Asking a squad that’s spent the past decade playing a tidy 4-2-3-1 to suddenly embrace a 3-4-2-1 is like asking your grandma to switch from knitting scarves to programming AI. It’s bold, it’s ambitious, and it’s definitely going to involve some tears along the way.
Enter Ruben Amorim: a coach with big ideas but an even bigger challenge on his hands. His first few attempts at the 3-at-the-back formation were less “tactical masterclass” and more “hopeful experiment”—and by that, I mean his squad got absolutely battered. The defense was a sieve, the midfield was a ghost town, and those so-called wingbacks? Let’s just say they’d be better off bringing snacks for the opposition. Amorim quickly realized his shiny new system wasn’t the miracle cure he hoped for. Four consecutive losses later, the “Wait, this isn’t working” moment finally arrived.
Undeterred, Amorim didn’t ditch the 3-4-2-1. No, he tweaked it like a chef turning a burnt soufflé into a Michelin-star masterpiece. It wasn’t about rigid systems anymore, but about adapting to the players he actually had, not the ones he wished for.
The midfield got a much-needed structural overhaul, offering actual support. “Getting the ball to the opposition’s feet” was promptly deemed an ineffective strategy. Pressing evolved from a polite nudge to an all-out assault, with multiple players swarming opponents like piranhas. It was aggressive, chaotic, and frankly, a joy to behold.
Amorim has also unlocked hidden talents. Amad, previously confined to the wings, thrived when inverted. Garnacho, a player who enjoys making full-backs cry, was unleashed down the touchline like a caged beast. Suddenly, assists are flowing, goals are raining down, and even Zirkzee looks ‘reborn’.
This isn’t a “we’re going to win everything” declaration. Amorim’s system is still a work in progress, and a few more ideal players wouldn’t hurt. But the team is harder to break down, playing with a newfound unity and a hunger to attack.
Amorim has finally turned on his tactical blender, and the results are intriguing. Watch this space!
