First things first, to clear it up - I go by Muser on other forums so this is my tactic to clear up any confusion.
This formation is made for teams that lack proper quality on the flanks. Don't let that fool you though, the full backs like to get forward and the centre midfielders like to put crosses in.
The formation:
The Tactic Philosophy: This is a tactic that will do well for middle-to-stronger teams.
It is built on a clever defence, one that will be able to decide when to attack and when to stay back.
It focuses on slow possession football. You will pass the life out of teams while still making sure to break down 10 men defences with relative ease. The lack of width you would assume the team would have due to lack of wingers does not ring true here, the full backs and the two midfielders on either side of the CM going forward will also like to give in crosses from deep.
When it comes to playing against the bigger teams lowering the mentality and creative freedom will be enough, as well as setting the fullbacks runs to mixed. Against the bigger teams the tactic turns practically into cattenaccio with the ball, you're not necessarily attacking but you can't be harmed because you will just keep the ball moving until they are tired and start lapsing in concentration.
Even with weaker teams you will be keeping loads of possession of the ball but still create many chances. It may not be a free-scoring tactic but over the course of 90 minutes you will more often than not systematically break down the opposition. The defensive line is pushed up to give support to the midfielders and attack.
As you can see, the team's main function comes through the middle. Here's each player's role;
Full backs: The full backs like to get forward often and put crosses in to the two forwards. They tend not to leave too much space in behind them due to their mentality not being too attacking and not leaving them too much creative freedom. They pick their moments and tend to rack up the assists. Work rate + Team work are essential attributes for the players in these positions.
Centre-Backs: Each centre back performs his own role in the team. The left centre back (LCB) is very defensive. He almost plays out as a sweeper - he is always in defence to make sure that there are no loose balls and he will clean up any mess the team has left behind.
This centre-back relies on tackling, positioning, and most mental attributes. Does not need to be physically dominant.
The RCB is a ball playing defender, the one who links the defence to the midfield. So other than proper passing ability, any normal CB will do here. He is also your best header of the ball, he goes up for the corners and will grab quite a few goals over the course of the season.
Defensive Midfielder: The defensive midfielder does like to break up the play but he also likes to play the ball. He isn't quite a deep-lying playmaker but he keeps the team moving by winning the ball back and making short passes to his more technically able midfielders.
If playing with a weaker team making him more defensive would be suitable.
Centre Midfielders:
LMC: The left centre midfielder is a bit like Gareth barry. He is fairly mobile, mixes up the style of passing, wins the ball back, and basically keeps the balance between defence and attack.
MC (Going forward to AMC): He used to be a AMC but to battle the AMC poor rating bug I pushed him back into midfield and made him go forward. This is the man that links the midfield to attack- your most creative player goes here. He likes to get forward and will get hatfuls of goals and assists. A positive to him being an forward-running MC rather than an AMC means that it enables him to sneak into defences from deep and go unnoticed.
RCM: The right centre-midfielder here is also a creative midfielder but with less forward runs and when it comes to giving the team balance defensively he will get back and help. Think of him as your playmaker (though he isn't ticked as a Playmaker), a Xabi Alonso if you will.
The Strikers:
The ST on the left is your target man type. Big and strong players will do well here.
The ST on the right is your goal poacher/typical ST, smaller and more agile players will do well here.
RESULTS WITH TACTIC:
Won the League + CL Double with Sporting in first season
Won League with Juventus first season
Finished 3rd with Hoffenheim first season
Won League+ Spanish Cup with Barcelona first season
Finished 7th with Hull in first season.
Download link: http://www.filefront.com/13945411/Muser 4-1-3-2 (Sporting CP, Oct 2008).tac
Made for 9.3 patch
Let me know how you fare with it! I like to think that it's mostly a plug-and-play tactic and it has worked with my ungelled sides so good luck and have fun!
- Muser/Snootch
This formation is made for teams that lack proper quality on the flanks. Don't let that fool you though, the full backs like to get forward and the centre midfielders like to put crosses in.
The formation:
The Tactic Philosophy: This is a tactic that will do well for middle-to-stronger teams.
It is built on a clever defence, one that will be able to decide when to attack and when to stay back.
It focuses on slow possession football. You will pass the life out of teams while still making sure to break down 10 men defences with relative ease. The lack of width you would assume the team would have due to lack of wingers does not ring true here, the full backs and the two midfielders on either side of the CM going forward will also like to give in crosses from deep.
When it comes to playing against the bigger teams lowering the mentality and creative freedom will be enough, as well as setting the fullbacks runs to mixed. Against the bigger teams the tactic turns practically into cattenaccio with the ball, you're not necessarily attacking but you can't be harmed because you will just keep the ball moving until they are tired and start lapsing in concentration.
Even with weaker teams you will be keeping loads of possession of the ball but still create many chances. It may not be a free-scoring tactic but over the course of 90 minutes you will more often than not systematically break down the opposition. The defensive line is pushed up to give support to the midfielders and attack.
As you can see, the team's main function comes through the middle. Here's each player's role;
Full backs: The full backs like to get forward often and put crosses in to the two forwards. They tend not to leave too much space in behind them due to their mentality not being too attacking and not leaving them too much creative freedom. They pick their moments and tend to rack up the assists. Work rate + Team work are essential attributes for the players in these positions.
Centre-Backs: Each centre back performs his own role in the team. The left centre back (LCB) is very defensive. He almost plays out as a sweeper - he is always in defence to make sure that there are no loose balls and he will clean up any mess the team has left behind.
This centre-back relies on tackling, positioning, and most mental attributes. Does not need to be physically dominant.
The RCB is a ball playing defender, the one who links the defence to the midfield. So other than proper passing ability, any normal CB will do here. He is also your best header of the ball, he goes up for the corners and will grab quite a few goals over the course of the season.
Defensive Midfielder: The defensive midfielder does like to break up the play but he also likes to play the ball. He isn't quite a deep-lying playmaker but he keeps the team moving by winning the ball back and making short passes to his more technically able midfielders.
If playing with a weaker team making him more defensive would be suitable.
Centre Midfielders:
LMC: The left centre midfielder is a bit like Gareth barry. He is fairly mobile, mixes up the style of passing, wins the ball back, and basically keeps the balance between defence and attack.
MC (Going forward to AMC): He used to be a AMC but to battle the AMC poor rating bug I pushed him back into midfield and made him go forward. This is the man that links the midfield to attack- your most creative player goes here. He likes to get forward and will get hatfuls of goals and assists. A positive to him being an forward-running MC rather than an AMC means that it enables him to sneak into defences from deep and go unnoticed.
RCM: The right centre-midfielder here is also a creative midfielder but with less forward runs and when it comes to giving the team balance defensively he will get back and help. Think of him as your playmaker (though he isn't ticked as a Playmaker), a Xabi Alonso if you will.
The Strikers:
The ST on the left is your target man type. Big and strong players will do well here.
The ST on the right is your goal poacher/typical ST, smaller and more agile players will do well here.
RESULTS WITH TACTIC:
Won the League + CL Double with Sporting in first season
Won League with Juventus first season
Finished 3rd with Hoffenheim first season
Won League+ Spanish Cup with Barcelona first season
Finished 7th with Hull in first season.
Download link: http://www.filefront.com/13945411/Muser 4-1-3-2 (Sporting CP, Oct 2008).tac
Made for 9.3 patch
Let me know how you fare with it! I like to think that it's mostly a plug-and-play tactic and it has worked with my ungelled sides so good luck and have fun!
- Muser/Snootch
