The club’s highest ever finish (6th) · a first Europa League qualification
Inviting the press to the extreme + short circulation + line-breaking vertical passes
Not enough votes yet (2) to rank — shown as New for now.
Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
3-2-5
One full-back drops between the centre-backs to make a three while the opposite wing-back pushes right up. The opponent is drawn into a tight area, then one line-breaking pass escapes it all at once.
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 |
| CB (L)Ball-Playing Centre-Back | CB (L)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (C)Ball-Playing Centre-Back | CB (C)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (R)Ball-Playing Centre-Back | CB (R)Covering Centre-Back |
| CM (deep)Deep Lying Playmaker | CM (deep)Defensive Midfielder |
| CM (high)Advanced Playmaker | CM (high)Central Midfielder |
| WB (L)Wing-Back | WB (L)Holding Wing-Back |
| AM (L)Inside Forward | AM (L)Winger |
| STFalse Nine | STCentre-Forward |
| AM (R)Winger | AM (R)Tracking Winger |
| WB (R)Inside Wing-Back | WB (R)Wing-Back |
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.
Ball-Playing Centre-Back in possession, covering centre-back out of it — composure to keep passing under pressure is the only measure
Required
Preferred
A centre-back with low Composure turns one press into a turnover and a goal conceded
Weights: Composure×3, Passing×3, Decisions×2
Deep-Lying and Advanced Playmaker in possession — escaping the press in tight spaces is the key
Required
Preferred
Weights: First Touch×3, Decisions×3, Passing×2
Inside Forward / Winger in possession — receives the vertical pass in the half-space and finishes
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.
In possession: Wing-Back · Out of possession: Wing-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Gets Further ForwardStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: False Nine · Out of possession: Centre-Forward
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionFreedom of Movement: Roam From Position
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Inside Wing-Back · Out of possession: Wing-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
In possessionHolds PositionMoves Inside to DM
Out of possessionGets Further ForwardStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
This is a well-founded starting point — the FM match engine is a separate system, so real match performance is not guaranteed.
Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi in the 2022–23 Premier League are the template for this card. Their clearest trait: they played at a high tempo (1st of 20), and they kept a low line, 18th of 20. Expect the settings below to favour quick passing and fast transitions. On the other axes they ranked: build-up 3rd, pressing intensity 6th, width 8th. In FM26 this becomes a 3-2-5, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Premier League 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