Leeds Custom Champions League Qualification

actical Style: Custom Vertical Tiki-Taka

This is an aggressive possession-based system. The idea is to combine short passes with vertical progression, so you dominate the ball but still attack quickly when space opens. It suits Leeds because your squad has mobile midfielders, strong wing-backs, and Calvert-Lewin leading the line.

Mentality: Attacking

Keeps pressure high and pushes your players to take risks.

Works well with your inside forwards and wing-backs constantly pushing into advanced zones.

Risk: against bigger teams, this can expose your backline due to space left behind.

In Possession

Shorter Passing & Pass Into Space: Blend of patience and directness. Players circulate the ball but look for vertical runs (Okafor, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin).

Low Crosses: Perfect for Calvert-Lewin’s movement, not just aerial threat. Maximizes cutbacks from wing-backs.

Work Ball Into Box: Prioritises smart shot selection, keeps xG high.

High Tempo & Narrow Width: Increases urgency, forces opposition midfield to collapse, creating overloads centrally.

In Transition

Counter & Counter-Press: Full-throttle football. Once you win the ball, midfielders immediately release the forwards. When losing possession, the team swarms the ball.

This keeps opponents pinned but leaves you vulnerable to fast counters if the press is bypassed.

Out of Possession

Much Higher Defensive Line + High Press: Compresses space, suffocates opponents, and keeps play in their half.

More Urgent Press & Prevent GK Distribution: Strikers and midfield press aggressively to stop build-up.

Risk: one ball over the top can expose your centre-backs.

Shape and Roles

Striker (PF-A – Calvert-Lewin): The spearhead. Constant pressing, stretching defences, and finishing. His 26 league goals prove he thrives here.

Inside Forwards (Okafor & Harrison): Cut inside to support Calvert-Lewin while also providing goals. They drag full-backs narrow, creating space for wing-backs.

Midfield Trio (Tanaka – Longstaff – Stach):

Stach as BWM disrupts opposition play.

Tanaka (CM-A) pushes forward as a late runner.

Longstaff (CM-S) balances with ball circulation.

Wing-Backs (Justin & Bornauw): Provide width and overloads. Cross from wide and stretch the pitch.

Backline (Struijk & Bijol): Ball-playing duties, initiate build-up.

Goalkeeper (Lucas Perri SK-S): Sweeper-keeper to support high line, sweeping danger behind defence.

Strengths

Goal Threat from Central Zones: Calvert-Lewin and IFs combine for high goal output.

Relentless Pressing: Opponents struggle to play out.

Compact Possession Game: Retains the ball in dangerous areas.

Full-Back Width: Attacks stretch defences and open central pockets.

Flexibility in Midfield: Tanaka and Longstaff give balance between defence and attack