2nd in the league (up from 17th the season before)
Pragmatic mid block + fast counters — the blueprint for the 2020-21 title season
Not enough votes yet (0) to rank — shown as New for now.
Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
4-3-3
The season a relegation-threatened squad was rebuilt around organisation — the skeleton of the later title win starts here.
Identity
Shows where the same player moves to between in- and out-of-possession phases.
| In possession | Out of possession |
|---|---|
| GKNo Nonsense Goalkeeper | GKLine-Holding Keeper |
| FB (L)Full-Back | FB (L)Full-Back |
| CB (L)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (L)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (R)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (R)Covering Centre-Back |
| FB (R)Wing-Back | FB (R)Holding Full-Back |
| DMDefensive Midfielder | DMDefensive Midfielder |
| CM (L)Central Midfielder | CM (L)Central Midfielder |
| CM (R)Channel Midfielder | CM (R)Central Midfielder |
| AM (L)Wide Forward | AM (L)Tracking Winger |
| STChannel Forward | STCentre-Forward |
| AM (R)Inside Forward | 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.
A defensive-midfield role in and out of possession
Required
Preferred
In possession: No Nonsense Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Line-Holding Keeper
Required
Preferred
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: 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: 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: Wing-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
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: Defensive Midfielder · Out of possession: Defensive Midfielder
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.
In possession: Central Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
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: Wide Forward · Out of possession: Tracking Winger
Required
Preferred
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.
In possession: Channel Forward · Out of possession: Centre-Forward
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: Inside Forward · Out of possession: Winger
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.
This is a well-founded starting point — the FM match engine is a separate system, so real match performance is not guaranteed.
Lille under Christophe Galtier in the 2018–19 Ligue 1 are the template for this card. They finished 2nd. Their clearest trait: they sat off the ball more than most (19th of 20 for pressing), and they held a high defensive line (2nd of 20). The settings below let the team drop off and protect space instead of chasing the ball. On the other axes they ranked: width 19th, build-up 6th, tempo 8th. In FM26 this becomes a 4-3-3, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Ligue 1 2018–19 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work