Kompany's 2-3-4-1 pendulum v3.1

Opponents can’t breathe. Short passes, constant pressure, controlled chaos. This 2-3-4-1 crushed every test. I won the treble with it.

It looks risky on paper — but in practice, you concede very few real chances, because the opponent is constantly forced into bad zones and rushed decisions.

It feels like your team is always one step ahead.


For console and mobile players: The instructions for the positions can be found below. Don't skip them, they are very important! (i have to update them for die new V3, i will do that soon!)

This version of Kompany’s 2-3-4-1 PENDULUM focuses on asymmetric full-back roles to create unpressable circulation and a stable attacking platform. In possession, the shape becomes a 3-3-3-1 / 2-3-5: The left full-back provides high width, stretching the opponent. The right full-back steps into midfield, forming a triple pivot with the #6. This structure stabilizes progression, maintains access to central lanes, and makes pressing traps extremely difficult to execute. The attacking four occupy the half-spaces and central channels, enabling short combinations, third-man runs, and sustained final-third pressure. Out of possession, the team shifts into a compact 4-5-1, staying narrow, denying central access, and triggering immediate counterpressing upon loss.

This keeps the opponent under stress and prevents clean transitions. The result is a system that is:
Unpressable in build-up
Strong and synchronized in counterpressing
Consistently dangerous in attack
Designed for positional dominance and proactive control.
Info: I originally put the right back in the offensive formation at defensive midfielder. But if you use “Auto Selection,” FM unfortunately swaps the roles, so you end up with a center back against the ball at right back, a defensive midfielder in the center back position, etc. That's why I use an inverted right back. If you want, try moving the RB directly to the DM position with the ball. It works well, but I recommend playing without auto-selection.


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Why you should try this:
If you like dominant possession, intelligent pressing, fluid movement, and controlling games through structure rather than chaos, this is it.
This tactic feels alive.
It adapts.
It thinks on the pitch.

It doesn’t just win — it suffocates.