Europa League semi-final (the low-block benchmark)
Low block + set-piece specialism + organised counters
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
4-2-3-1
Holds firm, then creates from set pieces and counters.
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)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)Holding Full-Back |
| DM (L)Defensive Midfielder | DM (L)Defensive Midfielder |
| DM (R)Central Midfielder | DM (R)Central Midfielder |
| AM (C)Central Midfielder | AM (C)Central Midfielder |
| AM (L)Wide Forward | AM (L)Tracking Winger |
| STTarget 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.
In possession: Target Forward
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionHold Up Ball: Yes
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: 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: 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: Central Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
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: 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.
This card models David Moyes’s West Ham in the 2021–22 Premier League. Their clearest trait: they pressed little, 20th of 20 for pressing intensity, and they kept a low line, 20th 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 3rd, tempo 12th, build-up 12th. In FM26 this becomes a 4-2-3-1, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Premier League 2021–22 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work