. Both the above mentioned teams had problems dealing with the midfield diamond and more especially Platini, the designated trequartista. His movement between the lines and the mobility of the front three is excellent though has to be started that Platini isn’t the traditional playmaker of the likes of Zidane or Riquelme.

The main problem was that Cape Verde’s opponents failed to attack using the flanks thus taking advantage of the lack of width of the 4-3-1-2 formation. Even when they did, they failed to move the ball quick enough from flank to flank thus unbalancing their opponents. It is also important to note that Cape Verde did put effort in overcoming their weakness by the front two moving out wide and dropping alongside Platini making two banks of three during the defensive phase.  Nonetheless, had the ball been moved quicker, they still would have had problems.
 

To illustrate this point further, back in the 2012 Uefa champions league knockout stage first leg between AC Milan and Arsenal, it is alleged that Milan, who were using a 4-3-1-2 formation, deliberately made sure that the turf on the flanks wasn’t good in an attempt to force Arsenal’s wide attackers and fullbacks inwards where the pitch was good. Maximiliano Allegri knew the weakness of this formation but stifled Arsenal’s attacks down the flanks with that simple ploy. However, in the second leg which was played at the Emirates, Arsenal made full use of the flanks stretching the play and winning the game 3-0. The penultimate game in the Seri A 2011-2012, AC Milan played against Inter. Stramaccioni went with a 4-4-2 flat midfield and made sure to overload one flank and then quickly switch play to the right flank where Maicon was stationed and marauding forward. The Brazilian’s majestic strike coming down the right flank sums up how effective use of the flanks can easily guarantee a win against a 4-3-1-2 formation.

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Pay close attention to the turf on the flanks. This was done delebarately so that arsenal could not attack down the flanks