Desempenho da formação tática 4-4-2 no futebol: Um estudo comparativo entre Brasil e Argentina

Abstract

This study examined the frequency of use and performance of the 4-4-2 tactical formation in the primary men's football leagues in Brazil and Argentina during the 2015 to 2024 seasons. The research employed a descriptive-analytical approach, collecting data via web scraping on the FBref platform and obtaining general information about the match and special game statistics (30 performances variables, distributed between offensive and defensive phases) from Opta Sports. A quantitative analysis of 7,429 games (Argentine Primera División, n = 3,578; Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, n = 3,419) was conducted to determine the frequency of the 4-4-2 formation. The results indicated a higher prevalence of the 4-4-2 formation in argentine football (25% of formations, 1st place) compared to Brazilian football (6.2%, 4th place). An analysis of the trend line indicated a decline in the utilization of this formation in Argentina, with a particularly marked decrease observed in the last two seasons. In the argentine league, the main opponents of the 4-4-2 formation are the 4-4-2 itself and the 4-2-3-1, regardless of match location. In the Brazilian league, the most frequent opponents are the 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations, both at home and away. In the Argentine Primera División, the three most common formations involving changes from one game to the next were: 4-2-3-1 (157 changes, 27.9%), 4-4-1-1 (65 changes, 11.6%), and 4-3-3 (62 changes, 11%). In the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, the most common formations were 4-2-3-1 (184 changes, 55.6%), 4-3-3 (32 changes, 9.7%), and 4-1-4-1 (29 changes, 8.8%). When analyzing changes in the defensive line, it was observed that, in Argentina, 56.1% of changes resulted in formations with three defenders while 43.9% opted for five; in Brazil, the preference for three defenders was even more pronounced, representing 74.3% of changes and only 25.7% adopted five defenders. The Brazilian 4-4-2 formation showed superiority in eight offensive metrics related to expected goals, passes, and goal-creating actions (average superiority, Δ=21.0%), while Argentina stood out in seven defensive metrics involving interceptions and control of opponent ball carries (average superiority, Δ=15.3%). The main difference in the tactical performance of the two schools using the 4-4-2 formation is Argentina's more defensive approach with an emphasis on compactness and quick transitions. In contrast, the Brazilian style demonstrates greater offensive effectiveness with a focus on ball possession and playmaking. Despite using the same positional structure, the two schools execute the 4-4-2 differently, showcasing their distinct tactical identities and playing cultures.