Been constantly trying new formations for the past week or two and I still haven't found one that plays as well offensively as my 41212 teams did.
I have found a formation though that is okay offensively and solid at the back with the right players, basically going for close wins like 1-0, 2-0 and hope they open up more and smash them in on the counter.
4231 (the one with 3 CAM's)
--------- Jovetic ---------
Nasri ---------- Cazorla
-------- Gerrard --------
Sandro -------- Fletcher
Clichy - Kaboul - Luiz - Johnson
------------- Cech ------------
thinking of swapping Luiz to my Brazil squad and using Koscielny instead
------------- Costa
Hernanes ------------ Diego
------- Fernandinho
Fernando ----------- Gustavo
Luis - IF Miranda - Silva - Maicon
-------------- Sirigu
Gonna replace IF Miranda with Luiz and save up for Ramos to use with IF Miranda and make a new Liga BBVA team
some players are brilliant in their role but others just feel terrible, Hernanes as a Wide CAM is horrible thinking of switching him and Fernandinho about but I have then bought the wrong chem styles so will need to sell and re-buy them.
Overall though the teams focuses on passing and through balls (no crossing), some long shots too.
The game just feels terrible still, need to find DAT formation which works all the time. Tried almost all of them now apart from 4222, but tbh it lacks strength in the middle therefore surely only decent for crossing which I am moving away from as it has become so stupid lately with the patches, corners are still unstoppable.
If you want to score from a corner aim for front post near the 6 yard line, the keeper cannot get to the ball in the air before your player and it's an easy tap in. Aim anywhere else and it's a lottery, been scoring so many goals from corners now it's stupid.
As for crossing from the wings, I find it's been made totally retarded and unless your losing the crosses are completely random in where the ball will go, if your losing though it will go straight to your players head. That's why I have been trying new formations out.
Been playing GTA V online more and more, this game will probably be sold soon unless mates start up pro clubs again soon.
Gustavo is single handedly the best CDM in the game, so I checked out his stats;
It's his Interceptions, Standing Tackle and Aggression which stand out as well as the "trait" dives into tackles.
So now I buy CDM's with high stats in those 3 things, that's the reason for Fletcher and Fernando at CDM.
I'm thinking marking, reactions and strength being high for Gustavo also are a big factor.
Still not found anyone as good as him though.
Wish I had like 500K to try out 4231 Liga BBVa and Bundesliga teams, guys like Schweiney and Alonso would be boss at CDM, Gundogan as middle CAM, etc, but far too expensive for non pack buyers like myself.
+ 
Having a great time though & I'll get better. 
