fmcalciomaestro
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Hi guys
welcome back to my tactic emulations. This time I will show you my second emulation in Football Manager 2026, Gasperini's AS Roma 2025-26.
Let's see the tactical analysis
TACTICAL ANALYSIS: GASPERINI’S A.S. ROMA 2025-26
ntroduction and Initial Tactical Setup
Gian Piero Gasperini's AS Roma playing model is founded on principles of extreme dynamism, aggressiveness in open play, and a constant search for verticality.
I. ATTACKING MOMENT (Possession Phase)
A. Play Initiation and Build-up Strategies
The Giallorossi adopt a variety of build-up patterns, calibrated according to the opponent's defensive approach. The basic concept is to favor the external flow of play (the flanks), while also maintaining the option of direct play towards the attacking reference.
Options for Exiting the Defensive Third:
The principle of positional interchangeability is constant. The central midfielders (Cristante and Koné) tend to abandon the central area to widen and offer a passing option in the lateral channels, seeking numerical density in wide areas and deliberately leaving the centre momentarily vacated. This strategy is functional for rapidly moving the ball.
B. Progression and Development
The guiding principle in the development phase is rapid forward progression, always focused on the flanks. Here, the combined work of the defensive "braccetto" (wide CB), the central midfielder, and the attacking midfielder in that zone is aimed at creating lateral numerical superiority, in order to then attack the depth.
The defender Hermoso, in particular, does not restrict himself to his position but often moves into the midfield with deep-lying playmaker duties. From this position, his primary solutions are the switch of play or the high ball over the opponent's defensive line.
C. Decisive Actions and Finishing
The final third set-up is crucial. The central striker acts as a reference point for lay-offs (Ferguson excels at defending and winning duels), and the attacking midfielders (Dybala, Soulé) must be ready to receive the pass or pick up second balls.
Avenues for Finishing:
Roma leverages its superiority on the flanks and the participation of many players in the move to finish in various ways:
A. Offensive Transition (Post-Recovery)
Winning the ball immediately triggers the search for verticality. The intent is to move the ball toward the opponent's goal as quickly as possible, exploiting the spaces conceded by the opposition. The primary objective of the striker is to shield the ball and act as a support or, if possible, attack the depth. The attacking midfielders, on the other hand, are tasked with driving the ball toward the box, looking for the overlapping wing-back.
B. Defensive Transition (Post-Loss of Possession)
Upon losing possession, an immediate press (Gegenpressing) on the ball-carrier is activated, capitalizing on the high number of players who accompanied the attacking move. The team remains compact, and the defensive line stays high, facilitating aggression and anticipation. However, if the opponent manages to quickly bypass this press, the high number of players in the offensive zone can leave the team unbalanced, offering dangerous spaces for the counter-attack.
III. DEFENSIVE MOMENT (Non-Possession Phase)
A. Initial Pressing and Man-Marking
Gasperini's defensive approach is based on an all-out press with systemic man-marking. The goal is to deprive the opponent's ball-carrier of time and space, forcing them into an error or a long ball.
Every Roma player matches up with an opponent and tracks them across every zone of the pitch. To facilitate high ball recovery, the defenders operate on a very advanced line (often near the midfield) and are authorized to step out forcefully to follow their mark even beyond the halfway line.
B. Staggering and Defensive Dynamics
The defensive setup is constantly fluid and fragmented due to the individual duels.
Defence on the flanks results in a series of one-on-one duels across the entire width of the pitch, demanding maximum dedication. Attacking midfielders and wide players make sacrifices, tracking back to their own box to follow their man and support the wide centre-back. The wing-back can drop back to form a back five in certain situations, with nearby teammates (central midfielder, attacking midfielder) marking adjacent supporting players.
In my video here you can see the tactical board breakdown, fm 26 stats, fm24 stats, fm 26 tactic creation guide and some highlights
Please like and subscribe
in my Patreon page you can download both tactics fmf files and the analysis, so if you want to support me please subscribe or you can buy one single tactic.
Thank you everyone!!!
welcome back to my tactic emulations. This time I will show you my second emulation in Football Manager 2026, Gasperini's AS Roma 2025-26.
Let's see the tactical analysis
TACTICAL ANALYSIS: GASPERINI’S A.S. ROMA 2025-26
ntroduction and Initial Tactical Setup
Gian Piero Gasperini's AS Roma playing model is founded on principles of extreme dynamism, aggressiveness in open play, and a constant search for verticality.
- Starting System: 1-3-4-2-1.
- Floating Formations (Possession Phase - FDP): 1-2-3-4-1 or 1-3-2-4-1.
- Floating Formations (Non-Possession Phase - FDNP): 1-5-4-1 or 1-5-3-2.
I. ATTACKING MOMENT (Possession Phase)
A. Play Initiation and Build-up Strategies
The Giallorossi adopt a variety of build-up patterns, calibrated according to the opponent's defensive approach. The basic concept is to favor the external flow of play (the flanks), while also maintaining the option of direct play towards the attacking reference.
Options for Exiting the Defensive Third:
- Lateral Passing: The defenders (Ndicka and Mancini) and the goalkeeper (Svilar) are tasked with circulating the ball, preferably directing it toward the wide channels.
- Direct Verticalization: In case of difficulty overcoming the opponent's first press, they resort to a long ball from the goalkeeper or a defender, aimed at the centre-forward (Ferguson) to exploit his ability to shield the ball and play flick-ons.
The principle of positional interchangeability is constant. The central midfielders (Cristante and Koné) tend to abandon the central area to widen and offer a passing option in the lateral channels, seeking numerical density in wide areas and deliberately leaving the centre momentarily vacated. This strategy is functional for rapidly moving the ball.
B. Progression and Development
The guiding principle in the development phase is rapid forward progression, always focused on the flanks. Here, the combined work of the defensive "braccetto" (wide CB), the central midfielder, and the attacking midfielder in that zone is aimed at creating lateral numerical superiority, in order to then attack the depth.
The defender Hermoso, in particular, does not restrict himself to his position but often moves into the midfield with deep-lying playmaker duties. From this position, his primary solutions are the switch of play or the high ball over the opponent's defensive line.
C. Decisive Actions and Finishing
The final third set-up is crucial. The central striker acts as a reference point for lay-offs (Ferguson excels at defending and winning duels), and the attacking midfielders (Dybala, Soulé) must be ready to receive the pass or pick up second balls.
Avenues for Finishing:
Roma leverages its superiority on the flanks and the participation of many players in the move to finish in various ways:
- Crosses and Deliveries: This is the most frequent method. The box is flooded with numerous players: the striker, one or both attacking midfielders, a central midfielder, and even the opposite wing-back. Sometimes, even a defender launches forward after releasing the ball.
- Runs and Depth: The attack into space is sought by the central striker and the central wide players (wing-backs).
- Individual Solutions: Technically gifted players like Soulé and Dybala, after a successful dribble or a winning triangulation, do not hesitate to attempt a shot from distance.
A. Offensive Transition (Post-Recovery)
Winning the ball immediately triggers the search for verticality. The intent is to move the ball toward the opponent's goal as quickly as possible, exploiting the spaces conceded by the opposition. The primary objective of the striker is to shield the ball and act as a support or, if possible, attack the depth. The attacking midfielders, on the other hand, are tasked with driving the ball toward the box, looking for the overlapping wing-back.
B. Defensive Transition (Post-Loss of Possession)
Upon losing possession, an immediate press (Gegenpressing) on the ball-carrier is activated, capitalizing on the high number of players who accompanied the attacking move. The team remains compact, and the defensive line stays high, facilitating aggression and anticipation. However, if the opponent manages to quickly bypass this press, the high number of players in the offensive zone can leave the team unbalanced, offering dangerous spaces for the counter-attack.
III. DEFENSIVE MOMENT (Non-Possession Phase)
A. Initial Pressing and Man-Marking
Gasperini's defensive approach is based on an all-out press with systemic man-marking. The goal is to deprive the opponent's ball-carrier of time and space, forcing them into an error or a long ball.
Every Roma player matches up with an opponent and tracks them across every zone of the pitch. To facilitate high ball recovery, the defenders operate on a very advanced line (often near the midfield) and are authorized to step out forcefully to follow their mark even beyond the halfway line.
B. Staggering and Defensive Dynamics
The defensive setup is constantly fluid and fragmented due to the individual duels.
- Midfield: The central midfielders (Koné and Cristante) position themselves based on the movements of their direct opponents. It is not uncommon to find them aligned with the striker or even ahead of him, as their priority is to mark the opponent's playmakers.
- Wing-backs: The wide midfielders position themselves further away from their direct marks (compared to other teammates) to manage a potential long ball. They drop and aggressively close down only if the mark receives the ball.
- Defence: The defensive line is constantly broken by the aggressive challenges of the individual defenders on their direct opponent. In the case of a vertical pass to the striker, the paired defender aggressively challenges him upfront to prevent him from turning toward the goal. Inside the box, marking is strictly man-to-man, while also seeking numerical superiority in the ball zone.
Defence on the flanks results in a series of one-on-one duels across the entire width of the pitch, demanding maximum dedication. Attacking midfielders and wide players make sacrifices, tracking back to their own box to follow their man and support the wide centre-back. The wing-back can drop back to form a back five in certain situations, with nearby teammates (central midfielder, attacking midfielder) marking adjacent supporting players.
In my video here you can see the tactical board breakdown, fm 26 stats, fm24 stats, fm 26 tactic creation guide and some highlights
Please like and subscribe
in my Patreon page you can download both tactics fmf files and the analysis, so if you want to support me please subscribe or you can buy one single tactic.
Thank you everyone!!!
