Sometimes when solving a 2x2x1 that belongs in the front slot, I will put it in the back slot an R or L' away to make lookahead easier, until I finish the 3x2x1, which usually isn't one step for me. I could do left square then right square then right pair then left pair, or any other combination depending on what comes up.
Long story short, it isn't nessecary for it to be in it's correct spot at first, and I don't think that the 3x2x1 should be considered a true step as much as a common, and viable way to solve the F2L. ZZF2L is very flexible.