Diego Simeone

/Atlético Madrid 2013~

Two La Liga titles · two Champions League finals

Low block + a compact 4-4-2 + direct counters

Source: FBref / Sports Reference

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Style vector

Pressing IntensityLow

Compacting the block comes before pressing high

Pressing Start PositionLow

Drops into its own half to form the block

Defensive LineLow

Shuts off the space in behind at source

DirectnessVery High

Goes forward by the shortest route the instant the ball is won

Transition Speed After Winning PossessionFast

Counter transitions are the main route to goal

Reliance on IndividualsLow

The organised block comes above everything

TempoLow

Waits for the chance without hurrying, and does not give the ball away forcing the play

WidthNarrow

Squeezes the middle to close the running lanes first

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

4-4-2

Circulates safely in its own half, then plays the shortest ball into the front two the moment a chance appears. The wide midfielders stay narrow to keep the middle dense.

MentalityDefensive to CautiousBased on: Defensive Line Low · Pressing Intensity Low

StyleClosest to Direct Counter-AttackSet the instructions below by hand instead — picking this overwrites them with the preset's values · Based on: Attacking Transition Counter · Pressing Intensity Low · Defensive Line Low · Directness Very High

Line of EngagementLow BlockDiagram block: Low Block

Style axesPressing Intensity Low · Pressing Start Position Low · Defensive Line Low · Directness Very High · Transition Speed After Winning Possession Fast · Reliance on Individuals Low · Tempo Low · Width Narrow

In possessionPassing Directness More Direct · Attacking Transition Counter · Tempo Lower · Attacking Width Narrower · Creative Freedom Be More Disciplined

Overlay with another manager

Identity

·Keeping the two banks of four tight is the first priority — let the gap open and the low block means nothing
·The full-backs join the attack as little as possible — the moment they go, the counter is on
·One of the front two has to drop in to link, or the attack is isolated

Position mapping

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
CM (L)Wide Midfielder	CM (L)Tracking Wide Midfielder
CM (C)Defensive Midfielder	CM (C)Defensive Midfielder
CM (C)Channel Midfielder	CM (C)Central Midfielder
CM (R)Wide Midfielder	CM (R)Tracking Wide Midfielder
ST 1Deep Lying Forward	ST 1Tracking Centre-Forward
ST 2Poacher	ST 2Centre-Forward

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.

Antoine GriezmannThe one of the front two who drops in to link play
KokeThe midfielder who organises the front of the low block
Diego GodínMarshals the back line and holds the gap between the banks

Attribute profiles

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

Front Two

Top priority

One is a Deep Lying Forward who links, the other a Poacher who finishes — the split of duties has to be clear

Required

Finishing 15+Off the Ball 15+Strength 13+

Preferred

Composure 14+Teamwork 13+

Common approach (reference only)

In possessionHold Up Ball: Yes

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.

Midfield Duo

Core

Defensive Midfielder and Channel Midfielder in possession — compacting the block while still progressing a little

Required

Positioning 16+Tackling 15+Aggression 14+

Preferred

Strength 14+Work Rate 14+

Common approach (reference only)

In possessionPassing Risk: Take Fewer Risks

In possession: Wide Midfielder · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder

Required

Passing 12+Stamina 13+Tackling 11+

Preferred

Crossing 12+Work Rate 13+

Common approach (reference only)

In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider

Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position

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

M R Wide Midfielder

In possession: Wide Midfielder · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder

Required

Passing 12+Stamina 13+Tackling 11+

Preferred

Crossing 12+Work Rate 13+

Common approach (reference only)

In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider

Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position

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.