Filthyrich
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- Nov 10, 2026
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4-4-2 Mid-Block Counter-Press
A compact 4-4-2 for mid-table squads, built one setting at a time with Augsburg and tested with Everton.
The idea
Two narrow banks of four in a mid block. The team forces play wide with Trap Outside, wins the ball hard with Get Stuck In, counter-presses on the turnover and attacks quickly with short, high-tempo passes into space for two strikers. It’s compact without the ball and direct with it.
Settings
Mentality: Positive. Style: Clean Slate.
In possession: Shorter passing, Higher tempo, Much Narrower width, Counter-Attack, Patience Standard, Pass Into Space, Play Through Press, short goal kicks to centre-backs, discourage shots from distance, Keep Ball in Play from set pieces, time wasting Less Often.
Out of possession: Mid Block, Standard defensive line, Trigger Press More Often, Counter-Press, Get Stuck In, Trap Outside (high press and mid block), Balanced cross engagement.
Roles: two Full-Backs, two Centre-Backs, two Channel Midfielders (Defensive Midfielders out of possession), Winger (L) and Inside Winger (R) (Wide Midfielders out of possession), Channel Forward and Poacher.
Results
Positive xG difference in every season. With Everton, it produced the highest xG in the Premier League.
Notes
Hard tackling holds it together, and so do the deep central midfielders out of possession. Expect plenty of yellow cards. It works best with two strikers who can finish, since most of the goals come from the front two.
A compact 4-4-2 for mid-table squads, built one setting at a time with Augsburg and tested with Everton.
The idea
Two narrow banks of four in a mid block. The team forces play wide with Trap Outside, wins the ball hard with Get Stuck In, counter-presses on the turnover and attacks quickly with short, high-tempo passes into space for two strikers. It’s compact without the ball and direct with it.
Settings
Mentality: Positive. Style: Clean Slate.
In possession: Shorter passing, Higher tempo, Much Narrower width, Counter-Attack, Patience Standard, Pass Into Space, Play Through Press, short goal kicks to centre-backs, discourage shots from distance, Keep Ball in Play from set pieces, time wasting Less Often.
Out of possession: Mid Block, Standard defensive line, Trigger Press More Often, Counter-Press, Get Stuck In, Trap Outside (high press and mid block), Balanced cross engagement.
Roles: two Full-Backs, two Centre-Backs, two Channel Midfielders (Defensive Midfielders out of possession), Winger (L) and Inside Winger (R) (Wide Midfielders out of possession), Channel Forward and Poacher.
Results
| Club (prediction) | Position | Points | Goals | xG for / against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everton (13th) | 2nd | 73 | 92–61 | 77,10 / 60,08 |
| Augsburg (11th) | 3rd | 57 | 54–35 | 50,16 / 45,50 |
| Augsburg (11th) | 5th | 59 | 54–40 | 53,74 / 49,92 |
| Augsburg (11th) | 6th | 50 | 64–52 | 52,54 / 49,33 |
Positive xG difference in every season. With Everton, it produced the highest xG in the Premier League.
Notes
Hard tackling holds it together, and so do the deep central midfielders out of possession. Expect plenty of yellow cards. It works best with two strikers who can finish, since most of the goals come from the front two.
