Here we go, it's very similar to your tactic. Though I have also deployed 4-3-1-2 some time, 4-3-3, and even at one point 3-5-2. All the time depending on how the game is going and what players I have available.
So the positions and the instructions are as following...
Sweeper keeper, support. I ask Buffon to pass short and to Bonucci.
Wingback support on the right side, but I frequently change to Fullback support. I ask him to stay wide, shoot less, dribble less, cross from deep, cross to target man, and run wide with ball.
Bonucci is playing as Ballplaying defender and to cover. Asked to shoot less and dribble less.
Chiellini as regular central defender.
Sandro as complete wing back, asked to cross at target man and shoot less.
Marchisio is playing as Defensive midfielder. I ask him to Close down less and shoot less. (I'm still experimenting, what I want is for him to protect defense rather than pressing high up and helping midfielders.)
RCM, is a Central midfielder with Attack on. I want him to shoot less and close down more. I am trying to get him to play like a ball winning player high up the pitch that comes into the box from deep. So far I have played Pereyra in this position but once Khedira is available I expect him to take on this role. I have some times changed this player to play as an Advanced playermaker + Attack
LCM, is a roaming playmaker (Pogba). No restrictions, I want him to freely express himself since he is the core player in this system. I have on some occasions changed him to deep lying playmaker support, if he isn't performing OR we are under pressure.
On the right side (AMR) I wanted to play with an insider forward (support) but Cuadrado didn't really perform as I wanted so I changed him to a Winger, Attack. Only ask him to cross towards target man. As you said, he's wreaking havoc out there!
AML, Dybala. Inside forward support. He can do whatever he wants, and he's brilliant!
Striker, I want to deploy a false nine but so far it hasn't really worked. I am still undecided and frequently change. Mandzukic typically play as a target man (support) but I regularly change him to advanced forward, and sometimes even as false 9. Zaza has done decent as complete forward support. Now Morata is back and he will likely be my main striker. I will probably start him as false 9 or complete forward support, then change during game to advanced forward. Especially if we have a lot of possession.
Team tactics
-Control
-Fluid
-Normal tempo
-Narrow (as narrow as it can be)
-Normal defensive line (might increase it. against really pacey teams I lower it)
-Closing down more
-Prevent GK from short distribution
-Short passing (as "short" as possible)
-Be more expressive
-Run at defence
-Roam from positions
-Play out of defence
-Exploit the middle
-Work ball into box
-Retain possession
I have scored a lot more than expected on set pieces for some reason.
Licht stays back at all times
Sandro stays back if necessary
Pogba attacks from deep
Pereyra lurks outside (will change with someone once Khedira is back)
Marchisio "Go forward"
Mandzukic Challenge keeper
Dybala takes corners
Cuadrado comes short
Chiellini and Bon attacks far and near
In defence besides standard; Mandzu defends zonally six yard near centre; Marchisio & Pogba man marks; Dybala edge of area, Cuadrado stays forward (he's fast and difficult to take the ball from...)
This is my main tactic and I don't think there is anything unique to it. It seems very similar to yours.
Besides this one I let them train on a 4231 wide, where I play with attack and a bit quicker speed and some other small adjustments. Not so much that I use it, but I want the players to be comfortable with the formation (since I want options) and comfortable to play quicker and so on. Likewise with the 4-3-1-2, I only used it once and I have set it a bit different as a starting point (for example it's set with defensive mentality). I only want them to be comfortable with playing defensively. The time I used it I basically played my regular tactic but with a 4-3-1-2 formation, and a bit slower tempo and wider. That time I used Clemenza as my AMC (I wanted to rotate as many starting players as possible since we were playing against Genoa, admittedly away but I don't think one "underperforming player" will have that much affect against lower tier teams.)
Very sorry for extremely long post!
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Sorry, here I am again. I really can't stress that I adapt the tactic depending on opposition team strengths and weaknesses as well as their formation. For example, against a 4-4-2 I do not close down as much, I play wider, and set lichtsteiner to fullback support and then I see what happens. It's not unusual that I change from my 4-1-2-3 to 4-2-3-1, and adjust my CMs, in order to exploit space behind opposition CMs. Against a 4-3-1-2 I regularly try to play with quicker tempo, play more direct, don't ask them to play the ball into box, and attack from the wings, in effort of not giving the opposition time to settle with all their CMs in front of their defense (since it will be difficult to break down, especially from the middle of the pitch). But I keep the structure as it is, especially my Defensive midfielder. I may, however, if my defense is looking shaky, change my Defensive midfielder into an Anchor man, to take away space for their AMC.
Again sorry, just wanted to illustrate...
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Oh my god, one more time, SORRY!!!!
I forgot to add transfers...
Predrag Rajkovic will arrive next year for €4.9m (successor to Buffon, I hope)
Cristian Pavon came in for 6.5m (so far only played with u20, I hope to give him time when the timing is right. next year he will change more frequently and grow as backup LAM (inside forward, support).
Emanuel Mammana joined for 5.25m, and was immediately loaned out for a minor fee each month. No room for him atm, will be playing next season.
Nicola Murru was acquired for 11.75m. Panic buy... Only joined because I wanted an Italian backup for Lichtsteiner. Will get another one in the future and use Murru as backup LB.
I sold Caceres for 16m (additionally 2.1m after 10 int. games and 2.1m after 20 league games), Padoin for 2,8m, and Rubinho 86k.
So the positions and the instructions are as following...
Sweeper keeper, support. I ask Buffon to pass short and to Bonucci.
Wingback support on the right side, but I frequently change to Fullback support. I ask him to stay wide, shoot less, dribble less, cross from deep, cross to target man, and run wide with ball.
Bonucci is playing as Ballplaying defender and to cover. Asked to shoot less and dribble less.
Chiellini as regular central defender.
Sandro as complete wing back, asked to cross at target man and shoot less.
Marchisio is playing as Defensive midfielder. I ask him to Close down less and shoot less. (I'm still experimenting, what I want is for him to protect defense rather than pressing high up and helping midfielders.)
RCM, is a Central midfielder with Attack on. I want him to shoot less and close down more. I am trying to get him to play like a ball winning player high up the pitch that comes into the box from deep. So far I have played Pereyra in this position but once Khedira is available I expect him to take on this role. I have some times changed this player to play as an Advanced playermaker + Attack
LCM, is a roaming playmaker (Pogba). No restrictions, I want him to freely express himself since he is the core player in this system. I have on some occasions changed him to deep lying playmaker support, if he isn't performing OR we are under pressure.
On the right side (AMR) I wanted to play with an insider forward (support) but Cuadrado didn't really perform as I wanted so I changed him to a Winger, Attack. Only ask him to cross towards target man. As you said, he's wreaking havoc out there!
AML, Dybala. Inside forward support. He can do whatever he wants, and he's brilliant!
Striker, I want to deploy a false nine but so far it hasn't really worked. I am still undecided and frequently change. Mandzukic typically play as a target man (support) but I regularly change him to advanced forward, and sometimes even as false 9. Zaza has done decent as complete forward support. Now Morata is back and he will likely be my main striker. I will probably start him as false 9 or complete forward support, then change during game to advanced forward. Especially if we have a lot of possession.
Team tactics
-Control
-Fluid
-Normal tempo
-Narrow (as narrow as it can be)
-Normal defensive line (might increase it. against really pacey teams I lower it)
-Closing down more
-Prevent GK from short distribution
-Short passing (as "short" as possible)
-Be more expressive
-Run at defence
-Roam from positions
-Play out of defence
-Exploit the middle
-Work ball into box
-Retain possession
I have scored a lot more than expected on set pieces for some reason.
Licht stays back at all times
Sandro stays back if necessary
Pogba attacks from deep
Pereyra lurks outside (will change with someone once Khedira is back)
Marchisio "Go forward"
Mandzukic Challenge keeper
Dybala takes corners
Cuadrado comes short
Chiellini and Bon attacks far and near
In defence besides standard; Mandzu defends zonally six yard near centre; Marchisio & Pogba man marks; Dybala edge of area, Cuadrado stays forward (he's fast and difficult to take the ball from...)
This is my main tactic and I don't think there is anything unique to it. It seems very similar to yours.
Besides this one I let them train on a 4231 wide, where I play with attack and a bit quicker speed and some other small adjustments. Not so much that I use it, but I want the players to be comfortable with the formation (since I want options) and comfortable to play quicker and so on. Likewise with the 4-3-1-2, I only used it once and I have set it a bit different as a starting point (for example it's set with defensive mentality). I only want them to be comfortable with playing defensively. The time I used it I basically played my regular tactic but with a 4-3-1-2 formation, and a bit slower tempo and wider. That time I used Clemenza as my AMC (I wanted to rotate as many starting players as possible since we were playing against Genoa, admittedly away but I don't think one "underperforming player" will have that much affect against lower tier teams.)
Very sorry for extremely long post!
- - - Updated - - -
Sorry, here I am again. I really can't stress that I adapt the tactic depending on opposition team strengths and weaknesses as well as their formation. For example, against a 4-4-2 I do not close down as much, I play wider, and set lichtsteiner to fullback support and then I see what happens. It's not unusual that I change from my 4-1-2-3 to 4-2-3-1, and adjust my CMs, in order to exploit space behind opposition CMs. Against a 4-3-1-2 I regularly try to play with quicker tempo, play more direct, don't ask them to play the ball into box, and attack from the wings, in effort of not giving the opposition time to settle with all their CMs in front of their defense (since it will be difficult to break down, especially from the middle of the pitch). But I keep the structure as it is, especially my Defensive midfielder. I may, however, if my defense is looking shaky, change my Defensive midfielder into an Anchor man, to take away space for their AMC.
Again sorry, just wanted to illustrate...
- - - Updated - - -
Oh my god, one more time, SORRY!!!!
I forgot to add transfers...
Predrag Rajkovic will arrive next year for €4.9m (successor to Buffon, I hope)
Cristian Pavon came in for 6.5m (so far only played with u20, I hope to give him time when the timing is right. next year he will change more frequently and grow as backup LAM (inside forward, support).
Emanuel Mammana joined for 5.25m, and was immediately loaned out for a minor fee each month. No room for him atm, will be playing next season.
Nicola Murru was acquired for 11.75m. Panic buy... Only joined because I wanted an Italian backup for Lichtsteiner. Will get another one in the future and use Murru as backup LB.
I sold Caceres for 16m (additionally 2.1m after 10 int. games and 2.1m after 20 league games), Padoin for 2,8m, and Rubinho 86k.
Buy on AliExpress.com
I usually try to go as domestic as I find reasonable with whatever team I play with, so I would prefer to have some Italian guy.
