Moneyballing My Way To A Champions League Title in Every European Nation Part X: The FM23 Experiment

[shaunvamos]

March 2026

 

 

 

 

 

We were disappointing against Viseu, but we still hold 6th.

 

 

 

National Team

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty much confirming the inevitable here, but at least we weren't flogged.

[BlueMikeyP]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been posted previously.

Do you have a link to the spreadsheet that you use to judge players please?

[shaunvamos]

 

45 minutes ago, BlueMikeyP said:

Hi,

Sorry if this has been posted previously.

Do you have a link to the spreadsheet that you use to judge players please?

Sure!

 

 

FMCU.xlsx

[shaunvamos]

2026 Youth Intake

 

 

Tiago Dinis 5A  -  Tobias Bertram 5B  -  José Portela 5C

 

This was actually much better than I expected, with three players worth tagging. Will they feature? Probably not with our facilities at the moment, but who knows?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shaunvamos]

April 2026 

 

 

 

 

 

Result to Sporting aside, it was a good month, and we are on the cusp of a second consecutive year of European football.

[vkastanas]

How do you populate the transfer lists?

 

[shaunvamos]

 

 

 

 

 

 

The draw against Vitoria was enough to secure Conference League qualification, and hopefully we'll stay in it a bit longer next season.

 

 

 

Best XI

 

 

 

André Dias  -  Xavi Sintes  -  Henrique Pires

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record Breakers

 

 

 

 

 

Award Winners

 

 

 

 

 

Progress

 

 

 

Edited April 21, 2022 by shaunvamos

[shaunvamos]

3 minutes ago, vkastanas said:

How do you populate the transfer lists?

 

In terms of the players I find, I have attribute masking turned off and use the editor to show all players who would be interested in me no matter where they are. It may be a little gamey and unrealistic, but I'm operating under the assumption that we can guess their attributes based on the stats they put up and go from there. Also, because I'm only signing players with nationalities of bordering countries that adds enough of a challenge in itself. 

So what I do is filter all the available players by the attributes necessary to play the role I'm looking for. Usually I look for players that have at least 10 in each attribute to start with. Here is what it looks like looking for an Advanced Forward:

 

 

 

 

I then increase the number to 11, 12, etc until I have zero players left to look at, then bring it back to the last number where there were still players.

 

 

 

There are no players when it's 12, so I'll bring it back to 11 for the next step.

 

What happens next is I then remove 5 of the role attributes necessary to be included:

 

 

 

So now I only need 10 of the attributes to be at least 11. 

 

This gives me a total of 176 players to choose from. If there are more than 260 I increase number of attributes to be matched until there is less than 260 (the print screen function can only take the first 260 for some reason), and if there is less than 100 I lower the number of attributes to be matched. That way it gives me a decent enough sample size to be able to pick players who might excel in some areas but not others rather than someone who is consistent 11s across the board.

 

Then I print screen the results (Ctrl+P), save as web page and then import it into Excel. I then sort by the role ability I'm looking for, and then take a look at the transfer value. If it fits within my allocated budget towards that position, I go for them. If not, onto the next person. If they're for free, I go for them regardless, unless their wage exceeds the budget I set aside for them. Also once the newgens start to take over I only sign players with good personalities. 

 

 

I know I've raved on a bit here, but let me know if it all makes sense and any other questions you might have!

[vkastanas]

Do you use a special in game view that you print to file?

 

[shaunvamos]

Yep, here are the views I use: 

Field Squad.fmf Field.fmf GK Squad.fmf GK.fmf

[vkastanas]

There is only one problem. I use attribute masking.

Also, I'm still on FM21.

And third, I'm playing online with my mates! Can't get into a proper save alone!

Going to download the views now...

[ChielliniConCarne]

3 hours ago, shaunvamos said:

Yep, here are the views I use: 

Could you post your tactic?

[shaunvamos]

16 hours ago, vkastanas said:

There is only one problem. I use attribute masking.

Also, I'm still on FM21.

And third, I'm playing online with my mates! Can't get into a proper save alone!

Going to download the views now...

 

That's no problem, you can still use it with attribute masking, you just need to have 76% scouting knowledge of a player for it to apply, which will give you an appreciation of their attributes. You can add that as a filter in the player search section.

 

I'm looking at doing a save with attribute masking on possibly for FM23, and running a regression model to value player contributions based on stats, and will probably experiment with something like that in an online save I'm doing at the moment with attribute masking on. But its a work in progress for now.

 

 

13 hours ago, ChielliniConCarne said:

Could you post your tactic?

 

Sure!

 

 

[vkastanas]

Maybe you can share your filters too?

Thanks!

[vkastanas]

Can you explain one more time please?

Key attributes: 7 (FST,PAS,TEC,CMP,DEC,TEA,VIS)

Preferable attributes: 4 (ANT,OFF,WOR,BAL)

If all were 17.

*5

What's the number I'm getting?

[shaunvamos]

2026 Preseason

 

 

 

All but one of these guys are backups.

 

 

 

Central Midfielder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A strong preseason, and we win our first European matches in the team's history.

 

 

 

 

 

Finally not predicted last!

[shaunvamos]

1 hour ago, vkastanas said:

Can you explain one more time please?

Key attributes: 7 (FST,PAS,TEC,CMP,DEC,TEA,VIS)

Preferable attributes: 4 (ANT,OFF,WOR,BAL)

If all were 17.

*5

What's the number I'm getting?

Should be 74.49.

[vkastanas]

Can you please explain the exact process. Not so good with numbers apparently... 

 

[parkjimount]

Just to let you know I haven't actually played FM for two days because every spare moment I've had, I've been reading your posts 🤣

Thanks for the entertainment. Would love to give this a go but my various commitments limit me to the mobile version of the game.

Where do you think you'll stop? Are you going to win the Champions League with a Cypriot team or something?

[clarkehwbu]

I'm currently at your Germany stage and still reading through, but was interested in your spreadsheet, trying to use it myself now.

So lets say for example i'm looking for a BPDa. 

Key Stats are Heading, Marking, Passing, Tackling, Composure, Positioning, Jumping Reach and Strength. (8)

Preferrable Stats are First Touch, Technique, Aggression, Anticipation, Bravery, Concentration, Decisions, Vision and Pace. (9)

Is this formula below correct?  Please assume that I've gotten the correct stat to the correct column, I've double checked this. The one thing I'm confused about is the 69.7*100 part?

=((R2+U2+V2+X2+AC2+AJ2+AQ2+AU2 + (0.66*(P2+Y2+Z2+AA2+AB2+AD2+AE2+AL2+AS2)))/17*5)/69.7*100

I just want to know whether I'm on the right track and to clarify the part i'm confused about, before I start using it for other positions etc

[shaunvamos]

August 2026

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a tough start to the season, getting Porto, Sporting and Braga in the first 4 games, but we won't have to worry about them for a while. The even better news is that we easily qualified for the Conference League group stage! I'm particularly impressed by the performances against Dinamo Zagreb shutting them out over 2 legs to seal our place.

 

 

 

 

We have a group I'm pretty happy with. There actually aren't too many strong teams in the groups either, except maybe Atletico, PSV and Mainz/Brighton. But I think we can get out of the group.

 

 

 

I've also resigned from the National Team, it was fun while it lasted but I think it's a nation building project that will take too long to get anything meaningful out of it.

[shaunvamos]

13 hours ago, vkastanas said:

Can you please explain the exact process. Not so good with numbers apparently... 

 

I'll send you a PM mate

 

 

8 hours ago, parkjimount said:

Just to let you know I haven't actually played FM for two days because every spare moment I've had, I've been reading your posts 🤣

Thanks for the entertainment. Would love to give this a go but my various commitments limit me to the mobile version of the game.

Where do you think you'll stop? Are you going to win the Champions League with a Cypriot team or something?

 

Thanks for following along!

 

I think I'll stop when the new one comes out, and maybe pick up where I left off from there. I'm not sure if I'll get as far as Cyprus in FM22, but I'm excited to get to those less strong nations for sure.

 

 

6 hours ago, clarkehwbu said:

I'm currently at your Germany stage and still reading through, but was interested in your spreadsheet, trying to use it myself now.

So lets say for example i'm looking for a BPDa. 

Key Stats are Heading, Marking, Passing, Tackling, Composure, Positioning, Jumping Reach and Strength. (8)

Preferrable Stats are First Touch, Technique, Aggression, Anticipation, Bravery, Concentration, Decisions, Vision and Pace. (9)

Is this formula below correct?  Please assume that I've gotten the correct stat to the correct column, I've double checked this. The one thing I'm confused about is the 69.7*100 part?

=((R2+U2+V2+X2+AC2+AJ2+AQ2+AU2 + (0.66*(P2+Y2+Z2+AA2+AB2+AD2+AE2+AL2+AS2)))/17*5)/69.7*100

I just want to know whether I'm on the right track and to clarify the part i'm confused about, before I start using it for other positions etc

You are on the right track, and the 69.7*100 part is unique to each role, especially the part in red.

 

Hopefully this will explain it a little better:

 

 

 

The first row is the formula ((Sum of all key attributes for role + (0.66 * (sum of all preferable attributes for role))) / total number of key/preferable attributes for role * 5).

 

The second row is the same formula as above, but all the attributes are 17. So while this is considered the "best possible rating", it's not a nice round number of, say, a rating out of 100. Which is what I sought to do next.

 

The third row is the formula ((Sum of all key attributes for role + (0.66 * (sum of all preferable attributes for role))) / total number of key/preferable attributes for role * 5) / rating if all attributes were 17 * 100.

 

The fourth row is the same formula as row 3, but all the attributes are 17. 

 

If you divide the values of row 2/row 1 and row 3/row 4 you get the same value, but as I say it's easier to have the rating out of 100 for some homogeneity.

 

[shaunvamos]

September 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great month, and we get off to a winning start in the Conference League.

[shaunvamos]

October 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were absolutely FM'd by Feirense, but we apart from that we are absolutely killing it in the league. We're also looking the goods in the Conference League, with 3 wins from 3 so far.

[shaunvamos]

November 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's tight at the top, and it will be interesting to see how things look once everyone has played their games in hand. We also have the opportunity to win all 6 of our games in the Conference League too!

[MLGHayez]

I got put onto this via a link on twitter it's amazing, the thing I'm struggling with the formula is getting the, if all ratings were 17 I'm not sure how to go about finding that number, I see that you explained it in a post, but unfortunately I still do not quite understand how to find the value. Any help is much appreciated.

[shaunvamos]

December 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixture congestion really tore us a new one, playing 5 games in 2 weeks is tough. But if we still win our remaining games in hand that can put us 4th, so we're still in touch.

 

 

 

I do like the look of this  

 

[shaunvamos]

January 2027

 

 

 

 

 

We predictably drop results to Porto and Sporting, but right the ship and have a chance to become best of the rest at this stage of the season.

[shaunvamos]

February 2027

 

 

 

 

 

Covilha flog us, but we sneak into 5th.

 

 

 

 

 

Very unimpressed to have drawn PSV, but at least it wasn't Atletico.

[shaunvamos]

March 2027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come on, seriously?!

Then Benfica just had to go and add insult to injury, but at least that's the last we'll see of the big 3.

[shaunvamos]

2027 Youth Intake

 

 

 

Manuel Lírio 6A

 

Ah yes, the "excellent" intake 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shaunvamos]

April 2027

 

 

 

 

 

A strong month, and we've secured at least Conference League football for next season. 4th place will get us a place in the Europa League, but apart from that just the Conference League. 

[Emergo]

You are flying through these seasons... do you watch every single match? Loving the progress, will definitely attempt a similar save soon!

[shaunvamos]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solid finish to the season, but we don't get the Europa League place, as Famalicao and Braga will play for it in the cup final. Still, 4th is our best finish, so I definitely won't complain.

 

 

 

Best XI

 

 

 

André Dias  -  Xavi Sintes  -   Ruan Costa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record Breakers

 

 

 

 

Award Winners

 

 

 

 

 

Progress

 

 

[shaunvamos]

44 minutes ago, Emergo said:

You are flying through these seasons... do you watch every single match? Loving the progress, will definitely attempt a similar save soon!

 

Good luck! I use instant result  

[3maldini3]

Bloody Aussies using kg for weight at feet for height.

I'd never get it.

[Sheriff7]

Close enough...

[shaunvamos]

2027 Preseason

 

 

 

All of these players bar one have been sent to the U23s to develop, with the hope that they'll snag at least a spot in the subs come January. The loss of starting keeper Rafael William is a big loss too, as he was developing nicely. But I'll get over it.

 

 

 

Central Midfielder

 

 

 

The 18 year old promising striker moves from next door to hopefully grow into his promise.

 

 

 

 

 

Weird loss to Anadia (a third division side), but a strong preseason otherwise.

 

 

 

 

 

We keep moving up.

[shaunvamos]

13 hours ago, turgi said:

Bloody Aussies using kg for weight at feet for height.

I'd never get it.

Blame my love for American sport with the feet  Only form of imperial measurement I'll ever use.

[3maldini3]

 

6 hours ago, shaunvamos said:

Blame my love for American sport with the feet  Only form of imperial measurement I'll ever use.

Been living here long enough to know you are not the only one/

[BlueMikeyP]

On 21/04/2022 at 14:58, shaunvamos said:

use the editor to show all players who would be interested in me no matter where they are.

Hi,

How do you do this in the editor? I didn’t know this was possible.

[shaunvamos]

August 2027

 

 

 

 

 

A disappointing start to the league, but we're in the Conference League again.

 

 

 

 

Leverkusen will probably be too strong for us, but I think 2nd is achievable. 

[shaunvamos]

22 hours ago, BlueMikeyP said:

Hi,

How do you do this in the editor? I didn’t know this was possible.

It's in the in game editor, and you select "show all players in search". 

[shaunvamos]

September 2027

 

 

 

 

 

We rediscover our form until we met Leverkusen.

 

 

[shaunvamos]

October 2027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're really banging in the goals, but it looks like Braga have our number this season.

[shaunvamos]

November 2027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The draw against Benfica is one of our best performances domestically, and perhaps proof that we are starting to catch up to the big 3.

Edited April 25, 2022 by shaunvamos

[shaunvamos]

December 2027

 

 

 

 

 

An excellent way to finish the year, as fixture congestion failed to be an issue this time. If we can keep this up, we could push for 3rd place.

 

 

 

 

 

Sturm Graz is a beatable team, but it's pretty awesome to see clubs from Cyprus, Macedonia and Northern Ireland playing knockout football.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, yeah we've heard this one before.

Edited April 25, 2022 by shaunvamos

[shaunvamos]

January 2028

 

 

 

 

 

A tough month as we come up against the strong teams, but we can push Sporting until the end of the season, as we only have Porto and Benfica left to play out of the "big" teams.

[shaunvamos]

February 2028

 

 

 

 

 

One of each result, as Porto flog us and we lose a bit of ground to Sporting.

 

 

 

 

 

We destroyed Sturm Graz much to my surprise, and we're drawn with Feyenoord. A Dutch side broke our hearts at this stage last season, but hopefully we can avoid that. Cool to see Famalicao also reaching this stage, as well as Larne and St Pat's Athletic.

Edited April 26, 2022 by shaunvamos

[shaunvamos]

March 2027

 

 

 

 

 

Solid in the league, as we pull away slightly from 5th and maintain the distance to Sporting.

 

 

 

 

 

Feyenoord were swept aside in a tie that was over before the second leg which shocked me. What's even more shocking is we are drawn against Irish side St Patrick's Athletic, which is by far the easiest draw on paper. Portugal is also represented by Famalicao, who beat Lille in the previous round.