fmcalciomaestro
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Hi guys
this is my emulation of Spalletti's Juventus
You can see details (player and team stats, highlights) and the tactic guide step by step in my video on youtube.
In my Patreon page you can find the real life tactic analysis, the FM 26 guide and fmf file and also FM 24 tactic fmf file
Thanks for your support.
In my youtube video here you can see tactic creation guide, fm stats, highlights
Please like and subscribe, thanks.
SPALLETTI'S JUVENTUS 2025-26 ON FOOTBALL MANAGER 2026
To emulate the tactics used by Luciano Spalletti in these first two months of his Juventus experience, we start with a base formation, the 3-4-2-1, which in possession can become a 3-1-3-2-1 with Locatelli playing deeper than the other midfielder, Thuram. In the defensive phase, the team sets up in a 4-4-2, with either Yildiz or Conceição moving alongside the striker (David or Openda) to lead the first line of pressing. Alternatively, if the opponents bypass the press, Juve compacts into a 5-4-1 with the two wide players dropping into the defensive line.
Mentality: positive
Spalletti wants his team to dominate the opposition and control possession.
Player Roles and Instructions
Goalkeeper: Michele Di Gregorio Di Gregorio is involved in the build-up and can pass to the central defenders or, if they are under pressure, attempt long balls to the dropping striker.
In-possession role: Ball Playing Goalkeeper.
Out-of-possession role: Sweeper Keeper.
Instructions: None.
Central Defenders: Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly (Gleison Bremer), Teun Koopmeiners
The two wide center-backs, Kalulu and Koopmeiners, stay wider during build-up; specifically, the Dutchman attempts to carry the ball forward and break the defensive line whenever possible. In the defensive phase, as seen against Bologna, the two wide center-backs mark the opposition wingers while the central defender, Kelly, marks the striker.
Kalulu and Koopmeiners
In-possession role: Wide Centre-Back. Instructions: Stay Wider, Dribble More (Koopmeiners only).
Out-of-possession role: Central Defender on Stopper duty (with the "Trigger Press More Often" instruction set by default) moving up to press the opponent.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Bremer
In-possession role: Central Defender. Instructions: None.
Out-of-possession role: Central Defender on Stopper duty (with the "Trigger Press More Often" instruction set by default) moving up to press the opponent.
Instructions: Mark Tighter, Specific Man Marking (opposition center-forward).
Wide Players: Weston McKennie and Andrea Cambiaso
Both start wide on the flanks but do not hesitate to tuck inside to congest the central corridors during build-up. This is especially true for the left-back Cambiaso, who maintains a central position acting as an inverted wing-back even in advanced areas, often risking ball loss. Defensively, they drop alongside the three center-backs to form a five-man defensive block when the opposition bypasses the first press.
In-possession role: Wing-back
Instructions: Sit Narrower, Cut Inside with Ball (Cambiaso only).
Out-of-possession role: Pressing Full-back
Instructions: Mark Tighter, Specific Man Marking (opposition full-back as seen against Bologna).
Midfielders: Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram
Manuel Locatelli (Right Defensive Midfielder) Locatelli stays deep during build-up, almost dropping between the defenders to help control possession. Defensively, he acts as a screen in front of the defense.
In-possession role: Deep Lying Playmaker.
Instructions: None.
Out-of-possession role: Defensive Midfielder.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Khéphren Thuram (Left Defensive Midfielder) Thuram plays further forward than Locatelli, often pushing up and attempting long shots more frequently than his partner. His running ability, late runs into the box, and physicality make him a tough opponent. Out of possession, he sits in front of the defense but challenges opponents higher up compared to Locatelli.
In-possession role: Box-to-Box Midfielder.
Instructions: Roam From Position, Move Into Channels, Shoot More Often, Make More Runs.
Out-of-possession role:Pressing Defensive Midfielder.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Attacking Midfielders (Shadow Strikers): Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição
Kenan Yildiz (Left Attacking Midfielder) Spalletti is emphasizing Yildiz's freedom of movement, deploying him as a left trequartista but giving him autonomy to find space. Although the coach would prefer him more central and closer to the goal to exploit his scoring skills, the Turk is proving to be a versatile and decisive element.
Yildiz's heatmap since Spalletti became Juventus manager.
In-possession role: Inside Forward.
Instructions: Dribble More, Shoot More Often (only Yildiz), Cut Inside with Ball, Roam From Position, Stay Wider,
To emulate Yildiz's movement starting wide, I added the "Stay Wider" instruction. However, Yildiz has broad freedom to find space, cut inside, and take shots.
Out-of-possession role: Tracking Wide Midfielder.
Instructions: Trigger Press More Often, Mark Tighter.
Out of possession, both Yildiz and Conceição drop back into midfield near the pivots to avoid leaving space for counter-attacks. In the initial pressing phase, they press high and man-mark the opposition center-backs.
Central Striker: Jonathan David (or Louis Openda)
After Vlahovic's long-term injury, Spalletti utilizes atypical strikers like David and Openda. While not as clinical as Vlahovic, their ability to drop deep, link play, and open spaces for midfielders makes them very useful. Out of possession, they lead the high press by marking the opposition playmaker or center-backs.
In-possession role: Deep Lying Forward.
Instructions: Move Into Channels, Roam From Position.
Out-of-possession role:Tracking Centre Forward.
Instructions: Trigger Press More Often.
Team Instructions (In Possession)
Build-up: bypass pressing.
Juve does not excel at building from the back due to a lack of technically gifted ball-players, despite moving Koopmeiners to center-back. For this reason, Di Gregorio and the defenders may attempt long balls to the dropping striker when pressured, rather than forced short passes.
Support Movements: Underlaps both flanks
The two wing-backs, especially Cambiaso, often look to attack through central channels, creating numerical superiority.
Final Third: Encourage Dribbling, Work Ball Into Box, Low Crosses.
In the final third, Spalletti asks for less frenzy and more possession control to avoid dangerous counters. "Work Ball Into Box" helps the team play with more patience. Without Vlahovic, high crosses are no longer required; Openda and David are targeted with low crosses, which also benefit Thuram's late runs. Dribbling is encouraged to exploit the qualities of Yildiz and Conceição.
General: Shorter Passing, Higher Tempo, Much Narrower Width.
Spalletti wants the team to exploit central corridors and create numerical superiority in the middle, making counter-pressing easier as players are closer together. Ball progression should be fast, but the team must show patience in the final phase.
Offensive Transition: Counter.
Defensive Transition: Counter-press.
Team Instructions (Out of Possession)
General: High Pressing Line, Higher Defensive Line, Step Up More, Trigger Press Much More Often. Pressing Trap: Force Outside. Prevent Short GK Distribution: Yes.
Defensively, Juventus seeks an immediate high press and players accept one-on-one duels. The defensive line is high to keep the team compact, reducing space between the lines and preventing counter-attacks.
Results
Serie A: winner (92 points, 38 games, 28 won 8 draw 2 lost, 91 goals scored 31 goals conceded)
Coppa Italia: knocked-out by Inter in semi-final
Champions League: knocked out by Real Madrid in quarter-finals (0-2 away, 2-1 at home)
this is my emulation of Spalletti's Juventus
You can see details (player and team stats, highlights) and the tactic guide step by step in my video on youtube.
In my Patreon page you can find the real life tactic analysis, the FM 26 guide and fmf file and also FM 24 tactic fmf file
Thanks for your support.
In my youtube video here you can see tactic creation guide, fm stats, highlights
Please like and subscribe, thanks.
SPALLETTI'S JUVENTUS 2025-26 ON FOOTBALL MANAGER 2026
To emulate the tactics used by Luciano Spalletti in these first two months of his Juventus experience, we start with a base formation, the 3-4-2-1, which in possession can become a 3-1-3-2-1 with Locatelli playing deeper than the other midfielder, Thuram. In the defensive phase, the team sets up in a 4-4-2, with either Yildiz or Conceição moving alongside the striker (David or Openda) to lead the first line of pressing. Alternatively, if the opponents bypass the press, Juve compacts into a 5-4-1 with the two wide players dropping into the defensive line.
Mentality: positive
Spalletti wants his team to dominate the opposition and control possession.
Player Roles and Instructions
Goalkeeper: Michele Di Gregorio Di Gregorio is involved in the build-up and can pass to the central defenders or, if they are under pressure, attempt long balls to the dropping striker.
In-possession role: Ball Playing Goalkeeper.
Out-of-possession role: Sweeper Keeper.
Instructions: None.
Central Defenders: Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly (Gleison Bremer), Teun Koopmeiners
The two wide center-backs, Kalulu and Koopmeiners, stay wider during build-up; specifically, the Dutchman attempts to carry the ball forward and break the defensive line whenever possible. In the defensive phase, as seen against Bologna, the two wide center-backs mark the opposition wingers while the central defender, Kelly, marks the striker.
Kalulu and Koopmeiners
In-possession role: Wide Centre-Back. Instructions: Stay Wider, Dribble More (Koopmeiners only).
Out-of-possession role: Central Defender on Stopper duty (with the "Trigger Press More Often" instruction set by default) moving up to press the opponent.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Bremer
In-possession role: Central Defender. Instructions: None.
Out-of-possession role: Central Defender on Stopper duty (with the "Trigger Press More Often" instruction set by default) moving up to press the opponent.
Instructions: Mark Tighter, Specific Man Marking (opposition center-forward).
Wide Players: Weston McKennie and Andrea Cambiaso
Both start wide on the flanks but do not hesitate to tuck inside to congest the central corridors during build-up. This is especially true for the left-back Cambiaso, who maintains a central position acting as an inverted wing-back even in advanced areas, often risking ball loss. Defensively, they drop alongside the three center-backs to form a five-man defensive block when the opposition bypasses the first press.
In-possession role: Wing-back
Instructions: Sit Narrower, Cut Inside with Ball (Cambiaso only).
Out-of-possession role: Pressing Full-back
Instructions: Mark Tighter, Specific Man Marking (opposition full-back as seen against Bologna).
Midfielders: Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram
Manuel Locatelli (Right Defensive Midfielder) Locatelli stays deep during build-up, almost dropping between the defenders to help control possession. Defensively, he acts as a screen in front of the defense.
In-possession role: Deep Lying Playmaker.
Instructions: None.
Out-of-possession role: Defensive Midfielder.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Khéphren Thuram (Left Defensive Midfielder) Thuram plays further forward than Locatelli, often pushing up and attempting long shots more frequently than his partner. His running ability, late runs into the box, and physicality make him a tough opponent. Out of possession, he sits in front of the defense but challenges opponents higher up compared to Locatelli.
In-possession role: Box-to-Box Midfielder.
Instructions: Roam From Position, Move Into Channels, Shoot More Often, Make More Runs.
Out-of-possession role:Pressing Defensive Midfielder.
Instructions: Mark Tighter.
Attacking Midfielders (Shadow Strikers): Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceição
Kenan Yildiz (Left Attacking Midfielder) Spalletti is emphasizing Yildiz's freedom of movement, deploying him as a left trequartista but giving him autonomy to find space. Although the coach would prefer him more central and closer to the goal to exploit his scoring skills, the Turk is proving to be a versatile and decisive element.
Yildiz's heatmap since Spalletti became Juventus manager.
In-possession role: Inside Forward.
Instructions: Dribble More, Shoot More Often (only Yildiz), Cut Inside with Ball, Roam From Position, Stay Wider,
To emulate Yildiz's movement starting wide, I added the "Stay Wider" instruction. However, Yildiz has broad freedom to find space, cut inside, and take shots.
Out-of-possession role: Tracking Wide Midfielder.
Instructions: Trigger Press More Often, Mark Tighter.
Out of possession, both Yildiz and Conceição drop back into midfield near the pivots to avoid leaving space for counter-attacks. In the initial pressing phase, they press high and man-mark the opposition center-backs.
Central Striker: Jonathan David (or Louis Openda)
After Vlahovic's long-term injury, Spalletti utilizes atypical strikers like David and Openda. While not as clinical as Vlahovic, their ability to drop deep, link play, and open spaces for midfielders makes them very useful. Out of possession, they lead the high press by marking the opposition playmaker or center-backs.
In-possession role: Deep Lying Forward.
Instructions: Move Into Channels, Roam From Position.
Out-of-possession role:Tracking Centre Forward.
Instructions: Trigger Press More Often.
Team Instructions (In Possession)
Build-up: bypass pressing.
Juve does not excel at building from the back due to a lack of technically gifted ball-players, despite moving Koopmeiners to center-back. For this reason, Di Gregorio and the defenders may attempt long balls to the dropping striker when pressured, rather than forced short passes.
Support Movements: Underlaps both flanks
The two wing-backs, especially Cambiaso, often look to attack through central channels, creating numerical superiority.
Final Third: Encourage Dribbling, Work Ball Into Box, Low Crosses.
In the final third, Spalletti asks for less frenzy and more possession control to avoid dangerous counters. "Work Ball Into Box" helps the team play with more patience. Without Vlahovic, high crosses are no longer required; Openda and David are targeted with low crosses, which also benefit Thuram's late runs. Dribbling is encouraged to exploit the qualities of Yildiz and Conceição.
General: Shorter Passing, Higher Tempo, Much Narrower Width.
Spalletti wants the team to exploit central corridors and create numerical superiority in the middle, making counter-pressing easier as players are closer together. Ball progression should be fast, but the team must show patience in the final phase.
Offensive Transition: Counter.
Defensive Transition: Counter-press.
Team Instructions (Out of Possession)
General: High Pressing Line, Higher Defensive Line, Step Up More, Trigger Press Much More Often. Pressing Trap: Force Outside. Prevent Short GK Distribution: Yes.
Defensively, Juventus seeks an immediate high press and players accept one-on-one duels. The defensive line is high to keep the team compact, reducing space between the lines and preventing counter-attacks.
Results
Serie A: winner (92 points, 38 games, 28 won 8 draw 2 lost, 91 goals scored 31 goals conceded)
Coppa Italia: knocked-out by Inter in semi-final
Champions League: knocked out by Real Madrid in quarter-finals (0-2 away, 2-1 at home)
