Flick x Mat: The 4-3-3 Positional Game

Flick x Matt – 4-3-3 Positional Game

A dynamic, vertical and possession-oriented 4-3-3 inspired by Hansi Flick — adapted and modernised by Matt for FM26.

This tactic blends Flick’s trademark intensity (high press, vertical tempo, structured overloads) with a controlled positional game built to dominate the ball. The striker slot is occupied by a Shadow Striker rather than a classic No.9, giving the team a unique attacking identity: constant movement between the lines, aggressive link play, and quick bursts into the box.

Shape & Roles

The team defends in a compact 4-3-3 with a clear double pivot (the two DMs) shielding the centre — aggressive, narrow, and ball-winning focused. But in possession, the structure shifts: the two deeper midfielders split roles, with one recycling and controlling the tempo while the other steps higher to support progression. This creates a fluid 2-3-5 shape, allowing the side to build patiently but strike vertically when gaps open.

Possession Game – Control With Purpose

Although the system attacks with speed and directness in the final third, it also produces 55–60% possession on average, often pushing beyond 70% against weaker opponents. Passing is shorter, tempo is high, and the ball circulates with confidence until the breakthrough moment appears.

Low crosses and third-man rotations feed runners rather than static targets — the SS dropping deep, the wingers driving wide and inside, the 8s arriving late. The result is controlled dominance: not sterile possession, but purposeful possession.

Out of Possession – Flick DNA

• Without the ball, the side naturally converts into a true 4-3-3 press:
• double pivot protecting the central lane
• high defensive line
• very urgent trigger pressing
• instant counter-press transitions

The idea is simple: win the ball back early, ideally in the middle third, and recycle immediately into another attacking wave.

Why This Works

The SS-as-striker gives the tactic its identity. The role destabilises back lines — dragging centre-backs out, creating overloads and providing constant depth movement after wall passes. Combined with possession control and intense pressing, the tactic delivers both stability and chaos: structured when building, explosive when attacking.

You don’t necessarily need a natural AMC to play the Shadow Striker role here. In fact, this system works extremely well with a nominal striker who moves into midfield and attacks from deep. Ideally, you retrain your striker into the SS role over time so he develops the specific attributes and positional familiarity that make this position explode: intelligent movement, link play, late box arrivals and constant depth runs.

A traditional centre-forward with the right training can become the perfect SS for this tactic.
This is Flick’s vertical aggression meeting Matt’s possession control — fast, fluid, dominant, and extremely hard to defend.

Testing

Liverpool




Nottingham Forest




Further testing in the making

I would appreciate your feedback. I am continuing to work on perfecting my tactics. So feel free to send me a message or leave a comment!