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Goalkeeper
This role focuses on simple and risk-free use of the ball, with the goalie simply looking to play the
ball away from goal to an open player. If a player is not open the goalkeeper will play the ball long and
safe.
The goalkeeper will distribute the ball differently between match strategies. For more cautious
tactics, he will try to clear the ball deep while for more aggressive tactics he will feed the defence in
order to start off passing moves.
Can only have defend duty.
Role: Goalkeeper
Physical: Agility
Sweeper Keeper
Aims to perform two roles, that of the standard goalkeeper and the outfield sweeper. Alongside his
standard goalkeeping duties he will try to sweep up balls in front and wide of the penalty area and initiate
counter-attacking moves with direct through balls to breaking players.
With a defend duty, the sweeper keeper will be a lot more cautious, but will still play counter-
counter-attacking passes.
With an attack duty the sweeper keeper will travel some distance outside of the penalty area and be
happy to move out with the ball at his feet.
Goalkeeping: Aerial Ability, Command of Area, Communication, Eccentricity, First Touch, Handling,
Knows his strengths and weaknesses and focuses mainly on his defensive duties, rarely going forward
Full Back
A key player in modern football, having to supplement his traditional defensive duties with
overlapping runs down the wing to support forward play and help attacks overload the final third.
Although primarily a defensive player, he must be prepared to get forward when the team needs extra
width.
With a defend duty, the full back will stay back with the defensive line and make simple possession
Wing Back
Usually playing out wide with no wing support, the wing back must take care of all the attacking and
defensive duties of both wingers and full backs. In attack he must be ready to run at his man and deliver
aggressive crosses, in midfield he must help win the possession battle while in defence he must help close
down opponents, block crosses and win back the ball when possible.
With a defend duty, the wing back mainly stays deep, but will still cross the ball when he has the time
attacks, run at his man and get crosses in from the byline.
With an automatic duty, the wing back will switch automatically between defend, support and attack
duties according to your match strategy.
Loves to attack, and whilst he is capable of taking care of his defensive duties, his natural inclination
Drops behind the defensive line, aiming to sweep up through balls, pick up extra attackers and make
goal-saving tackles, blocks and interceptions. Must have exceptional athleticism and reading of the game
which enable him to cover for defensive errors, take possession of loose balls from a deep position and
secure possession. Rarely, if ever, ventures forward.
Can only have defend duty.
Role: Sweeper
Libero
Drops behind the defensive line, having the same duties as the sweeper. He will also roam forward in
Role: Libero
Central Defender
His main job is to stop the opposing attackers from playing and to clear the ball from danger when
needed. However, especially for more aggressive tactics, he must also have the technique and composure
to be able to help the team maintain possession and lay off simple passes to the more creative players.
With a defend duty, the central defender will stay in line with his defensive partners and look to
break up attacks, mark opposing forwards and prevent the ball from getting into the box.
With a stopper duty, the central defender will push ahead of the defensive line and close down
His main job is the same as the central defenders, stop the opposing attackers and clear the ball from
danger. The main difference is that the ball playing defender is encouraged to launch defence-splitting
through balls from deep to generate counter-attacking opportunities.
Can have the same defend/stopper/cover duties, with the exact same job description as the central
defender.
Limited Defender
His main job is the same as the other central defender roles but the limited defender will clear the
Main duties are to protect the defensive line from breaking attackers by closing them down quickly
and to support the creative midfielders when in possession. A key job for the defensive midfielder is to
keep hold of the ball while the defence and attack are reorganising themselves after a period of
opposition pressure.
With a defend duty, the defensive midfielder will hold his position between the midfield and
Operates in the space between the defence and the midfield and aims to initiate attacking moves
through pinpoint passes to players positioned higher up the pitch. He is a creative player that also has to
be competent in defence.
With a defend duty, the deep-lying playmaker will fulfill extra defensive responsibilities by holding
His main function is to close down the opposition and win the ball. He also needs the skills to help the
team keep possession and create chances for players with attacking roles.
With a defend duty, the ball-winning midfielder will look to win the ball in the middle of the pitch
Anchor Man
Main duty is to take position in the hole between defence and midfield, intercepting moves and
winning the ball back. Plays simple passes to his more creative teammates. Doesnt venture too far from
his position either to close down an opponent or to support the more advanced players.
Can only have defend duty.
Physical: Strength
Half Back
Looks to serve a role somewhere between that of an aggressive sweeper and a defensive midfielder.
When a half back is employed the central defenders will push higher up the pitch while the half back
drops deeper than a standard defensive midfielder. In addition to his defensive duties the half back looks
to offer an outlet for quickly recycling possession when the teams attacking play breaks down.
Can only have defend duty.
A more aggressive version of the deep-lying playmaker, suitable for possession-oriented tactics that
press high up the pitch. He is given complete freedom to dictate play from deep positions, offering a
dynamic and unpredictable creative outlet from behind the attack. He will seek to maintain intense
pressure by constantly looking for new chances as his more advanced teammates get into goal scoring
positions.
Can only have support duty.
Role: Regista
Physical: -
Has the technical ability to play in attacking, support or defensive roles, but tends to lack the
wide to support the flanks in the final third and also play teammates in front of him.
With an automatic duty, the central midfielder will switch automatically between defend, support
and attack duties according to your match strategy.
Mental: Creativity, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Teamwork, Work Rate
Operates in the space between the defence and the midfield and aims to initiate attacking moves
through pinpoint passes to players positioned higher up the pitch. He is a creative player that also has to
be competent in defence.
With a defend duty, the deep-lying playmaker will fulfill extra defensive responsibilities by holding
Physical: -
He contributes greatly to both defending and attacking. In attack, he pushes up to support the
forwards, often going into the box to get on the end of crosses, as well as providing a threat from
distance. In defence, he harries opposition attacking midfielders and helps protect the defensive line.
Can only have support duty.
Technical: Dribbling, Finishing, First Touch, Heading, Long Shots, Marking, Passing, Technique
Mental: Anticipation, Bravery, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Positioning, Work Rate
Advanced Playmaker
Can operate in the central midfield, attacking midfield or wide forward positions. He aims to drop
into the holes between the oppositions midfield and defence, making himself available for passes and
aiming to turn defence into attack in an instant.
With a support duty, the advanced playmaker will stay in the hole and look to spray passes to support
attacking teammates.
With an attack duty, the advanced playmaker will try to run at the defensive line from deeper
positions, aiming to create crossing or through ball opportunities in the final third.
Physical: Stamina
Ball Winning Midfielder
His main function is to close down the opposition and win the ball. He also needs the skills to help the
team keep possession and create chances for players with attacking roles.
With a defend duty, the ball-winning midfielder will look to win the ball in the middle of the pitch
Performs defensive and attacking duties on the flanks, supporting the forwards, midfielers and
defenders as well when required. Lacking the pace and skills of a technical winger, the wide midfielder
relies on teamwork and work rate to move into dangerous attacking positions without compromising his
defensive responsibilities.
With a defend duty, the wide midfielder will sit back and launch crosses from deep.
With a support duty, the wide midfielder will stay deeper and play angled through balls into the box
from out wide, even though he will still attempt crosses when he has the chance.
With an attack duty, the wide midfielder looks to play quick crosses in from the final third.
With an automatic duty, the wide midfielder will switch automatically between defend, support and
attack duties according to your match strategy.
Mental: Anticipation, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Teamwork, Work Rate
Physical: Stamina
Winger
Aims to beat his man on the outside and needs to be technically proficient and quick as well in order
to do so. Hugs the touchline when the team is going forward, ready to surge into space and attack the
byline.
With a support duty, the winger will try to quickly get past his man and get in an early cross for the
forwards.
With an attack duty, the winger will try to run at the defence, aiming to cause panic before shooting
or attempting to play either a through ball or a cross to a teammate.
Role: Winger
Defensive Winger
Aims to press the opposing full backs, win back the ball high up the pitch and either hold it up for the
rest of the team, drive to the byline or get in a quick cross or through ball.
With a support duty, the defensive winger will try to win the ball back, get past his man and try to get
in early crosses for the forwards.
Advanced Playmaker
Can operate in the central midfield, attacking midfield or wide forward positions. He aims to drop
into the holes between the oppositions midfield and defence, making himself available for passes and
aiming to turn defence into attack in an instant.
With a support duty, the advanced playmaker will stay in the hole and look to spray passes to support
attacking teammates.
With an attack duty, the advanced playmaker will try to run at the defensive line from deeper
positions, aiming to create crossing or through ball opportunities in the final third.
Physical: Stamina
Inside Forward
Aims to cut inside from the flanks and run directly at the centre of the oppositions defence; works
best when the players strongest foot is opposite to the flank he is playing on. His movement can open
space for overlapping full backs as well as overloading a retreating defender but it can also end up with
the player running into cul-de-sacs.
With a support duty, the inside forward will cut diagonally into the space behind the defence and play
He is the main outlet for clearances and long balls from the back. Ideally positioned against a smaller
and weaker full back, his job is to get the ball and keep it before recycling it to a teammate.
With a support duty, the wide target man is best used for relocating a tall and powerful target man to
bully a smaller and weaker full back, offering knock-downs and opportunities to onrushing central players.
Operates higher up the pitch than the standard midfielder, so he wont be able to drive into space
from deep like an attacking central midfielder would. Requires excellent technical and metal skills, his
role is to create chances for himself and others in the final third.
With a support duty, the attacking midfielder will help out with defensive duties and tends to sit in
Advanced Playmaker
Can operate in the central midfield, attacking midfield or wide forward positions. He aims to drop
into the holes between the oppositions midfield and defence, making himself available for passes and
aiming to turn defence into attack in an instant.
With a support duty, the advanced playmaker will stay in the hole and look to spray passes to support
attacking teammates.
With an attack duty, the advanced playmaker will try to run at the defensive line from deeper
positions, aiming to create crossing or through ball opportunities in the final third.
Physical: Stamina
Trequartista
Aims to drop into the holes between the oppositions defence and midfield, similar to the advanced
playmaker, but the trequartista will do a lot less defensively as he will simply drift around looking for
space when the team is not in possession.
Can only have attack duty.
Role: Trequartista
Physical: Agility
Enganche
He is the teams prime creator, a hook that joins midfield and attack and operates behind the striker.
He is a playmaker who sticks to his position and becomes a pivot to his team as they move around him. It
is different compared to the trequartista, who likes to roam from his position looking for space between
the lines.
Can only have attack duty.
Role: Enganche
Physical: -
Shadow Striker
He is the teams main goal scoring threat. Usually coupled with a deep-lying forward, the shadow
striker aggressively pushed forward into goal scoring positions as the ball moves into the final third and
looks to close down the oppositions defenders when not in possession.
Can only have attack duty.
His main function is to link the attack to the midfield. He aims to drop deep into space and hold up
the ball before playing linking passes to his teammates, moving the ball back to midfield, spreading it
wide to the flanks or playing in a striker.
With a support duty, the deep-lying forward will mainly aim to bring teammates into play before
Physical: Strength
Advanced Forward
His main role is to lead the line and spearhead attacking moves. The main duty is to be the focal
point of attacking moves and he is required to both score and create chances.
As a secondary role the advanced forward has to chase down misplaced through balls or clearances
from deep, win possession and provide passes or crosses to his teammates.
Can only have attack duty.
Physical: Pace
Target Man
He uses his physicality to disrupt the oppositions defence and open space for the other striker or
supporting midfielders. He uses mostly his strength and aerial prowess to bring teammates into play rather
than relying on technical ability.
With a support duty, the target man will try to win flick-ons and play simple possession passes to his
teammates.
With an attack duty, the target man will lead the line and open space for teammates to move into.
Poacher
He sits on the shoulder of the last defender, looking to break the defensive line and run onto through
balls from midfield. His main aim is to score goals but he will also run at his marker and cross the ball
when required. He rarely offers much help in constructing moves, preferring to remain in a central
position and sniff out chances in and around the box.
Can only have attack duty.
Role: Poacher
Complete Forward
He possesses all the technical attributes of a deep-lying forward, the goal scoring ability of then
poacher and the strength of the target man. He can play in others, create chances for himself or finish up
team moves. Such a player should transcend tactical instructions, should simply be allowed to do his own
thing.
With a support duty, the complete forward will try to drop into space, run at the defence, take long
Technical: Dribbling, Finishing, First Touch, Heading, Long Shots, Passing, Technique
Mental: Anticipation, Composure, Creativity, Decisions, Determination, Off The Ball, Teamwork
Defensive Forward
His main duty is to put pressure on the defensive line, chase down the man in possession or loose balls
and generally stop the opposition defence. In attack he will keep things as simple as possible, bringing
others into play rather than creating his own chances.
With a support duty, the defensive forward will sit a little deeper and put pressure on the oppositions
defensive midfielders.
Trequartista
Aims to drop into the holes between the oppositions defence and midfield, similar to the advanced
playmaker, but the trequartista will do a lot less defensively as he will simply drift around looking for
space when the team is not in possession.
Can only have attack duty.
Role: Trequartista
Physical: Agility
False Nine
centre-forward who drops deep into midfield. His movement will create a problem for opposing central
defenders, who can either follow him and leave space behind them or leave him to have time and space
to create dangerous moves.
Can only have support duty.
Physical: Strength