Roberto De Zerbi

/Marseille 2024-25

Ligue 1 runners-up

The same invite-the-press build-up as at Brighton, applied to a different squad

Source: FBref / Sports Reference

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Style vector

Pressing IntensityHigh

Ranked 16th per game, 2nd out of possession (fouls: 12 · tackles: 15 · interceptions: ranked 15th)

Defensive LineVery High

2.7 opponent offsides per game, ranked 1st in the league

TempoHigh

14.2 shots per game, ranked 5th in the league

WidthModerate

17.9 crosses per game, ranked 7th in the league

Build-UpVery Short

63.3% possession, ranked 2nd in the league

Further notesWritten by hand — not compared against the league

Build-Up MethodShort

Not as extreme as at Brighton — adjusted to suit the squad

Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay

3-2-5

The same structural principles as at Brighton, with the details tuned to the Marseille squad.

MentalityPositive to AttackingBased on: Defensive Line Very High · Pressing Intensity High

StyleClosest to Vertical Tiki-TakaSet the instructions below by hand instead — picking this overwrites them with the preset's values · Based on: Passing Directness Shorter Passing · Defensive Line Very High · Tempo High

Line of EngagementMid BlockDiagram block: Mid Block

Style axesPressing Intensity High · Defensive Line Very High · Tempo High · Width Moderate · Build-Up Very Short

In possessionPassing Directness Shorter Passing · Tempo Lower

Overlay with another manager

Identity

·The same structural principle as Brighton — three centre-backs inviting the press with short passes
·Not as extreme an invitation as at Brighton, because the squad is not as technical

Position mapping

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

Team instructions

Most important first. Switch to in-game order when you copy it across.

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

Things FM's tactic settings cannot express

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.

Chained rotations within a phase — Switching between the two shapes exists, but there is no setting for players swapping positions with each other depending on where the ball is.
Ball-position triggers — Conditional movement like "the right wing-back tucks in only when the ball is on the left" cannot be set.
Player-to-player rules — Roles are set per player and cannot reference each other — "when A pushes up, B covers" is not expressible.
Automatic changes by time or score — In-match tactical changes are manual; there is no way to pre-set a condition.

Players who defined this system

Not an appearance ranking — these players embodied the system’s roles.

Mason GreenwoodFinishing by cutting inside from wide
Adrien RabiotThe midfielder who carries the play on after the press has been invited
Pierre-Emerick AubameyangFinishing up front

Attribute profiles

Tap a position on the pitch and the attributes that spot needs appear right there.

Build-Up Back Three

Top priority

Ball-Playing Centre-Back in possession — the same demands as at Brighton, eased a little for the league and the squad

Required

Passing 14+Composure 15+

In possession: Winger · Out of possession: Tracking Winger

Required

Technique 14+Crossing 13+Stamina 14+Tackling 11+

Preferred

Pace 13+

Common approach (reference only)

In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider

Out of possessionTrigger Press: More Often

A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.

WB R Inside Wing-Back

In possession: Inside Wing-Back · Out of possession: Wing-Back

Required

Passing 13+Decisions 13+Stamina 14+Crossing 13+

Preferred

Vision 12+Pace 13+

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.

Roberto De Zerbi

Style vector

Further notesWritten by hand — not compared against the league

Position mapping

Team instructions

Players who defined this system

Attribute profiles

Build-Up Back Three

MID LOW Deep Lying Playmaker

MID HIGH Advanced Playmaker

WB L Wing-Back

AM L Inside Forward

ST False Nine

AM R Winger

WB R Inside Wing-Back

About this card