Possession, without sacrificing goals

[lagoalaguna]

After months of trying to create a successful possession heavy tactic, I think I finally found a good starting point. First, some goal examples that I'm proud of:
 

https://streamable.com/i9jgcz

https://streamable.com/ru2a00

https://streamable.com/ddsuw7

https://streamable.com/ry9r2t

Here is the tactic:

 

As you can see, the tactic defends in a 4231 and attacks in 325. From the start of the game I have tried to make a tactic that attacks in 235, and it always ended in failure. Ever since I have changed to 3 at the back, things have been going much smoother.

The positional play helps a lot with the AM attacking positioning, always filling up the left half-space since the right one is occupied by the mezzala:

 

AM is 50, mezzala 23. also libero 34 and regista 6

pass map from the same game, 701 passes total

 

Now, I don't think this is a plug and play tactic. I have been managing Sporting for 7 years now, and I probably have a top 4 squad in the world. Also, I train "Plays one-twos" on everyone that is able to. Don't know how much it helps with possession or if it does at all, but it makes sense for me that it does.

The main thing I think I need to improve is possession against equal or better opponents. Those games almost always end with possession split 50/50. Having already a top squad, I think the improvement should come from the tactic, I just can't really see where (without sacrificing goals, of course).

The results (game against Boavista was the first time I used it):

Feel free to try to improve it:
Posse - Sporting 2031.fmf

Edited May 9 by lagoalaguna
added results

[FalkoNguyen]

looks promising; have you ever tested the Volante instead of the Mezzala since it offers greater coverage in a settled defense? I use the same backline as you and this is the best combo to replicate the 3-2 shape.
How is the CFa performing? Is he the main goal scorer or it's the IFa. I tried many roles for striker in a 433 but it seems he got isolated too much. And how is the width of your team with the narrow system, do your wingers need to have stay wider instruction?

[lagoalaguna]

3 horas atrás, FalkoNguyen disse:

looks promising; have you ever tested the Volante instead of the Mezzala since it offers greater coverage in a settled defense? I use the same backline as you and this is the best combo to replicate the 3-2 shape.
How is the CFa performing? Is he the main goal scorer or it's the IFa. I tried many roles for striker in a 433 but it seems he got isolated too much. And how is the width of your team with the narrow system, do your wingers need to have stay wider instruction?

Hi there.

No, I have never tested a SV, but in theory it should work.

How fast does a SV get to the AM strata? One thing I like about having the mezzala is the space on its back that he immediately provides the libero to move to, allowing a fast transition to the 325.

The CFa is performing well, but he's not the main goalscorer (so far it's actually the AM, but he's also my best player so that could be influencing it). Yes, when I was playing a 433 I was experiencing the exact same thing. I think that having an AM helps a lot with getting the striker more involved. The goals are pretty well distributed among the front 4, with the mezzala also joining sometimes. The libero and the regista also find themselves in good positions for a long shot.

The team is fairly wide (so, one less that full width), but yes I think the wingers have stay wider, can't tell for sure since I'm currently not at home.

[FalkoNguyen]

Man, tried this tactic for a number of games and it looks promising. Offensively, this is one of the most consistently goal-produced JDP-inspired tactic I have seen, created, or tried. I think the reason is you using a heavy, rigid attacking structure with lots of TI/PI across your front 4 + stay wider ins of your winger and a pretty wider shape. It created lots of space, and the lower tempo helped your player use that space at full capacity. 
Using a player in CM instead of SVa is superior in build-up I must say, although the SV create a better settle-defense shape, having a space early for Libero pushing up is crucial in build-up phase. I changed the distribution to the other centre back and it helps Libero push up even more frequently.
However, because of the expansive nature of your shape in attack, the pressing is not elite. There is huge horizontal space between the first and second lines of pressing that is easy to cut through if the team has a decent ball playing backline. The push-up more ins help the defensive line aggressively regain long ball back, but when the press is by pass, the opponent easily cuts through my defense with players dropping deep, playing one-two, and having the third man run into space due to the defensive push-up. I tried to fix the press by removing the mark tightly, adding close down more, and addi ng a mark-specific DL/DR to both wingers. It definitely helps the press, but the winger is a little bit narrower. I definitely like this approach more
After fixing the press we currently concede 15 goal in 24 games, quite good and we haven't lost yet.