FM20 Tactic: Crimson Comet 4-1-3-2

Overview

A fluid possession-based system with all players expected to contribute to attack and defensive phases of play. The system looks to utilise positional play favoured by much of the modern coaches non more so than Pep Guardiola. The team looks to patiently probe in the final third of the pitch moving the ball in order to create and exploit the gaps in the opponent's defence.

The FM20 Tactic

The system is rather narrow with the sole intention of dominating the centre of the pitch and getting the wingers into the half-spaces. They will look to make attacking runs inside the opponent's fullbacks drawing the centre backs out of position leaving the strikers in space for a cutback. As the wingers provide the width the fullbacks will invert to get involved in the build-up play, helping to create angles and overloads in the centre of the pitch, they also have the secondary role of helping to prevent counter-attacks through the centre of the pitch. The halfback is important in this system as they slot in between the centrebacks forming a back 3 in transitions. They also start the attacks by bringing the ball up the pitch through passing combinations.





The front 5 are responsible for pressing the oppositions defenders high up the pitch, the rest of the team will hold their shape and create a split block trapping the opposition into one area of the pitch. The aim here is to control the transitions, preventing quick counters and forcing turnovers of the ball, before rebuilding your own attacks. If the press is beaten then the back 5 looks to slow down the advancing opponents to allow for more players to get back to support the defensive phase.

The Results

Benfica





PSV







Athletico Madrid







Chelsea









I managed Benfica and PSV whilst I used the holiday feature for Madrid and Chelsea. The results were pretty good, the aims of dominating the ball were achieved as was scoring goals and remaining solid in defence. As this system is fluid It is recommended you have players with high work rate and teamwork.