[Replicating how Lazio play- help needed]

4 minutes ago, Experienced Defender said:

Very good! That's exactly what I would have suggested  

 

I haven't followed Lazio recently, so really don't know how exactly they play. But based on your description, I would assume it's more counter-attacking (or fast-attacking) than possession-based. Regarding formation, are you sure they don't actually play in the 532 (with the flat midfield and no DM)?

Thanks for your reply, here's how Lazio lined up against Juventus.

Leiva is the holding midfielder, so I guess he could either be a CM (d) or a DM (s), but I see him as more of a screen for the defence than a midfield controller. Regarding possession, they keep around 45-50%/match against most sides, which are the numbers I'm getting as well.

 

[Replicating how Lazio play- help needed]

Just now, Experienced Defender said:

In short:

- a fairly aggressive manner of defending that suits possession and control-oriented styles of football, while using a formation that is far more suited to defensive styles

- in-possession instructions that favor a counter-attacking approach, but coupled with the already mentioned aggressive defensive instructions (higher DL, higher LOE and more urgent pressing)

I also mentioned a poor balance of your roles and duties. This primarily pertains to the right side of your setup, which looks very much vulnerable defensively. The left side is not optimally balanced either, but at least defensive risk is not that big. Basically, the key problem here is that you are trying to combine things that are hard to combine successfully. If you want to play a more progressive/expansive style of football, you first need to reconsider the formation. In case you insist on the 3/5-men back-line, formations such as 523 wide or 5212 would make more sense. 

The formation is the same utilised by Lazio this season- given their recent successes I was inclined to see if I could replicate their style of play. Regarding the right side, I came to the same conclusion myself and dropped the Mezzala to support, which is giving more defensive solidity.

From what I could see, Lazio focus on vertical and incisive passing in the final third, so since I have tall and pacy strikers I thought that they would get more 1on1 situations this way. I acknowledge the inherent limitations of using such a defensive formation, so I'll be observing closely to see what modifications I can make in my next matches

[Replicating how Lazio play- help needed]

3 minutes ago, Piperita said:

Thing is: I have a few reservations about your buildup, particularly the overkill of creative roles. But as long as you score 4 goals/match, it obviously works well enough and doesn't need changing.

Defensively, it also *looks* resilient against long shots with higher lines and a DM to pressure opponents. To see what exactly the problem is, I'd need to see some of the conceded goals: Whether or not the DM presses enough or if he ventures too far forwards and is out of position. Whether or not your wingbacks are outplayed and the opponents score after defeating them/after dangerous cutbacks. 

The Libero is gone anyhow, was ineffectual and operated in the same area as the DM. Long-shot wise, it might have been a coincidence as I haven't conceded one again in the last couple of matches. Toned down the pressing intensity on my DM too, hopefully should have an effect as well. Thanks for your feedback! 

[Replicating how Lazio play- help needed]

2 minutes ago, Experienced Defender said:

I personally haven't used a libero thus far, but what I definitely know is that you should avoid having a playmaker in a DM and/or CM position if you want to use a libero effectively. 

But anyway, I don't like how your tactic is looking as a whole. It does not make much sense to me. There are a number of contradictions instructions-wise, while the setup of roles and duties is very unbalanced.

The choice of formation (5122) is also highly questionable relative to roles, duties and instructions. You are trying to create a fairly adventurous and ambitious style of football using a very defensive (bottom-heavy) formation. Honestly, I fear it's hardly going to work that way. 

Appreciate the feedback- first crack at translating his style of football into FM so I just went with what I thought fit best with his philosophy. Regarding the contradictions, could you elaborate as I don't quite understand what you are referring to. Anyhow, thank you for your input!

[Replicating how Lazio play- help needed]

 

Apologies for posting this in the wrong thread initially.

Currently managing Spezia in the Serie A. Won the league against the odds with a very defensive 442 formation, but now that I've splashed the cash I am trying to transition to a more expansive style of football. Inzaghi's Lazio seemed like the perfect example, with a potent attack and a tight defence which has helped the team perform above the levels that were expected of them. 

Sweeper Keeper Stays just outside the area and distributes the ball to either my Mezzala who acts a target-man when we are pressed high or my defence to play out from the back.

BPD's: Simple role, have the decision to play it long if a run in behind is made or build up play from the back.

Libero: Very unsure about this one, often change to a BPD (cover) if we are exposed defensively.

DM: Outlet for recycling possession and making the occasional killer pass if the opportunity arises. 

AP: My main creative mastermind, orchestrates the attack and gets on the end of crosses, my best player. Also has the PI to stay wide, in order not to isolate the fullback, who previously lacked passing options.

Mezzala: Acts a "third striker" of sorts, driving forward and penetrating the box, much like Milinkovic-Savic at Lazio. My current Mezzala has incredibly good mentals (Off the ball 17, Decisions 17 and Composure 16), so hopefully he should make runs that blindside the defence.

Still very unsure about my striker roles, but I'm sticking with a CF and an AF for now.

Offensively, it plays very well, scoring 4 goals/match in my last two games, but defensively it suffers very much, as I often concede long shots from outside the area. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

352 v2.fmf

[Help needed trying to replicate Inzaghi's Lazio]

Currently managing Spezia in the Serie A. Won the league against the odds with a very defensive 442 formation, but now that I've splashed the cash I am trying to transition to a more expansive style of football. Inzaghi's Lazio seemed like the perfect example, with a potent attack and a tight defence which has helped the team perform above the levels that were expected of them. 

Sweeper Keeper Stays just outside the area and distributes the ball to either my Mezzala who acts a target-man when we are pressed high or my defence to play out from the back.

BPD's: Simple role, have the decision to play it long if a run in behind is made or build up play from the back.

Libero: Very unsure about this one, often change to a BPD (cover) if we are exposed defensively.

DM: Outlet for recycling possession and making the occasional killer pass if the opportunity arises. 

AP: My main creative mastermind, orchestrates the attack and gets on the end of crosses, my best player. Also has the PI to stay wide, in order not to isolate the fullback, who previously lacked passing options.

Mezzala: Acts a "third striker" of sorts, driving forward and penetrating the box, much like Milinkovic-Savic at Lazio. My current Mezzala has incredibly good mentals (Off the ball 17, Decisions 17 and Composure 16), so hopefully he should make runs that blindside the defence.

Still very unsure about my striker roles, but I'm sticking with a CF and an AF for now.

Offensively, it plays very well, scoring 4 goals/match in my last two games, but defensively it suffers very much, as I often concede long shots from outside the area. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Tactic attached below

352 v2.fmf

[4-4-2 Modern - Control and Attack Space]

3 hours ago, kr10 said:

thanks for the explanation - what ar who’s average ratings like? Key passes and chances created tends to bump up the average rating quite a bit, so at least these should be happening (ideally, he should be winger/AF/fullback before they assist, which won’t show up as an assist). 
 

Also, why are the PPMs on your WP/Tq? Besides standard playmaker PPMs, I’ve found “likes to switch ball to other flank”, “cuts inside from x wing”, and “looks for pass rather than attempting to score” are all very useful for a wide stationed creative player. 

getting him to learn to cut inside from both wings. Signed him this season but my old WP had an average rating of 6.9 and an average of 4 key passes per game. WP didn't seem to make incisive passes, would just play a short simple ball to my cm's who would then make a key pass to my fullback or my AF. Here you can see the two TQ's which I rotate depending on my matches.

[4-4-2 Modern - Control and Attack Space]

1 hour ago, kr10 said:

Interesting, what made you go with a Tq in the AM strata? It could definitely work well offensively, but the trequartista and attacking full back on the same flank does look a bit vulnerable. 
 

also, the attacking winger gets into Greta goal scoring positions quite often, so if you could upgrade that position to a genuine goal scoring threat I think you’ll see a lot of goals coming from that side (many headers as well). 
 

a freakishly tall AF is just perfect - when I first made this tactic I had Pietro Pelegrí, he had 18 or 19 jumping and was just unstoppable, so many headers 

My two wingers are both injured haha, so Bellanova is my emergency backup for the position. Playing with a TQ seems to give Pedri (he's insane) much more creative freedom than if he were to be an Inside Forward or Advanced Playmaker. Not too vulnerable defensively too, apart from the match against Real but then I can't do too much with the budget I have compared to their squad. The WP was very quiet offensively for me last season, only got 3 goals and 6 assists in all comps, which is quite disappointing. That prompted me to make the switch.

[4-4-2 Modern - Control and Attack Space]

Adopted this tactic in the 5th season of my Spezia save, working great so far! Only change is that the WP has changed to a Trequartista. Playing some beautiful, progressive football with my 2m tall Norwegian Striker bullying everybody as an Advanced Forward! Goals are predominantly scored by my two ST's, but my winger and Treq chip in often as well.