Arrigo Sacchi's 4-4-2: High Pressure, Attacking Tactic for Top Teams and Underdogs

First of all a quick introduction to myself. I am a long time FM player since CM 01/02 and its pretty safe to say I'm an FM addict. I've uploaded one or two tactics before for FM13 but since the last few patches I haven't created something that I feel is worthy of publishing for others to use - until now! I like to base my tactics on philosophies that have worked in the real world; I am a professional football coach and the tactical elements of the game are what enthuse me in real life. So this tactic is based on the philosophy behind Arrigo Sacchi's 4-4-2 approach. Sacchi played with high intensity and a high defensive line. This enabled him to squeeze the play in the middle of park, and ensured that the distance between his defensive and forward lines was never more than 25 metres. Essentially, this constituted naturally occurring pressing—perhaps one of the first in football with such velocity. Sacchi reasoned that by squeezing the pitch, in order for his opponent to get through his side, they'd need to break down three lines of players in quick succession. Not many managed it. Attacking-wise, there was no one strict way to break down the opposition. Chances were created through build-up/passing play through the middle, crosses from wide and counter-attacks. Sacchi was a proponent of multi-purpose players. Not fond of the specialist, he looked for all of his players to be capable of every job on the field, which is why his interchanging 4-4-2 worked so well.The midfielders were well-rounded and functional in every area, his forwards chased and his defenders pushed up. Teamwork was what his side were predicated on, and it was teamwork that allowed them to become one of the greatest sides in footballing history.

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?f9tg27g9ok1z349

The tactic resembles a 4-4-2, however with a slight change of two DMs as opposed to MCs. This enabled the tactic to be a lot more solid defensively, bringing the lines of the players a lot closer. The Sweeper Keeper does his job sweeping up behind the back line, two FBs on support allowing them the licence to get forward, but not at the expense of their defensive duties. The two DCs act as ball playing defenders, able to pick out those quick counter passes once the ball is won. The DMs act as box-to-box players, supporting the attack and defence. The wingers provide the outlets for the attack, pushing forward once the ball is won, but also have defensive duties in winning the ball back. A complete striker supports the advanced forward, although both are equally important in both assisting and scoring goals. With the emphasis on fluid play and well-rounded, high pressing players a general basis of teamwork, work rate and determination are needed for this tactic to work. Lazy and/or selfish players will ruin the cogs in the machine. There is no target man or playmaker as individual creativity and decisions is important in this tactic.

Player Attributes

All Players

As mentioned, there is a base of attributes that are important for a tactic such as this to work successfully and I look for all my players to have at least decent ratings. These attributes are: Composure, Decisions, Determination, Teamwork, Work Rate, Stamina.

Goalkeepers

Primary: Handling, One on Ones, Reflexes, Communication, Positioning, Jumping.

Supporting: Command of Area, Anticipation, Rushing Out, Strength, Aerial Ability, First Touch.

Full Backs

Primary: Acceleration, Pace, Tackling, Positioning, Anticipation, Concentration, Crossing

Supporting: Dribbling, Strength, Marking, Bravery, Off The Ball, First Touch

Ball Playing Defenders

Primary: Heading, Marking, Tackling, Anticipation, Bravery, Concentration, Positioning, Jumping, Strength

Supporting: Passing, Creativity, Acceleration, Pace, First Touch

Defensive Midfielders

Primary: Passing, Tackling, First Touch, Anticipation, Positioning, Creativity

Supporting: All other attributes! (They are real box-to-box type players so the more well rounded they are the better)

Wingers

Primary: Crossing, Dribbling, First Touch, Passing, Technique, Creativity, Off the Ball, Acceleration, Pace

Supporting: Finishing, Tackling, Anticipation, Positioning, Agility, Balance, Flair

Complete Forward

Primary: Finishing, First Touch, Passing, Technique, Creativity, Off The Ball, Anticipation, Strength

Supporting: Dribbling, Heading, Jumping, Pace, Acceleration, Flair.

Advanced Forward

Primary: Finishing, Dribbling, First Touch, Technique, Anticipation, Off the Ball, Pace, Acceleration.

Supporting: Heading, Jumping, Flair, Passing, Creativity, Agility, Balance.

Player Filters (Thanks to contribution from ZicoAC)

File-Upload.net - Arrigo-Sacchi-Filters.7z

Player Recommendations

Below is a small list of players that I recommend for each role. These players are aimed at mid/lower table Premier Division sides - but this can be flexible as some will be good for greater clubs and some will go to lower reputation sides to. ALL players can be acquired for under 10 million and don't start on ridiculous wages, but the prices are estimating asking prices (will differ from game to game). Star rating is my own personal opinion of how recommendable they are based on their value for money, how well they fit into the tactic and their performance.

Goalkeepers

Transfers: Fraser Forster (3.5-5.5m, Celtic, 4 Stars), Jose Jesus Corona (3-4m, Cruz Azul, 3.5 Stars), Willy Caballero (5-7m, Malaga, 3.5 Stars), Rafael (7-10m, Santos, 4 Stars), Julio Cesar (500k-1.5m, Benfica, 3 Stars), Vincent Enyeama (1-1.5m, Lille (out on loan), 3.5 Stars), Maxym Koval (5-6m, Dynamo Kiev, 4.5 Stars), Yann Sommer (2.5-3.5m, Basel, 4 Stars).

Frees: Olexandr Rybka (3.5 Stars).

Full Backs

Right: Gino Peruzzi (4-5m, Velez, 4.5 Stars), Frantisek Rajtoral (2.5-3.5m, Viktoria Plzen, 3.5 Stars), Nei (4-5m, Vasco, 3.5 Stars), Sebastian Corchia (7-9m, Sochaux, 5 Stars).

Left: Alex Sandro (7-9m, Porto, 4 Stars), Fausto Pinto (500k-1m, Toluca, 3 Stars), Renat Yanbaev (3m, Lokomotiv, 3.5 Stars), Djamel Mesbah (2.5-3.5m, Parma, 3.5 Stars).

Frees: Miguel (3 Stars), Albin Ebondo (3 Stars), Asier Del Horno (3.5 Stars), Walter Lopez (3 Stars).

Ball Playing Defenders

Transfers: Gabriel Paletta (4-5m, Parma, 4 Stars), Jores Okore (1.5m, Nordjaelland, 4.5 Stars), Andersen Martins (5-6m, Al-Jaish, 4 Stars), Borja Gomez (1-2m, Granada, 4 Stars), Jonathan Mensah (5-6m, Evian, 4 Stars), Jorge GuaGua (1-1.5m, Deportivo Quito, 3 Stars), Siyabonga Sangwani (1-1.5m, Orlando Pirates, 3.5 Stars), Juan Forlin (6-7m, Espanyol, 4.5 Stars), Rafael Toloi (3-4m, Sao Paulo, 4 Stars), Alexander Dragovic (2-3m, Basel, 3.5 Stars).

Frees: Thiago Heleno (3.5 Stars), Jurica Buljat (3 Stars), Fabinho (3 Stars), Walter Vilchez (3 Stars).

Defensive Midfielders

Transfers: Simao (500k-1m, Shandong, 4.5 Stars), Victor Wanyama (7.5-9m, Celtic, 5 Stars), Francisco Cerro (4.5-6m, Velez, 4 Stars), Dudu Cearense (1.5-2.5m, Goias, 3.5 Stars), Guido Pizarro (3.5-5m, Lanus, 4 Stars), Geoffrey Kondogbia (2.5-4m, Sevilla, 4 Stars).

Frees: Owen Hargreaves (3.5 Stars).

Wingers

Transfers: Pablo Barrientos (9-10m, Catania, 4 Stars), Marco Davide Faraoni (3-4m, Udinese, 4 Stars), Georgi Milanov (2-3m, Litex, 3.5 Stars), Emiliano Armentaros (5-6m, Osasuna, 3.5 Stars), Yassin Mikari (5-6m, Sochaux, 3.5 Stars) Ilsinho (Loan, Shakhtar, 3.5 Stars).

Frees: Dragan Blatnjak (3 Stars), Oscar Serrano (3.5 Stars), Igor Gabilondo (3 Stars).

Complete Forward

Transfers: Leonard Kweuke (4-5m, Sparta Prague, 4.5 Stars), Dieumerci Mbokani (7-8m, Anderlecht, 4 Stars), Giovanni Moreno (2-3m, Shenhua, 3.5 Stars).

Frees: Amr Zaki (3 Stars).

Advanced Forward

Transfers: Facundo Ferreyra (5-6m, Velez, 4 Stars), Carlos Fierro (2-4m, Chivas, 4 Stars), Abel Hernandez (6-7.5m, Palermo, 4 Stars), Viktor Fischer (7-9m, Ajax, 4.5 Stars), Hervin Ongenda (1m, PSG, 4 Stars).

Frees: Ewerthon (3 Stars), Ioannis Amanatidis (3 Stars), Franklin Salas (3 Stars).

Best 11: Rafael, Corchia, Alex Sandro, Okore, Forlin, Wanyama, Simao, Barrientos, Armenteros, Kweuke, Fischer (77.5m)

Bargain 11: Rybka, Rajtoral, Del Horno, Okore, Gomez, Simao, Hargreaves, Ilsinho (Loan), Serrano, Kweuke, Ewerthon (11.5m)

The above attributes are what I would look for in my players. If I was managing a mid-table standard Premier League side I would look for the Primary Attributes to average out at 15 and Supporting Attributes at 12/13. In terms of the base attributes, I would not sign a player who is weak in 2 or more of those areas (less than 10) and ideally will all be 14+. Certain players will not fit the system. An Ibrahimovic or Balotelli will struggle, think more along the lines of a Rooney or Tevez. Hard working players, determined to succeed and put the team before their own ego. A big tip that I give is to use your personnel in your squad wisely by picking the right players in the right games. For example, I have 4 strong wingers for my San Marino (club) team. 2 of which are much more attacking / creativity orientated and two that can put more of a shift in defensively. Against the big teams i.e. Juventus I will often favour the more defensive wingers, whereas go with the attacking wingers against the bottom teams. Also during the games, if I am chasing a win I will bring on the attack-minded winger or looking to hold onto a lead bring on the defensive winger. Same goes for the defensive midfielders. Versatile players are a great asset to have in a squad using this tactic. For example players who can play at full back and the wing, centre back and defensive mid, forward and wing.

During Pre-season the focus should be completely match-based and tactics only, until the tactic is fully fluid. Once this is achieved, I notch it down two places and move to defensive positioning training. Arrigo Sacchi was well known for his 'Shadow Play' training methods, which is essentially defensive positioning training.

Ideally you'd have an assistant manager that you can trust to set this up for you (16+ tactical knowledge + good defensive coach). However if you don't feel they're up to it, here's a few tips:

Close down always - slow players in midfield or attack and players with poor composure/concentration/decisions in defence or midfield.

Tight Mark - midfielders or attackers with poor pace.

Hard Tackling - any players with Bravery under 10.

Show onto weaker foot - any player who has reasonable or less for their weaker foot ability.

I have never used any shouts on any of my tactics, although feel free to use them if you want to. Bear in mind that some shouts will have no effect as I have altered the sliders.

Below are screen shots of success with this tactic by myself and also users on FMBase

San Marino (Club) 6 Trophies in 1 season

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?79s9b4vvmwodym5

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?dd9nfvvchfouzpc

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?ttmra4asdmibcmw

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?y2tfb56yzsobm93

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?41yy5348q46qpwo

Granada (1st season) Top by 6 points after 28 games

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?2ikrct1qk3xxk7q

Juventus (1st season) Quadruple, 36-1-1 Serie A record

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?2ikrct1qk3xxk7q

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?mybroe6a1swo1wx

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?rroe9fgmxy0p47z

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?rroe9fgmxy0p47z

Swansea (2nd season) League Champions & Europa League Winners

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?rroe9fgmxy0p47z

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?rroe9fgmxy0p47z

Wigan (1st Season) 2nd Place and Cup Double

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?rroe9fgmxy0p47z

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?2ikrct1qk3xxk7q

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?kl04770wm7215ck

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?iagqu7133cch4wd

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?6s4g5l941sg1cuc

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?z3f99xjm1f91bg4

DOWNLOAD LINK

http://www.mediafire.com/?8t7aekvtostsj19

I hope that this tactic brings you as much success as it has done with myself and members of the FM-Base community. Any feedback will be appreciated! Below is a link to the discussion on FM-Base. Many thanks and good luck!

http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/football-manager-2013-tactics-training/116467-arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-high-pressure-attacking-tactic-top-teams-underdogs.html

Ah this has been accepted on here now, feedback appreciated

tactic is 10/10

The best tatic for FM 13!!!

So, for me, this has been the worst FM in history! Far too much micro management to succeed and most of the time I can't be arsed with it.

Have tried pretty much every tactic anyone has put up this year and have had to luck..... until now I thought I would give this tactic a go with Ross County in the SPL. They have a few decent players, but are predicted to finish bottom. Here is my League table 25 games in:

As you can see I'm doing ****ing brilliant!!!

The football is beautiful as well. This is defo the best tactic for Fm13 by a long way.

One other thing I will point out is that i'm using this completely plug'n'play, that means that my AM handles team talks and match prep. I use NO OI's at all because I cant be arsed with them. Again completely PLUG N PLAY!

Amazing!

I totally agree with Spikester. Quite good Plug and Play. I make a sad 12 on 39 with Wimbledon. I use this tactic and I make 13 on 15.

Excellent!!!

I begin a new game and I post my results.

Looks promising this for those people who want a plug and play tactic, dont get me wrong I dont mind changing things around, I just dont have the time to sit there for hours on end testing different settings for one match?!?!

I recommend every type of FM player, be it the tinker, journeyman or whatsoever, to try this tactic. Honestly, I turned up late for work, twice because of this! Though I don't think blaming the tactic of FM itself has anything to do with it.

Good to see this on here. Agree with all the above and another recommendation, best I've used so far and enjoying the football played. Great philosophy

Fantastic Tactic!

Just some things to note if you're struggling with it. It's just my own way of playing the game and it might work, or you might not like it but here goes -

Fact is, you DON'T NEED players like Messi or Ronaldo for this tactic to work. Just work on building a TEAM. I'm building a young one with Valencia and look to have them grow and flourish together in the coming seasons.

I've never had any bad games with the tactic apart from the usual 'off days' or plain bad luck. All I can say, for those having some troubles with it, KEEP AT IT, IT'S NOT THE TACTIC. It's probably your man management or morale or something. Afterall, it's FM, it's supposed to be realistic thus you can't expect to win everything every year. I don't see the point in playing it for the sole purpose of winning every game.

What's your current line-up? What have you set your Match Training Focus to? Are the team's Morale generally very good? Also, did your Team Talks work?

There's alot of factors really and in FM, little things like team talks or morale could either be make or break for a match. I mean, you could do a masterpiece of a strategy but if your players aren't in on it, you won't get much results. Try to build a hard-working, determined team. That should put you in a good spot.

Finally, don't expect to win games, week in, week out but concentrate on building a good momentum with the team. The tactic's brilliant, work on micro-managing the team. This tactic will get you the league title season after season but you're gonna need good players for continental competitions and such. I wouldn't worry much though, seasonal wins gets me the funds I need to strengthen the team more, after all, if I win the CL at first try, I'd get bored.

On a side note, 3rd season kicks off with my Valencia save, had my revenge against Sevilla after beating them 2-0 on both legs for the Spanish Super Cup.

Just my 2cents

Fantastic Tactic!

Cheers, who are you using it with?

Thanks for all the feedback guys, best of luck!

this looks interesting, so will have a look on how it works out in the ME, thought would it not be better to switch the forward roles around? since most CB's are right footed the gap for a right footed advanced forward to drift into would often be larger between the LB and CBl then it is on the other side of the pitch

this looks interesting, so will have a look on how it works out in the ME, thought would it not be better to switch the forward roles around? since most CB's are right footed the gap for a right footed advanced forward to drift into would often be larger between the LB and CBl then it is on the other side of the pitch

Interesting thought, no harm in giving it a try!

Using it with Blackpool. It's very easy at the moment. Plug-and-play it is !!

Using it with Blackpool. It's very easy at the moment. Plug-and-play it is !!

Is this first season? What have results been like? Have you made many signings?

Are OI's necessary cause I feel like they ruin most tactics I use

Don't have to use them, but always avoid the rarely/never options as they will counter-act the tactic.

Ok, so finished my first season using this with Ross County(predicted BOTTOM!!!):

Completely Plug n Play! No OI's used.

Sexual.

Is this first season? What have results been like? Have you made many signings?

It's an old save, so I haven't got the original squad anymore. I'm playing in the premier league. I will post some images if you like.

Fantastic opening post. Very good of you that you tried it with more than one team and posted the results. Cheers !

Playing a very similar tactic of my own creation with my QPR team. I too am inspired by the likes of Sacchi and Bielsa and their styles of tactics, so it's great to see something posted here that I can relate to! I usually download tactics here to garner different ideas so this is perfect! I love it because it's so simple to play, people go into great detail about tactics yet fail to realise that if you simply use a hard working, determined side you can just press the opposition to death regardless of your quality.

The only difference is that I play CMs. Sound idea to change them to DMs though, I might give this a test for a few and compare.

I'm testing with Saint Etienne, second season, no signs... lets see

im in scottish div 3 with east stirlingshire was doing terrible but 1st away game won 5-0 but had to push the 2 dm up to cm as have no dm but the tactic looked solid will keep u informed of how i get on

Cheers for the Feedback Guys.

In relation to pushing up the DMs to MCs, this is where I first started when creating this tactic. However I found that good teams managed to find the gaps between the defence and midfield line. However by moving them to DM they are now generally 10 yards in front of the DCs and when one DM presses the opposition the other holds his position. This makes it almost impenetrable through the middle and the DMs still act as box-to-box midfielders because of the fluidity and mentality of the tactic.

If anybody has any screen shots of their progress it would be great if you could share them

I just used this tactic for the majority of my first season with Chelsea. I had another two tactics loaded up that I used now and again but for the most part I used this one. I ended up winning the Premier League, European Super Cup, World Club Championship and best of all I beat Barcelona 1-0 in the final of the Champions League so a crazy first season to say the least. I signed Carlos Fierro in January, he certainly looks one for the future although he also scored 8 goals for me in the second half of the season. Great tactic.

Using this with Luton, so very lower league, with a pretty weak lineup. Need to acquire some players to fill the roles, but making do with what we have to begin with due to no transfer budget.

That said: the improvement in play and results from the 4-4-2 we were using is pretty dramatic. And the football play is just beautiful. Some tactics are effective but the play is a bit awkward, or unnatural looking. Here the play is very team oriented, and I'm seeing some beautiful plays that look far better than what I might expect from this level of talent.

Thanks very much for the effort and the tactic! One question though: have you seen the AI begin to adjust to the tactic to the point it becomes less effective over time? If so, what changes do you make to counter that?

I just used this tactic for the majority of my first season with Chelsea. I had another two tactics loaded up that I used now and again but for the most part I used this one. I ended up winning the Premier League, European Super Cup, World Club Championship and best of all I beat Barcelona 1-0 in the final of the Champions League so a crazy first season to say the least. I signed Carlos Fierro in January, he certainly looks one for the future although he also scored 8 goals for me in the second half of the season. Great tactic.

Nice results there mate!

Will this work as well with cm's rather than dm's?

Ignore that. I've just seen its already been answered.

Using this with Luton, so very lower league, with a pretty weak lineup. Need to acquire some players to fill the roles, but making do with what we have to begin with due to no transfer budget.

That said: the improvement in play and results from the 4-4-2 we were using is pretty dramatic. And the football play is just beautiful. Some tactics are effective but the play is a bit awkward, or unnatural looking. Here the play is very team oriented, and I'm seeing some beautiful plays that look far better than what I might expect from this level of talent.

Thanks very much for the effort and the tactic! One question though: have you seen the AI begin to adjust to the tactic to the point it becomes less effective over time? If so, what changes do you make to counter that?

Although I dislike Luton (Cambridge United fan) it's good to see this tactic working in the lower leagues. The football is a lot down to the individual creativity of the players, goals will be scored by all different ways, crosses, build up play, counters, set pieces. I don't like to limit the ways to score goals. I haven't noticed the AI catch on with my San Marino team, been using it for over 3 seasons now and i'm 99 games unbeaten in all comps - though I do have a world class team.

Could anyone recommend some teams that this tactic would fit at the start of the game?

Could anyone recommend some teams that this tactic would fit at the start of the game?

What level / leagues are you thinking of starting with?

Best tactic !!!

Almost finished in 2nd, I was second but couldn't keep it for long :/ (media prediction 8th)

My team, no big players...almost the default team of Saint-Etienne

What level / leagues are you thinking of starting with?

I am finding, with my lower league team, that fatigue is becoming a huge issue.

And now into my second season with Chelsea, I signed Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski in the summer to bolster my team. This has been my start to the season.

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/4485/31429865.png

Who scores the goals with this tactic? I've noticed that a lot of formations set up with a 4-4-2 have next to no goals from the wide players

Who scores the goals with this tactic? I've noticed that a lot of formations set up with a 4-4-2 have next to no goals from the wide players

In my current season with Chelsea my top scorers are as follows:

Lewandowski 21

Ba 20

Lukaku 16

Hazard 16

Reus 13

Torres 12

Oscar 8

Lampard 8

Mata 4

So as you can see the goals are quite evenly shared out, although the strikers do score the majority, my wingers chip in with more than enough.

In my current season with Chelsea my top scorers are as follows:

Lewandowski 21

Ba 20

Lukaku 16

Hazard 16

Reus 13

Torres 12

Oscar 8

Lampard 8

Mata 4

So as you can see the goals are quite evenly shared out, although the strikers do score the majority, my wingers chip in with more than enough.

Thats good then, most of the time people post a 4-4-2 and you'll find the wingers getting 3-6 goals at most

Thats good then, most of the time people post a 4-4-2 and you'll find the wingers getting 3-6 goals at most

Yeah well i've played Mata/Hazard on the left and Reus/Oscar on the right throughout the season and they have scored 45 goals between them (adding the 4 that Hazard and Reus have scored since my last post )

any league/level, but not a top, top team. A team/squad I can improve. Sleeping giant or under achieving team would be ideal.

Maybe Roma? Not won the league in a long time. They've got some class DMs and Lamela turns into one of the best MLs on the game. You'll need to bolster their defence.

Who scores the goals with this tactic? I've noticed that a lot of formations set up with a 4-4-2 have next to no goals from the wide players

My wingers regularly get 10-20 goals a season for me. Strikers 20-30. DMs 5-10. There's a real spread out of the goals.

And now into my second season with Chelsea, I signed Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski in the summer to bolster my team. This has been my start to the season.

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/4485/31429865.png

Quality start!

I am finding, with my lower league team, that fatigue is becoming a huge issue.

Unfortunately that's part and parcel of using the tactic. Its very physically demanding and a good rotation policy is needed.

Top of league with Everton first season after 14 games says it all. The same team bar Diame from west ham

So far for me this tactic has been fantastic, haven't seen anything this good on this version of the game.

Took Rangers to the top of Scottish Division 3, obviously that's to be expected, but the manner I did it in was great. Following from that I played another go with Tottenham and was seeing more of the same, winning the ball deep, goals from all over the pitch, very good tactic, thank you!

Ended my second season with Chelsea and I have just had my best ever season on FM13. I won literally EVERYTHING. Won the Premier League with 103 points and by 22 points over second placed Arsenal. I also retained the Champions League, beating Real Madrid in the semi-finals and then Bayern in the final. Along with this I won the FA Cup, Capital One Cup, European Super Cup, Community Shield and World Club Championship. The first time on any Football Manager that i've won every competition i've been in in one season. Now in pre-season approaching my third season and Neymar was on the transfer list by request, so I picked him up for £28m, buzzing for next season already.

So far for me this tactic has been fantastic, haven't seen anything this good on this version of the game.

Took Rangers to the top of Scottish Division 3, obviously that's to be expected, but the manner I did it in was great. Following from that I played another go with Tottenham and was seeing more of the same, winning the ball deep, goals from all over the pitch, very good tactic, thank you!

Been looking to use this tactic and I've recently started a new game with Rangers.

What's stopped me though was in the 3rd division this looks like too defensive a tactic to adopt - given the fact that it uses two DM's.

How did you find that it played in the 3rd division? Did it seem like you were playing too defensive at times or did the attacking players actually shine through?

Fantastic results all round, cheers for the feedback!

This tactic has helped me qualify for Euro 2020 with San Marino, as well as being on track to win all the trophies on offer (Serie A, Italian Cup, Champs League, Italian Super Cup, Euro Super Cup, Club World Championship) for the 3rd season in a row.

Been looking to use this tactic and I've recently started a new game with Rangers.

What's stopped me though was in the 3rd division this looks like too defensive a tactic to adopt - given the fact that it uses two DM's.

How did you find that it played in the 3rd division? Did it seem like you were playing too defensive at times or did the attacking players actually shine through?

With the mentality and fluidity of the tactic, the DMs act as box-to-box players, so I definitely wouldn't call this a defensive tactic.