The upcoming 2022 World Cup Qualifiers which begins for the Super Eagles on the 3rd of September against Liberia in Lagos has brought about discussion of which players will be involved and what formation will get the best out of them.
In anticipation, these series of articles breaks down Gernot Rohr’s most commonly used formations (1-4-2-3-1, 1-4-4-2, and 1-3-5-2) and attempts to determine the best choice.
While the previous article analysed the 1-4-2-3-1, its strengths, weakness, requirements and how they apply to the national team, today’s article will focus on the 1-4-4-2 formation.
1-4-4-2 (Flat Midfield)
The 1-4-4-2 (same as 4-4-2; 4-4-2 is the truncated form) is usually regarded as the default formation of eleven-a-side football, and is often labeled as a pragmatic choice because of its simple structure.
The formation can be played in several patterns (such as with a diamond midfield, or with two holding midfielders), but this article is going be focusing on the flat midfield variation that Nigeria use.
Due to Kelechi Iheanacho’s current form, Gernot Rohr has brought this formation back into the fold of the Super Eagles so that he can play in tandem with Victor Osimhen.
Before diving into how the Super Eagles team fit into this formation, here is a look at what the strengths, weaknesses and requirements of the formation are.
Strengths of the Formation
Simplicity
One of the biggest strengths of the 1-4-4-2 flat midfield (which will be referred to just as 1-4-4-2 for the rest of this article) formation is its simplicity.
It is easy for coaches to teach to players and it is easy for the players to understand.
It is a formation where maintaining shape and structure is not too demanding, as everyone’s duty on the pitch usually covers a reduced area on the pitch relative to other formations; there are no overcomplicated movements such as a lone striker having to dash across the width of the pitch or a central midfielder being dragged to the touchline, as is the case in a 1-4-3-3.
Two Strikers
Because this formation always makes sure there are two strikers on top, neither striker is ever isolated.
It makes playing a direct style of play simple as the strikers can link with one another when a long pass is played to them instead of a single striker trying to hold the ball up for the rest of his team mates.
There is also more work created for the opposition centre-backs because they have to defend two strikers instead of one.
Having two strikers up top also ensures that there are two strikers in the box when crosses are made.
Weaknesses of the Formation
Too Many Channels left Open
Because players are vertically and horizontally adjacent to each other in a 1-4-4-2, there is the creation of several vertical and horizontal channels, which the opposition can exploit.
The formation tends to leave room horizontally between the defense and midfield, and the midfield and attack. This gives the opposition the opportunity to receive the ball in-between the lines.
When the team is stretched enough, the opposition’s forwards or midfielders can move in between the defense line and the midfield line.
Similarly, the opposition’s midfielders can receive the ball between the offense line and midfield line. When this happens it can also create confusion for the team using formation because players will often struggle to decide who has the responsibility of putting pressure on the player with the ball.
There are also vertical channels that are created in the formation primarily between the full backs and centre-backs, and between the central midfielders and outside midfielders. This gives the opposing team several chances to receive the ball in the half space.
The blue areas in the graphic below represents the most easily exploited channel of the 1-4-4-2, and the yellow jerseys represent the opposition, first in between the lines, then in the half spaces.
Rigidness
Ironically, the strength of the 1-4-4-2 is also its weakness. Because the major advantage of the formation is its easy-to-keep shape, it makes interchanging of players more difficult, reduces the amount of diagonal movements players can make, and limits the distance of horizontal movement (for example, strikers don’t have as much of a responsibility to cover the width of the pitch).
This in turn limits creativity and fluidity and makes it more difficult to break down the opposition when playing an indirect style.
Creative Players limited to the Flank
This reduction of creativity also carries on to the positions where the players can be creative. Because there is not attacking midfielder role and because the central midfielders usually have more workman-like attributes, the task of maintaining stability and structure, and generally are focused on making sure things tick along, the creative players usually tend to be the outside midfielders —occasionally the responsibility is passed on to one of the strikers, but in reality they can only drop so deep to receive the ball.
Types of Players Required for the Formation
To have a proper balance (the team can attack without being easily countered, and can transition to offence efficiently from a defending situation) with this formation, there are certain requirements for each position that should be adhered to.
It is recommended that the two strikers complement each other. This means that at least one of them needs to be technical and have the ability to play a more withdrawn role while the other player generally stays higher.
This usually ends up meaning that there is a combination of a classic number 9 or target man and a second striker, who supports.
Both strikers can be classic number 9s but, it is important that at least one is very good technically to link up with the midfield.
The two midfielders are usually a combination of a box-to-box player and a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box player and a technician, or a defensive midfielder and a technician. This ensures the stability in the midfield required to play the formation.
With the two central midfielders not positioned directly in front of the back four and with the fact that they are often left by themselves because the outside midfielders and strikers frequently move ahead of them into the final third, they both need to have a good enough work-rate and discipline to maintain the structure of the team and formation.
It is best if the flank players consisted of a wide playmaker and a direct/orthodox winger.
It is important for one of the wingers to have good playmaking abilities because, as mentioned above, the two central midfielders are usually concerned with maintaining stability and controlling the flow of the game.
There is not much room for a central player who creates directly from the middle. Both wide players can also be direct in style, it is just best if at least one of them can create as well, and if this is not possible, the second striker should be able to compensate in some way.
For the two full backs, similarly with all 4-at-the back formations, at least one should be offensive minded to ensure that there is some sort of contribution to the attack from defence.
At the same time both should be good at defending as that is their primary role.
Once again, the centre-backs need to be good at playing out of the back as best as they can while remaining resolute defensively.
How the Super Eagles are likely to Line up Relative to these Requirements
In the above graphic, the names written in white make up a potential starting eleven for Nigeria while also taking into account the players’ qualities relative to what is required of the position. The player names written in yellow and orange are also alternative options and possible substitutes that the Super Eagles could use, and who still fit the mold of the formation.
Going through all the positions, and starting from the strikers, the most ideal striker pairing in this 1-4-4-2 formation is Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheancho.
This pairing works well because Osimhen has the power and goal scoring quality to act as the focal point during attacks. He is adept at staying high and causing defenders problems, and of course scoring goals.
His partner Iheancho will be able to complement him as withdrawn striker. He has the technical ability and intelligence to drop deep and be the link between midfield and attack while also being good in front of goal.
Onuachu who acts as an alternate option for the two, either playing alongside Iheanacho or Osimhen, also has the strength and goal scoring ability to be a quality striking option. That being said, his best partnership would be with Iheanacho because of the need for one to be a more technical and withdrawn striker, but not withstanding he can still work alongside Osimhen especially in the latter parts of matches where the team needs to play more direct.
The two flank players, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, also complement each other because the former acts as a wide playmaker and the latter is more of direct winger who takes on the opposition with pace and skill.
As a wide playmaker, Alex Iwobi’s ability to create is necessary because there is no immediate central option to help create chances (even with Iheanacho’s skill, he can only drop a certain extent).
This adds overall balance to the entire midfield line.
Other options such Henry Onyekuru, Moses Simon, and possibly Ademola Lookman can also come into the fold.
One issue, however, is that there is nobody else who can replicate the creativity of Iwobi in terms of his combination of dribbling and passing. When he is substituted off or rotated, there is likely to be a noticeable drop in creativity.
The central midfield combination of Etebo and Ndidi, creates the stability and work-rate needed to make the 1-4-4-2 effective.
As both, wide players and strikers are usually advanced into the final third, the only two remaining will be these two players so they need to be able control the game, be disciplined in their positioning, and be competent at winning the ball back when the team is out of possession.
Alternate options such as Aribo and possibly Ejaria also have the quality necessary to make the 1-4-4-2 effective. Both are very technical players and can add a slightly different dynamic to the team.
The fullbacks (2 and 3), Sanusi and Aina, have the attributes necessary to work well in a back four. While Aina is better offensively, Sanusi does well enough going forward and defensively to make sure that there is a good enough balance in the team as whole.
Similar can be said of Collins and Ebuhi, who while not offering anything out of the ordinary, still allow for a stable defence, and can help out in attack if needed.
The two centre-backs Troost-Ekong and Balogun are also good enough defensively and on the ball to do well in the formation.
They both have a lot experience playing a in a back four so there will be nothing new to them in this formation.
Awaziem and Ajayi should have no issues as well because as previously mentioned; the 1-4-4-2 is a simple formation and one where it is easy to keep shape and organisation.
Both goalkeepers, Okoye and Uzoho should also already be well adjusted as there is nothing new to them about the formation.
Do their Tactics take Advantage of the Strengths of the Formation?
From a tactical point of view, the Super Eagles style of play is one that both plays to the strengths of a 1-4-4-2 and succumbs to some of its weaknesses.
Under Gernot Rohr, Nigeria’s style of play is a mixture of direct and indirect, so while the 1-4-4-2 formation helps with direct play due to having two strikers on top who can both contest for the first and second ball, the reduction of the number of centrally positioned midfielders (two midfielders instead of two sitting and one attacking midfielder like in the 1-4-2-3-1) makes it more difficult to keep possession.
The fact that the supporting striker is usually forced more to one side and can’t fully commit to moving across the width of the pitch also makes it more difficult create overloads.
This affects Nigeria’s tactic of attacking down the wings because they won’t have as many numbers to support the winger.
In most cases the right midfielder (7), for example, will only have support from the right sided striker, the right central midfielder, and the right back.
A fourth option in an attacking midfielder will not be available as frequently like with other formations, such as the 1-3-5-2 or a 1-4-2-3-1 (this is illustrated in the graphic below).
And even though the formation allows Iwobi to come into the half space and into central positions, he cannot move completely to the other side of the pitch without greatly affecting the structure of team.
The below illustration shows movement that is difficult for Osimhen to make in a 1-4-4-2 and how it reduces the number of passing options Chukwueze has.
From a defensive point of view, the 1-4-4-2 is great for Nigeria’s low block because, as mentioned above, it is one of the best formations in terms of organisation and structure.
It is easy for everybody to drop back into possession after losing the ball so that they can win it back quickly. Because of this, players will also be caught out of position less frequently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 1-4-4-2 is great in terms of its impact on the direct aspect of the Super Eagles style of play, but it falls short in when it comes to the creativity and fluidity necessary to capitalise on the indirect aspect of their style of play.
Defensively, it is useful in making sure that they are properly organised for a low block.
The formation has also shown that it allows most of Nigeria’s best eleven to be in their best position.
By Adeyanju Abiodun,
H&B Global Sports Sporting Director and Writer
Instagram: adeyanju026