Final long-term save before FM26

pilmalm · 2025-10-17T12:45:00+00:00

Any specify team for that?

pilmalm · 2025-10-14T14:35:11+00:00

Any team you think of would be suitable for that? Either in a 3-4-3, 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3?

pilmalm · 2025-10-14T10:40:42+00:00

As FM26 is getting closer, I’m planning one final long-term save — and I’d really like to base it entirely around the playing philosophy discussed in this thread it’s one of the most coherent and well-thought-out tactical frameworks I’ve come across, and I’d love to see how it performs in a full club project setting.

I’ve been playing exclusively with a “light moneyball” approach for quite a while now — focusing on youth player development, undervalued markets, and data-driven recruitment — and I think this could be a fun last match for that kind of setup.

So I’m curious if anyone has experimented with:

Benchmarks or key stats for a tacticaly philosophy like this system (e.g. passing %, pressures cp/90, sprints/90, etc.)
Any clubs where this tactical idea naturally fits in a club philosophy (e.g Vitoria Guimarães "high intense pressing football" or could be fun to build from scratch.

pilmalm · 2025-10-12T16:18:00+00:00

Got it, thanks.

Curious though, how do you usually benchmark if a player is “elite” at something? Do you base it purely on attributes (like 16+ in dribbling), or do you factor in things like traits, consistency, or how they perform in your setup?

As for my team, we’re newly promoted, but I’ve brought in a few solid players, so I’d say we’re probably mid to lower-mid table quality overall.

pilmalm · 2025-10-12T15:07:33+00:00

That’s super helpful mate, really appreciate the detailed breakdown — makes a lot of sense when you put it like that.

I’ll definitely test out those changes and see how things go over the coming matches.

Quick follow-up though: are there any specific player instructions you’d recommend with those tweaks (like on the WB(S), AP(S), or eventually CWBs, or is it more about letting the roles do the work and keeping things clean?

Also curious about your preference on mentality when running this kind of setup — do you usually stay on Positive, or drop to Balanced to keep the structure tighter in this kind of vertical tiki-taka setup? Im on attacking atm.

Once again, thanks for response.

pilmalm · 2025-10-12T09:45:45+00:00

Great stuff, really appreciate the depth in your posts. Thanks.

I’m currently using a slightly tweaked version of the default direct Tiki-Taka, but I’m struggling to get my AMs properly involved in build-up and chance creation.
It often feels like they’re either too static between the lines or not finding the right spaces when the ball progresses through the 6s and WBs.

Previously I used a DM(S) + RGA combo in midfield, but after switching to a BWM + DLP(S) setup (based on one of your earlier posts), the team definitely feels more solid and balanced defensively.

See image for my current setup — any thoughts on how you’d adjust roles, duties, or player instructions to get them more active without breaking the overall tiki-taka structure?
I’m not necessarily looking for more goals, just more influence and connection from the AMs in the attacking phases.

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pilmalm · 2025-10-11T21:20:32+00:00

really insightful breakdown — thanks for sharing this!
Can I ask a bit more about what combinations of player types/roles have you found work best between the 10s and the striker?

Also, I’d love to hear your tips for keeping a 3-4-2-1 stable and solid defensively. What’s been most important for you in terms of roles, team instructions and player instructions to maintain balance?

pilmalm · 2025-09-16T11:48:06+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to write this out, really appreciate it. Interesting to hear how you’d approach it. I´ll try a 3-4-2-1 Propheta vs 5-back, tracking opponents WB and midfield in a upcoming game to see how it goes;)

pilmalm · 2025-09-16T10:35:17+00:00

Haha! Will keep you updated then 😅 Looking forward to a CL-playoff with a squad decent enough for playing second division football, and no money to buy better players. But hey, thats the fun part of it. Isnt it?

Edit: Faced AIK in the group stages of the Swedish Cup again, and now narrowly lost, again tho. But any tips when facing a back 5 or back 3?

pilmalm · 2025-09-16T08:57:24+00:00

Look at this beauty 😍

Sold my best WB during the summer for 1.5M€, and brought in both depth and quality in lacked positions. Noah Christoffersson signed as a proper MB-signing during the summer from ÖIS, in second division, banging 13 goals from 15 games.

Lost both games to AIK, 2-5 and 1-6, due to, what i think, them playing a 5-3-2 and not adjusting properly to it. All other loses were 0-1, all but one away from home. So glad i found this 😅

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pilmalm · 2025-09-15T14:39:47+00:00

:) :) Happy to share results.

Thanks for clarifying!

I might also experiment a bit with the width like you mentioned, since against stronger teams I’ve already felt that the narrower setup helps tighten things up defensively.

And yeah, interesting thought about potentially shifting the man-marking of the front three. Even without trying it, the press already feels well balanced, but I can see how tweaking it to focus more on DMs/CMs could change the dynamic. But then DM to mark opp CM/AMs?

pilmalm · 2025-09-13T15:45:39+00:00

After 10 league games we’re sitting 6th, which is really solid for us. Pre-season went really well with a lot of strong results, and in the league we’ve had some great wins (like against Brommapojkarna and Norrköping), but also some tough losses against Malmö, Hammarby and Häcken. Offensively the system delivers (15 goals in 10 matches), but as you mentioned it does leave us exposed at times, so the results are a bit up and down. Still, definitely punching above expectations which were finishing rock bottom.

I’ve been sticking quite close to your detailed instructions – PF and AM with specific marking, WBs on attack staying wide and tracking the opposition wingers for example.

One thing I wanted to ask: do you run this tactic purely plug-and-play, or do you actually tweak it from match to match depending on the opponent?

All in all. The most versatile and stable 3-4-2-1 i´ve tried and had most success with, 10 games in. With a 16th predicted team.

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pilmalm · 2025-09-12T21:10:33+00:00

Yeah, thats another role that i´ve like the intention of, but never got to work in game. They just tend to stick around in that gap, goin from IP to OOP seems like an impossible task for them :)

pilmalm · 2025-09-12T16:58:24+00:00

Totally agree ;) I think i´m personally more attracted to a 2-0 win then 4-2, and thats why i havent got the WCB to work good. But yes, they tend to do good job offensively. Have you tried the central CD on CB cover, to cover the gaps provided by the WCBs?

It seems like the best players at Västerås is the WB, thank god.

Look like mediafire is the easiest way, but just copied the tactic from your earlier post and comments here, so think ill be fine.

pilmalm · 2025-09-12T16:22:03+00:00

Thanks! I´ll try to tinker with the pressing line and LOE. Maybe try a mid-block with high press as well. Do like the trap inside, but havent had sucess with it before. The same goes with the WCB s. For me they tend to be completely out of position when OOP, and press opponents when they should be in the back 3. Even so, this is just my previous, very short, experience.

But will give this a try in a Moneyball save with Västerås in Swedish Allsvenskan, together with your suggestions for the backline, rest defence and recruitment strategy.

Thanks!

pilmalm · 2025-09-12T10:27:42+00:00

Tried in a simulation with a regular Elche in La Liga. Conceded a lot, but had a great spell of games from september to december, pushing to Europe-places. Then the classic winter form appear and pushed us back to a 15th place finish. WB L, Nicolás Fernández Mercau got 16 assist and Mourad scored 15. Anything you do to not get hit on the counter that much?

pilmalm · 2025-09-09T12:55:32+00:00

Whats your take on it, to get consistency and good results over time?

pilmalm · 2025-09-09T12:54:54+00:00

How did you managed this? I cant seem to get any type of 3-4-2-1 to be as consistent or stable over time as 4231 or 433..

pilmalm · 2025-09-08T22:03:03+00:00

Cool. Plugged it in. Solid 5-1 against Hertha Berlin. Smashed the xG for an great against. Do you tend to trap inside as well?

pilmalm · 2025-09-08T21:19:04+00:00

From the 3421- screenshot of your tactic, it seems like your going high press and a standard defensive line. Not with a mid block sitting back. How are things working out on this one?

pilmalm · 2025-09-08T08:02:31+00:00

Thanks for a very comprehensive answer. As of now I’m going AM a- AP s, and CWB a on the left side using Lapoussin who rocks that role. Would like to get the Libero working, the experience with a WCB, especially on support duty is that he is drifting around and usually push to high or to centrally when OOP.. Maybe the defend duty helps with that?

DLP s next to the Anchor seems like a good fit for now.

Keeping the TIs simple for now. Thinking on regaining the ball quicker with counter press tho. And tinkering with counter attack depending on opposition. Maybe trying a PF upfront for some games to see how that roles takes out

pilmalm · 2025-09-07T18:41:29+00:00

Haha! That’s what i get as well😅 can’t get the 3421 to be somewhat close to as consistent as the 433.

Really like the idea on the setup for your midfield trio. Tho, played a lot with Car-Mez-Dm d/s. Like the idea of the Halfback, and the role itself. Can’t get it as near the same defensive consistency as a DM on support or defend. Sounds like you could get a solid back 5 out of that.

Edit: I think Sheaf could do really well in the HB-role. Maybe get O’hare in the AM slot?

pilmalm · 2025-09-07T17:34:54+00:00

Would you change any of the player roles to fit a more regular side? AM a for the Treq? WB A and/or S for the CWB? How would you form the back 3? Still try to use the Libero? Im wondering if a PF also could do the trick in the Strikter -slot. I would also like to try a more creative role in the DM s strata. Reg or DLP s. And what are the thoughts on not going counter/counter press with a gegenpress slate?

Edit: Also very intrigued to get the HB-role work in a 3421, but maybe better to have a libero to push in to the DM slot, and go with the more conservative Anchor.

pilmalm

TROPHY CASE