3-5-2 Attacking Patterns

In this week's MSC Breakdown, we take a look at attacking patterns in a 3-5-2. The system itself offers a number of attacking benefits that a traditional back four does not. Firstly, the three center backs provide an initial overload that also creates multiple passing lanes to play into higher spaces. Secondly, the wing-backs provide options high and low - meaning they can be used as a tool to break a press but also as an outlet in the final third. Finally, the two center forwards can engage opposing center backs and, along with the wing backs, offer the attacking team a number of attacking options.

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You can watch the full breakdown below. Please subscribe to MSC YouTube page if you enjoy them!

Below are three examples of attacking patterns that we shared in the breakdown.

Pattern 1:

This pattern is aimed at getting the wide center backs into higher spaces to help with the wide overloads. Ball starts with the central defender, who plays a combination pass with the central midfielder and then plays to the wide defender. The wing-back becomes an immediate option and, at the same time, one of the center forwards drifts into the wide area also. The wide center back supports into midfield and helps release the wing-back into the final third for a cross. It's important that the other attackers also make the runs into the penalty area for the finish.

Pattern 2:

This pattern focuses on higher rotations to shift the opposition across to one side of the pitch, before using that rotation to exploit the weak side. Again, the exercise starts with the defenders combining with the central midfielders. At the same time, the rotations are occuring in higher attacking spaces. As the ball is progressed into the wide areas, the rotations has allowed the midfielder to receive facing forward and playing into a higher line. As the ball is switched to the weak side, the attackers then make a second movement into the box to finish from the cross.

Pattern 3:

This pattern is designed to take advantage of the two center forwards and focus on their combination play, alongside the attacking midfielders, to release the weak side wing-back into the final third. Again, the exercise starts with the defenders combining centrally with the midfielders before the wide center back plays a longer pass directly into the center forward. With support underneath, the central combinations allow the wing-back to make a forward run in behind the opposition defensive line for a cross.