Meta 4-2-2-2 High Octane

Originally, this tactic was developed after my first season at SC Braga, where Leipzig had approached me to manage their team. I have fond memories of the late 2010s Leipzig, particularly the usage of Emil Forsberg with an AM partner as a creative hub behind two strikers. Featuring the impressive energy of Timo Werner up front, Naby Keita in midfield and an emergency Dayot Upamecano anchoring the defence, this style of play allowed Leipzig to arguably over-achieve in the first few seasons in the top flight of German football. I knew this was something I was keen to implement, but not replicate exactly.

I've been using both Knap and GYR tactics for the past couple years of FM and this time, I was going to dabble myself. It is important to note that this tactic has similar elements found in the tactical style.



This is the shape I came up with.

Results:

City. I forgot to get a screengrab of stats before continuing.



I signed Pobga, put Barella onto DM training, and simulated the full season.



Spurs, no transfers, simulated full season. At the end of the season FM24 reckons I was predicted to finish 4th.



Marseille, no transfers, simulated full season. At the end of the season FM24 reckons I was predicted to finish 3rd.



Cagliari (first season back in Serie A), no transfers, simulated full season. At the end of the season FM24 reckons I was predicted to finish 15th.



Las Palmas (first season back in La Liga), no transfers, simulated full season. At the end of the season FM24 reckons I was predicted to finish 15th.



Wolfsburg, no transfers, simulated full season. At the end of the season FM24 reckons I was predicted to finish 6th.

Ideal players:
GK - Pope, Lunin. Sweeker keepers are essential. Good distribution and aerial ability always a plus.

WB - Frimpong, Dimarco, Porro, Raum. High technical attributes like Crossing and Passing are really helpful here, and I love the 'Gets Forward Whenever Possible' trait . My wing backs get a lot of assists, often 15+.

BPD - Lukeba, Ruben Dias. You get what you pay for here. You want high level players, athleticism helps. Passing and Dribbling are quite underrated for CBs, I often look for players natural in WCB positions.

SV - Bissouma, Guimaraes, Rodri, Rice. This is another "pay for what you get" position, go for the best midfielders you can. I thought
I'd prefer taller players here, but it hasn't been an issue, as yet. Seiwald was astonishing for me at RB Leipzig.

AM - Bruno Fernandes, Elmas, De Bruyne. High finishing. I mean, at least 12. These AMs get into very good goalscoring positions and can really contribute to the attack.

AF - Haaland, Osimhen, Sesko, Thuram, Zirkzee. High finishing, high pace. Tall is very important, your fullbacks will be putting a lot of balls into the box. I really like Anticipation and Off The Ball to be high.