fmcalciomaestro
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LOUIS VAN GAAL'S TOTAL FOOTBALL MASTERCLASS AJAX 1994-95 WON THE DOUBLE 100 GOALS
Hi guys
this time I will show you how to recreate Louis Van Gaal's Ajax 1994-95 tactic in Football Manager 2024.
Now let's see the tactical guide for FM 24
The Architect and the Masterpiece: Emulating Van Gaal's 1994-95 Ajax Tactics on FM24
Louis van Gaal's Ajax, the undefeated Champions League winner in 1995, was more than just a squad of young talents; it was a triumph of meticulous tactical structure combined with the fluidity of Total Football. Van Gaal transformed Cruyff's freedom into calculated discipline, ensuring that every player knew exactly how to move in every phase of play.
Here is how to replicate this perfect balance on Football Manager 2024 (FM24), analyzing the reasoning behind every role and instructions to create a system that dominates possession and presses relentlessly.
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1. In Possession Instructions: Structured Dominance
The tactical foundation begins with the team's approach to circulating the ball and controlling space.
Instruction Tactical Explanation
Mentality: Positive Allows the team to dominate play by pushing forward and maintaining a high line, yet with enough discipline to avoid becoming overly exposed.
Width: Wide Essential. Provides space for the pure wingers (Overmars and Finidi) to stretch the opponent's defence, opening central gaps for Litmanen and Kluivert.
Passing: Shorter Ensures meticulous and patient ball circulation.
Tempo: Higher The Higher Tempo ensures that the transition between defensive and attacking thirds is quick and incisive.
Crossing: Low Allows the team to exploit late runs and smart movement into the box from deeper positions.
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2. Transition Phase: Pressing and Countering
Van Gaal's secret was the immediate recovery of the ball, a cornerstone of his system.
• Counter-Press: This instruction is crucial for replicating the "total pressing". The moment the ball is lost, the entire team (including Kluivert) activates to recover it immediately.
• Counter: Once possession is recovered, especially in advanced areas, the quick transition is triggered to exploit the out-of-balance opposition defense.
• Goalkeeper Instructions: Distribute to Centre-Backs and Take Short Kicks to aid in building out from the back, involving the goalkeeper (Van der Sar) in the initial phase of play.
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3. Out of Possession Phase: High Press and Compact Lines
The high defensive line and relentless pressing were key to compressing the pitch and reducing space.
• Pressing Trap: Force Opposition Outside (or Induce Wider Play): Compels the opponent to play down the flanks, away from the central core where your team (with Rijkaard, Davids, and Seedorf) is strongest.
• Defensive Line: Much Higher: The Much Higher defensive line allows the team to remain compact, minimizing the gaps between the lines. This is vital for implementing the Offside Trap (via the Stay Much Higher team instruction).
• Line of Engagement: Higher: The high line of engagement forces the opponents into errors or long passes, which the Ajax defenders are positioned to intercept.
• Prevent Short GK Distribution: Forces the opponent's goalkeeper into long kicks or errors, disrupting their build-up.
• Trigger Press: Much More Often: Intense pressing to deny opponents any space.
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4. Roles and Player Instructions: The Total Collective
The roles are set up to mimic the specific movements and responsibilities that defined the Ajax team.
The Defensive Structure and Build-Up
Ajax's build-up was unique, centered on the movement of the Sweeper (Blind) and the involvement of the other two defenders and the goalkeeper.
Player FM24 Role Tactical Explanation & Key Instructions
Edwin Van Der Saar Sweeper Keeper (Support) The first build-up player. Pass to Centre-Backs to initiate play.
Blind Sweeper (Support) The System's Pivot. The Support duty gives him the license to Dribble More and Move Into Channels to advance with the ball into midfield and break the opponent's first line of press. More Pressing.
De Boer & Reiziger Ball Playing Defender (Defend) The Defend duty ensures they stay back, while More Pressing makes them aggressive in stopping opponents before they reach the box. They maintain the structural integrity of the back three.
Rijkaard Half-Back (Defend) In FM24, this is the only role that tells the player to drop into the defensive line when the Sweeper (Blind) advances, maintaining the back three and guaranteeing stability. More Pressing.
Midfield: Dynamism, Breaking, and Creativity
The Davids-Seedorf partnership combines the dynamism of a Box-to-Box player (Seedorf) with the aggression of a Ball Winning Midfielder (Davids), while Litmanen acts as the creative fulcrum.
Player FM24 Role Tactical Explanation & Key Instructions
Davids (Left CM) Central Midfielder (Support) The Universal Engine. More Pressing, Harder Tackles, and Mark Tighter give him the aggression of a Ball Winner. Move Into Channels and Get Further Forward ensure he breaks lines into the half-spaces, supporting the attack while still covering defensively.
Seedorf (Right CM) Box-to-Box Midfielder (Support) The Link-Up Man. Shorter Passing, Move Into Channels, and More Pressing ensure he links the play, drives forward with the ball, and dominates midfield, present in both attack and defense.
Litmanen (AMC) Advanced Playmaker (Support) The Creative Fulcrum. Roam From Position and Move Into Channels allow him to drop deep to receive the ball and then attack the space, creating chances for teammates. Shorter Passing and Shoot Less Often ensure his focus is on creation.
Attack: Width and Fluidity
Player FM24 Role Tactical Explanation & Key Instructions
Finidi & Overmars Winger (Support) The Support duty prevents the system from becoming too exposed and encourages them to participate in the build-up. Stay Wider ensures they provide the required width. Roam From Position and Get Further Forward provide the fluidity to switch positions and attack space. More Pressing.
Kluivert Advanced Forward (Attack) The finishing outlet. Move Into Channels and More Pressing ensure he is mobile and participates in the high press, exploiting the space created by the team's intricate play.
As always in my youtube video you can see the highlights, tactic explanation and stats
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Tactical Analysis (Italian and English): https://sites.google.com/view/fmcal...alisi-tattica-lajax-1994-95-di-louis-van-gaal
Fm 24 Guide (Italian and English): https://sites.google.com/view/fmcal...ions/lajax-1994-95-di-louis-van-gaal-su-fm-24
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