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

Summary

The 4-4-2 Classic is a well-balanced formation in Top Eleven and it can be easily used for attacking and defending when needed.

Supportive team mentality

Defensive, Normal, Attacking

Unsupportive team mentality

Hard Defending, Hard Attacking

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

• If you love counterattacking football, the 4-4-2 Classic formation is the first choice.
• Using two strikers (ST) means there’s a perpetual threat of having the opposition center-backs in 1-v-1 situations, a situation that favors the attacker more often than not.
• You can get more ball possession with two center midfielders and two wide midfielders.
• 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.
• The offside trap works really well with this formation.
• The 4–4–2 is still regarded as the best formation to protect the whole width of the field with the opposing team having to get past two banks of four.

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

• The Man-To-Man marking style isn't sufficient against strong opponents.
• To win matches against strong opponents you have to train your players for extra roles and special abilities. If your players do not have certain special abilities and extra roles, your players may lose control over the game.

Recommended special abilities

• One of your strikers (ST) should have the special ability of a One-on-one scorer. It can be very helpful to score during the counterattacks.
• For more creativity in the midfield, one of your center midfielders (MC) should have the special ability of Playmaker.
• One of your right or left midfielders (MR, ML) should have the special ability of Dribbler.

Recommended extra roles

• Both of your center midfielders (MC) should have an extra role of defensive center midfielder (DMC). It will be helpful to park the bus.
• Both of your (wingers) right and left midfielders should have an extra role of attacking midfielder (AMR, AML). It will be helpful to play an attacking game.
• One of your strikers (ST) should have an extra role of attacking center midfielder (AMC). This will help you to get more ball possession.

Attacking tactics for the 4-4-2 Classic formation

Team mentality, Attacking, Focus passing, Mixed, Passing style, Mixed, Force counter-attacks, On
Pressing style, High, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Zonal, Play offside trap, On

Normal tactics for the 4-4-2 Classic formation

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

Defensive tactics for the 4-4-2 Classic formation

Team mentality, Defensive, Focus passing, Through The Middle, Passing style, Long, Force counter-attacks, On
Pressing style, High, Tackling style, Hard, Marking style, Zonal, Play offside trap, Off

Final note

Even if you follow all these instructions, I guarantee an 80% of good 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.