The idea
The goal of this tactic, was to make sure I could be able to attack efficiently and meanwhile defend adequately. The key to doing that in this tactic, is the 2 wing backs. They bombard forward providing the main assist outlet for your team while also scoring, but they also assist the back 3 in defending phases marking the opponent wide attacking players. Practically this means that while you'll be having 5 men directly attacking *the opposition (the striker duo, the amc and the wing backs) you will also be defending with 5 players. Meanwhile both phases, have the invaluable aid of the double pivot. In the attacking phase providing a passing option for the advanced players, helping with keeping possesion. In the defensive phase they form a wall in front of the back 3, while the wingers transition back to aid as well.
The formation
View attachment 346274
Creating this tactic, I wanted to create a mix of possesion & attacking football. Retain Possesion, Work ball in the box, play out of defense, narrower positions, higher defense line + hassle opponents & tighter marking are all elements, that help a team keep,and when lost to regain, possesion of the ball. On the other hand in order be more attacking I added team instructions that make a team's game more attack oriented. These are the higher tempo, the mixed passing game, the overlapping wing backs and the expressive freedom I've given to my players. So far that's the best way I've found of keeping that much needed balance.
The mentality is set to control, and I actually rarely changed it. Even when I was behind in the score, I had faith in my team's ability to be able to score without setting to attacking, which in my opinion mostly leads to the ball being lost after clumsy passes, or long shots. Changing to a more defensive mentality when trying to keep a lead on the other hand is something I did some times, mostly because the high defensive line combined with the bombarding wide players may occasionaly leave some gaps that opponent wingers/inside forwards can exploit.
I used a fluid mentality, because I wanted my players to be able to contribute to more than one phase of the game. The whole philosophy of the tactic relies on having 4 players (the double pivot & the wing backs) that can do exactly that. I didn't use very fluid as it can lead to unwanted results, like wide players forgetting to defend or striker staying too deep.
The players
(bolded are the really important attributes)
The goalie.Nothing much here, just your typical good goalkeeper
The 3 center backs. Pretty much the same but with a twist. You'll want your typical DC (Marking,Tackling,Heading,Anticipation, Composure, Concentration, Decisions, Determination, Positioning,Jumping, Strength) but at least your DCL&DCR need to have decent acceleration, as they'll occasionaly have to cover some gaps the wing backs leave.
The wing backs. Really important players. I explained the magnitude of their role before. (Crossing, Dribbling, Marking, Tackling,Decisions, Flair, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate,Acceleration, Stamina)
The MCL (Deep Lying Playmaker).The more creative one of your midfield duo. He's helping transition the ball from defense to offense serving as a link, he'll need to have both creative & defensive abilities as he also acts as a defensive asset when the team is defending. (First Touch, Passing, Tackling, Technique,Composure, Creativity, Decisions, Off The Ball, Positioning, Teamwork)
The MCR (Ball Winning Midfielder).The destroyer, he's the more defensive half of the double pivot. Rarely goes more forward. Needs to have some decent passing ability in order to able to act as a pivot though. (Marking, Tackling,Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate,Stamina, Strength)
The AMC (Advanced Playmaker). He's the link between the midfield and the attack. He'll take that pass from the midfielders and move "on to the next one" be it one of the strikers or any of the wing backs. He'll sit behind the 2 strikers and sometimes drop deeper. (First Touch, Passing, Technique,*Creativity, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Work Rate,Stamina)
The Advanced Forward. He leads the line, while also helping around. He will be there to catch that through ball, or header that cross in the net, but if needed he'll also drop, slightly deeper and assist his teammates. (Crossing, Dribbling, Finishing, Heading,Anticipation, Composure, Flair, Off The Ball, Work Rate,Pace)
The False Nine. He's a trend for a reason. Drops deeper, creating chaos in the opponent defensive line. If the center back marks him tightly there's a gap for others,preferably his striker pal, to exploit, if he stands him off he's allowed room to exploit. (First Touch, Long Shots, Passing,*Creativity, Off The Ball, Teamwork, Work Rate,Strength)
1st season results with United.(using August 1st transfers)
View attachment 346270
View attachment 346269
View attachment 346267
View attachment 346265
Won the treble & maintained a 5 months winning streak. *The only league game I lost, that 0-2 loss with Arsenal, is the only league game I didnt use this tactic because of lack of central defenders, instead I used a dm in the half back position which didnt go well. (also my right wing back was injured and used a midfielder there).*
It's apparent that the striker duo, scores most goals in the tactic. The 3 strikers scored together 85 goals, 72% percent of the team's 118 total goals for that season. *30 goals came out of striker's assists most of which were passes exchanged between the duo, while 39 came out of passes & crosses from the left & right wide players. The wing backs also scored 18 goals during the seaso, even though they had a "shoot less often" instruction.
Another pleasing aspect of the attacking movement of my tactic is the synergy between the wing backs and the striker duo. Cutting inside to receive a pass from a striker deeper in the field and score, doing one-two's, *and generally causing mayhem in the opponent third. Here's an example of such a highlight.
View attachment 346264
View attachment 346263
View attachment 346262
1st half of season managing Atalanta results
View attachment 346261
View attachment 346259
What team to choose?
Having good wing backs that can defend as well as attack is a priority. Capable strikers both in creating & scoring is also a necessity. *Build your team around good players in these positions, and I can't see why one would fail!
The goal of this tactic, was to make sure I could be able to attack efficiently and meanwhile defend adequately. The key to doing that in this tactic, is the 2 wing backs. They bombard forward providing the main assist outlet for your team while also scoring, but they also assist the back 3 in defending phases marking the opponent wide attacking players. Practically this means that while you'll be having 5 men directly attacking *the opposition (the striker duo, the amc and the wing backs) you will also be defending with 5 players. Meanwhile both phases, have the invaluable aid of the double pivot. In the attacking phase providing a passing option for the advanced players, helping with keeping possesion. In the defensive phase they form a wall in front of the back 3, while the wingers transition back to aid as well.
The formation
View attachment 346274
Creating this tactic, I wanted to create a mix of possesion & attacking football. Retain Possesion, Work ball in the box, play out of defense, narrower positions, higher defense line + hassle opponents & tighter marking are all elements, that help a team keep,and when lost to regain, possesion of the ball. On the other hand in order be more attacking I added team instructions that make a team's game more attack oriented. These are the higher tempo, the mixed passing game, the overlapping wing backs and the expressive freedom I've given to my players. So far that's the best way I've found of keeping that much needed balance.
The mentality is set to control, and I actually rarely changed it. Even when I was behind in the score, I had faith in my team's ability to be able to score without setting to attacking, which in my opinion mostly leads to the ball being lost after clumsy passes, or long shots. Changing to a more defensive mentality when trying to keep a lead on the other hand is something I did some times, mostly because the high defensive line combined with the bombarding wide players may occasionaly leave some gaps that opponent wingers/inside forwards can exploit.
I used a fluid mentality, because I wanted my players to be able to contribute to more than one phase of the game. The whole philosophy of the tactic relies on having 4 players (the double pivot & the wing backs) that can do exactly that. I didn't use very fluid as it can lead to unwanted results, like wide players forgetting to defend or striker staying too deep.
The players
(bolded are the really important attributes)
The goalie.Nothing much here, just your typical good goalkeeper
The 3 center backs. Pretty much the same but with a twist. You'll want your typical DC (Marking,Tackling,Heading,Anticipation, Composure, Concentration, Decisions, Determination, Positioning,Jumping, Strength) but at least your DCL&DCR need to have decent acceleration, as they'll occasionaly have to cover some gaps the wing backs leave.
The wing backs. Really important players. I explained the magnitude of their role before. (Crossing, Dribbling, Marking, Tackling,Decisions, Flair, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate,Acceleration, Stamina)
The MCL (Deep Lying Playmaker).The more creative one of your midfield duo. He's helping transition the ball from defense to offense serving as a link, he'll need to have both creative & defensive abilities as he also acts as a defensive asset when the team is defending. (First Touch, Passing, Tackling, Technique,Composure, Creativity, Decisions, Off The Ball, Positioning, Teamwork)
The MCR (Ball Winning Midfielder).The destroyer, he's the more defensive half of the double pivot. Rarely goes more forward. Needs to have some decent passing ability in order to able to act as a pivot though. (Marking, Tackling,Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Positioning, Teamwork, Work Rate,Stamina, Strength)
The AMC (Advanced Playmaker). He's the link between the midfield and the attack. He'll take that pass from the midfielders and move "on to the next one" be it one of the strikers or any of the wing backs. He'll sit behind the 2 strikers and sometimes drop deeper. (First Touch, Passing, Technique,*Creativity, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork, Work Rate,Stamina)
The Advanced Forward. He leads the line, while also helping around. He will be there to catch that through ball, or header that cross in the net, but if needed he'll also drop, slightly deeper and assist his teammates. (Crossing, Dribbling, Finishing, Heading,Anticipation, Composure, Flair, Off The Ball, Work Rate,Pace)
The False Nine. He's a trend for a reason. Drops deeper, creating chaos in the opponent defensive line. If the center back marks him tightly there's a gap for others,preferably his striker pal, to exploit, if he stands him off he's allowed room to exploit. (First Touch, Long Shots, Passing,*Creativity, Off The Ball, Teamwork, Work Rate,Strength)
1st season results with United.(using August 1st transfers)
View attachment 346270
View attachment 346269
View attachment 346267
View attachment 346265
Won the treble & maintained a 5 months winning streak. *The only league game I lost, that 0-2 loss with Arsenal, is the only league game I didnt use this tactic because of lack of central defenders, instead I used a dm in the half back position which didnt go well. (also my right wing back was injured and used a midfielder there).*
It's apparent that the striker duo, scores most goals in the tactic. The 3 strikers scored together 85 goals, 72% percent of the team's 118 total goals for that season. *30 goals came out of striker's assists most of which were passes exchanged between the duo, while 39 came out of passes & crosses from the left & right wide players. The wing backs also scored 18 goals during the seaso, even though they had a "shoot less often" instruction.
Another pleasing aspect of the attacking movement of my tactic is the synergy between the wing backs and the striker duo. Cutting inside to receive a pass from a striker deeper in the field and score, doing one-two's, *and generally causing mayhem in the opponent third. Here's an example of such a highlight.
View attachment 346264
View attachment 346263
View attachment 346262
1st half of season managing Atalanta results
View attachment 346261
View attachment 346259
What team to choose?
Having good wing backs that can defend as well as attack is a priority. Capable strikers both in creating & scoring is also a necessity. *Build your team around good players in these positions, and I can't see why one would fail!
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