- Rank B. Tested over five games.
- Five at the back and three in midfield give you numbers in the middle and out wide.
- With nobody behind the forwards, goals depend on the two CFs and the full-backs out wide.
The 5-3-2 is an extremely defensive back five. Five at the back and three in midfield are strong against counters, cut out passes, win second balls and rarely collapse. The price is having nobody behind the forwards: breaking through the middle depends on the quality of the two CFs.
5-3-2: overview
| Rank | BTested over five games |
|---|---|
| In one line | An extremely defensive back five that puts everything into defending |
| Biggest weapon | Defensive strength: strong against counters, on interceptions and on second balls |
| Biggest weakness | Goals: with nobody behind the forwards, counters are left to the two CFs |
| Suits you if | You want to defend first and counter or keep the ball |
| Not for you if | You want an open, attacking game |
| Team Playstyle | Possession Game / Long Ball Counter |
Rank B. Two wins, two defeats and a draw in five games, with nine goals scored and four conceded. Very solid at the back, with goals as the problem.
What it does well, and where it hurts
- Five at the back keeps you in numbers even on the counter.
- Offensive full-backs make it a 3-3-4 in attack, so you can attack mainly down the flanks.
- Three in midfield cut out passes and win second balls, so it rarely collapses.
- With nobody behind the forwards, it is hard to get the ball to the CFs through the middle, and support is thin when you do.
- With two CMFs and a DMF, the CMFs go too high, and the pass from the CBs into midfield gets hard.
- The space the two CMFs leave on the counter is a weak spot.
The shape
5-3-2: three CBs and two full-backs, three in midfield and two CFs.
Three CBs and two full-backs at the back, two CMFs and a DMF in midfield, and two CFs up front. With Offensive full-backs, it becomes something like a 3-3-4 in attack.
How to attack
Attacks down the flank and the quality of the two forwards are the main routes. Give them two targets in the middle, then break them down with a full-back or force it through the middle.
Build on the left, switch to the right
Build on the left to draw them over, then attack the open side with the RB overlapping.
- The LB plays it to the CMF out on the left
- The CMF plays it across to the right-side CF, drawing them left
- That CF plays it to the RB, who has overlapped
- The RB gets forward down the right and crosses
- The left-side CF arrives and heads it in
A vertical pass, then a shot from range
Strong forwards can do this on their own, from just outside the box.
- The DMF plays it vertically to a CMF in the middle
- The CMF plays into a CF with their back to goal, just outside the box
- The CF holds it, turns and shoots from range
A run in behind pushes the line back
Use a CF as the decoy to drop their line, then let a CMF attack the space in front of it.
- The DMF cuts it out in your half and plays a through ball for a CF running to the left corner
- The CF runs in behind and pushes their line back
- The CF plays it back to a CMF at the left edge of the box
- The CMF shoots from range
Building up
There are plenty of players at the back, but moving through the middle is the biggest challenge, because nobody sits behind the forwards. If they sit deep, push the Offensive full-backs up, go 3-3-4 and use the numbers out wide.
Through the anchor
Do not push the CMFs too high. If both go forward, the way out from the CBs disappears.
- A CB plays it to the DMF
- The DMF finds a CMF dropping to receive
- The CMF plays a vertical pass into a CF
Mistakes people make, and the fix
The two CMFs go too high and the build-up stalls
| Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|
| When both CMFs go forward together, the pass from the CBs into midfield disappears and the ball gets stuck at the back. | Fix the DMF as the anchor and have one CMF drop as a link. Always leave the CBs one way out. |
You get countered through the space the CMFs left
| Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|
| When both CMFs go forward on the attack, the middle of midfield is left wide open. | Keep one CMF in midfield even when you attack. When ahead, change all three midfielders to DMF. |
A through ball finds their CF running free
| Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|
| Even with five at the back, one through ball gets behind the line if the passer is free. | Press the passer with a midfielder first. If they get through, run to block the shot and help the GK. |
How to defend with it
Five at the back and three in midfield give you numbers in the middle and out wide. Rarely collapsing is what this shape does best.
| Area | What to do |
|---|---|
| Midfield | Three midfielders close the passing lanes and press. They are strong at interceptions and second balls. |
| Wide | A full-back and the nearest CB deal with it. Three CBs sit behind, so a CB can cover even when a full-back has gone forward. |
| Back line | Five at the back rarely leaves you outnumbered, but watch for a run with a through ball. Press the passer and take away the shot to help the GK. |
| When ahead | Change all three midfielders to DMF to close the middle, and see it out with the back five. |
Players and playing styles that fit
You win with the defence and score through the two forwards. These are the styles the shape asks for.
| Position | Playing Style | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CF | Goal Poacher | A must. Getting in behind is this shape’s weapon. |
| CF (the link) | Deep-Lying Forward | Keeps the passing moving in their half. A Classic No. 10 who receives between their CBs and DMFs also fits. |
| CMFs (both) | Box To Box | Cover a lot of ground in attack and defence, stay near the ball and help push up. |
| DMF | Anchor Man | When the CMFs go forward the middle opens, so an anchor is a must. Passing is a bonus. |
| Full-backs | Offensive Wingback / Full-back Finisher | The stars of the 3-3-4 in attack. A Full-back Finisher can work both out wide and in the middle. |
| CBs (three) | Destroyer / Build Up / no playing style | Winning one-on-ones comes first. Pick from those who win it high up, those who carry it, and those with no playing style. |
Best managers for this formation
5-3-2 runs on Possession Game and Long Ball Counter, so what you want is a manager with high Team Playstyle Proficiency for those. Every manager below is rank SS on eFootball LABO — high proficiency, a Booster and Link-up Play — picked for their proficiency in these Team Playstyles.
Best managers for Possession Game
Best managers for Long Ball Counter
Fix the DMF as the anchor, keep one CMF back, and go 3-3-4 with Offensive full-backs when they sit deep.
Matchups
| Opponent | Matchup | Why, and what to do |
|---|---|---|
| Front-three and central-attack sides (4-3-1-2, 4-2-1-3) | Good | Five at the back and three in midfield outnumber them in the middle, so a central attack is easy to absorb. |
| Two-forward, balanced sides (4-4-2, 3-4-1-2) | Good | Absorb it with the defence, then finish with the two forwards and the flanks. |
| Fast counters down the flank (4-3-3) | Even | The space behind a full-back and beside a CB is easy to attack. Do not push the full-backs too high, and let the CBs cover. |
| All-out attacking sides (4-2-2-2) | Even | You can fall short on goals. Defend first and protect a one-goal lead. |
Matchups are provisional. We update them as we play more.
FAQ
Is 5-3-2 good in eFootball?
What Team Playstyle should I use with 5-3-2?
What is the weakness of 5-3-2?
What should I do when I am ahead?
Summary
- The spine of it is a wall of five at the back and three in midfield, finished by the two forwards.
- With nobody behind the forwards, the middle depends on the two CFs, so Offensive full-backs and a 3-3-4 make up for it out wide.
- The weak spots are goals and CMFs going too high. Fix the DMF as the anchor, and change all three midfielders to DMF when ahead.
