How to DESTROY All The Popular Formations in FM23! (Works For FM24)

Summary

In this video, the focus is on understanding and exploiting the strengths and weaknesses of common football formations, especially the 4-2-3-1 and 3-center-back setups. The script delves into how formations can impact gameplay, with tactical insights for breaking down solid defensive lines, including utilizing wingbacks' vulnerabilities, exploiting wide areas, and applying high-pressure counter-attacks. It offers practical strategies, such as setting up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, to disrupt defensive structures and create scoring opportunities. The video provides actionable tips on how to adapt and counter various tactical setups in Football Manager 23.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Understanding Formation Strengths**: To beat any formation, first understand its key strengths, such as possession control, defensive solidity, or attacking versatility, as this helps you plan your counter-tactics effectively.
• 😀 **Targeting Formation Weaknesses**: Every formation has weaknesses; for example, 4-3-3 struggles with wide areas, and 3-center-back systems can be vulnerable if the wingbacks are overworked.
• 😀 **Wide Play Is Key**: Formations with narrow structures, like the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, often leave wide areas exposed. Exploit this by focusing attacks on the flanks, using wide players to break through.
• 😀 **Pressing High Against 4-2-3-1**: Against a 4-2-3-1, pressing high can disrupt their build-up, particularly targeting the attacking midfielder and wide players to force mistakes.
• 😀 **Counter-Attacks Are Effective Against Deep Defenses**: When facing a formation that drops deep, like 5-man defenses or 3-center-back setups, quick counter-attacks are an effective way to exploit the space left behind.
• 😀 **Overloading the Midfield**: A 4-2-3-1’s central midfield can be overwhelmed if the opponent can match or overload the midfield area. Use a formation like 4-3-3 to control central spaces.
• 😀 **Weak Wingbacks = Opportunity**: If an opponent’s wingbacks aren’t of high quality or stamina, they become a key target. Use players with pace and crossing ability to exploit these gaps.
• 😀 **Flexible Wing Play in 3-Center-Back Systems**: In a 3-center-back system, wingbacks are crucial but prone to fatigue. Focus on exploiting the space they leave behind through wide attacks or quick switches.
• 😀 **Disrupting Defensive Lines**: Targeting and disrupting the central defensive line of a 3-center-back formation can create chaos, leading to positional mistakes and opportunities for strikers.
• 😀 **Dynamic Attacking Approaches**: Depending on the opponent's wingback quality, adjust your tactics to either press them, exploit wide areas, or dominate central spaces through tactical overloads.
• 😀 **Adjusting for Opponent Formation Changes**: If the opponent switches formations during a game, adjust your tactics accordingly. For example, change the focus of your attack from one wing to the other or shift your press intensity.

Q & A

What is the main advantage of a 4-2-3-1 formation in football?

The 4-2-3-1 formation provides a solid defensive structure in the middle with two defensive midfielders and a strong central defense. It also allows for flexible attacking play, with wingers and an attacking midfielder supporting the lone striker.

How can a team exploit the narrowness of a 4-2-3-1 formation?

By spreading the play wide, a team can stretch the opposition's defensive line. This forces the central defense to cover more ground, creating space for attacking players to exploit.

What is the key to effectively breaking down a 4-2-3-1 formation?

The key is to use wide play and high pressing to disrupt the formation. Forcing the opposition's wingbacks and central midfielders to make mistakes or lose possession in advanced areas opens up attacking opportunities.

Why is the 3-center-back formation difficult to break down?

The 3-center-back formation offers central defensive dominance, with three defenders covering the middle. The wingbacks provide additional support, creating a five-man defensive wall that makes it hard for opponents to find space.

What are the weaknesses of a 3-center-back formation?

The main weaknesses include vulnerable wide areas, as the wingbacks may struggle to cover both defense and attack effectively. Additionally, the communication between center-backs can be disrupted, creating gaps that can be exploited.

How can a team exploit weak wingbacks in a 3-center-back formation?

If a team identifies a weak or underperforming wingback, they can focus their attacking play on that side, pressing the wingback and exploiting any defensive lapses. This is especially effective when the wingback is unable to support both defense and attack.

What tactical adjustments can be made if the opposition’s wingbacks are strong in a 3-center-back formation?

If the opposition’s wingbacks are strong, the team can focus on a direct wide counter-attack, using a 4-3-3 or similar setup. This tactic exploits the space on the wings while absorbing pressure with a low block, allowing for quick transitions.

What is the advantage of using a 4-3-3 formation against a 3-center-back system?

The 4-3-3 formation allows a team to absorb pressure in a low block and then execute a fast counter-attack, utilizing the wide spaces left by the opposition's wingbacks. This strategy can break down the defensive line by overloading the wide areas.

What is the purpose of using a 5-2-3 formation against a 3-center-back defense?

The 5-2-3 formation focuses on pressing the 3-center-back defense aggressively, using a solid seven-man defensive setup to nullify much of the opposition's threat. The team then transitions quickly to attack, using the wingbacks and forwards to apply constant pressure.

How can a 5-2-3 formation disrupt the opposition’s defensive line?

In a 5-2-3 formation, the team puts pressure on the central defenders by using target forwards to win aerial duels and force positional mistakes. The wingbacks and advanced forwards join in quickly, keeping the pressure high and capitalizing on any defensive errors.