Bundesliga champions, unbeaten
Back three + wing-backs owning the width + both half-spaces occupied + patient build-up
Not enough votes yet (3) to rank — shown as New for now.
Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
3-2-5
Both wing-backs push right up so five players pin the opposition back line, while the back three and two midfielders stay behind in a 2-3 rest defence.
* Suggested (limited data) — FM26 has no exact match, so the closest role is shown
Identity
Shows where the same player moves to between in- and out-of-possession phases.
| In possession | Out of possession |
|---|---|
| GKBall-Playing GoalkeeperSuggested (limited data) | GKSweeper KeeperSuggested (limited data) |
| CB (L)Ball-Playing Centre-BackSuggested (limited data) | CB (L)Covering Centre-BackSuggested (limited data) |
| CB (C)No-Nonsense Centre-BackSuggested (limited data) | CB (C)Covering Centre-BackSuggested (limited data) |
| CB (R)Ball-Playing Centre-BackSuggested (limited data) | CB (R)Covering Centre-BackSuggested (limited data) |
| CM (deep)Deep Lying PlaymakerSuggested (limited data) | CM (deep)Screening Central MidfielderSuggested (limited data) |
| CM (high)Box To Box MidfielderSuggested (limited data) | CM (high)Pressing Central MidfielderSuggested (limited data) |
| WB (L)Advanced Wing-Back | WB (L)Wing-Back |
| AM (L)Inside WingerSuggested (limited data) | AM (L)WingerSuggested (limited data) |
| STChannel ForwardSuggested (limited data) | STCentre-ForwardSuggested (limited data) |
| AM (R)Playmaking WingerSuggested (limited data) | AM (R)WingerSuggested (limited data) |
| WB (R)Advanced Wing-Back | WB (R)Wing-Back |
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.
The first position to sign — pushes on in possession, recovers out of possession
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Gets Further ForwardStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionCross From: Byline
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
Left side takes the set pieces (add Free Kicks and Long Shots); right side runs straight in behind (weight Acceleration higher)
Below 14 Stamina this cannot last 90 minutes — shuttling from the front line in possession to the back line out of possession makes this the heaviest recovery load in the side
Weights: Stamina×3, Work Rate×3, Pace×2, Crossing×2, Acceleration×2
* Suggested (limited data)
Where the system breaks if it fails — distributor in possession, non-pressing screen out of it
Required
Preferred
Pace around 12 is enough — the back three behind keeps the area to cover small. Tackling is a lower priority
Weights: Passing×3, Decisions×3, Composure×2, Positioning×2
* Suggested (limited data)
Creator in possession, pressing support out of possession
Required
Preferred
Escaping the press in tight spaces is the core requirement
Weights: Technique×3, Dribbling×3, Vision×2, Off the Ball×2
* Suggested (limited data)
Build-up role in possession, cover out of possession
Required
Preferred
Pace is needed too because of the high line. A left-footed player on the left improves the build-up angles
* Suggested (limited data)
In possession: Ball-Playing Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Sweeper Keeper
Required
Preferred
* Suggested (limited data)
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
* Suggested (limited data)
In possession: Box To Box Midfielder · Out of possession: Pressing Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
* Suggested (limited data)
In possession: Channel Forward · Out of possession: Centre-Forward
Required
Preferred
* Suggested (limited data)
In possession: Playmaking Winger · Out of possession: Winger
Required
Preferred
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 Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023–24 Bundesliga. Their clearest trait: they defended deep (18th of 18 for line height), and they ranked 1st of 18 for build-up play. The settings below keep the defence compact and deep, inviting the opponent forward. On the other axes they ranked: tempo 2nd, width 12th, pressing intensity 8th. In FM26 this becomes a 3-2-5, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Bundesliga 2023–24 field of 18 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work