Barca-esque 3-3-1-3

[SeanRTG]

So, I am at that point in one of my saves when I'm pretty much untouchable in terms of my job security and have a lot of playroom, so why not experiment?

I want to emulate Barca's 3-3-1-3, created by the legend that is Johan Cruyff and utilised by Luis Enrique in Barca's infamous 6-1 demolition of PSG. Here are some things I'm aiming for:

• Goals, lots of goals. I want a good share between my front 4.
• More importantly, plenty chances.
• Fluidity in the front 4 and as a result fluid build up play.
• Control of the game. Due to the nature of this formation, if I don't have control of the game then I am very open to being sliced wide open.
• Outside centre halfs to occupy the half space, essentially acting as a makeshift fullback when needed.
• An aggressive and high press
• This attacking shape - or something similar (see attached)
• A solid defensive shape.

 

So currently my set-up for this formation is awful defensively and is very reliant on my striker for goals. I'm really not sure what roles to pick for my players. The wide attackers do not press enough or do enough offensively, the free role does not get involved enough and the midfield is too static. 

Fluid, Attacking

DLF A

IF A --- AM A --- IF A

RPM----BBM

DLP(S)

CD(De)---BPD(C)---CD(De)

GK

I'm really not sure how to approach a tactic like this, I'm thinking of changing the midfield roles and pushing my wide attackers to be WM(A) and then customizing them to act like inside forwards? Not sure how to improve the fluidity between the striker and the free role, as they don't seem to link up or interchange particularly well.

 

Any input would be very appreciated. Thanks my dudes xx

Barca 3-3-1-3.paint

[-Ironhide-]

I'd suggest going through it on FM Touch first to iron out any difficulties and/or mistakes.

[Fosse]

Your initial set up could struggle for width

[jeid2000]

That's a very specialised tactic. Can see that getting caught out really easily. There's not really much space up top for players to move in and the midfield is likely to be ripped open.

[samuelawachie]

And if you really want a challenge, go get a Super League database edit. You'd be facing the likes of PSG, Madrid, Chelsea and United on weekly basis. That was the thing that made me stay in FM as the normal game was just too easy.

[aderow]

On 4/6/2017 at 14:51, -Ironhide- said:

I'd suggest going through it on FM Touch first to iron out any difficulties and/or mistakes.

Can't believe I'm agreeing with a City fan. Jokes aside, this is a really good suggestion.

From the looks of it you are going to have a lot of players heading for the same spot. Which means they'll be dragging their defenders to the same spot. I don't care who you are, you are going struggle with 10 sets of feet all inside the penalty box. Not to mention your BBM and your RPM are going to do the same thing from time to time.

Pressing aside, this shape is going to leave a lot of space out wide to be exploited. And if/when they get past the initial press from your front four, you might have a lot problems.

That said, I still think your biggest issue is width. I'd say keep an eye on your IFs and specifically keep an eye on when they head in field.

[djzdravkoni]

Try to look at this post: 

I have much success with Ajax.

Than with Bayern I made little changes but the concept is same:

Neuer SK-support. Take short kicks,

3CB all on CD-defend

3CM, wide CM have CM- support duties with tweaks one must have hold position, shorter pass and fewer risky passes. Second get further forward, closing down much more, dribble more and more direct passes. Between them you have CM with DLP-defend role and tweak closing down much less.

 AMR and AML is Wingers but with support dutties and tweaks Get further forward and cross from by line.

AMC is AM-attack only tweak hold up ball

ST is CF-support tweak move into chanels, U can use also false nine with roam from positions and shoot less often.

 

Team shape Very fluid

Mentality standard

Team instructions: much higher def line, closing down more, prevent gk, tight marking, play out of defence, pass into space, more expressive, low crossing.

 

                                   CF-S

                   W-S        AM-A         W-S

                 CM-S      DLP-D       CM-S

                 CD-D       CD-D        CD-D

                                 SK-S

 

[SeanRTG]

Been through two seasons (quite far on in the save) and the first one I tinkered a lot but found something towards the end of the first that just worked, ended up winning the EFL and FA cup, as well as the CL. The next season I tweaked little bits and I won the septuple (everything possible). 

Width was a very big issue, to combat this I decided to move my IFs back into WM(A) with cut inside on. This ensured a more solid defensive shape without nullifying their attacking threat. I used very attacking wing backs and retrained them into WMs in order to be a bit more solid defensively, but have also used wingers instead and it has worked fine. I also got rid of the RPM, I watched a video on Cryuff's 343 diamond and he was talking about how the DLP should stay around the centre circle and dictate the play, so I didn't want anyone else hogging the ball. I also changed the DLF into a CF, this was just to give the AM more space behind the striker as I found the two often got in each others way. 

Here is the tactic for anyone interested:

I switch between attacking/standard depending on the situation. I also sometimes switch shorter passing to mixed and retain possession. I change the tempo too, often later on in games I'm winning. Very fluid ensures there is little space to be played in for the other team. Also, in a smaller area, my players need to work less to win the ball back. I suggest you type in Johan Cruyff 343 diamond on youtube and watch some stuff! Very interesting. 

SK - This is purely personal preference I think, I used him as a GK and it worked fine? Maybe more testing needed, but SK does well. I tell him to roll it out to playmaker, distribute quickly.

CHs - Use a fast CH to cover, I sometimes switch the lateral CHs to cover and central to defend if I'm up against a quick 433 etc. I tell the central to hold position

DLP - This guy dictates everything, I suggest someone with solid defensive abilities but high vision/passing stats as he will often switch the ball or play it long to the striker. Maybe the most important player on the team? I find if I play with someone too defensive I create much less. If I'm chasing games I'll move him up to the CM spot, but won't change anything else

CM and BBM - both do a very similar job, I like one to dribble less and move into channels, and the other to pass shorter, move into channels and mark tighter. This is just my preference. Last season my two first choice CMs got 35-40 goals between them. I have good long range shooters but if you don't I'd probably try shoot less often.

WMs - only thing i use is cut inside. These guys score loads and create loads. I'd say fast, good dribbling/crossing/passing/finishing. Defending stats are a bonus.

AM - Scores loads, creates loads. Shoot less, Roam, Move into channels, hold up ball. Basically want this guy to act your advanced playmaker but with more defensive responsibilities. 

ST - mark tighter, no reason this just works for me. I would assume an AF would work fine, I just like CF because my players are capable. 

Overall - I'd try and get players with good workrate/off the ball/passing and composure. Pretty basic requirements but a lot of the time the ball will be played tightly in between the lines so the less chance of a turnover the better! 

Warnings: Due to the compact nature of this tactic, teams will look to play over/around instead of through. Ensure you have a solid and quick back line to prevent through balls, and if your Wide midfielders can defend this should help prevent the opposition utilising the space on the flanks. 

Have a lot of testing to do with different teams but I'm starting to enjoy this save again. If anyone has any thoughts let me know!

 

 

[SeanRTG]

6 hours ago, djzdravkoni said:

Try to look at this post: 

I have much success with Ajax.

Than with Bayern I made little changes but the concept is same:

Neuer SK-support. Take short kicks,

3CB all on CD-defend

3CM, wide CM have CM- support duties with tweaks one must have hold position, shorter pass and fewer risky passes. Second get further forward, closing down much more, dribble more and more direct passes. Between them you have CM with DLP-defend role and tweak closing down much less.

 AMR and AML is Wingers but with support dutties and tweaks Get further forward and cross from by line.

AMC is AM-attack only tweak hold up ball

ST is CF-support tweak move into chanels, U can use also false nine with roam from positions and shoot less often.

 

Team shape Very fluid

Mentality standard

Team instructions: much higher def line, closing down more, prevent gk, tight marking, play out of defence, pass into space, more expressive, low crossing.

 

                                   CF-S

                   W-S        AM-A         W-S

                 CM-S      DLP-D       CM-S

                 CD-D       CD-D        CD-D

                                 SK-S

 

Thanks man, I just saw this. The video on that thread is the one I watched! I will take a look at the post and try and make any further adjustments. Cheers!

[felipemendes08]

Pep Guardiola's Bayern side have used this formation in his reign...

Lahm went inside from the four-man line into the second line, like a regista, with Xabi Alonso as pivot and Thiago in a controller role, left-sided. Upfront, Douglas Costa and Robben at each wing, the former as winger and the Dutchman as inside forward, Muller searching for space behind Lewandowski that would search for spaces in the channels to combine.

I think that watch some Bayern games with this formation can be constructive for your experiences. You can find Bayern's full matches at footballia

[djzdravkoni]

I'm glad to help you and see your progress with this system or style. I was doing well with Bayern as I say but I founded that for better defensive stability wingers is better on MR/L positions and give them attaking duties. They will help much better in defense and bombing forward in every possible situation. So 3-5-1-1 is maybe better option but its all up to you mate. Also I unticked instructions for MC positions and leave it free, with very fluid and more expressive team instructions they are both free to do what are they feel is need to do on the pitch. Going forward and truck back. And for central mid player I changed to CM-defend also good result. Again it's all up to you. You have basic foundation and make changes to get the best off your team and your way of play.

 

CHEERS MATE