Picking a formation isn’t as important on FIFA as it is, say, on Football Manager - but picking the right system can still help you win matches.
And there’s one formation that’s apparently so effective EA Sports have banned players from using it in FIFA Ultimate Team.
This is surely a first. Has a formation ever been banned in a football video game before?
According to Dream Team, the banned system is the 3-5-1-1 formation.
This ultra-aggressive formation allows the player to pack their midfield and, provided you have fast wingers, exploit the space down the flanks.
Why has the 3-5-1-1 been banned?
But why have EA banned the formation? Surely every formation is fair game, right?
Dream Team claim that EA do not want any ‘game breaking’ formations - i.e. formations that offer players an unfair advantage over their opponents - and the 3-5-1-1 appears to fall into that category.
It essentially allows players to field six midfielders - Pep Guardiola would love it - and this obviously results in little space in the middle of the pitch for any actual football to take place.
Playing against he 3-5-1-1 is presumably an absolute nightmare on the game, hence the ban on Ultimate Team.
FIFA players on Reddit discuss the ban
“It feels like people would just abuse pace down the wings and to have 2 strikers in the middle,” one FIFA player wrote on Reddit. “I feel it’d be way too good for crossing.”
But the 3-5-1-1 isn’t the only formation omitted from Ultimate Team.
Another FIFA player spotted the 4-2-4 has also been axed.
“This is completely true,” the player said in response to the 3-5-1-1- being banned. “They said that’s the reason 424 wasn’t in FUT, so you can assume the other formations not in the game follow the same rules.”
Here's the formation you should use instead...
But for those still looking for an advantage when it comes to formations, there is a potential solution.
Dream Team say that the 4-3-3 can still be hugely effective, provided you do the following…
Play your three strongest strikers upfront.
Put your best forward in the middle and two fast players on the wings.
Use a strong central attacking midfielder (CAM) to play the passes.
And don’t be afraid to have a crack from outside the box when the opportunity arises.
Video: 3-5-1-1 in action
For those who want to see the 3-5-1-1 in action, here’s a video…