FM 26 GOAL MACHINE Vincenzo Italiano's 4-2-3-1 Bologna

Hi guys
this is my emulation of Vincenzo Italiano's Bologna 2025-26 in Football Manager 2026 and Football Manager 2024.
With this tactic I finished 3rd in Serie A with 72 points, 86 goals scored and 52 allowed, I always played with the attacking mentality in all games so if you are playing with weaker teams or against stronger teams it's strongly recommended to use a positive mentality to avoid risks.

Let's see now the tactical analysis

Tactical Analysis: Bologna under Vincenzo Italiano (2025-26)

In this analysis, we will explore the playing model, tactical principles, and formations used by Bologna during the 2025-26 season under the guidance of Vincenzo Italiano. We will examine how the coach structures the different phases of the game, from transitions to finishing, with a dynamic and vertical style of play.
Playing System

Italiano's tactical approach is based on a solid but flexible structure, adaptable to different phases of the game. In the offensive phase, Bologna primarily plays in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation, which shifts to 1-2-3-2-3 or 1-2-2-3-3 during transitions. In the defensive phase, the team sets up in either a 1-4-3-3, 1-3-1-4-2, or 1-4-1-3-2 formation, depending on the game situation.

Tactical Principles

Bologna always aims to impose their rhythm on the game. The build-up starts from the back, with a quick verticalization and a focus on numerical superiority. The team is known for its fluid and fast movement, exploiting the wide areas to develop attacking play. This allows players to attack spaces and take advantage of the technical qualities of the wingers and forwards.

Possession Phase: Strategy and Build-Up

Bologna's possession phase focuses on creating verticalization opportunities. The central defenders are the first point of reference, with short passes or long balls aimed at the wingers or the central striker. When pressed, they look to maintain possession with short exchanges between defenders or through the intervention of a midfielder to offload the ball.
The team's goal is always to vertically progress the ball to break through the opponent's lines, creating numerical superiority in attack. This system is played in a 1-2-3-2-3 shape, with wingers and the central striker ready to attack the spaces created by vertical passes.

Build-Up and Final Pass

Bologna relies heavily on quick transitions and rapid play, with one or two-touch passes. The final pass is usually delivered down the wings, where the wingers can either cross or cut inside to finish. Positional play is fluid and dynamic, with constant movement to create space for others.
Orsolini and Castro are key players in the final phases, with the striker looking to protect the ball and serve the winger at the right moment. The action often ends with a cross or a direct shot towards the far post.

Finishing and Offensive Width

Bologna's finishing focuses on finding numerical parity in duels against defenders, using the movement and technical quality of the forwards. The width of the game is maximized with Zortea and Orsolini on the right, and Lykogiannis and Cambiaghi on the left. The fluid movement of the wide players allows the team to create dangerous attacking opportunities with frequent overlaps and quick exchanges.

Defensive Phase: Pressing and Defense

First Pressing

Bologna employs an organized high press, with players looking to isolate the opponent’s ball carrier and close passing lanes. The pressure is intense, especially in the central and wide areas, where the wingers and midfielders close down the opponent to recover the ball quickly.

Defensive Line

In the defensive phase, the defensive line adapts based on the ball's position and the number of opposing attackers. If the ball is on the right wing, Zortea covers the width, while Lykogiannis does the same on the left. In the case of a central verticalization, the central defenders focus on winning the duel, with midfield support when necessary.

Transitions: Defensive and Offensive

Defensive Transition

When the ball is lost, Bologna looks to recover it quickly, with a compact defensive line reacting promptly to the situation. Midfielders and full-backs support defensive work by closing spaces and preventing opponents from exploiting transitions.

Offensive Transition
Bologna is lethal on the counterattack, immediately looking for a vertical pass to exploit the speed of the forwards and wingers. If a counterattack isn’t possible, the team calmly rebuilds possession, waiting for the right opportunities to attack.

Players and Their Tactical Roles

Goalkeeper
Skorupski is crucial in the build-up phase, with aerial passes aimed at the wingers or central striker. His ability in short passing and reading the game allows him to manage the ball effectively under pressure.
Central Defenders
Vitik, Heggem, and Lucumi are the central defenders who provide balance to the team. Their strength in aerial duels and direct challenges allows Bologna to maintain a solid defense, while in possession, they spread out to provide width and allow the full-backs to push forward.
Full-Backs
Zortea, Lykogiannis, and Miranda are highly dynamic full-backs who perform a dual role: they push up to support the build-up and fall back into a compact defensive shape when the team loses possession.
Midfielders
Midfielders like Freuler, Moro, Fabbian, and Odgaard are essential in the transition game. Their main function is to get open and create passing lines, alternating between quick vertical passes and switching the play. Their technical quality and aggression in tackles are key characteristics of this area of the pitch.
Wingers
Orsolini and Cambiaghi are the offensive wingers who provide width and depth. Their ability to cut inside and finish or create opportunities is one of Bologna’s most effective weapons in attack.
Forwards
Castro or Dallinga are the strikers who need to attack spaces and finish with intelligence. Their ability to control the ball, protect possession, and excel in aerial duels makes Bologna dangerous in attack.

Now we can see how to emulate this tactic in Football Manager 2026

VINCENZO ITALIANO'S BOLOGNA 2025-26 ON FOOTBALL MANAGER 2026

To emulate Vincenzo Italiano's 4-2-3-1 Bologna on Football Manager 2026, we first start with the mentality, which will be Attacking, to better express the great aggressiveness and vertical football of the Felsinei. The mentality can be changed to Positive against much stronger opponents.
The starting formation will be the 4-2-3-1 which, in possession, depending on the situation, can transform into a 2-3-5, a 2-1-3-4, or a 3-2-5, with the Defensive Midfielder dropping back between the two Central Defenders.

Let's look at the system, mentality, player roles, and team instructions in both the possession and out-of-possession phases.

Mentality: Attack. Choose Positive if playing against stronger opponents.

Player Roles and Instructions

Goalkeeper: Skorupski
• Possession Phase: Ball-Playing Goalkeeper
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Sweeper Keeper
• Instructions: None

Central Defenders: Vitik (Heggem) and Lucumi
• Possession Phase: Ball Playing Center Back - Defend (Dribble More, Stay Wider).
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Central Defender - Defend (Press More Often).
Both Central Defenders have the same roles and instructions in both possession and out-of-possession phases. In possession, they aid in build-up play and widen out to occupy the spaces left vacant by the advancing Full Backs. When they have the ball, they carry it, looking for space for a short pass to the central midfielders or a long pass to service the attackers. Out of possession, they narrow centrally, and only one of the two steps out to press the opponent in their zone, trying to win the one-on-one, while the other defender stays back, supported by the Defensive Midfielder who drops deep.

Full Backs: Zortea and Lykogiannis (Miranda)
• Possession Phase: Advanced Wing Back - Attack (Stay Wider)
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Full Back - Defend (Press More Often)
Both Full Backs are advanced in the possession phase to form Italiano's 2-3-5. They stay high and wide, supporting the attack, trying to create numerical superiority on the flanks and helping the two Wingers in duels against the opposition full backs. Out of possession, they drop back alongside the central defenders and remain narrow, closing down spaces in the central areas of the pitch.

Defensive Midfielder: Freuler
• Possession Phase: Deep Lying Playmaker
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Dropping Defensive Midfielder
• Instructions: None
The Defensive Midfielder, in possession, initiates the play and attempts short passes or, when possible, long balls. Out of possession, he drops back alongside one Central Defender while the other advances to stop the opponent.

Right Central Midfielder: Ferguson
• Possession Phase: Central Midfielder (Dribble More, Make More Runs, Roam From Position)
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Wide Covering Central Midfielder (Press More Often)
As mentioned in the tactical analysis, Bologna's midfield is staggered in defence, with one of the two central midfielders, usually Ferguson, staying deeper and covering the spaces left open on the flank. In possession, Ferguson attacks less than the other midfielder, Odgaard, but still tries to make runs into the spaces between the opponent's lines when possible.

Left Central Midfielder: Odgaard
• Possession Phase: Attacking Midfielder(Move Into Channels, Dribble More, Make More Runs, Roam From Position)
• Out-of-Possession Phase Pressing Central Midfielder (Press More Often)
In attack, Odgaard positions himself as an attacking central midfielder behind the striker. He often makes runs into the spaces between the opposition's centre-back and full-back, attempts dribbles, and has a lot of freedom of movement. Out of possession, Odgaard tries to press opponents to regain possession and relaunch the offensive action.

Right Attacking Winger: Orsolini
• Possession Phase: Inside Forward (Dribble More, Take More Risks, Roam From Position, Shoot More Often, Cut Inside with Ball)
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Tracking Winger (Press More Often)
Orsolini plays on the right but is left-footed and loves to cut inside with the ball to look for a pass or a shot on goal from outside the box with his preferred foot. He often attempts one-on-ones with the opposing full-back, often helped by the overlaps from Zortea, and has a lot of freedom of movement to drop back and link up play. Out of possession, he tracks back to help in defence and participates in pressing the opposing player on the ball.

Left Attacking Winger: Cambiaghi
• Possession Phase: Inside Forward (Roam From Position, Cut Inside with Ball, Dribble More, Take More Risks)
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Tracking Winger (Press More Often)
Like Orsolini, Cambiaghi also plays on the opposite foot (he is right-footed but plays on the left), cuts inside with the ball, attempts one-on-ones, but finishes on goal less than Orsolini, which is why the instruction "Shoot More Often" is not selected. Out of possession, he tracks back to help in defence and participates in pressing the opposing player on the ball.

Central Striker: Castro
• Possession Phase: Channel Forward (Roam From Position, Make More Runs)
• Out-of-Possession Phase: Tracking Centre Forward (Press More Often)

TEAM INSTRUCTIONS

IN POSSESSION

Build up: play through press, distribute to center-backs
The goalkeeper tries to maintain possession and start to build the play from the back passing the ball to the center-backs. Then the center-backs will try long passes when possible.
Ball progression: Overlaps on the flanks , progress the ball through the flanks, pass into spaces.
Bologna tries to progress the ball through the flanks exploiting wider spaces with the two wing-backs who push very high in attack. Passes into spaces between the lines are a very important attacking strategy to create chaos in the opponent's defense.
Final third: encourage dribbling and low crosses
In the final third, Orsolini and Cambiaghi are the most important players, with their dribbling skills they win 1vs 1 against the opponent's full-backs, often helped by the overlapping wing-backs to create numerical superiority. They cut inside with the ball and arrive in the box with one-two passes. Crosses are low to exploit runnings from the backs.
Passing style: more direct
Tempo: higher
Attacking width: wider
Attacking transition: counter-attack
Italiano wants to play vertically and arrive in the opponent's half and box as soon as possible, playing down the flanks with the wing-backs pushing up and overlapping. When they win the ball back they launch fast counter-attacks.

OUT OF POSSESSION

Pressing Line: higher
Defensive Line: higher
Defensive Line Behaviour: step up more
Trigger Press: more often
Defensive Transition: counterpress
Pressing Trap: trap outside
Short Goalkeeper Distribution: yes
Bologna in defense presses the opponent high , when they lose the ball, the nearest player (players) will press the ball carrier to win the ball back (counterpress) while other players will screen all passing lanes. The defensive line is higher to maintain a compact formation in defense and will step up to apply the off-side trap. Bologna tries to force the opponent players wide near the touchline, far from dangerous areas.

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2026 RESULTS
• Serie A: Third
o Matches 38 | Points 72 | Wins 21 | Draws 9 | Losses 8 | Goals Scored 86 | Goals Conceded 52
• Coppa Italia: Eliminated in the third round
• Supercoppa Italiana: Eliminated in the semi-final
• Europa League: Finalist (lost 4-3 after extra time to Feyenoord)



In my youtube video you can see tactical board breakdown, fm 26 highlights, stats and tactical emulation guide.


You can download the tactic fmf file for FM 24 in my Patreon page
https://www.patreon.com/posts/vincenzo-bologna-144626324?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

TACTIC SCREENSHOTS


Overview



In Poessession



Out of Possession



STATS SERIE A




P.S. I hope the file works if you can't import it in FM 26 please tell me