4-2-3-1 formation is my preferred method formation:
GK: Marc Andre ter Stegen
CB: Nicolas Otamendi
CB: Giorgio Chiellini
RB: Tony Jantschke
LB: Aleksander Kolarov
CDM: Luiz Gustavo
CM: Granit Xhaka
RAM: Aaron Ramsey
LAM: Marco Reus
CAM: Kevin De Bruyne
ST: Christian Benteke
Bench:
CB: Emir Spahic
CM: Ilkay Gundogan
ST: Alex Meier
My team has balance all throughout the pitch.
The defense is good and features what might be the best CB duo in the game in Nicolas Otamendi and Giorgio Chiellini (depending on people's preferences). Aleksander Kolarov is a world class player at left back, and tony Jantschke just had a really good season for Monchengladbach and was one of the better Right Back's in the Bundesliga.
Luiz Gustavo is one of the more underrated CDMs in the game. He's a dual threat on both defense and offense at the position. The same can be said about Granit Xhaka at CM. He was maybe Monchengladbach's best player in a season where they finished 3rd in Germany. The only reason I didn't also make Granit a CDM is because I want him a little closer to the rest of the midfield and attack due to his outstanding passing ability.
Aaron Ramsey on the right side is a strong dribbler and also an excellent passer, meaning that he'll be able to set up the dangerous Benteke for the chance, or the equally dangerous De Bruyne for a moment of creativity. Ramsey had statistically more success playing in this position last season than he did at any other position. Despite a down year from Dortmund Marco Reus remains one of the world's best. He's one of the most dangerous players in the world with the ball at his feet, and is always a threat to score or assist. His crossing ability will go well with the fact that Benteke is an aerial threat. Like Ramsey, Reus was most successful at this position last season. The key player that really makes this team great is Kevin De Bruyne, who's the best number 10 in the world. He had by far the most assists in Germany this year (20, second place had 12), and that was with Bas Dost as his striker and main goalscoring threat. Reus and Benteke will have a number of amazing chances because of KDB's creativity, no matter who is in the defense. Christian Benteke is a long shot threat, excellent in the air, and a clinical finisher. De Bruyne, Reus, and Ramsey, along with a surgical long ball or two from Xhaka should give him a field day in front of net.
Gustavo and Xhaka are both exceptional tacklers, and both read the ball well to intercept it. They are a very secure first line of defense. When they take the ball away in midfield it'll be off to the races for Ramsey, Reus, and De Bruyne: all of whom excel at counter attacks. They'll put the defense on their heels, and with their passing ability, they will have very good chances in front of net. All it will take is an interception or a tackle in midfield for Xhaka and Gustavo to start the break, because both of them can pick out one of Ramsey, Reus, or KDB with their own passing ability: especially Xhaka with his long ball prowess.
It'll also be very difficult for the opposing offense to create much of anything in front of Ter Stegen's net because of Chiellini and Otamendi, who are world class center backs. Add in the backup they'd receive from one of or both of Gustavo and Xhaka, and it'll be hard to breath for the opposing offense. Jantschke can win the ball and is another player who can pass it well, while Kolarov will be able to dart forward in one of the aforementioned counter attacks, knowing that his position will be covered by the roaming Gustavo. Reus and Kolarov are a deadly pair of players on the left side for the defense to deal with.
Good defense and good passing leads to counter attacks, and those counter attacks will lead to goals. The defensive fort is held down by Xhaka, Gustavo, Otamendi, and Chiellini. Almost every one of my players can pass the defense to death. It'll also be dangerous to press because they can also deliver a long ball when need be. Counter attacks also won't be our only form of attack. Ramsey, Reus, and KDB are all very good dribblers and can get through the defense with their dribbling and passing prowess.
Ilkay Gundogan off the bench knows all about passing ability as he can take over CM when need be. Emir Spahic was one of the best CB's in both the Bundesliga and Champions League last year, I can take out my CM and put him in as a third CB if we ever needed to bunker down. And finally, Alex Meier is another clinical finisher off the bench, he led the Bundesliga in goals scored last year.
