I have made a few minor changes in this V3.1: The second striker is now an OM who is supposed to play more centrally and occupy the spaces between the lines. In addition, pressing is now more man-oriented, as is the case with Bayern.

In this new version, I have further adapted to Kompany's playing style. The tactics remain asymmetrical. The left wing is tighter, like Diaz, while the right wing is more wide, like Olise. The OM is a second striker, the striker acts as a deep-lying forward. The right wing-back inverts, the left wing-back plays wide. The right central midfielder is a box-to-box player, the left central midfielder plays deeper, like Kimmich. The pressing is very aggressive, giving the opponent little time to look for solutions.

On paper, it's a 4-2-3-1 with the ball, but in the game it's more of a 2-4-4 or 2-3-3-2. Without the ball, we play in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-4.

In the original tactic, the right wing-back inverts. If your team's right wing-back prefers not to invert, then you can find a tactic here where the left wing-back inverts. I recommend it for teams like Liverpool, who have a good RB in Frimpong! It really depends on which side of your team is stronger.
You find the link to the left inverting version below.

Tactic

Testing

Download the left-inverting version here

___

It looks risky on paper — but in practice, you concede very few real chances, because the opponent is constantly forced into bad zones and rushed decisions.

It feels like your team is always one step ahead.


For console and mobile players: The instructions for the positions can be found below. Don't skip them, they are very important! (i have to update them for die new V3, i will do that soon!)

This version of Kompany’s 2-3-4-1 PENDULUM focuses on asymmetric full-back roles to create unpressable circulation and a stable attacking platform. In possession, the shape becomes a 3-3-3-1 / 2-3-5: The left full-back provides high width, stretching the opponent. The right full-back steps into midfield, forming a triple pivot with the #6. This structure stabilizes progression, maintains access to central lanes, and makes pressing traps extremely difficult to execute. The attacking four occupy the half-spaces and central channels, enabling short combinations, third-man runs, and sustained final-third pressure. Out of possession, the team shifts into a compact 4-5-1, staying narrow, denying central access, and triggering immediate counterpressing upon loss.

This keeps the opponent under stress and prevents clean transitions. The result is a system that is:

• Unpressable in build-up
• Strong and synchronized in counterpressing
• Consistently dangerous in attack
• Designed for positional dominance and proactive control.
  

Info: I originally put the right back in the offensive formation at defensive midfielder. But if you use “Auto Selection,” FM unfortunately swaps the roles, so you end up with a center back against the ball at right back, a defensive midfielder in the center back position, etc. That's why I use an inverted right back. If you want, try moving the RB directly to the DM position with the ball. It works well, but I recommend playing without auto-selection.

Why you should try this:

• If you like dominant possession, intelligent pressing, fluid movement, and controlling games through structure rather than chaos, this is it.
• This tactic feels alive.
• It adapts.
• It thinks on the pitch.

It doesn’t just win — it suffocates.



Instructions
Unless otherwise stated, the instructions refer to the standard or middle setting.
GK:
IWB:
IP: Stay wider, make fewer runs, Take fewer RIsks,
OP: Trigger Press more often, Tackle Harder
LWB
IP: Make more Runs, Cross from Byline
OP: Triggr Press more often, Tackle Harder
BCB: No Instructions
DLP:
IP: no Instructions
OP: Tackle Harder
DM
IP: Stay wider, Take fewer risks
OP: Tackle Harder
Both IF
IP: Cut inside, Dribble more, Make more runs, Take more risks
OP: Trigger Press more often, mark tighter, Tackle harder
OM (Second Striker)
IP: Move into Channels, make more runs, Take more risks
OP: Trigger press more often, Tackle harder
Striker
IP: Hold up Ball: Yes, Shot more often
OP: no instructions