Suggestions For Valencia's Tactics Under Nuno

After struggling for years with underperfromance, financial problems, Valencia has finally picked itself up after being bought over by Singaporean Billionaire Peter Lim. But a lot of the credit is being given to the teams astute manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who has brought about drastic changes in tactics, mentality.

Under previous coaches, Valencia played possession based short passing football, with slow gradual build up. Pretty much like how most Spanish clubs play and the NT play. Nuno on the other hand followed a more modern approach believing possession is of no use unless you make efficient use of the time you have with the ball. Instead he has built his game around high pressing, good positioning, fast transition. Although his tactics are still work in progress it has been good enough to propel Valencia into a top 4 slot, possibly challenging Atletico for 3rd. And like Chile and Netherlands shocked Spain in the WC, his tactics have been unpleasant for most possession oriented Spanish clubs including the big teams.

Some key features of Valencia's tactics in real life are:

1) It plays a 4-3-3 with two attacking fullbacks, two central defenders who press to the middle of the pitch. Three man midfield featuring a defensive midfielder and two energetic central midfielders. Two wingers, and a lone forward.

2) Valencia's DM (Javi Fuego), often drops deep into the same line as the CB's. As a result the fullbacks have the license to press forward without the risk of being compromised at the back. Valencia also has a man advantage. When defending deep it has 5 men, on counter attacks it can have three man ready to thwart attacks.

3) Valencia's fullbacks overlap throughout the game, providing width. There is a lot of quick one two's and clever passing with the winger to allow either to get into a good crossing position.

4) One of Valencia's MC's stays deep (Parejo), although can go forward when necessary. The other plays like a B2B midfielder (Andre Gomes), pressing and hassling opposition as high as their GK. He also runs a lot with the ball either to shoot, or involve the wider players.

5) Valencia's wingers play multiple roles. At times they provide the width, at times they drift into narrower positions allowing fullbacks to overlap. They also press like crazy throughout the game. They will also cut in trying to get into scoring positions

6) Valencia plays a lone striker (Alcacer/Negredo). Alcacer drops as low as half way down the pitch. Presses intensely throughout the game looking to force mistakes, win back possession.

7) A key feature of Valencia is they press very high up the pitch. Their two wingers, one of their MC's, and striker constantly press till the goalkeeper, also cutting passing routes in the process. The idea is to win back possession in the oppositions half.

8) Positioning is another key feature. Valencia players love to drift into gaps intentionally. For example the striker would operate in between the triangle of CB, RB/LB, DM. Idea is to always keep opposition guessing. Another example, when Valencia's MC drifts forward on one flank, opposition MC doesnt know whether he must press, as the LB is also moving ahead. The opposition RB doesnt know whether to press Valencia's MC or LB as the left winger is also there.

9) Finally Valencia love to move the ball forward with great pace, slick, clever one two passes. They do not like to pass slowly. They rarely dominate possession. Only in home games, and against weaker teams they are likely to retain possession.

Here's a nice article on Valencia's tactics under Nuno.

http://spielverlagerung.com/2015/04/18/valencia-a-tactical-profile/

Tactical guru's, FM experts, what is your suggestion? How can you recreate Nuno's tactics in Football Manager.

Why don't you try to recreate the tactic yourself? You'll get way more personal satisfaction out of doing that.

To be honest the tactic is in there from what I have read, best thing is to finish it off yourself test it and then keep us updated.

I've tried this tactic with Valencia and went with attacking mentality against Barcelona. I was impressed how we crushed them. Only problem I've noticed is against some lower teams we don't have possession and we don't create many chances.