Introduction
First of all a quick introduction to myself. I am a long time FM player since CM 01/02 and its pretty safe to say I'm an FM addict. I created the Sacchi tactic originally on FM13 and I have now just created it for FM14. It is very much a working progress still and I expect to be tweaking it as I get more into FM14. I like to base my tactics on philosophies that have worked in the real world; I am a professional football coach and the tactical elements of the game are what enthuse me in real life. So this tactic is based on the philosophy behind Arrigo Sacchi's 4-4-2 approach. Sacchi played with high intensity and a high defensive line. This enabled him to squeeze the play in the middle of park, and ensured that the distance between his defensive and forward lines was never more than 25 metres. Essentially, this constituted naturally occurring pressing perhaps one of the first in football with such velocity. Sacchi reasoned that by squeezing the pitch, in order for his opponent to get through his side, they'd need to break down three lines of players in quick succession. Not many managed it. Attacking-wise, there was no one strict way to break down the opposition. Chances were created through build-up/passing play through the middle, crosses from wide and counter-attacks. Sacchi was a proponent of multi-purpose players. Not fond of the specialist, he looked for all of his players to be capable of every job on the field, which is why his interchanging 4-4-2 worked so well.The midfielders were well-rounded and functional in every area, his forwards chased and his defenders pushed up. Teamwork was what his side were predicated on, and it was teamwork that allowed them to become one of the greatest sides in footballing history.
First of all a quick introduction to myself. I am a long time FM player since CM 01/02 and its pretty safe to say I'm an FM addict. I created the Sacchi tactic originally on FM13 and I have now just created it for FM14. It is very much a working progress still and I expect to be tweaking it as I get more into FM14. I like to base my tactics on philosophies that have worked in the real world; I am a professional football coach and the tactical elements of the game are what enthuse me in real life. So this tactic is based on the philosophy behind Arrigo Sacchi's 4-4-2 approach. Sacchi played with high intensity and a high defensive line. This enabled him to squeeze the play in the middle of park, and ensured that the distance between his defensive and forward lines was never more than 25 metres. Essentially, this constituted naturally occurring pressing perhaps one of the first in football with such velocity. Sacchi reasoned that by squeezing the pitch, in order for his opponent to get through his side, they'd need to break down three lines of players in quick succession. Not many managed it. Attacking-wise, there was no one strict way to break down the opposition. Chances were created through build-up/passing play through the middle, crosses from wide and counter-attacks. Sacchi was a proponent of multi-purpose players. Not fond of the specialist, he looked for all of his players to be capable of every job on the field, which is why his interchanging 4-4-2 worked so well.The midfielders were well-rounded and functional in every area, his forwards chased and his defenders pushed up. Teamwork was what his side were predicated on, and it was teamwork that allowed them to become one of the greatest sides in footballing history.
The tactic proved very successful in FM13, with great results, over 400,000 views and 25,000 downloads. The thread for FM13 can be found here:
The Tactic
View attachment 463526
As you can see the tactic resembles a 4-4-2, however with a slight change of two DMs as opposed to MCs. This enabled the tactic to be a lot more solid defensively, bringing the lines of the players a lot closer. The Sweeper Keeper does his job sweeping up behind the back line, two FBs on support allowing them the licence to get forward, but not at the expense of their defensive duties. The two DCs act as ball playing defenders, able to pick out those quick counter passes once the ball is won. The DMs act as box-to-box players, supporting the attack and defence. The wingers provide the outlets for the attack, pushing forward once the ball is won, but also have defensive duties in winning the ball back. A complete striker supports the advanced forward, although both are equally important in both assisting and scoring goals. With the emphasis on fluid play and well-rounded, high pressing players a general basis of teamwork, work rate and determination are needed for this tactic to work. Lazy and/or selfish players will ruin the cogs in the machine. There is no target man or playmaker as individual creativity and decisions is important in this tactic.
Player Attributes
All Players
As mentioned, there is a base of attributes that are important for a tactic such as this to work successfully and I look for all my players to have at least decent ratings. These attributes are: Composure, Decisions, Determination, Teamwork, Work Rate, Stamina.
Goalkeepers
Primary: Handling, One on Ones, Reflexes, Communication, Positioning, Jumping.
Supporting: Command of Area, Anticipation, Rushing Out, Strength, Aerial Ability, First Touch.
Full Backs
Primary: Acceleration, Pace, Tackling, Positioning, Anticipation, Concentration, Crossing
Supporting: Dribbling, Strength, Marking, Bravery, Off The Ball, First Touch
Ball Playing Defenders
Primary: Heading, Marking, Tackling, Anticipation, Bravery, Concentration, Positioning, Jumping, Strength
Supporting: Passing, Creativity, Acceleration, Pace, First Touch
Defensive Midfielders
Primary: Passing, Tackling, First Touch, Anticipation, Positioning, Creativity
Supporting: All other attributes! (They are real box-to-box type players so the more well rounded they are the better)
Wingers
Primary: Crossing, Dribbling, First Touch, Passing, Technique, Creativity, Off the Ball, Acceleration, Pace
Supporting: Finishing, Tackling, Anticipation, Positioning, Agility, Balance, Flair
Complete Forward
Primary: Finishing, First Touch, Passing, Technique, Creativity, Off The Ball, Anticipation, Strength
Supporting: Dribbling, Heading, Jumping, Pace, Acceleration, Flair.
Advanced Forward
Primary: Finishing, Dribbling, First Touch, Technique, Anticipation, Off the Ball, Pace, Acceleration.
Supporting: Heading, Jumping, Flair, Passing, Creativity, Agility, Balance.
General Player Tips
The above attributes are what I would look for in my players. If I was managing a mid-table standard Premier League side I would look for the Primary Attributes to average out at 15 and Supporting Attributes at 12/13. In terms of the base attributes, I would not sign a player who is weak in 2 or more of those areas (less than 10) and ideally will all be 14+. Certain players will not fit the system. An Ibrahimovic or Balotelli will struggle, think more along the lines of a Rooney or Tevez. Hard working players, determined to succeed and put the team before their own ego. A big tip that I give is to use your personnel in your squad wisely by picking the right players in the right games. For example, I have 4 strong wingers for my San Marino (club) team. 2 of which are much more attacking / creativity orientated and two that can put more of a shift in defensively. Against the big teams i.e. Juventus I will often favour the more defensive wingers, whereas go with the attacking wingers against the bottom teams. Also during the games, if I am chasing a win I will bring on the attack-minded winger or looking to hold onto a lead bring on the defensive winger. Same goes for the defensive midfielders. Versatile players are a great asset to have in a squad using this tactic. For example players who can play at full back and the wing, centre back and defensive mid, forward and wing.
Training
View attachment 463525
During Pre-season the focus should be completely match-based and tactics only, until the tactic is about 80% fluid. Once this is achieved, the above is how I set out my training until fluidity is 100%, so I drop the match training down 2 notches. Arrigo Sacchi was well known for his 'Shadow Play' training methods, which is essentially defensive positioning training.
Opposition Instructions
Ideally you'd have an assistant manager that you can trust to set this up for you (16+ tactical knowledge + good defensive coach). However if you don't feel they're up to it, here's a few tips:
Close down always - slow players in midfield or attack and players with poor composure/concentration/decisions in defence or midfield.
Tight Mark - midfielders or attackers with poor pace.
Hard Tackling - any players with Bravery under 10.
Show onto weaker foot - any player who has reasonable or less for their weaker foot ability.
Results
User: SeanHRFC
Team: Aston Villa
Season: 2013/14
Position: 7th in English Premier Division
Other: League Cup Semi Final
Link: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...-arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-fm14-3.html#post1863426
User: SeanHRFC
Team: Boreham Wood
Season: 2013/14
Position: 1st in Skrill South
Other: Broke League Points and Scoring records, 4th Round FA Cup
Link: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...-arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-fm14-9.html#post1864950
User: SeanHRFC
Team: Boreham Wood
Season: 2014/15
Position: 1st in Skrill Premier
Other: Skrill Premier, FA Trophy and FA Cup Treble!
Link: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-fm14-11.html#post1865888
User: SeanHRFC
Team: Boreham Wood
Seasons: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19
Position: 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 9th
Other: Straight Promotions to Premier League
Link: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-fm14-22.html#post1883334
User: StephenSmith84
Team: Newcastle
Season: 2013/14 & 2014/15
Position: 3rd and 4th
Other: FA Cup & League Cup winners (2014) Champions League QF (2015)
Link: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...-arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-fm14-4.html#post1863553
User: WendoX
Team: Liverpool
Season: 2013/14
Position: 1st (Champions)
Link: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...-arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-fm14-4.html#post1863721
User: sjaarti
Team: Everton
Season: 2013/14
Position: 1st (Champions)
Link: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/shar...-arrigo-sacchis-4-4-2-fm14-9.html#post1865283
Anyone who would like their results included on the OP, please provide screen shots of at least a completed season and I will link it. Many thanks.
**Version 2 Released**
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