FM Team & Tactics Guide

AN UNOFFICIAL FOOTBALL MANAGER GUIDE
FM TEAM & TACTICS

GUIDE
A compilation of real and FM tactics
Llama3
July 2012
FM TEAM & TACTICS GUIDE
Contents
Introduction 3
Real Life Teams
Chelsea 2004-06 4
Arsenal 2001-04 5
Barcelona 2010-12 6
Greece 2004 7
Wigan 2012 8
Universidad de Chile 2011 9
Everton 2002-12 10
Athletic Bilbao 2012 11
Spain 2010-12 12
Germany 2010-12 14
Bayer Leverkusen 2001-02 15
Playing Styles
Counter-Attacking 18
Possession 19
Disruptive & Hard-Working 20
Attacking 21
Useful Combinations
Central Defence, Defensive Set Up, Defensive Line & Goalkeeper, Flanks 22
Central Midfield, Playmakers, Strikers 23
Philosophy, Creative Freedom & Roaming,

Pressing, Tackling & Marking, Passing Styles 24
Page 2
Introduction
A few years ago I read my way, cover to cover, through Tactical Thereoms and
Frameworks 2010 – If you have not read this yet, stop reading this, and go and read that
first – read it? Okay, well I was impressed with a wonderful little concept in there too; a
small appendix showing how to recreate certain tactical styles and individual team’s
tactics – this was extremely useful, and as such, 2 years later, I would like to add my own
part.
I have decided to add some new team’s tactics that are either new, or not covered by the
TT&F appendix, as it pointless to try and re-mention their good work, rather than me
taking this opportunity to build on it. I also cover some distinct footballing styles, and a
useful formation/system and roles to get it started with. Finally I will cover some useful
combinations to use, to try and get the best out of your team. The formations and systems
are Tactics Creator only – this makes it far more simple to replicate and play.
With thanks to WWFan for letting me put this together and contributing the information
for the Barcelona team. Thanks to those on the SiForums who have contributed to the
discussions on there that have made me want to do this, and to TheAwayStand.co.uk who
have been the reason behind my guides on the Regista and Ball-Winning Midfielder.
Thanks to Sibo 373 for his magnificent Bayer Leverkusen article which has been left in
full, despite being lengthy due to the quality of what is written. Thanks to Zonal Marking,
for Michael Cox’s match reports, information & analysis which has helped me complete
my research. Finally thanks to JC Wamma for proof-reading and providing adequate
criticism, advice and inspiration.
NOTICE – This work is my own work, except where credited – do not redistribute
without permission and do not pass this off as your own work!
Page 3
Chelsea 2004-06
Manager – Jose Mourinho

Formation – 4-5-1/4-3-3
Jose Mourinho’s arrived at

Chelsea on the back of a
Champions League win with
Porto, creating an excellent
Chelsea side, winning 2
consecutive league titles, plus
further domestic and European
success.
Mourinho is famous for his well

disciplined sides, summed up
by Makelele in the holding role,
holding position, breaking up
play, swiftly redistributing to another player. Mourinho also liked to get his wingers to
come inside and stretch the opposition, with his full backs pushing forward to get in
crosses. Frank Lampard formed a key part of this team, making several runs into the
space in front of him, getting on the end of late cut-backs or firing from distance. Finally
Didier Drogba was a handful in attack, using pace to get in behind, or Strength to receive
and keep the ball, or height to outjump the defenders, a complete weapon.
POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

GK Petr Cech Goalkeeper Defend
DR Paulo Ferreira Wing Back Automatic
DRC Ricardo Carvalho Central Defender Cover
DLC John Terry Central Defender Stopper
DL Wayne Bridge Wing Back Automatic
DMC Claude Makelele Anchorman Defend
MRC Michael Essien Box-to-Box Support
Midfielder
MLC Frank Lampard Central Midfielder Attack
AMR Joe Cole Inside Forward Attack
AML Arjen Robben Inside Forward Attack
STC Didier Drogba Complete Forward Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Rigid
Passing Default
Creative Freedom More Disciplined
Closing Down Stand Off
Tackling Default
Marking Default
Crossing Float Crosses
Roaming Default
Page 4
Arsenal 2001-04
Manager – Arsene Wenger

Formation – 4-4-2
Arsene Wenger’s finest Arsenal

side won the Double in 2002,
narrowly missed out on
repeating the trick in 2003 after
a late collapse in the league,
retaining the FA Cup, and
finally going the entire season
unbeaten in the league in 2004.
Arsenal’s side had a

magnificent left hand side in
particular, with Henry drifting
in to the left flank to draw defenders out of position, and Bergkamp dropping deep to link
play with the midfield. In practice the formation acted like a 4-2-3-1 with the wide
midfielders making diagonal runs into the box. Pires was a more creative player than
Ljungberg who made more direct runs instead. The full backs pushed forward and
overlapped down the flanks, although Lauren was a little more disciplined than Cole who
linked well with Pires and Henry down the left flank.

GK Jens Lehmann Goalkeeper Defend
DR Lauren Full Back Automatic
DRC Kolo Toure Central Defender Cover
DLC Sol Campbell Central Defender Stopper
DL Ashley Cole Wing Back Attack
MRC Gilberto Silva Central Midfielder Defend
MLC Patrick Vieira Box-to-Box Midfielder Support
AMR Fredrik Ljungberg Inside Forward Attack
AML Robert Pires Advanced Playmaker Attack
STRC Dennis Bergkamp Deep-Lying Forward Support
STLC Thierry Henry Advanced Forward Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Balanced
Passing Default
Creative Freedom More Expressive
Closing Down More Pressing
Tackling Default
Marking Zonal Marking
Crossing Drill Crosses
Roaming More Roaming
Page 5
Barcelona 2010-12
Manager – Josep Guardiola

Formation – 4-3-3
(Information contributed by
WWFan)
Barcelona need little

introduction, their success has
been legendary, and their style
of play has drawn plaudits all
over the world. Josep Guardiola
built on from good work from
Frank Rijkaard and a talented
pool of players.
Barcelona have the rampaging

wing back Daniel Alves overlapping Pedro, while Messi, Xavi and Iniesta form a triple-
pivot in the middle of the park. David Villa comes inside from wide-left and Sergio
Busquets drops into the middle of the centre-backs when Barcelona are in attack and the
full-backs pushed forward. The team presses heavily, whilst retaining a good shape, and
retains the ball excellently, with lots of good movement. Xavi tends to sit deeper than
Iniesta and recycles possession and plays through-balls from deeper, whereas Iniesta
gets into more advanced positions. Eric Abidal still gets forward from the left flank,
although not as religiously as Dani Alves on the right hand side.

GK Victor Valdes Sweeper Keeper Support
DR Daniel Alves Wing Back Attack
DRC Carles Puyol Central Defender Stopper
DLC Gerard Pique Central Defender Cover
DL Eric Abidal Wing Back Automatic
DMC Sergio Busquets Defensive Midfielder Defend
MRC Xavi Deep-Lying Playmaker Support
MLC Andres Iniesta Advanced Forward Attack
AMR Pedro Inside Forward Attack
AML David Villa Inside Forward Attack
STC Lionel Messi Trequartista Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Balanced
Passing Shorter
Tackling Default
Page 6
Greece 2004
Manager – Otto Rehhagel

Formation – 4-3-3
Greece caused arguably the

greatest shock in European
football history with some
commited, traditional man-
marking football.
Greece’s success was down to

the strict and tight man-marking
systems in defence, with the
excellent Basinas in the holding
midfield role supporting. The
left flank had a traditional
winger in Stelios, but the right flank had no clear winger, with Charisteas sitting more
centrally, and joining up with Vryzas up front and linking up with Vryzas’s hold ups.
Seitaridis as a result covered more ground all the way up the right flank.
Katsouranis did a fairly defensive job in midfield, occasionally getting forward in

support, with Zagorakis providing a creative spark in midfield. Greece’s good aerial
threat and direct tactics based on solid defensive tactics earned the 3 successive 1-0
win’s in the knockout stages thanks to headers from Charisteas and Dellas.

GK Antonios Nikopolidis Goalkeeper Defend
DR Giourkas Seitaridis Wing Back Automatic
DRC Traianos Dellas Limited Defender Defend
DLC Michalis Kapsis Limited Defender Defend
DL Takis Fyssas Full Back Automatic
DMC Angelos Basinas Anchorman Defend
MRC Theodoros Zagorakis Advanced Attack
Playmaker
MLC Kostas Katsouranis Central Midfielder Support
AMRC Angelos Charisteas Inside Forward Attack
AML Stelios Giannakopoulos Winger Attack
STC Zisis Vryzas Target Man Support
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Very Rigid
Passing More Direct
Tackling More Aggressive
Marking Man Marking
Roaming Stick to Position
Page 7
Wigan Athletic 2012
Manager – Roberto Martinez

Formation – 3-4-3
Wigan Athletic made a

remarkable progression from
the foot of the Premier League
table in 2012, hitting a
consistent run of form,
following manager Roberto
Martinez’s philosophy of
playing aesthetically-pleasing
football.
The key factor in this was

Martinez’s switch to playing 3
central defenders. The outside centre-backs, Alcaraz and Figueroa contributed a large
number of tackles, as they followed opponents into midfield or wide, leaving Caldwell to
retain a central position where he made several blocks and interceptions. Wigan were
capable of retaining possession or sitting deep and attempting to stretch play via quick
out-balls to Victor Moses and Franco Di Santo. Wigan sometimes adapt this by pegging
Boyce and Beaseujour into deeper wing-back positions, and putting Moses and Maloney
wider to track opposition full backs. The formation has a number of similarities with
Napoli’s system played by Walter Mazzari.

GK Ali Al-Habsi Goalkeeper Defend
DRC Antolin Alcaraz Central Defender Stopper
DC Gary Caldwell Central Defender Defend
DLC Maynor Figueroa Central Defender Stopper
MR Emmerson Boyce Defensive Winger Support
MRC James McArthur Advanced Playmaker Support
MLC James McCarthy Central Midfielder Defend
ML Jean Beausejour Defensive Winger Support
AMRC Victor Moses Inside Forward Attack
AMLC Sean Maloney Inside Forward Support
STC Franco Di Santos Advanced Forward Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Fluid
Passing Shorter
Closing Down Default
Tackling Default
Crossing Default
Page 8
Universidad de Chile 2011
Manager – Jorge Sampaoli

Formation – 3-4-3
Universidad de Chile won South

America’s 2011 Copa
Sudamericana with an incredibly
stylish 3-4-3 style system. They
were unbeaten in 35 domestic
games, securing the league title,
with a very fluid style of football.
In a similar move to the Chilean

side under Bielsa at the World
Cup, UDC press heavily from the
front and play a very creative
style, with lots of through-balls, forward runs and shots. The formation has been made
very adaptable by head coach Jorge Sampaoli, and it consists of a notable front 3, with a
heavy attack focus from the 2 inside forwards Vargas and Castro, supplemented by
Canales dropping deep to draw defenders, before turning and attacking goal himself.
Aranguiz covers a lot of ground in midfield, and Diaz retains a more reserved role, yet
still contributes to moving the ball effectively. Width is provided by Rodriguez and
Mena, but they both appear far more attacking in nature than defensive. The back 3
generally fends for itself defensively, but still contributes to attacks when possible.

GK Jhonny Herrera Sweeper Keeper Defend
DRC Osvaldo Gonzalez Ball-Playing Defender Stopper
DC Marcos Gonzalez Central Defender Defend
DLC Jose Rojas Central Defender Defend
MR Matias Rodriguez Wide Midfielder Automatic
MRC Charles Aranguiz Box-to-Box Midfielder Support
MLC Marcelo Diaz Deep-Lying Playmaker Support
ML Eugenio Mena Wide Midfielder Automatic
AMRC Eduardo Vargas Inside Forward Attack
AMLC Francisco Castro Inside Forward Attack
STC Gustavo Canales Complete Forward Support
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Very Fluid
Passing Short Passing
Tackling Default
Marking Default
Page 9
Everton 2002-12
Manager – David Moyes

Formation – 4-4-1-1
David Moyes has spent 10 years

at Everton, during which time he
has turned Everton in a very
consistent team, punching above
their weight, by good use of the
transfer market, and by tactically
negating the opposition’s
strengths.
Moyes’ teams are hard working

and disciplined, but very
reactive. Against some teams
they may press heavily, against others they may stand off more. Fellaini is the fulcrum in
midfield, and has been superb in a holding position, but can also play a Box-to-Box or
even an Attacking Midfield role (in a similar way that Yaya Toure can too!) The team has
recently signed Nikica Jelavic as an Advanced Forward, as despite his superb
goalscoring record, he can still contribute to team moves and assists too. Tim Cahill has
often been a late presence in the box, getting on the end of team moves and floated
crosses.

GK Tim Howard Goalkeeper Defend
DR Tony Hibbert Full Back Automatic
DRC Jonny Heitinga Central Defender Stopper
DLC Sylvain Distin Central Defender Cover
DL Leighton Baines Full Back Automatic
MR Seamus Coleman Wide Midfielder Attack
MRC Marouane Fellaini Deep-Lying Playmaker Defend
MLC Darron Gibson Box-to-Box Midfielder Support
ML Leon Osman Wide Midfielder Attack
AMC Tim Cahill Attacking Midfielder Attack
STC Nikica Jelavic Advanced Forward Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Rigid
Passing Default
Tackling Default
Marking Default
Crossing Default
Page
10
Athletic Bilbao 2012
Manager – Marcelo Bielsa

Formation – 4-3-3/4-2-3-1
Athletic Bilbao blooded some

exciting young players last
season and were beaten finalists
in the Copa Del Rey and Europa
League, with performances to
beat Man Utd, Sporting Lisbon,
and matching Barcelona. Bilbao
under Bielsa have become a
team to watch.
Bilbao traditionally play direct

football, however this season
under Bielsa have adapted to follow Bielsa’s traditional pressing game, which is
combined with a more measured use of possession than Bielsa is used to, unlike the
frenetic pace he used with Chile. Bielsa’s team has 2 advancing wing backs, a very tall
centre-forward in Llorente who also drops deep to link play, a typical modern 3-man
midfield with its split duties and responsibilities, and a shape that encourages good
passing options. The wide-attackers get in beyond Llorente and trouble the opposition
defenders. Bielsa has build something exciting at Bilbao.

GK Gorka Iraizoz Sweeper Keeper Defend
DRC Javi Martinez Ball-Playing Defender Defend
DLC Fernando Amorebieta Central Defender Defend
WBR Andoni Iraola Wing Back Automatic
DMC Ander Iturraspe Defensive Midfielder Defend
WBL Jon Aurtenetxe Wing Back Automatic
MRC Ander Herrera Advanced Playmaker Attack
MLC Oscar De Marcos Central Midfielder Support
AMR Markel Susaeta Inside Forward Attack
AML Iker Muniain Inside Forward Attack
STC Fernando Llorente Complete Forward Support
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Fluid
Passing Shorter
Creative Freedom Default
Tackling Default
Marking Man Marking
Roaming Default
Page
11
Spain 2010-12
Manager – Vicente Del Bosque

Formation – 4-2-1-2-1
Spain has won 2 consecutive

European Championships, and
the small matter of a maiden
World Cup win sandwiched in-
between. The Spanish team has
had some clear differences each
time though, despite being made
up of many of the same players,
and a transition between
managers.
Spain play a religious pressing

game, and tend to record immensely high possession stats during a game due to the
superb ball-retention skills of their team and the large number of midfield players in the
side. Spain tend to retain an excellent shape defensively, and as a team pressing their
opponents. Spain’s game plan allows creative players to thrive, but does require a level
of discipline into the team ethic and game plan, meaning only normal levels of creative
freedom.
The wing backs are given plenty of licence to get forward and overlap the wide-men
coming inside. Xavi runs the central midfield area, with Xabi Alonso pulling strings from
a deeper position alongside Busquets who is the more defensive of the pair, looking to
drop into the backline where necessary. Spain also make use of the false nine in the most
recent tournament, with Fabregas often coming deep to link play and retain the ball,
however Spain can change this to a goal scorer like Fernando Torres as an Advanced
Forward when lacking penetration. Spain also have Jesus Navas and Pedro as options as
out and out Wingers as a plan B on the right flank, and with Fernando Llorente to aim for
as a Target Man. Spain do possess variety when necessary, but start the game cautiously
and build on their excellent defensive ability too.
Spain’s wide players are an interesting issue too, as Spain often come inside, sacrificing
width which is only supplemented from the wing back’s pushing forwards. Spain’s wide
players come in 2 categories – the direct wingers already discussed, or playmaking
types like Iniesta and Silva. The former is playing a slightly more direct role than he does
for his club, and is often required to get into good goalscoring positions, especially in
conjuction with the false nine’s movement. David Silva tends to remain slightly deeper in
the infield position playing reverse passes and through-balls, but coming into the box
late to finish crosses and passes and as such is more of an Advanced Playmaker, making
Andres Iniesta an Inside Forward. David Villa was missing for the Euro 2012 finals, but for
Spain clearly comes inside off the left flank to get into goalscoring positions, and is
clearly more suited to the role the Andres Iniesta is normally, however the latter has
adapted well to the demands of his new role for Spain.
Page
12

GK Iker Casillas Sweeper Keeper Defend
DR Alvaro Arbeloa Wing Back Automatic
DRC Gerard Pique Central Defender Defend
DLC Sergio Ramos Central Defender Defend
DL Jordi Alba Wing Back Automatic
DMRC Sergio Busquets Defensive Midfielder Defend
DMLC Xabi Alonso Deep-Lying Playmaker Support
MC Xavi Advanced Playmaker Support
AMR David Silva Advanced Playmaker Attack
AML Andres Iniesta Inside Forward Attack
STC Cesc Fabregas Deep-Lying Forward Support
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Balanced
Passing Shorter
Closing Down Press More
Tackling Default
Marking Zonal
Crossing Default
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13
Germany 2010-12
Manager – Joachim Low

Germany have impressed hugely

under Jogi Low’s management –
from their World Cup 2010
quick, counter-attacking style, to
their recent morphing into a
possession side.
Germany plays a higher line and

pressing game for possession.
The German’s have Khedira and
Schweinsteiger taking it in turns
to support Ozil in the centre of
the pitch in attack. Khedira has
more of an engine and mobility than Schweinsteiger who tends to pull the strings from a
tempo and passing perspective. Mario Gomez/Miroslav Klose tend to drift wide to open
up space for the wide attackers and Ozil to come in to, however they still get into
goalscoring positions of their own and are dangerous in their own right. Mesut Ozil has a
free role behind the strikers. Lastly the full backs again get forward to overlap. Particular
licence in the case of Lahm is noted, as we often see him cutting inside with the ball at his
feet from the left-back slot.

GK Manuel Neuer Goalkeeper Defend
DR Jerome Boateng Full Back Automatic
DRC Mats Hummels Central Defender Defend
DLC Holger Badstuber Central Defender Defend
DL Phillip Lahm Wing Back Automatic
DMRC Sami Khedira Defensive Midfielder Support
DMLC Bastian Schweinsteiger Deep-Lying Playmaker Support
AMR Thomas Muller Inside Forward Attack
AMC Mesut Ozil Trequartista Attack
AML Lukas Podolski Inside Forward Attack
STC Mario Gomez Complete Forward Support
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Fluid
Passing Shorter
Tackling Default
Marking Zonal
Crossing Default
Page
14
Bayer Leverkusen 2001-02
Manager – Klaus Toppmoller

(Written by Sibo373 @ TAS)
“The so-called ‘fans’ of football that claim

only Barcelona entertain them are the same
group of people that would find enjoyment
in baiting a lethargic, arthritic sloth.
Football is an expression of culture and
identity, and if that is found in a side
playing with an organised defence then
that is their right to play, and who would
begrudge a small team success if that
system brings it to them?”
-Tim Vickery
It may surprise some of you to think that I

am in complete agreement with Mr
Vickery on this issue, for me football is all
about the identity of a side and the way
they represent their values through their footballing culture. In the 2001/02 Bundesliga
season, Bayer Leverkusen combined the footballing cultures of their players into a highly
organized, effective, 4-1-4-1 formation. Revolutionary at the time, the holding midfielder
and lone striker are increasingly commonplace in football today and this is perhaps the
greatest legacy of the famous “Neverkusen” side that lost two finals and were beaten to
the Bundesliga title on the final day.
There are a few key things to note in the tactic; firstly, upfront Oliver Neuville played as
the lone striker, under 6’ 0” he proved that the lone striker role was not the preserve of
big men getting on the end of crosses. Instead, he used his pace and intelligence to pull
opposition centre backs out of position and create space for the aggressive Michael
Ballack to roam forward and eventually end up second in that season’s scoring charts.
In the other midfield positions, Yildiray Basturk was the perfect foil for Ballack’s attacking
prowess. Without being quite as defensive as Carsten Ramelow, a natural centre back,
he was an important link player, maintaining his position to keep the shape of the
midfield line and mop up loose passes behind Ballack, only to recycle the possession
forward to Ballack or Neuville.
Finally we look at Ramelow, who is the key to this strategy as a 4-1-4-1 rather than a 4-5-
1. It is clear here that he is playing between the two banks of four, rather than in either
midfield or defence. Having said that, as a natural centre back he was comfortable
dropping back into the back four, creating a back five in the defensive phase or allowing
the full-backs to roam forward if needs be. This position is somewhat different to the
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15
modern conception of a holding midfielder as Ramelow was not intended to disrupt the
opposition, but he allowed the defensive line to have extra cover if the opposition
exerted pressure in a particular area. Thus, opposition forwards were starved of
opportunities to break past the defensive line and reduced to shots from range, the most
famous example of which is Zinedine Zidane’s in the Champion’s League final,
unfortunately for Leverkusen the tactic did not pay off for that one as Zidane’s genius won
the day and the shot went in, but the theory itself is sound.
Now, I’ve explained the theory in real-life, let’s see how we apply it in FM: So, as you can
see here, it is much easier to see the way in which the formation works, as the lines used
in FM are much cleaner than they will ever be in real life. However, the biggest part of
this tactic has been to re-create the three key roles in the team. In order to do this I will
be focusing on the roles given to the STC, MCs and DMC. The back four and goalkeeper
have been left to defaults as, from my research, Leverkusen did not seem to expect
anything from the back four and goalkeeper that is not covered by the normal roles
given to them in FM.
So, let’s first look at the team instructions so you can have a look at how to set up the
squad before we look at the three positions that ensure this tactic was as effective as it
was:
As the main aim of the strategy is not to disrupt the amount of chances the opposition
creates but to minimize the quality of their chances, this tactic focuses on keeping the
team’s shape. Hence, we play a rigid, disciplined game with zonal marking. All of these
are designed to prevent the defensive players from moving out of positions and creating
gaps for the opposition to exploit, as you can see, the mix of a pressing game with a deep
defensive line would make this possible, so it is highly important to set those instructions
and ideally have defenders with good anticipation and concentration to prevent the
opposition from being able to pick your defence apart.Otherwise the only other key
aspect to note is the shorter passing, this is not a nod to tiki-taka or stylish football,
merely as Leverkusen found in 2001/02, the opposition cannot score when you have the
ball and a shorter passing game will encourage possession when you have the ball.
Now, onto some key player roles, refer yourself to the team screenshot again in order to
remind yourself of what I’m about to go through. So, the first key role, the STC position;
as I said in the intro, Neuville was the first real lone striker, to compensate for this he
often dropped deeper and attacked from deep with Ballack. In FM this has been shown
through the Deep-lying forward role. However, whilst a support duty would be more
accurate to how deep Neuville played, he was also a big attacking threat, so I would
recommend using an attack duty, especially with the lack of support that your STC will
receive from midfield in the game.
This leads me nicely onto the midfield roles. In Leverkusen’s famous side, the main
attacking thrust (even more than Neuville) was Michael Ballack. His role here is shown in
the box to box midfielder role. In FM this gives the MC license to come forward and
create attacks, but not to the extent of a Trequartista in the AMC position. However, this is
the role Ballack had, so would be an idea to change his individual player instructions to
give him more creative freedom and a more aggressive duty. This is not something I can
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16
recommend as you must decide what you are comfortable with, but if you wanted to stay
true to the Leverkusen tactic then you should move both sliders almost completely
across. However DO NOT be tempted to check “swap positions” with the STC as this
would require a striker that is unusually strong defensively which Neuville was not,
Ballack often overlapping him to striker before dropping back to the midfield. Other than
that the roles are rather obvious, the other MC acts as a pivot to keep the line and
provide passes to the other MC and the STC, whilst the wingers are not given winger
duties as this would be too aggressive and compromise the defensive nature of the tactic.
Now finally, the DMC and his duty; In Leverkusen’s tactic Ramelow played as the DMC,
despite being a natural centre back and this is something you should look to recreate. As
such, I believe he should be played as an anchor man, as this allows you to make use of a
player with similar physical stats to a centre back, which is the ideal for this position,
since Ramelow frequently dropped back into the back-line as I mentioned previously.
Whilst this is not really possible in FM, the anchor man role is very defensive and
combined with the team instructions he will remain between the lines to sweep up when
needed and otherwise he can contribute to the back line if pressure is being exerted in
one area by the opposition, which is roughly similar to Ramelow’s role with Leverkusen.
Anyway, I can see this article is rambling on a bit so I’ll leave it there, I hope this has
given you enough information to see a new system of play and I hope you have fun re-
creating one of the iconic tactics of this century. With a strong defence and revolutionary
attacking tactics Leverkusen almost made it to the top, can you take their tactic one step
further?

GK Hans-Jorg Butt Goalkeeper Defend
DR Zoltan Sebescen Full Back Automatic
DRC Boris Zikovic/Jens Nowotny Central Defender Defend
DLC Lucio Central Defender Defend
DL Diego Placente Full Back Automatic
DMC Carsten Ramelow Anchorman Defend
MR Bernd Schneider Wide Midfielder Support
MRC Yildiray Basturk Ball-Winning Midfielder Support
MLC Michael Ballack Box-to-Box Midfielder Support
ML Ze Roberto Wide Midfielder Support
STC Oliver Neuville Deep-Lying Forward Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Rigid
Passing Shorter
Tackling Default
Crossing Default
Roaming Default
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Counter-Attacking Style
Formation – 4-5-1
A counter-attacking style
requires quick movement off the
ball from defensive to offensive
phases of play. The idea is that
the team is capable of sitting
back to absorb periods of
pressure, before rapidly
transitioning into an attacking
phase. A counter-attacking does
not need a Deep-Lying
Playmaker, but it is a very easy
way of focusing direct forward
play. The attack requires quick
players to stretch play and run on to through-balls from deep. An organised midfield and
defence that retain a good shape affords the defensive stability that a counter-attacking
style requires to draw opponents on to them.
POSITION ROLE DUTY

GK Goalkeeper Defend
DR Full Back Automatic
DRC Central Defender Defend
DLC Central Defender Defend
DL Full Back Automatic
DMC Anchorman Defend
MRC Central Midfielder Attack
MLC Deep-Lying Support
Playmaker
AMR Winger Attack
AML Winger Attack
STC Poacher Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Rigid
Passing More Direct
Tackling Default
Roaming Default
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Possession Style
A possession based style of play

requires good off the ball
movement, a patient approach
and overlapping and movement
from the wide areas. The
defence has got to be capable of
retaining the ball at the back
and keeping it around the
backline, before spreading it to
the midfield positions.
The Trequartista in the hole

behind the frontline is capable
of moving and finding space,
whereas the Striker will drop deep or wide, vacating room for the wide forwards to make
diagonal runs into. If the Trequartista struggles for room, you can encourage your striker
to become a Complete Forward or an Advanced Forward instead so he moves solely into
channels and not deep. Similarly your Inside Forwards can become Wingers if you need
to stretch the opposition to gain space.
POSITION ROLE DUTY

GK Sweeper Keeper Defend
DR Wing Back Automatic
DLC Central Defender Defend
DL Wing Back Automatic
MRC Ball-Winning Midfielder Defend
MLC Deep-Lying Playmaker Support
AMR Inside Forward Attack
AMC Trequartista Attack
AML Inside Forward Attack
STC Deep-Lying Forward Support
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Balanced
Passing Shorter
Tackling Default
Roaming Roam from Position
Page
19
Disruptive/Hard Working
Style
Formation – 4-4-2
A disruptive style of play is

designed to unsettle the
opposition. The roles are
designed to suit aggressive
and physical players, with a
no-nonsense approach to
defending and winning the
ball. The football is not
aesthetically pleasing, and is
unlikely to win trophies, but is
more effective with lower/mid-
table sides looking to
consolidate or earn some consistency.
A disruptive style can quickly become a hard-working style given the right changes
though. If your defenders are capable enough on the ball, then Central Defender roles
are more appropriate, as they are more likely to pass to each other and retain the ball.
Similarly Wide-Midfielders are more likely to use their teamworking and fashion chances
as a unit. Moving from Aggressive tackling can be a start if you wish to begin developing
the team into a more attractive style.
POSITION ROLE DUTY

DR Full Back Support
DRC Limited Defender Defend
DLC Limited Defender Defend
DL Full Back Support
MR Wide Midfielder/Defensive Winger Attack
MRC Box-to-Box Midfielder Support
MLC Ball-Winning Midfielder Defend
ML Wide Midfielder/Defensive Winger Attack
STRC Target Man Support
STLC Poacher Attack
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Very Rigid
Passing More Direct
Tackling More Aggressive
Marking Man Marking
Crossing Default
Page
20
Attacking Style
Formation – 4-3-3
A general attacking style of

football requires a team to be
able to commit men in attack
with runs from midfield, and
provide through-balls and
crosses to forward players. The
overlapping wing backs
provide width, allowing the
central midfielders to push
forward in support of attacks.
The team has forwards
dropping deep to link with
build up play, and a forward
attempting to stretch the defensive line.
The attacking style of play can be made to fit many styles, but is traditionally associated
with a more free-flowing form, with good movement and pace. The attacking style can fit
many systems as well and is highly adaptable. Just remember you still have a defence
too. Consider using some of the combinations suggested at the end of this guide.
POSITION ROLE DUTY

DR Wing Back Automatic
DLC Ball-Playing Defender Defend
DL Wing Back Automatic
MRC Advanced Playmaker Attack
MC Central Midfielder Defend
MLC Box-to-Box Midfielder Support
STRC Deep-Lying Forward Support
STC Advanced Forward Attack
STLC Target Man Support
INSTRUCTIONS
Philosophy Fluid
Passing Default
Tackling Default
Marking Default
Page
21
Useful Combinations
Some team or player instructions/roles complement specific others very well in football,
so this page is designed to help you build a team from these combinations.
Central Defence
Stopper-Cover / Defend-Defend – in a straightforward pair, designating an aggressive

and a covering defender in a pair, or asking them to stay in line with each other. If you
are playing an offside trap, the Defend-Defend option will keep than line far better.
Stopper-Defend-Stopper – in a 3-man central backline setting the outside 2 defenders to

stopper roles allows the spare man to close down into the midfield, or wide into the
flanks, meaning the defence are not sitting ducks.
Defensive Set Up
If you want a tight backline, with little in the way of frills then consider a very basic, but
solid combination of Full Back (Support) – Central Defender (Defend) – Central Defender
(Defend) – Full Back (Support) to give adequate movement on the flanks, but a solid
defensive structure. If you do not want your central defenders to pass the ball out then
you can go for Limited Defenders.
If you want a creative defence, or want to launch a quick move on the break then
consider using Wing Backs or Ball-Playing Defenders.
Defensive Line & Goalkeeper
If you are playing a high defensive line then consider a Sweeper Keeper, as he can help
deal with balls over the top that catch out your defence. This can be especially useful if
your defenders are slow or your goalkeeper is quick. Be careful about using this role if
your Goalkeeper is slow!
If you are playing a deep, compact and organised defence, then play a standard
Goalkeeper, to ensure unnecessary adventures are kept to a minimum.
Flanks
Wing Back & Inside Forwards – encourages the wing back to overlap when the inside
forward comes inside, ensuring you still have the width to stretch your opponents.
Full Back & Winger – a more traditional method of setting up on the flanks, ensuring your
winger has support to combine with, and options for a safer pass if necessary. This suits
traditional wing-play.
If you are playing a wingerless formation, then ensure your full backs are on wing back
roles to offer the necessary width.
Page
22
Central Midfield
Central Midfield is the area providing most variation of all, allowing several different
combinations with vastly different results. The most balanced form for this to take is for a
Defend, Support & Attack role combination.
The best way of providing passing options between the 3 of them is to form a triangle
with 2 Central Midfielders, with either a Defensive Midfielder behind them, or an
Attacking Midfielder in front of them.
The midfield roles that are good at pressing are Ball-Winning Midfielders, Defensive
Midfielders & Box to Box Midfielders.
Roles designed for holding position are Anchorman & to a lesser extent the Deep-Lying
Playmaker, although he is capable enough of contributing to a team pressing game.
Playmakers
The Trequartista is an extremely creative player, with no defensive responsibility,

playing a very short passing game, suited to possession & creativity football. He is the
first priority playmaker.
The Deep-Lying Playmaker can play a purely sitting style, in front of the defence, or as a
supporting role within the midfield. He has an expansive passing style and suits a
counter-attacking style, or he can contribute to a possession-based game. He is second
priority playmaker.
The Advanced Playmaker has a reasonably expansive passing style, and gets forward to
dictate play in the final third. Can stifle the progress of a counter-attack, suits a
possession & creativity based game. He is third priority playmaker.
Strikers
If you are playing a pair of strikers up front, then ensure that 1 of them is dropping deep
to link up play. You can play a big-man little-man combination of Target Man (Support) &
Poacher or a creator-finisher combo of Deep-Lying Forward (Support) & Advanced
Forward instead.
If you are playing 3 strikers in central roles, then ensure your strikers are capable of
movement and link-up play. Consider selecting 2 support players and 1 attacking
player, or 1 support player and 2 attacking players.
If you are playing with a lone forward then consider his priority. If he is intended as a
goalscorer only (e.g. in a counter-attacking system) then use him as a Poacher,
Advanced Forward or Complete Forward (Attack), but if he is selected to link play and
hold the ball up, then select a support role or Trequartista role for him. Balanced roles
like Target Man (Attack) or Deep-Lying Forward (Attack) represent a compromise
between the 2 functions.
Page
23
Philosophy, Creative Freedom & Roaming
The more fluid the philosophy, the more freedom it naturally encourages your players. A
Fluid philosophy and more creative freedom go together well. They also link in well with
a player’s roaming instructions, allowing them to roam more in search of space.
A rigid style aims to restrict a team into a more disciplined way of playing and shape.
This works well when you ask your players to stick to position to keep this shape.
Pressing, Tackling & Marking
A team which presses heavily to pressurise opponents often tends to do this most
successfully in a man-marking system. A system based on pressurising and winning the
ball as such tends to naturally support an aggressive tackling tactic.
A team which sits back and likes to absorb pressure, whilst retaining shape does so best
by standing off in a zonal marking system, and furthermore encouraging players to
remain on their feet in the tackle ensures they keep their shape.
Passing Style
A possession game of football works better with players such as a Trequartista,

Advanced Playmaker, Central Defender – players who clearly have a short passing
range than their alternatives.
A counter-attacking game of football works excellently with a Deep-Lying Playmaker and

quick forwards designed to stretch the opposition defence. A direct passing style helps
with the quick transition required to pull off this style.
Page
24

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AN UNOFFICIAL FOOTBALL MANAGER GUIDE

FM TEAM & TACTICS

Real Life Teams

Universidad de Chile 2011 9

Athletic Bilbao 2012 11

Bayer Leverkusen 2001-02 15

Disruptive & Hard-Working 20

Central Midfield, Playmakers, Strikers 23

Philosophy, Creative Freedom & Roaming,

Manager – Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho’s arrived at

Mourinho is famous for his well

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Manager – Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger’s finest Arsenal

Arsenal’s side had a

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Manager – Josep Guardiola

Barcelona need little

Barcelona have the rampaging

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Manager – Otto Rehhagel

Greece caused arguably the

Greece’s success was down to

Katsouranis did a fairly defensive job in midfield, occasionally getting forward in

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Wigan Athletic 2012

Manager – Roberto Martinez

Wigan Athletic made a

The key factor in this was

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Universidad de Chile 2011

Manager – Jorge Sampaoli

Universidad de Chile won South

In a similar move to the Chilean

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Manager – David Moyes

David Moyes has spent 10 years

Moyes’ teams are hard working

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Athletic Bilbao 2012

Manager – Marcelo Bielsa

Athletic Bilbao blooded some

Bilbao traditionally play direct

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Manager – Vicente Del Bosque

Spain has won 2 consecutive

Spain play a religious pressing

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Manager – Joachim Low

Germany have impressed hugely

Germany plays a higher line and

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

Bayer Leverkusen 2001-02

Manager – Klaus Toppmoller

“The so-called ‘fans’ of football that claim

It may surprise some of you to think that I

POSITION PLAYER ROLE DUTY

POSITION ROLE DUTY

A possession based style of play

The Trequartista in the hole

POSITION ROLE DUTY

A disruptive style of play is

POSITION ROLE DUTY

FM Team & Tactics Guide

FM Team & Tactics Guide