Thomas Tuchel

/Borussia Dortmund 2015-16

Bundesliga runners-up

Positional pressing + tight-space combinations + in-game changes of structure

Source: FBref / Sports Reference

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Style vector

Pressing IntensityHigh

Klopp’s gegenpress, structured more precisely

Half-Space OccupationHigh

Built on combinations in tight spaces

Reliance on IndividualsLow

In-game changes of shape depend heavily on the manager stepping in

TempoHigh

Attacks straight after winning the ball, before the opponent can reset

WidthNarrow

Squeezes the middle to close the running lanes first

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

4-2-3-1

The double pivot holds firm while short combinations in the half-spaces pick the opponent apart.

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

StyleClosest to Control PossessionSet the instructions below by hand instead — picking this overwrites them with the preset's values · Based on: Passing Directness Shorter Passing · Tempo High

Line of EngagementHigh PressDiagram block: High Press

Style axesPressing Intensity High · Half-Space Occupation High · Reliance on Individuals Low · Tempo High · Width Narrow — no Defensive Line

In possessionBuild-Up Play Out Of Defence · Passing Directness Shorter Passing · Tempo Higher · Attacking Width Narrower · Creative Freedom Be More Disciplined

Overlay with another manager

Identity

·The central playmaker starts the combinations from the half-space — tight passing before crosses from wide
·The build-up shape changes in real time to match the opponent’s press — it does not lean on one fixed pattern

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)Pressing Wing-Back
CB (L)Ball-Playing Centre-Back	CB (L)Centre-Back
CB (R)Ball-Playing Centre-Back	CB (R)Centre-Back
FB (R)Wing-Back	FB (R)Pressing Wing-Back
DM (L)Deep Lying Playmaker	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
STChannel Forward	STCentre-Forward
AM (R)Inside Forward	AM (R)Tracking 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.

Pierre-Emerick AubameyangFinishing by running beyond in tight spaces
Marco ReusLink-up play in the half-space
Henrikh MkhitaryanThe final pass out of a positional structure

Attribute profiles

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

Half-Space Creator

Top priority

Advanced Playmaker in possession — where the tight combinations begin

Required

Passing 16+Technique 15+

Preferred

Vision 15+

Common approach (reference only)

In possession: Deep Lying Playmaker · Out of possession: Defensive Midfielder

Required

Passing 16+Decisions 14+Positioning 13+Tackling 12+Teamwork 13+

Preferred

Vision 13+Passing 12+

DM R Box To Box Midfielder

In possession: Box To Box Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder

Required

Work Rate 15+Stamina 14+Passing 13+

Preferred

Tackling 12+Teamwork 12+

Common approach (reference only)

In possessionForward Runs: Make More Runs

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

AM L Inside Forward

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.

ST Channel Forward

In possession: Channel Forward · Out of possession: Centre-Forward

Required

Pace 15+Finishing 13+Off the Ball 13+

Preferred

Off the Ball 13+Strength 12+

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.

AM R Inside Forward

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.

This is a well-founded starting point — the FM match engine is a separate system, so real match performance is not guaranteed.