Bundesliga champions
Possession football, dialled back and made more pragmatic than his predecessor’s
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Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
4-2-3-1
Above a steady double pivot, both wingers cut inside to create the shooting chances.
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)Wing-Back | FB (L)Holding 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)Full-Back | FB (R)Full-Back |
| DM (L)Defensive Midfielder | DM (L)Defensive Midfielder |
| DM (R)Central Midfielder | DM (R)Central Midfielder |
| AM (C)Advanced Playmaker | AM (C)Central Midfielder |
| AM (L)Inside Forward | AM (L)Tracking Winger |
| STPoacher | STCentre-Forward |
| AM (R)Inside Forward | AM (R)Tracking 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.
Inside Forward in possession — individual finishing is the only measure
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionDribbling Direction: Cut Inside With BallAttacking Width: Sit Narrower
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: No Nonsense Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Line-Holding Keeper
Required
Preferred
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: 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: 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: 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: Advanced Playmaker · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
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.
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.
Bayern Munich under Niko Kovač in the 2018–19 Bundesliga are the template for this card. Their clearest trait: they played at a high tempo (1st of 18), and they stretched the pitch wide (1st of 18 for width). Expect the settings below to favour quick passing and fast transitions. On the other axes they ranked: build-up 1st, pressing intensity 6th, defensive line 13th. In FM26 this becomes a 4-2-3-1, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Bundesliga 2018–19 field of 18 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work