Marseille Iron Press 4-3-3(10 Season Save)

Marseille Golden Dynasty (2033/34 Season) – Complete Club Dominance Breakdown

This save represents one of the most dominant long-term club dynasties ever achieved in Football Manager 26. Over a sustained multi-season period, Olympique de Marseille have completely overthrown Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic monopoly and established themselves as the undisputed powerhouse of French football, while simultaneously conquering Europe and the world.

The 2033/34 season stands as the peak of this era — a season defined by total control, consistency, and elite mentality across every competition.

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Champions (2033/34)



Marseille secured the Ligue 1 title with authority, finishing comfortably clear at the top of the table.

League performance highlights:

Matches Played: 34

Wins: 29

Draws: 4

Losses: 1

Goals Scored: 111

Goals Conceded: 30

Goal Difference: +81

Points: 91

PSG finished second on 80 points, unable to keep pace across the season. Marseille combined relentless attacking output with defensive solidity, creating a near-perfect league campaign.

This title marked five Ligue 1 championships in six seasons, confirming total domestic dominance.

Coupe de France – Winners (2033/34)



Marseille lifted the Coupe de France after defeating PSG 2–1 in the final at the Stade de France.

Final details:

Final: PSG 1–2 Marseille

Date: Saturday, May 20th, 2034

This victory completed another domestic cup triumph and further cemented Marseille’s superiority in high-pressure knockout matches against their biggest rivals.

Marseille have now won six Coupe de France titles in seven seasons, turning the competition into a near formality.

Trophée des Champions – Winners (2033/34)



Marseille claimed the French Super Cup with a commanding performance against PSG.

Match details:

Final: Marseille 3–1 PSG

Date: Thursday, January 5th, 2034

Venue: Hangzhou Olympic Stadium (Lotus), China

Marseille dominated the match despite PSG enjoying more possession, showcasing clinical finishing and tactical efficiency.

This marked four Trophée des Champions titles in the last eight years, underlining Marseille’s consistency at the start of each season.

UEFA Champions League – Winners (2033/34)



The crowning achievement of the dynasty came in Europe.

Final:

Real Madrid 1–2 Marseille

Venue: National Arena Bucharest, Romania

Marseille defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League final, securing the club’s place among European royalty. The campaign featured composure, elite tactical control, and big-game mentality throughout the knockout rounds.

This victory represented:

Marseille’s second Champions League title in three seasons

Multiple Champions League final appearances across the dynasty period

Marseille successfully transitioned from domestic dominance to genuine European supremacy.

UEFA Super Cup – Winners (2033/34)



Marseille added another continental trophy by winning the UEFA Super Cup.

Final details:

Marseille vs Athletic Bilbao

Venue: Palma de Mallorca Community Ground, Spain

The victory confirmed Marseille’s ability to carry Champions League success into intercontinental competition.

Club Intercontinental Championship – Winners (2033)



Marseille conquered world football by lifting the Club Intercontinental Championship.

Final standings:

Winner: Marseille

Runner-up: Al-Shabab

Third Place: Flamengo

Host Nation: Saudi Arabia

This title completed Marseille’s transformation into a global powerhouse, defeating elite clubs from multiple continents.

Trophy Summary – 2033/34 Season

Ligue 1 McDonald’s – Winners

Coupe de France – Winners

Trophée des Champions – Winners

UEFA Champions League – Winners

UEFA Super Cup – Winners

Club Intercontinental Championship – Winners

This season represents a historic sextuple-equivalent campaign.

Dynasty Overview (Multi-Season Context)

Across the last decade of this save:

Marseille have overtaken PSG as France’s dominant force

Consistent Champions League finalists and winners

Multiple domestic doubles and trebles

Regular victories in global competitions

The club evolved from domestic challengers into an institution defined by:

Tactical flexibility

Squad depth

Elite mentality in finals

Ruthless consistency over long seasons





Marseille Gegenpress 4-3-3 DM Wide – Tactical Breakdown (FM26)









This tactic is the foundation of Marseille’s long-term dominance, built to control games through structured pressing, vertical transitions, and elite central compactness. It blends modern gegenpress principles with positional discipline, making it devastating both domestically and in elite European competition.

The system is flexible across Balanced and Attacking mentalities, allowing adaptation based on match context without structural collapse.

Tactical Shape Overview

Base Formation: 4-3-3 DM Wide
Style: Gegenpress
Mentality Used: Balanced & Attacking (situation-based)

In Possession Shape

2–3–5 attacking structure

Fullbacks push high to stretch width

Double central midfielders support vertical progression

Wingers invert aggressively into half-spaces

Central striker pins defenders and attacks channels

Out of Possession Shape

4–1–4–1 defensive block

Compact midfield press with immediate counter-press triggers

Defensive line remains aggressive but protected by a dedicated DM

Player Roles & Responsibilities
Goalkeeper

Sweeper Keeper (Support)

Acts as the first passing outlet

Comfortable distributing short under pressure

Provides defensive security against high defensive line exposure

Central Defence

Ball Playing Centre Back (Defend)

One-sided progression from deep

Steps into midfield when space opens

Maintains composure during high press scenarios

Central Defender (Defend)

Defensive anchor

Focused on duels, clearances, and maintaining line integrity

Covers aggressive fullback movements

Fullbacks

Full Back (Support) on both sides

Provide consistent width

Overlap when wingers cut inside

Balanced defensive responsibility to prevent counter-exposure

These are deliberately not Wing-Backs to avoid over-committing during transitions.

Defensive Midfielder

Defensive Midfielder (Defend)

Tactical lynchpin of the system

Screens the back line

Breaks counter-attacks early

Recycles possession efficiently

This role ensures structural stability, especially against elite opposition.

Central Midfield Pair

Central Midfielder (Support) x2

Responsibilities:

Support pressing traps

Arrive late into the box

Maintain passing triangles with DM and wingers

Control tempo during sustained possession phases

This pairing ensures numerical superiority in midfield without sacrificing defensive shape.

Wide Attackers

Inverted Winger / Inside Forward (Attack)

Key traits:

Aggressive diagonal runs

Attack half-spaces relentlessly

Provide goal threat rather than touchline width

Combine with central midfielders and striker

They are the primary scoring outlets behind the striker.

Striker

Complete Forward (Support / Attack)

Responsibilities:

Pins centre-backs

Links play under pressure

Attacks channels created by inverted wingers

Leads the press from the front

This role is essential for fluid attacking movement and pressing effectiveness.

Team Instructions Breakdown
In Possession

Shorter passing with high tempo

Play out of defence

Work ball into box

Overlap left and right

Fairly wide attacking width

This ensures controlled possession without sterile buildup.

In Transition

Counter-press immediately upon loss

Counter quickly when possession is won

Goalkeeper distributes to centre-backs or fullbacks

The transition phase is where this tactic destroys opponents.

Out of Possession

High defensive line

Much higher line of engagement

Trigger press much more often

Prevent short goalkeeper distribution

Force opposition wide

Opponents are suffocated and pushed into low-quality wide areas.

Tactical Strengths

Elite pressing efficiency

Excellent central compactness

High chance creation through half-spaces

Strong defensive protection despite attacking mentality

Performs consistently across league and continental competitions

Minimal tactical tweaks required between matches

Tactical Weaknesses & Mitigation

Vulnerable to elite long-ball counter teams
Mitigation: Drop mentality to Balanced and reduce tempo

High stamina demand
Mitigation: Squad rotation and fitness management are essential

Requires intelligent DM
Mitigation: This role must have high positioning, anticipation, and work rate