EL VOLCANO 3-4-1-2 | Tactical Eruption

Valencia CF – January Transfer Window Update & Current Situation​

The January transfer window is now closed, and it was a very important period for the long-term project at Valencia.

First of all, I decided to get rid of players who clearly wanted to leave. That gave me the space to reshape the squad properly and reinvest smartly instead of keeping unhappy players.

Football Manager 26 08_01_2026 14_31_34.webp


The biggest defensive improvement is the signing of Cristhian Mosquera.
A fantastic young centre-back with outstanding attributes, he has already made a real difference in defence, adding pace, composure, and physical dominance at the back. This is a signing for both the present and the future.

Football Manager 26 08_01_2026 14_32_06.webp


To strengthen depth behind the attack, I loaned Dele-Bashiru from Lazio as a backup Shadow Striker.
He brings very good pace, strong technique, and reliable finishing, giving me more options when rotating or changing games from the bench.

In attack, I signed Guessand for the DLF role.
His contract status is set as a squad player, but in reality he will start regularly in the first team for now, as he fits the system perfectly with his ability to hold the ball, link play, and bring others into the game.

On the left side, José Gayà is now 32 years old. His physical decline is visible, especially in pace, and I have decided not to offer him a new contract. He will see out the season and then leave as a free agent, allowing space for a new long-term solution.

Financially, the club is in an incredible position.

Football Manager 26 08_01_2026 14_31_51.webp


Thanks to smart sales and timing, I have generated a huge profit of €118M, which will be fully reinvested in the summer. The plan is clear:

  • one top-class central midfielder,
  • one elite Shadow Striker,
  • and possibly both strikers, depending on market opportunities.
On the pitch, everything is going perfectly so far.
We are top of the table, still undefeated, with a record of 20 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses – an unbelievable start to the season. The team is confident, dominant, and fully committed to the project.

The objective now is to continue this strong run and secure the La Liga title, while already laying the foundations for next season. The long-term vision is clear: build a dream team capable of dominating both domestically and in Europe.

The future at Valencia has never looked brighter. 🌋🦇

Football Manager 26 08_01_2026 14_37_28.webp
 
its'Beno said:
First season at ManU, what would you change in the starting XI? @Babemocni1988 View attachment 701787
Click to expand...
Martinez too short,I would never play him,Maino and Fernandes are top but I would not play them together on MC,choose one of them and sign player who can defend also and win the ball in middle, and pair him with one of them,the rest is ok
 
One more season with Andorra (2nd Spanish League Division) and...same story :ROFLMAO:

I´ve been using previously the 3412 from Vujecic with and try this season your VOLCANO variant, but...my game version seems to be funny & cruel at the same time.

I start the season nice, with 5 in a row winnings, first place and then...lots of draws and lost matches relegate me to the 14th position, and then magically again, great results come back so I manage to fight for 2nd position.
But...once again, the bad results return and lost lots os position, last matches improving results but...not enough for playoffs (3 points out of it :cry:)

This is a constant for me in the game from the last 3 season, and I dont get it.

I mean, the tactic works, in the 80% of the games I have more goal chances than my rivals, but the game decide that, some days my players have incredible accuracy and make a lots of goals, but other days my players miss lots of clear goal chances

I know that my team dont have much money (3 seasons with ZERO money for signings), so my team its full of young players with great potential (it takes times to develop), but I still dont understand why some days I have like 5/6 wins in a row, and others 5/6 losses on a row 🧐

Something I´ve noticed it´s my wingbacks/midfielders when they arrive to the bottom line, instead of make a "death pass" (We call it that way in Spain😂) to the forward, they stop, and begun to dribble and make unnecesary extra passes, so the opponent acumulate lots of defenders and save lots of goals with rebounds and things like that...but dont know how to solve this 🥸
 
bonziet said:
One more season with Andorra (2nd Spanish League Division) and...same story :ROFLMAO:

I´ve been using previously the 3412 from Vujecic with and try this season your VOLCANO variant, but...my game version seems to be funny & cruel at the same time.

I start the season nice, with 5 in a row winnings, first place and then...lots of draws and lost matches relegate me to the 14th position, and then magically again, great results come back so I manage to fight for 2nd position.
But...once again, the bad results return and lost lots os position, last matches improving results but...not enough for playoffs (3 points out of it :cry:)

This is a constant for me in the game from the last 3 season, and I dont get it.

I mean, the tactic works, in the 80% of the games I have more goal chances than my rivals, but the game decide that, some days my players have incredible accuracy and make a lots of goals, but other days my players miss lots of clear goal chances

I know that my team dont have much money (3 seasons with ZERO money for signings), so my team its full of young players with great potential (it takes times to develop), but I still dont understand why some days I have like 5/6 wins in a row, and others 5/6 losses on a row 🧐

Something I´ve noticed it´s my wingbacks/midfielders when they arrive to the bottom line, instead of make a "death pass" (We call it that way in Spain😂) to the forward, they stop, and begun to dribble and make unnecesary extra passes, so the opponent acumulate lots of defenders and save lots of goals with rebounds and things like that...but dont know how to solve this 🥸
Click to expand...

I see what you mean about tactics stopping working — but for me, it’s not just about the tactic itself, it’s about team management.

I work hard to bring in adequate backups, rotate players, and keep the squad happy. Form drops or fatigue rarely break the system because key players like wingbacks and strikers expend a huge amount of energy tracking back, so they often need to be subbed every game to make sure fresh players can give a similar impact on the game.

It’s also about watching and observing the game, not just playing fast. You need to understand where you start to struggle, which areas are being exploited, and then react accordingly — sometimes small tweaks or instructions are enough to restore control.

Equally important is to understand how your tactic works and what kind of players it needs. Every system has ideal profiles: knowing who can make runs, who can hold the ball, who can score from midfield, and who can press efficiently is key to getting the maximum from it.

Regarding your point about wingbacks passing instead of crossing: yes, it can work if you have two goal-scoring central midfielders, but without that, the tactic needs to adapt to your personnel.

Tactics don’t fail by themselves — how you manage your squad, rotate energy-heavy players, understand your system, and react to problems determines whether it keeps performing.

I can help you resolve problems and give any advice you need, because for me this game is both a passion and an obsession.
Be free to ask.

Read carefull my next article If yiu want to learn more
 

Tactical Masterclass: Adapting EL VOLCANO Against 4-3-3 DM Possession Systems​

Coming into the second game against Real Betis, I knew this would not be a match decided by raw quality or mentality. It was about adaptation. Betis operate with a 4-3-3 DM possession-based system, heavy on short passing, patience in build-up, and — most importantly — through balls from the half-spaces. In our first encounter, even though we won, it was clear that we were struggling to control the middle of the pitch and were repeatedly exposed by vertical passes between the lines. Antony in particular was a constant problem, threading dangerous balls into the box and creating overloads that forced our defence to react.

This time, the approach was different.

Football Manager 26 09_01_2026 11_44_07.webp

My first game against them


Key Tactical Adjustments​

Rather than changing the identity of EL VOLCANO, I made targeted micro-tweaks designed specifically to neutralise a 4-3-3 DM possession system.

What changed:

  • Tempo → Standard
    Reduced rushed possession and prevented unnecessary turnovers that Betis could exploit.
  • Attacking Width → Narrow
    Compact enough to protect the central zones, but not so narrow that the block collapsed inside the box.
  • Defensive Transition → Regroup
    Instead of counter-pressing and losing structure, the team recovered into shape immediately after losing the ball, closing the passing lanes that Betis rely on for through balls.
  • Cross Engagement → Balanced
    No longer inviting pressure deep into our box, while still maintaining control over wide areas.
  • Targeted Man Marking on Antony
    Using our wide centre-back to engage Antony early removed his ability to turn and play killer passes inside. Only IW or IF are marked, not classic wingers. For example, the left side centre-back will track the opponent’s right-sided IW or IF, ensuring central and half-space threats are neutralised without breaking our defensive shape.

tactc 1 vs 1.webp

Here you can see my left center back staying close to nbr.7 Antony


The Result​


Football Manager 26 09_01_2026 12_57_28.webp


The impact was immediate and decisive. Betis were forced into sideways circulation, their rhythm was broken, and the through balls that caused so many problems in the first game simply never arrived. With our defensive structure intact, EL VOLCANO could do what it does best — explode vertically once possession was regained.

The final score: 4–0.
A result built on control, not chaos.


Philosophy: Results Matter, but HOW You Lose Matters More​

For me, it’s completely acceptable to lose football matches. What I cannot accept is being tactically outclassed. Even when I win, if the opponent makes me uncomfortable, limits my chance creation, or forces me into patterns I don’t want to play — that is not a “good win” in my book. Those are the games that stay in my head.

I always watch matches on Comprehensive highlights. Not to admire goals — but to understand why things don’t work. I focus on:

  • Where my shape breaks
  • Which players receive the ball too easily
  • How opponents create their best chances
  • Where my system is being neutralised
Those observations are never ignored. When I face the same opponent again, I don’t rely on luck or hope. I apply what I learned — whether that’s a small positional tweak, a transition change, or a targeted man-marking decision, like the one used against Antony.

Winning a match doesn’t mean the problem is solved. Losing a match doesn’t mean the tactic is broken. Every encounter is a data point, and every rematch is an opportunity to prove that I’ve become a better manager than I was before.


Looking Ahead: Barcelona Hansi Flick 4-2-3-1 Possession System tweak​

Barcelona’s 4-2-3-1 possession system also created lot of problems in our first encounter even we won it, It will represent a real tactical challenge as I am planing to tweak it. I won’t face them next, but in our previous encounter I wasn’t happy with how many chances they were able to create against us, even though the result was fine. It’s exactly these situations that push me to analyse deeply, adapt my approach, and improve EL VOLCANO to prevent the same problems from occurring in the future.

Because in Football Manager, as in real football, tactics and players win matches — not presets, and learning faster than your opponent is what separates good managers from great ones.


Summary of Tactical Keys Against 4-3-3 DM

  • Tempo: Standard
  • Attacking Width: Narrow
  • Defensive Transition: Regroup
  • Cross Engagement: Balanced
  • Trigger Press: Standard
  • Targeted Man-Marking: Only IW or IF, not classic wingers !
    Example: Left side centre-back marks opponent’s right-sided IW or IF; right side centre-back marks left-sided IW/IF.
 
Last edited:

🔥 Half-Time Reaction: How EL VOLCANO Turned a 0–1 Struggle into a 3–1 Destruction vs 4-2-3-1​

At half time I was 1–0 down and clearly not comfortable.
Espanol was using a classic 4-2-3-1 with:

  • attacking fullbacks
  • inverted wingers
  • a central AM finding space
The goal I conceded was the biggest warning sign:
their fullback scored, arriving late into the box.

That instantly told me one thing:

So instead of waiting a miracle to happened, I made targeted, logical tweaks.
Click to expand...


What Was Going Wrong in the First Half​

  • I was using Invite Crosses
  • My team was too passive against their AM
  • Their wingers pinned my wingbacks
  • Their fullbacks were free to attack space
In short:
I was allowing width against a system built on width.

That had to stop immediately.


Half-Time Tweaks That Changed the Game​

Turned OFF “Invite Crosses”​

This was the first and most important change.

Against a 4-2-3-1:

  • Inviting crosses means inviting:
    • FB overloads
    • cutbacks
    • late arrivals
Once this was removed:

  • their FBs stopped attacking freely
  • their threat immediately dropped

Focus Play Through the Middle​

This was the key attacking adjustment.

Why?

  • 4-2-3-1 is strongest out wide
  • weakest zone is between the double pivot and CBs
With EL VOLCANO’s:

  • DLF + TM
  • narrow shape
  • direct vertical play
I deliberately attacked the central channel.

Result:

  • DMs got dragged out
  • CBs stepped forward
  • space opened instantly
Both goals came from central chaos, not wide play.


Trigger Press → More Often (Not Extreme)​

I increased pressing, but controlled it.

  • More Often, not Much More Often
  • Target was:
    • their double pivot
    • their AM
This:

  • rushed their buildup
  • denied time on the ball
  • stopped clean switches to the wings
Very important:
I did not high-press CBs or GK.
I pressed the brain, not the limbs.

The Result​

After these tweaks:

Football Manager 26 09_01_2026 17_38_07.webp


  • 2 goals in 10 minutes
  • complete momentum shift
  • opponent never recovered
  • final score: 3–1
No formation change.
No role overhaul.
Just understanding the matchup.


Key Lesson vs 4-2-3-1​

You don’t beat 4-2-3-1 by fighting wide battles.
You beat it by killing the middle and denying fullbacks freedom.
Click to expand...
This match was a perfect example of how small, correct adjustments can completely flip a game.

For me, this is what Football Manager is about:

  • reading the match
  • understanding shapes
  • reacting with logic, not panic
EL VOLCANO didn’t change.
The way I aimed it did. 🔥
I will probably use this tweak against every 4231 Double DM.I am so happy when I find out that logical tweak actually somethimes work very well in the game 🔥
Stay tuned!
 
Babemocni1988 said:
I see what you mean about tactics stopping working — but for me, it’s not just about the tactic itself, it’s about team management.

I work hard to bring in adequate backups, rotate players, and keep the squad happy. Form drops or fatigue rarely break the system because key players like wingbacks and strikers expend a huge amount of energy tracking back, so they often need to be subbed every game to make sure fresh players can give a similar impact on the game.

It’s also about watching and observing the game, not just playing fast. You need to understand where you start to struggle, which areas are being exploited, and then react accordingly — sometimes small tweaks or instructions are enough to restore control.

Equally important is to understand how your tactic works and what kind of players it needs. Every system has ideal profiles: knowing who can make runs, who can hold the ball, who can score from midfield, and who can press efficiently is key to getting the maximum from it.

Regarding your point about wingbacks passing instead of crossing: yes, it can work if you have two goal-scoring central midfielders, but without that, the tactic needs to adapt to your personnel.

Tactics don’t fail by themselves — how you manage your squad, rotate energy-heavy players, understand your system, and react to problems determines whether it keeps performing.

I can help you resolve problems and give any advice you need, because for me this game is both a passion and an obsession.
Be free to ask.

Read carefull my next article If yiu want to learn more
Click to expand...

Well, as I said, i think the tactics works great most of the time.

I´m not looking for a simple "plug&play" overpowered tactic to win all my matches 4-0, because I think those tactics kills the spirit of the game :unsure:

My only complaint it´s about the inconsistency of the game itself (for me at least), cause I´ve been playing FM for more than 10 years, and yes, everyone knows the feeling of this kind matches where yo take 30 shots 17 on target, and finally you ended up losing 0-1 :ROFLMAO:

So, beside my wingbacks/mildfielders abuse of dribbling and passing, I can´t find any major problems on it, my team its a low profile one, depending on young players so I know my team it´s gonna suffer with the "biggers" teams of my division.

But, once again, some days I have great results (no matter against who) but other days the game "decide" to punish me with a evening of matches losing 1-0 or 2-1, with the same possesion, ocasions or expect goals...the only difference it´s the "acuraccy" or unbelievable missed occasions (things like, first shot a great GK intervention, shot again and hit the crossbar and finally shot again and hit the head of one defender :ROFLMAO:)

I´ll take with humour and hope my young players level up to improve my results, and work on those wingbacks instructions
 
bonziet said:
Well, as I said, i think the tactics works great most of the time.

I´m not looking for a simple "plug&play" overpowered tactic to win all my matches 4-0, because I think those tactics kills the spirit of the game :unsure:

My only complaint it´s about the inconsistency of the game itself (for me at least), cause I´ve been playing FM for more than 10 years, and yes, everyone knows the feeling of this kind matches where yo take 30 shots 17 on target, and finally you ended up losing 0-1 :ROFLMAO:

So, beside my wingbacks/mildfielders abuse of dribbling and passing, I can´t find any major problems on it, my team its a low profile one, depending on young players so I know my team it´s gonna suffer with the "biggers" teams of my division.

But, once again, some days I have great results (no matter against who) but other days the game "decide" to punish me with a evening of matches losing 1-0 or 2-1, with the same possesion, ocasions or expect goals...the only difference it´s the "acuraccy" or unbelievable missed occasions (things like, first shot a great GK intervention, shot again and hit the crossbar and finally shot again and hit the head of one defender :ROFLMAO:)

I´ll take with humour and hope my young players level up to improve my results, and work on those wingbacks instructions
Click to expand...
I understand your pain completely,I also play this game more than 10 years and even I got frustrated just like you many times but I just cant stop playing it.
I just learned to accept to lose some random matches, because even in real world happens often,and try to learn more about ME how to exploit it and do better every time in every aspect,from tactic to my recruitment.
Focusing on team management and recruitment,using the system and philosophy that you like it,should help to accept lot of things what doesn't feel realistic on this game, finding the way to enjoy playing it,on the end its all about that,having fun!
 
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