Champions League winners
Mid block + one-v-one overloads down the left + fast counter transitions
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Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
4-3-3
The left-back pushes on like a wing-back to overload that side while the right-back holds to protect the midfield. The two central midfielders split the half-spaces and the channels between them.
Identity
Shows where the same player moves to between in- and out-of-possession phases.
| In possession | Out of possession |
|---|---|
| GKBall-Playing Goalkeeper | GKSweeper Keeper |
| FB (L)Wing-Back | FB (L)Holding Full-Back |
| CB (L)Ball-Playing Centre-Back | CB (L)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (R)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (R)Covering Centre-Back |
| FB (R)Full-Back | FB (R)Full-Back |
| DMDefensive Midfielder | DMDefensive Midfielder |
| CM (L)Advanced Playmaker | CM (L)Central Midfielder |
| CM (R)Channel Midfielder | CM (R)Central Midfielder |
| AM (L)Inside Forward | AM (L)Inside Outlet Winger |
| STPoacher | STCentre-Forward |
| AM (R)Winger | AM (R)Winger |
Amber badges are the identity-defining instructions. We only set a value where the data gives a clear signal; where it does not, the FM default is left in place and shown faded — those are yours to adjust. Click an item to check it off.
In Possession
Out of Possession
FM26 handles one in-possession shape, one out-of-possession shape, and the switch between them. The items below fall outside that — this card carries only what the game can take.
Not an appearance ranking — these players embodied the system’s roles.
Tap a position on the pitch and the attributes that spot needs appear right there.
The first position to sign — Inside Forward in possession, an inside-tucking winger out of it
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionDribbling Direction: Cut Inside With BallAttacking Width: Sit Narrower
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
A right-footed player suits the left side — cutting inside to shoot becomes the natural movement
Without Work Rate the gap to the defensive line opens up inside the mid block
Weights: Technique×3, Acceleration×3, Pace×2, Flair×2, Agility×2
A standard Winger in both phases — does not need the explosiveness of the left side; linking and recovering matter more
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
Weights: Technique×3, Crossing×2, Work Rate×2, Pace×2
Covering the space behind in transition is this system’s biggest weakness — a standard Defensive Midfielder in both phases
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take Fewer Risks
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
Decisions and escaping pressure come before Tackling and Strength. Pace around 13 is enough
Weights: Decisions×3, Positioning×3, Composure×3, Passing×2
Advanced Playmaker in possession — feeds the overload on the left from tight spaces
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take More Risks
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
Wing-Back in possession, dropping into the defensive line out of it — has to time his runs so he does not occupy the same space as the inside forward
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
In possessionGets Further ForwardStays Wide
Out of possessionHolds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: Ball-Playing Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Sweeper Keeper
Required
Preferred
In possession: Ball-Playing Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take More Risks
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Full-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Holds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: Channel Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Move Into Channels
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Poacher · Out of possession: Centre-Forward
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionShooting: Shoot More Often
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
This is a well-founded starting point — the FM match engine is a separate system, so real match performance is not guaranteed.
Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2022–23 La Liga are the template for this card. Their clearest trait: they played at a high tempo (1st of 20), and they built up heavily from the back (2nd of 20). Expect the settings below to favour quick passing and fast transitions. On the other axes they ranked: defensive line 18th, width 17th, pressing intensity 5th. In FM26 this becomes a 4-3-3, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the La Liga 2022–23 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work