My favorite formation is the 4-1-2-3 with three strikers. It worked very well in FM 2012/13 and I've been trying to create an effective tactic using that formation in FM 2014. Here's what I've come up with. It's not finished yet, so I'd love any feedback!
How I Like to Play:
- Defensively sound, high pressure, win the ball back quickly
- Pin opposition back and keep the ball, but don't possess just for the sake of it
- Transition quickly from defense to attack
- Create plenty of chances
The Formation and Team Instructions:
![Blitzkrieg 4-1-2-3: Attacking at pace-manchester-united_-tactics-team.png]()
It's your basic 4-1-2-3 with three strikers. The formation allows me to be defensively sound yet maintain a significant threat going forward. Team Instructions are intended to do a couple of things:
Defending: I want to be defensively sound, apply pressure and win the ball back quickly.
- Hassle Opponents
- Play Narrower
- Get Stuck In
- Be More Disciplined
- Push Higher Up
Attacking: I want to transition quickly from defense to attack and create chances at the other end, but not be wasteful with my possession.
- Pass Into Space
- Drill Crosses
- Higher Tempo
- Retain Possession
Mentality: Attacking / Fluidity: Fluid - I thought about making a Counter tactic, as that's what I'm trying to emulate with the quick transition from defense to attack, but I did not like conceding possession to the opponent and things bogged down against lower opposition that were themselves sitting back to defend. The Attacking mentality works well because while the strikers, midfielders, and wingbacks get forward quickly to attack and support, we still maintain our defensive integrity and rarely get caught out on the counter ourselves.
Player Roles and Instructions:
GK - GK/D: Take quick throws
D (L) - WB/S: Shoot less often, Stay wider, Run wide with ball, Get further forward, Cross more often, Close down more, Cross aim far post
D (CL) - LD/D
D (CR) - CD/D: More direct passes
D (R) - WB/S: Shoot less often, Stay wider, Run wide with ball, Get further forward, Cross more often, Close down more, Cross aim far post
DM - A/D: More direct passes, Close down more, Mark tighter
M (CL) - AP/S: Dribble less, Close down more, More direct passes
M (CR) - BBM/S: More direct passes, Roam from position, Close down more
ST (CL) - DLF/A: Move into channels, Dribble more, More direct passes, Mark tighter
ST (C) - P/A: Pass it shorter, Hold position, Move into channels, Mark tighter
ST (CR) - DLF/S: More direct passes, Mark tighter, Move into channels, Roam from position, Dribble more
A couple of explanations about these roles and instructions:
Wingbacks - The wingbacks are critical to this tactic. They are set to be a real attacking threat and to whip cross after cross into the box for the three strikers. They provide width and allow the ball to be switched quickly.
Central Defenders - Simple job, defend and pass the ball quickly to the midfielders or into the feet of a Deep Lying Forward.
Defensive Midfielder - The DM is an anchorman to give defensive stability when the wingbacks bomb forward, and also to break up attacks and recycle possession quickly. He is set to play direct passes to get the ball into an attacking position quickly.
Center Midfielders - The role of these can change a bit, depending on who I play, but primarily they defend strongly and play the ball into the strikers' feet, and then while in possession keep the ball moving to the wingbacks.
Strikers - The central striker is set to Poacher and often gets on the end of long passes from midfield or the wingbacks' crosses. Otherwise the passes get played into the Deep Lying Forwards' feet, who turn and attack the defense. I have tried changing the DLF/S to a F9/S, but I lose the defensive ability which is very important. When we defend, the DLFs drop deep and apply pressure, helping to win the ball back quickly.
Results So Far:
![Blitzkrieg 4-1-2-3: Attacking at pace-manchester-united_-matches-schedule.png]()
I am playing as Manchester United, so obviously a quality team. I sold some players (Anderson, Cleverley, Valencia) and purchased Pogba and Schneiderlin, who are both very effective in the middle of the field. They are well-rounded defensively and Pogba's got a brilliant shot from range. He's scored 3 goals from outside the box in 11 games already this season. Schneiderlin also likes to get in the box and finish the play, with 4 goals in 9 games. Rafael is one of my best players in the right Wingback position, but any attacking fullback with a good crossing ability will provide a lot of assists.
I usually edge possession (50%-60%) as well as shots/shots on target, but haven't been able to create a huge number of clear cut chances (1-3 per game). Most of the highlights, however, involve my team in and near my opponents' penalty area. I'd love any feedback, particularly any insight on creating more CCCs.
TACTIC: Blitzkrieg 4-1-2-3
Blitzkrieg 4-1-2-3.tac
How I Like to Play:
- Defensively sound, high pressure, win the ball back quickly
- Pin opposition back and keep the ball, but don't possess just for the sake of it
- Transition quickly from defense to attack
- Create plenty of chances
The Formation and Team Instructions:
It's your basic 4-1-2-3 with three strikers. The formation allows me to be defensively sound yet maintain a significant threat going forward. Team Instructions are intended to do a couple of things:
Defending: I want to be defensively sound, apply pressure and win the ball back quickly.
- Hassle Opponents
- Play Narrower
- Get Stuck In
- Be More Disciplined
- Push Higher Up
Attacking: I want to transition quickly from defense to attack and create chances at the other end, but not be wasteful with my possession.
- Pass Into Space
- Drill Crosses
- Higher Tempo
- Retain Possession
Mentality: Attacking / Fluidity: Fluid - I thought about making a Counter tactic, as that's what I'm trying to emulate with the quick transition from defense to attack, but I did not like conceding possession to the opponent and things bogged down against lower opposition that were themselves sitting back to defend. The Attacking mentality works well because while the strikers, midfielders, and wingbacks get forward quickly to attack and support, we still maintain our defensive integrity and rarely get caught out on the counter ourselves.
Player Roles and Instructions:
GK - GK/D: Take quick throws
D (L) - WB/S: Shoot less often, Stay wider, Run wide with ball, Get further forward, Cross more often, Close down more, Cross aim far post
D (CL) - LD/D
D (CR) - CD/D: More direct passes
D (R) - WB/S: Shoot less often, Stay wider, Run wide with ball, Get further forward, Cross more often, Close down more, Cross aim far post
DM - A/D: More direct passes, Close down more, Mark tighter
M (CL) - AP/S: Dribble less, Close down more, More direct passes
M (CR) - BBM/S: More direct passes, Roam from position, Close down more
ST (CL) - DLF/A: Move into channels, Dribble more, More direct passes, Mark tighter
ST (C) - P/A: Pass it shorter, Hold position, Move into channels, Mark tighter
ST (CR) - DLF/S: More direct passes, Mark tighter, Move into channels, Roam from position, Dribble more
A couple of explanations about these roles and instructions:
Wingbacks - The wingbacks are critical to this tactic. They are set to be a real attacking threat and to whip cross after cross into the box for the three strikers. They provide width and allow the ball to be switched quickly.
Central Defenders - Simple job, defend and pass the ball quickly to the midfielders or into the feet of a Deep Lying Forward.
Defensive Midfielder - The DM is an anchorman to give defensive stability when the wingbacks bomb forward, and also to break up attacks and recycle possession quickly. He is set to play direct passes to get the ball into an attacking position quickly.
Center Midfielders - The role of these can change a bit, depending on who I play, but primarily they defend strongly and play the ball into the strikers' feet, and then while in possession keep the ball moving to the wingbacks.
Strikers - The central striker is set to Poacher and often gets on the end of long passes from midfield or the wingbacks' crosses. Otherwise the passes get played into the Deep Lying Forwards' feet, who turn and attack the defense. I have tried changing the DLF/S to a F9/S, but I lose the defensive ability which is very important. When we defend, the DLFs drop deep and apply pressure, helping to win the ball back quickly.
Results So Far:
I am playing as Manchester United, so obviously a quality team. I sold some players (Anderson, Cleverley, Valencia) and purchased Pogba and Schneiderlin, who are both very effective in the middle of the field. They are well-rounded defensively and Pogba's got a brilliant shot from range. He's scored 3 goals from outside the box in 11 games already this season. Schneiderlin also likes to get in the box and finish the play, with 4 goals in 9 games. Rafael is one of my best players in the right Wingback position, but any attacking fullback with a good crossing ability will provide a lot of assists.
I usually edge possession (50%-60%) as well as shots/shots on target, but haven't been able to create a huge number of clear cut chances (1-3 per game). Most of the highlights, however, involve my team in and near my opponents' penalty area. I'd love any feedback, particularly any insight on creating more CCCs.
TACTIC: Blitzkrieg 4-1-2-3
Blitzkrieg 4-1-2-3.tac