This post was last updated on March 31, 2020 at 4:10 pm

Playing online games in PES 2020 is often called troublesome by most players, the online experience to many isn’t satisfactory. There may be many reasons like Input Lag, Poor connectivity, players who exploit bugs to mention a few. But there are cases where in spite of having good connectivity and a great squad, they do not do well. A team’s formation, activation of player playstyle and having good enough squad depth is important to get good results online. To form a better team, most try out different formations depending upon their preferred playstyle. So, in order to make things simpler for you, we have come up with five best formations for online in PES 2020. Other than that, if you haven’t checked out our other PES articles, please give those a read.

4-3-1-2 (Narrow version of the 4-1-3-2)

*Notable Managers with this formation: F. Santos, J. Fossati

Overview



The 4-4-2 Narrow and Wide formations

Most prefer wide attacking formations for counter-attacks, but this formation is unique in terms of the formation. Fernando Santos’ famous 4-1-3-2 was identified as one of the best formations for online in PES 2019 because of its flexibility and also its balance. Still, it is also one of the favorite tactics for online, thanks to its very quick buildup play. The same formation had wide midfielders last season, which was more common. In PES 2020, most managers have a narrow formation, eliminating the wide midfielders. This season both formations are widely used, depending upon interests.

The squad buildup

Defense

Defenders, once again, are left to you. A Build-Up playstyle defender with Extra Frontman also works. So, even if you have worries about defense being slow, you can have defensive fullbacks who can cover spaces behind if needed. Some use a four-CB back-line, which makes the formation even narrower and crowded. But its advisable to use fullbacks, as they would help offensively when they overlap.

Midfield

The midfield setup is great, while the 4-3-1-2 has three CMF/DMF and one AMF positions whereas the 4-1-3-2 has two wide midfielders with AMF and CMF positions which are convertible. Here the midfield follows a diamond structure, which is great for quick counters through short passing and also defensively good to trap the opposition by crowding the midfield. Most even prefer having more defensive formation by having 3 DMFs. Have a Hole Player at AMF with good speed, because he can act as a forward who is helpful to create as well as finish chances.

For the wider formation, your LMF/RMF can be offensive utilities, who can be Roaming Flanks/Cross Specialist. If you have a good fullback finisher, you can use him if there is no familiarity drop.

Forwards

Try to have one quick forward with good finishing, with decent heading (need not worry about aerial ability if you are fixed to 4-3-1-2) and another with good physical contact and should be able to win the ball in the air if you are interested in crossing the ball to your forwards. Better if both strikers have the ‘First Time Shot’ skill.

TIPS for the 4-3-1-2 formation

You don’t have width offered in this formation (for the narrow one) so make sure you don’t more too forward with your fullbacks. Cover the wide areas using the midfielders. Also, split the midfielders into two each with good offensive and defensive awareness. They are essential because to get to the balls quickly and then start the counter. Players with good short passing are important. Long balls wide should be avoided and all play should be directed in the center.

3-2-3-2

*Notable Managers with this formation: G. Gasperini, N. Lennon, D. Tedesco

Overview

The 3-2-3-2 formation

The formation works well if you are a big fan of Counter attacking formation and playstyle. A formation which has great potential for fast build-up play. So, it is considered as the best formations for online in PES. This is also very well balanced in-terms of offense and defense. You have 3 atb (at the back) defensive line. In the midfield, you have a lot of options to run into. Two wide midfielders are present along with an AMF position which are convertible to CMF. Two CMF/DMF positions which sit deep back along with the defense, both are convertible. Two forwards are present, which are convertible to SS.

The Squad Buildup

Defense

The defense needs to be well organized. Strong defenders with good physical and heading ability is necessary. The 3 atb is bit wider than usual and does not have fullbacks for additional width, so covering these spaces will be important. The two wider defenders should have decent pace in order to cover the space left behind the wing-backs. So, a Build Up playstyle CBs paired with a sole Extra Frontman/Destroyer would be best.

For all-out defense tactic, you can use two destroyers if you like to press and win the ball but for Frontline defense, not playing more than one Destroyer/Frontman is recommended.

Midfield

In order to have a solid midfield and also to provide defensive support, make sure to use a DMF Anchorman/Orchestrator along with a Box-to-Box CMF. If you like to have a very effective counter-attack, use a Destroyer along with an Anchorman mid as your two deep midfielders. Provide one of your midfielders with the ‘Track Back’ skill, if he tends to not join the defense.

Your wider midfielders depend on your preferred style of play. If you want a defensive support, try using Utility wingbacks, with good defensive skills. If you want to add attacking/crossing utilities, try to have a Cross Specialist/Roaming Flank in the LMF/RMF positions. For your AMF, a Creative Playmaker/Hole Player is most preferred.

Forwards

Try to have one quick forward with good finishing, with decent heading and another with good physical contact. In case you use a Cross Specialist, who crosses the ball well, strikers with good Physical Contact and Heading will rush forward and head the ball. Also, if both strikers have the ‘First Time Shot’ skill, they can take shots with much ease.

Tips for the 3-2-3-2 formation

Preferably avoid using two-second strikers, they would rather play more in the attacking third rather in the opponent box. Using defenders with slow pace will result in leaking goals. Do the pressing with your midfielders and engage the flanks during a counter-attack. If you feel the strikers are too far from your midfield and feel trouble to link up with, use a Hole Player forward along with a Creative midfielder AMF to reduce space between.

4-2-3-1

*Notable Managers with this formation: F. Terim, D. Deschamps, G. Sotherton

Overview



4-2-3-1 with 1 AMF and 2 AMF formations (4-1-4-1)

This formation is similar to the traditional 4-3-3 but with two wide-mids operating at flanks as right/left midfielders, which allows you to cover a lot of area in the pitch and help you to counter-attack easily. The formation’s width and support make it easy to control the game, so it is definitely one of the best formations for online in PES 2020. In this formation, you can have four defenders, 5 midfielders (with 1 attacking mid option along with two wide flanks which are convertible to CMFs) and one sole striker.

The squad buildup

Defense

GK can be both offensive/defensive. The defenders can be preferred to your wish, along with fullbacks. CBs can be of Build Up playstyle. If you really need another goal scoring option, you can choose an Extra Frontman as well. For fullbacks, you can have a Defensive/Offensive fullback combination, just in case one of your defenders is way too forward.

Midfield

Hold the ball with your midfield, with your AMF and two CMF/DMF making a triangle which would initiate Tiki-Taka if you want to. Even if your opponent has to start a quick attack, your midfield can drop back, as they sit back and do not come way too forward. You can have a Box-To-Box/Orchestrator CMF or a Destroyer/Anchorman DMF.

Forwards

In the attacking area, you can use Roaming Flank/Creative Midfielder as your Left and Right mids. But do not both the players of the same playstyle. For CF, you can opt for a Goal Poacher/Target Man, both helpful even if you are interested to pass a through ball or even cross the ball in. As for the Attacking Midfielder, a Hole Player is the best fit. He can drop back, create chances and then move forward during the attack.

Tips for the 4-2-3-1 formation

Try to have midfielders with good ball control and passing. They are important in holding the ball and start an attack. Avoid using wingbacks at flanks, try to keep someone with good pace and dribbling. Decent finishing is enough. Don’t try to press hard with your defenders, midfielders dropping back will provide you with more defensive options and will have difficulties for the opponent.

3-4-3 (Diamond)/ 3-2-2-3

*Notable Managers with this formation: J. Low, R. Martinez, D. Wagner

Overview

The 3-2-2-3 Formation

Even with the risk of having gaps in your defense, the 3-4-3 formation is one of the best formations for online in PES that has good width on the pitch and can be very efficient for getting more scoring chances. Be it console or mobile, it would a well settled formation, with enough options for both attack and defense. The diamond-like formation will provide the width required for a setup which is essential for creating chances from flanks.

The squad buildup

Defense

Try to set up your defense well as it needs to be well organized. A similar defensive line to the 3-2-3-2 formation can be used here. Strong defenders with good pace will be your backline, which is bit wider than usual, so covering these spaces will be important. They are essential to cover the space left behind the wing-backs as well. So, a Build Up playstyle CBs paired with a sole Extra Frontman/Destroyer would be better.

Midfield

For flanks, preferably wing-backs are the best fits. While defending, support from the wide area is essential, else the spaces uncovered by the CBs will be exploited with fast attackers. If you are trailing with a goal or two, you can sub a quick winger/midfielder to increase attacking options. The two CMF/DMF options can have an Orchestrator and a Box-To-Box combo, as these playstyles are advantageous to initiate an attack. If else, a Destroyer would be great too, as he can join the attack and then track back for defense.

Forwards

Forwards includes your choices. So, a Prolific Winger/Goal Poacher/Roaming Flank front three would be great. They should be having good offensive awareness, in order to get free balls and then move forward. The CF should be able to head the ball well, for the crosses which can come via the wingers. If you don’t spam crosses, then make sure he has good ball control and is having ‘First Time Shot’ skill.

Tips for the 3-4-3 formation

Pressing with the CBs should be avoided because it will create a lot of space for the opposition. With lots of attacking options, you should be able to create play quickly and the accuracy of the through balls should be improved as well. Midfield with good interception and ball winning ability and often try to cover the defensive areas. Forwards should have very good speed. Switch to defensive tactics if you are feeling uncomfortable against defending long balls or leaking goals. ‘Conservative pressing and Long Ball’ tactics are recommended.

4-2-1-3 or 4-1-2-3 (a more attacking approach to the traditional 4-3-3)

*Notable Managers with this formation: L. Roman, P. Boer, H. Flick, G. Henriques, Southgate

Overview



The two variants of the 4-3-3

The 4-2-1-3 is one of the most popular and used formation in the game, which makes it one of the best formations for online in PES. The 4-3-3 is regarded as one of the traditional approaches in football formations as it provides good balance for both possession and counter-attacking. But here change is that the fullbacks and the creative midfielders are leaning to supply offensive strength for a counter-attacking side, compared to a sitting midfield and an organized defense for the possession game of football.

The squad buildup

Defense

A Build-Up playstyle defender with Extra Frontman also works. So, even if you have worries about defense being slow, you can have defensive fullbacks who can cover spaces behind if needed. Physical defenders with good Defensive awareness is a priority.

Midfield

This formation is good if you want to hold the ball with your midfield, with your AMF and two CMF/DMF (or with two AMF/CMF and one DMF) making a triangle which would initiate good passing between your midfield would have your opponent’s creating spaces for you. So, a Classic No.10/Creative Playmaker is a good choice along with a Hole Player as two AMFs, with an Anchorman/Orchestrator CMF/DMF.

Forwards

In the attacking area, you can use Roaming Flank/Prolific Winger as your Left and Right wingers. Pace+ Creativity offers much to this formation. But do not use both the players of the same playstyle. For CF, you can opt for a Goal Poacher/Target Man because both are helpful even if you are interested to pass a through ball or even cross the ball in. Sometimes, you can have a Dummy Runner to act as a ‘False 9’, which would drag defenses towards and create space for other players to exploit and create scoring opportunities.

Tips for the 4-1-2-3 formation

Try to have midfielders with good ball control and passing. They are important in holding the ball and start and attack. Speeding up the attack is very important, so try to keep someone with good pace and dribbling. A Long Pass buildup would be a better tactic. This is so that you can make some defense splitting passes through the opponent defense and get behind them as quickly as possible. Proper utilization of your players and tactics in the formation will make it one of the best formations for online in PES.

Don’t try to press hard with your defenders, because midfielders dropping back will provide you more defensive options and will have difficulties for the opponent to get through. If you are leaking too many goals, set up ‘Defensive Tactics’ and work with CMF/DMF in the midfield.

* – Formations of the managers are subject to change

Did we miss out any manager(s) in the list who has worked well for you online? Or do you have any other best formations for online in PES 2020? Feel free to mention them in the comment section below!

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