By Chris Binnington
October 12 2005

Glenn Hoddle is widely regarded as one of the countries best footballing tacticians. But we, the fans, sometimes get confused with what is happening on the field of play. We shall start with a game that we all remember, the 2005 Champions League Final in Istanbul. What did Rafa do at half-time to turn Liverpool from the whipping boys of the final into worthy champions?

Liverpool started the final of the UEFA Champions League Final in its customary 4-4-2 formation. After conceding a first-minute goal, Liverpool were second best for the remainder of the first half to an A.C. Milan team that controlled the midfield with good possession and many penetrative passes to its two forwards, Shevchenko and Crespo. Two more goals in the last five minutes of the first half seemed like it would seal a win for the Serie "A" giants. Surely a 3 - 0 score at half-time was going to be enough for A.C. Milan?

However, things changed in the second half as Liverpool came out playing a 3-5-2 formation. Almost immediately, Liverpool looked the stronger team as they took advantage of the extra player in the middle and took control of the midfield. Nine minutes into the second half the new formation paid dividends when Steven Gerrard scoring Liverpool's first goal. Another two goals followed for Liverpool to tie the game 3 - 3. As dominant as A.C. Milan was in the first half, Liverpool were in the second half playing their 3-5-2. As you probably know the game went to penalties and Liverpool won making it the best come-from-behind victory in Champions League history.

Does this mean that every team should play using a 3-5-2 formation? Of course not. Does this mean that Liverpool will now play ALL future games with a 3-5-2 formation? Of course not. My guess is Liverpool will continue to play its customary 4-4-2 formation.

What does it mean then? Well, it shows the importance of being able to adapt to a different formation for situations when things aren't going as you planned or hoped. So whether you play with a 3-5-2 now or a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 or any other formation, it always pays to know and understand how to play with a different formation in case you need to make an adjustment during a game.

Over the coming months I will endevour to comment on Glenn Hoddle's tactics during a game to try and give us all a better understanding of formation, passages of play and phases of play. I'll also try and explain why and how to combat teams that put 5 players across the middle at Molineux.