Winger!
After trying some of the tactics present in this forum (Koflok's Goals Galore and others) and finding very few adapt to my players, I created one of my own. The team is modest, but it is overachieving, currently on a 10 or 12 games without defeats run and 6 games without conceding a goal. 4th in the Italian Serie A with second choice players, beating teams like Inter, Juve and Milan.
First, some introduction:
I play with a team that starts in Serie B in Italy, Siena. The original team has been changed deeply through the first 2 years (currently playing the 3rd year, 2nd yr in Serie A). It is impossible to sign the best players or the best prospects, but some nice work can be done with free agents.
Player choice!
Regarding the tactic and the players you need:
DC: You need 2 strong central defenders. Suler and Canini are perfect for low budgets. Strength and Acceleration are quite important, and of course the 3 key statistics for these kind of players: Marking, Tackling, Heading. Use high and heavy players.Concentration is also important.
DR: I am playing with Benatia. Doing very well, his main duty is to defend. Having a decent value in crossing would be nice, but not necessary. Use in fact an adapted central defender.
DL: Here instead we need a wingback. Most of the actions will come from the left side, so find someone with balanced stats. Good Passing, acceptable physical attributes, some crossing and dribbling. Heading is not important, but a good value in Marking is appreciated.
MC: We need solid overall players. Good Long shots are appreciated, but not necessary. Passing is vital. Physical condition is ok if every value is in dark blue, avoid slow or weak players. Some Dribbling (13-15 might be enough) and Technique (16?) are appreciated. Try to find at least one player with very good free kicks. (18 or more, if possible. on the second year, with Carobbio (average player, but 18 FK) I scored something like 7 goals from free kicks, always on the closest pole).
AML: A key player for the formation! Required attributes: Acceleration, Dribbling, Crossing, Passing. Good pluses are Agility and Pace, Long Shots and First Touch. A cheap version of a player like this is Jesus Datolo (the mental aspect might be better though...).
STCR: We need a target man here. Needs to be very strong physically. Strength, Jumping, Balance, Heading are appreciated. Finishing is a strong plus, of course. A big Dribbling is not required.
STC: Here we need a complete forward. A player that has everything, Passing, Dribbling, Finishing, good physical attributes and Composure. Off the Ball is also important.
General considerations: try to buy tall players. Exceptions are possible for the left side of the field: left defender and the left winger, but the others are way better off if strong.
Best cheap players
I found so far (they might be useful if you are managing a low budget team)
Marko Suler - signed from AA Gent for 2m. Very solid central defender
Michele Canini - signed from Cagliari for free. More than decent
Luca Marrone - signed from Juventus for 800k. Improves a lot, scores a bit and covers a lot of holes.
Antonio Candreva - signed from Parma for 3.7m. Scores quite a bit, central midfielder.
Tomas Necid - Signed from CSKA Moscow for 6.5m. Failed on the first season in Serie A (8 goals total), but on the second one he is becoming a monster. 11 goals in 20 matches
Vaclav Kadlec - signed from Sparta Prague for 5m. Doesn't score a lot (yet! 9 goals in first Serie A season, 5 after 20 matches in the second one), but is in almost every action of the team.
About the tactic:
Results are for now a very good defensive solidity. Large number of clear cut chances, at least 3-4 per match. Good shooting from the midfielders, who find empty spaces when the winger attacks. Goals come from quick actions, inventions from the complete forward, quick passes between the target man and the rest of the team and finally from some crosses. Through balls from the midfielders are also quite decent. I usually start with attacking mentality, change to standard after some 20' and then see what is going on. Contain is used often in the final minutes (last 10' normally). Counter is rarely used, only if the team is experiencing difficulties controlling the game.
Possible changes:
Crossing might be tried with Floating Crosses.
Closing down might be changed to Stand off more. However, defense is working very well, so I would not change it too much.
Need some advice on the set pieces. Defending works, Attacking not too well. If you have suggestions, please let me know.
Final thing: if you test it, please let me know the results!
Last edited:
?