3 at the back, what am I doing wrong?

[Tielemans4President]

Hello Everyone!

See, I've been a regular Football Manager player for years. And I've used the some tactic successfully since FM 2011. This was a slow paced, short passing, high pressure possession game with a lot of action going over both flanks. This resulted in a lot of goals. Yes, occasionally I lost 3-4 or 2-3. But this tactic was a guaranty for goals. I could freely change from a 4-1-2-2-1 and a 4-2-3-1 with no problem or change. This depended on the players I had available or what level my team was.

But now, I'm sick and tired of using the same tactic. So I decided to use a top team (Atletico Madrid) and I wanted to create a 3-5-1-1. But this is not working out so far. I mean, I can see that my tactic is working. I have a lot of possession and a lot of shots. But the counters are really killing me. When my adversary scores first, I lose. I can guarantee it. This resulted in shocking loses (8-2 against Real, 7-0 against Juventus).

Then other games for example at Valencia, I owned. My advanced playmaker (Correa) got 110 passes (105 successful). This ambiguity in my results is really, physically killing me. Nonetheless I really want to create a tactic with 3 in the back, wingers that get my assists and a lot of people in the box. I could really use some tips or advice.
I don't want this to become a defensive or counterattacking tactic. I still want to dominate and score goals. But how can I do both?
View attachment 315990View attachment 315989

Thanks!

Tielemans4President

 

[Dynamo_ZahnZee]

The philosophy of a back 3 is to play with Defensive wide players who move forward in the offensive phase. This is just one of those things that you have to accept and it's very difficult to move away from this without leaving the team defensively fragile. You've employed Wingers who neglect their defensive duty thus leaving your back 3 horribly exposed since they're so tightly packed together (play narrow).

 

[Tielemans4President]

The philosophy of a back 3 is to play with Defensive wide players who move forward in the offensive phase. This is just one of those things that you have to accept and it's very difficult to move away from this without leaving the team defensively fragile. You've employed Wingers who neglect their defensive duty thus leaving your back 3 horribly exposed since they're so tightly packed together (play narrow).

Yeah, I was afraid this would be the answer. On paper this team looks really awesome. But it's clear that is not working out. My three at the back get beat way too often. And this should not happen with quality players like Godin and Miranda. But sometimes though! I have the feeling it is working! And then I get killed again. Me scoring the first goal is way to important in this tactic. Well, It seemed like a nice idea. Scoring a lot, I don't mind keeping clean sheets.

Thank you!

 

[damola3]

The philosophy of a back 3 is to play with Defensive wide players who move forward in the offensive phase. This is just one of those things that you have to accept and it's very difficult to move away from this without leaving the team defensively fragile. You've employed Wingers who neglect their defensive duty thus leaving your back 3 horribly exposed since they're so tightly packed together (play narrow).

The 2 wide men must be set to an automatic duty (preferably wing backs) as they only get involved in the attacking and transition phase. They are clearly not tracking back. Ball winning midfielders actually press ther ball and leave your team shape dangerously exposed. Drop him back to defensive midfield and train him there or set him on centre midfield - Defend with close down less, pass it shorter, fewer risky passes, dribble less, and shoot less often. Gabi should sit in there like a proper holding midfielder.

 

[Tielemans4President]

The 2 wide men must be set to an automatic duty (preferably wing backs) as they only get involved in the attacking and transition phase. They are clearly not tracking back. Ball winning midfielders actually press ther ball and leave your team shape dangerously exposed. Drop him back to defensive midfield and train him there or set him on centre midfield - Defend with close down less, pass it shorter, fewer risky passes, dribble less, and shoot less often. Gabi should sit in there like a proper holding midfielder.

I'm going to follow up on the remark about the ball winning midfielder. This seems a good idea. Leaving an extra player back.

But I'm not too sure about the wing backs. If I make wing backs from my wide midfielders, this will change in a 5-1-2-1-1. I really want to keep them on the mid-positions. But I'm going to change their roles. To wide midfielders automatic. Hoping this will help them track back more and make sure my 3 at the back are not so vulnerable to attacks from fast wingers.

 

[iamneallyons]

honestly id scrap this and start over, its a a horrible tactic from the instructions to the roles.

 

[Igneos79]

here you go...

 

[Stevoiv]

Hi mate.

I have noticed that your playing an offside trap but with a deep defensive line. Generally you want to play higher line which will reduce the space between the midfield and your back 3, meaning your opponents won't have so much time to turn and run at your defence making it easier to close your opponents down at the same time.

Try this and I'm sure things will improve.

 

[mutater0]

Playing 3 at the back

Hey, I've ad some success playing 3 at the back using a slightly different formation; 3 cb, 2 wingbacks, 2 cm, 1 amc (treq), 2 strikers.
But generally my tactical instructions are very different from yours so my advice would be;
Play Wider : your formation is already very narrow so this will stop your cm stepping on each other's toes.
Exploit the Middle : Where all your players are concentrated. Your playing a patient passing game so it will go wide if it needs to.
Push Higher Up : Even if your cb's avrg pace/acceleration is 10 this should still be fine. It will help you press, retain possession and not allow a massive gap between your defense and attack.
Pass into Space : Your wide players will find space to run into frequently so exploit this.

Otherwise looking at your player roles you have no one running in behind and you'll have a lot of crosses coming in but only your TM and BBM consistently in the box to aim for.

To sure up your defense unselect Roam from Position and possibly take up a more conservative Team Shape. I play a Structured formation where my 3 cb are always defensive minded (but push up) and its been pretty solid.
Obv this isn't gospel, I'm just pointing out what I've had success with...

 

[Igneos79]

Well, you are exploiting the flanks, which actually just makes a big gap between your players. I wouldn't use it without looking for overlap to compensate, but you have no sidebacks. It would perhaps be preferable to exploit the middle, but you already play things narrow and have a target man role in your setup, so it's really not needed. As a part of a more cautius approach that you seem to want to use, I would also recommend close down less. Offside trap is for use with a high line, could be risky using it with deep line also. You also need either fluid or flexible philosophy and lower team mentality, like counter. For a complete set of roles and duties to use, check this guide: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/foot...ics/205292-team-shape-roles-duties-guide.html

 

[vjcsmoke]

I recommend that you change your very center midfielder to either s regista or deep lying playmaker so he drops back closer to your cbs and provides over the top coverage. The Bwm role will take him out of position at time and expose your defense. I'd also recommend you consider changing your wide mids to defensive or automatic so they track back more. Consider putting 2 Bbm to surround your regista or dlp since your amc is already an ap.