Stefano Pioli

/AC Milan 2020-22

Serie A champions (2022) · runners-up (2021)

Mid block + fast switches + organised balance

Source: FBref / Sports Reference

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Style vector

Pressing IntensityModerate

Pressing dialled up or down to suit the situation

DirectnessModerate to High

Fast progression using the flanks

Reliance on IndividualsModerate

Ibrahimović’s link-up play alongside the pace of the younger players

TempoModerate

Plays it safe by default and only raises the speed in transition

WidthWide

Stretches the flanks to pull the defence apart, then attacks the gaps

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

4-2-3-1

The double pivot holds firm while the wide players move it forward quickly into the striker.

MentalityBalancedBased on: Pressing Intensity Moderate — only one axis, so treat it as a rough guide

StyleClosest to Wing PlaySet the instructions below by hand instead — picking this overwrites them with the preset's values · Based on: Width Wide · Directness Moderate to High

Line of EngagementMid BlockDiagram block: Mid Block

Style axesPressing Intensity Moderate · Directness Moderate to High · Reliance on Individuals Moderate · Tempo Moderate · Width Wide — no Defensive Line

In possessionPassing Directness More Direct · Tempo Higher · Attacking Width Wider · Creative Freedom Balanced

Overlay with another manager

Identity

·The striker’s link-up play is what opens the runs for the young wide players
·The fast switches only work while the double pivot keeps its balance

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
FB (L)Wing-Back	FB (L)Holding Full-Back
CB (L)No-Nonsense Centre-Back	CB (L)Centre-Back
CB (R)No-Nonsense Centre-Back	CB (R)Centre-Back
FB (R)Full-Back	FB (R)Full-Back
DM (L)Defensive Midfielder	DM (L)Defensive Midfielder
DM (R)Box To Box Midfielder	DM (R)Central Midfielder
AM (C)Advanced Playmaker	AM (C)Central Midfielder
AM (L)Inside Forward	AM (L)Tracking Winger
STDeep Lying Forward	STCentre-Forward
AM (R)Wide Forward	AM (R)Winger

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.

Rafael LeãoTurning the game over quickly down the left
Theo HernándezA left-back who is also an attacking body
Sandro TonaliWinning the ball in front of the mid block, and carrying it on

Attribute profiles

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

Link-Up Target Forward

Top priority

Deep Lying Forward in possession — receiving with his back to goal and linking is the key skill

Required

Off the Ball 15+First Touch 14+

Preferred

Passing 13+

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.

GK Ball-Playing Goalkeeper

In possession: Ball-Playing Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Sweeper Keeper

Required

Technique 14+Passing 13+Pace 13+Positioning 14+

Preferred

Decisions 13+Marking 12+

FB L Wing-Back

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

Required

Stamina 14+Crossing 13+Tackling 13+Positioning 13+

Preferred

Pace 13+Stamina 12+

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.

CB L No-Nonsense Centre-Back

In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Centre-Back

Required

Tackling 13+Positioning 13+Strength 12+

In possession: Inside Forward · Out of possession: Tracking Winger

Required

Technique 14+Finishing 13+Stamina 14+Tackling 11+

Preferred

Off the Ball 13+Pace 13+

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.

AM R Wide Forward

In possession: Wide Forward · Out of possession: Winger

Required

Pace 14+Crossing 13+Technique 14+

Preferred

Technique 12+Pace 13+

Common approach (reference only)

In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider

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.