Alright, let's dive into this week's tactic! I'm always trying to bring you something fresh, something you can adapt and make your own. This week, we're going with a 4-1-2-1-2 narrow, a formation that's been getting some love from the Discord crew. So, let's get into it!
Build-Up Play and Defensive Setup
Starting with the build-up, we're going with Balanced and a 70 Line Height. I've been pretty consistent with this setup this year. I might try short passing in the future, but for now, we're sticking with balance and a high defensive depth. High defensive depth, high reward, high risk – that's what I like when we're playing FC25 post-update.
Now, let's talk player roles.
- Left Back and Right Back: As always, we've got Fullbacks on Balanced.
- Center Backs: We're using False Back on Defend. I absolutely love having two CDMs, so I need to kind of make two CDMs because obviously the formation is a default with one.
- CDM: We're going with Deep Line Playmaker on Defend. This is crucial. I want that false back to defend, so I have that backup in the middle of the pitch. It means that when I've got two highly aggressive playmakers in my center mid roles, I've actually got some defensive stability. And of course, it gives that option in possession to go back, recycle the ball, and wait for a much better attacking opening.
Attacking Midfield and Forwards
Now, for the fun part! I've made no allowances, no hidden agenda for the center midfielders. I'm absolutely in love with them.
- Center Midfielders: Playmaker Attack. I love the positions they take, those forward runs, getting them in the box for that one extra pass. I think it's just absolutely brilliant, and I've really enjoyed playing this way. The whole point of this tactic is to score lots of goals.
- CAM: Balanced. I tried Shadow Striker, I tried Playmaker on build-up, I tried roaming, but balanced I really like. I just think it's a really consistent position that the playmaker and the CAM takes up, and then it allows you just to link up everything but also get in the box and score lots of goals.
- Advanced Forwards: Both on Complete. This is key. It means a couple of things: one, there's going to be space for the CAM to actually attack the box. Two, it means that when we do have a congested box, we have playmakers joining there, and all sorts of things. It means that they sometimes just go a little bit wider, and that can be really important in not having too congested of a penalty box, in making sure that we are actually finding good options. It means that you don't have so many players in a central area where then the opponent can run around with a CDM, or you've got lots of players near their center backs. It means that a striker might drift next to a fullback, and it just spreads the defensive back line that you're playing against a little bit wider.
Gameplay and Strategy
This tactic is designed to be more direct. You can still have the build-up, but the great thing about it is you've got effectively these five players – the center mids, the CAM, and the two strikers – getting into really good attacking positions early. That's what I absolutely love about it.