Top Eleven Tactics for the 4-1-2-2-1 formation

Summary

The 4-1-2-2-1 formation is the king of formations in Top Eleven and definitely it is the treble winning formation.

Supportive team mentality

Defensive, Hard Defending, Normal, Attacking, Hard Attacking

Unsupportive team mentality

None

Advantages of the 4-1-2-2-1 formation in Top Eleven 

• It is the most balanced modern formation in Top Eleven.
• You are free to set your strategy.
• Your defensive center midfielder (DMC) gives an extra boost in defense and intercepts dangerous passes from opposing team's midfielders (MC) to their strikers (ST). Most of the time, he plays a key role in your victory. And he also play an extraordinary role in counterattacks.
• The Man-To-Man marking style works really well with this formation, and strikers (ST) of the opposing team are totally unable to make long rang shots and it is the huge advantage in Top Eleven.
• The Man-To-Man marking style gives you a defensive boost.
• The Man-To-Man marking style wins more ball possession. 
• The Man-To-Man marking style develops more counterattacks.
• The Man-To-Man marking style increase the risk of injuries in opposing team. Off course your defender with 120% Aggression attribute could be Sergio Ramos for strikers of your opposing team.
• You can use Zonal marking style either without any fear.
• This is the one of few formations in the game that can be used for all available focus passing styles "Mixed, Down Both Flanks, Right Flank, Left Flank, and Through The Middle. You can change your tactics between the match without changing formation.
• This formation is capable of all three available passing styles, Short, Mixed, and Long.

Disadvantages of the 4-1-2-2-1 formation in Top Eleven

• The Man-To-Man marking style will tire out your players more. So you need at least 90% of condition of your starting line up.
• Using The Man-To-Man marking tires your players out more and it increases the risk of injuries. 
• In knockout rounds your players tire out more, you should have good substitutes. 

Recommended special abilities

• Your striker (ST) should have the special ability of One-on-one scorer. It can be very helpful to score during counterattacks.
• Your left or right attacking-midfielder (AMR, AML) should have a special ability of Shadow-Striker.
• Your left or right attacking-midfielder (AMR, AML) should have a special ability of Dribbler.
• For more creativity in midfield, one of your central midfielders (MC) should have a special ability of Playmaker.
• Both of your center-backs should have the special abilities of Defensive Wall and Aerial Defender (DC).
• Your defensive center midfielder (DMC) should have a special ability of Playmaker.

Recommended extra roles

• Your defensive center midfielder (DMC) should have an extra role of center midfielder (MC). 
• Your right and left attacking midfielders should have an extra role of Strike (ST). The strength attribute helps to win the ball from the defenders of the opposing team in one-on-one situation.

Attacking and Hard Attacking tactics for the 4-1-2-2-1 formation

Team mentality, Attacking or Hard Attacking, Focus passing, Mixed, Passing style, Mixed, Force counter-attacks, Off
Pressing style, High, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Man-To-Man, Play offside trap, Off

Normal tactics for the 4-1-2-2-1 formation

Team mentality, Normal, Focus passing, Mixed, Passing style, Mixed, Force counter-attacks, On
Pressing style, High, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Man-To-Man, Play offside trap, Off

Defensive and Hard Defending tactics for the 4-1-2-2-1 formation

Team mentality, Defensive or Hard Defending, Focus passing, Down Both Sides, Passing style, Long, Force counter-attacks, On
Pressing style, High, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Man-To-Man, Play offside trap, Off

Final note

Even if you follow all these instructions, I guarantee an 80% result. Your team's training bonuses, morale, health condition, injuries during the match, weather conditions, and referee's decisions may change the outcome of the match.