Kompany’s 2-3-4-1 PENDULUM

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.

Formation




Stats