Der General

They didn't care much about possession. Neither do I It varied from 35% to 65%. I'll share some stats from Champions League matches: https://m.football-lineups.com/match/17121/ https://m.football-lineups.com/match/17115/ https://m.football-lineups.com/match/17101/ https://m.football-lineups.com/match/15449/ https://m.football-lineups.com/match/7365/ https://m.football-lineups.com/match/7364/ https://m.football-lineups.com/match/7361/ Comparing to what I'm getting - pretty similar. For example, Manchester United in CL 1/4F: Averages in CL and

I won't say you are wrong, but you are not completely right as well, since you are not looking at the whole picture. Zambrotta was an attacking FB indeed. However, Zebina on the right wasn't. The only reason why - they interpret the role in a completely different way. This is something I used here, focused on the squad building and utilized default roles in order to complement them. Zaniolo/Nedved cuts inside, Zaracho/Camoranesi as well. Vieira/Pogba gets forward whenever possible, even with a CM role. Everyone passes into space (TI selected). The only thing I'd change would be Zlata

Hi! I started a career during this Covid lockdown, experimenting with tactics in Italy. Since the beginning in Viterbese, I’ve had an idea to start some tactical threads, but only now did I have the time to actually write a piece. The tactics won’t be published chronologically, but from now on, I’ll probably start a thread for each of the clubs I’m managing. I’ll recreate a historical tactic from an Italian squad (not necessarily the team I’m managing). Moving on with my Italian adventure, I was approached by Juventus after Roma. Looking at the squad, it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss

Very helpful Will take it into account, Thanks!

I’m looking to buy an ultrabook soon, so I’d like your help with making my choice. What I need is something light and portable (therefore, an ultrabook), as an all-around machine. Firstly, for business - Office, internet, heavy data analyss (which is why it needs appearance and portability), then for (casual) gaming. I only play FM, but given the investment, I’d like it to run smoothly on heavy setup. I’ve looked at Lenovo Yoga 920 and HP Spectre x360, but I’m open to other suggestions in 1500 euro price range. Thanks!

Ö-zil, sorry to hijack your thread, but this is quite an interesting topic. I'd start with 4-4-1-1, Control mentality and Fluid team shape. This way you get 4-4-2 when defending and pressing, but AMC starts a bit deeper when . Double pivot in midfield is impossible to implement, even with two DMs on Support (tried it, didn't go as planned), so you'd probably have to go with CM(S)+CM(D) combo. I woudn't go for a DLP, although Bastian was a DLP/RP, because CM's movement in attack resembles Bastian/Gustavo in Heynckes' Bayern more. Ribery as a WP(A), Robben WM(A) with Cut inside, Sit narrower a

Thank you.

Blind also has quite low closing down, and left-central area in front of penalty box isn't really his area, but 5's. As a matter of fact, I don't want anyone to step forward, but invite pressure. Any ideas on midfield, then?

I'd expect #5 to cover that space, since I'm using a back 5, certainly not Blind. Had #5 left his position, his area would be partly covered by Blind and #4. It's illogical, because Blind covers the space that is already covered (as it should) by someone else. He also has Hold position, and yet he leaves whole side unmarked for a diagonal pass. As for Fluid, I would ditch it, but without it, my attacks totally lack creativity.

Now that he mentioned it, a question. Why on Earth would a Full back on Support in a back five track down Rodriguez (Southampton MR) here? Definitely not 1 on 1 situation, but it is happening almost every match. If it's tactics, I'd like to try and correct it. I am playing Defensive+Fluid, TIs: Higher tempo and Work ball into box, while Blind's instructions are shown here.

Not as much as you'd expect from looking at roles. I have chosen relatively low strategy, so my team is quite compact, two FB(S) ensure that I don't leave only two players behind. If one goes forward, the other one stays back, so I have something like a loopsided 3-man defence. Still tinkering with left MC role, CM(A) might be overkill.

Here it is. Getting closer to 100.

I guess I'm satisfied with passing percentage, 10 key passes, 5 interceptions and an assist. First time I use Regista, I should have tried it earlier. Very Pirlo-esque.

I was a bit closer to Regista due to roaming, but wasn't qute sure. Even in 4-3-1-2/4-4-2 diamond at Juventus, his role didn't change, so Regista it is. Thanks

More of a discussion starter than question - "Pirlo role". Is it closer to a Regista or a DLP? I can't quite manage to implement a playmaker in front of defence that has such control over the game as Pirlo had especially during his Juventus years, so I would like to hear some opinions.

Not new, an upgrade of existing desktop. Thank you.

Enough for my regular setup to run smoothly? That would be great, i5-6600+MB should be around 300 EUR, which is great. Thanks mate. Another question - does having a SSD impact FM in any way except loading and saving?

Hi. I need an upgrade to my configuration (old Athlon x3, 8gb ram). My FM experience consists of 20+ nations, 50+ leagues, 120k players loaded when starting a long term save. Since FM doesn't benefit from adding any more RAM sticks, I guess I should replace my MB and CPU. My question is, which Intel CPU would be enough to run a setup like this without problems for a few seasons, 5-6, until I start removing leagues? Not looking for a strongest i7, though, as it is to expensive.

True story. Great idea, great interpretation, and perfect thread. I particularly like how pressing turned out for you. Now that I've seen your Total Football 3-6-1, I have a totally different idea, mentioned in SV article - defensive 3-6-1. Thanks for giving me new idea

Really satisfied. Managed to win the title although being 7 points behind when I started playing this style. Wingbacks have "Stay Wider" PI, while Inside forwards have "Sit narrower". My central forward has scored 9 times during this 6-game winning streak. Absolutely brilliant stuff.

How about direct attacking/counter attacking hybrid? Possession per se is not what I'm striving for. I'm thinking about relatively deep formation (4-2DM-2-1-1, with mostly support roles, according to principles in the thread), with instructions suited to direct attacking football.

I'm not really going to play with Real or any top club for that matter. It's the principles that i'm concerned about. The question is, will wingers and AMC stay deep enough or I may have to drop AMC in order to invite pressure and create opportunities for counter attacking.

Having watched this video, I got the idea of trying something similar. Given that Real were playing 4-2-3-1 at the time, which formation would be appropriate, according to ideas in the first post (primarily, number of players behind the ball)? I was thinking about 4-2DM-2-1-1, since I believe that AMC was instrumental in their play when they weren't playing on the counter, so I am reluctant to drop him in order to play 4-2DM-3(MRLC)-1. Any thoughts?

Thanks again

How about CM(S/D) with more risky passes? He would still have more freedom, but stay a bit higher than DLP(D)