FM26 Pep Guardiola 4-2-3-1 Tactic with Manchester City

In this post, I will talk about the tFM26 Pep Guardiola 4-2-3-1 Tactic with Manchester City. Man City are not yet at the level we know them for, but they are doing well this season compared to last. In the Premier League this season, they are second on the table, 6 points behind Arsenal after 10 games.

Pep Guardiola uses a 4-2-3-1 formation while the team is in possession, but when out of possession, they use a 4-1-4-1 formation where Foden tracks back to form a 4-man midfield. With n further ado, let’s get into the details of the tactic.

FM26 Pep Guardiola 4-2-3-1 Tactic | Tactical Details

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In Possession

Man City’s build-up strategy is to play through the press rather than bypassing the press. The Cityzens mostly take short rather than long. While taking short goalkicks, Gvardiol and Dias align themselves in the box. Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes stay wide on both flanks. Reijnders and Rodri/Nico form double pivots outside the box.

After the buildup, they progress through the flanks of the field, more than through the middle. The passing directness of the team is shorter, and the tempo is standard while circulating the ball towards the opposition half. As they approach play the opposition box, Guardiola’s men look for underlaps on both sides of the field.

The team’s attacking width is wider. Their attacking transition is counterattacks when they win the ball on the break. The Cityzens work the ball into the box, and taking shots from distance is encouraged by Guardiola. Finally, Man City prefers to pass the ball to feet, rather than passing into space.

Out Of Possession

Their out-of-possession shape is 4-5-1 or 4-1-4-1, the attacking midfielder tracks back to form a 4-man or 5-man midfield with the defensive midfielders and the wingers. Guardiola wants his men to invite crosses more, by staying compact to push the opposition attacks wider. Their defensive transition is counterpress most of the time, even though they regroup on few occasions, like in the games against Arsenal and Man U.

In pressing strategy, Man City presses with a “much more often” pressing intensity. The line of engagement is higher, plus the defensive line is much higher. Lastly, their pressing trap, is to trap the opposition outside rather than inside.

Formation Lineup

Role Selections

Gk

Donnarumma is a goalkeeper when in possession, but a sweeper-keeper when the team is out of possession.

CDs

In possession, Gvardiol and Dias are ball-playing centre defenders. They have excellent ball-playing skills, as they can switch the ball from one side to another and find higher-positioned teammates.

Out of possession, Gvardiol is a stopping centre back, while Dias is a centre back. Ruben Dias stays within the defensive line to stop opposition attackers, while Gvardiol steps above the defensive line.

FBs

In possession, O’Reilly is a wing-back while Matheus Nunes is a fullback. They both stay wide during attacks to provide extra width to the team’s attacks. Nico O’Reilly sometimes invades the midfield while Nunes doesn’t. Khusanov is also a fullback at the right flank, but makes fewer forward runs.

Out of possession, Nico is a pressing fullback, while Nunes is a fullback. Nico pushes further to help the pressing lines of the team, engaging the opponents in a higher position. Nunes tracks back to mark the opposition winger/fullback, closing down their attacking threat. Khusanov is a holding fullback.

DMs

In possession, Rodri is a deep-lying playmaker while Reijnders is a box-to-box midfielder. Rodri is the link between the defence and the midfield, dictating the tempo, plus switching plays from one side to another. Reijnder pushes further during attacks, arriving late into the box to see the end of an attack. Bernando Silva is also a box-to-box midfielder. Nico Gonzalez is a defensive midfielder in the absence of Rodri.

Out of possession, Rodri/Nico is a screening defensive midfielder, while Reijnders is more like a centre midfielder. Rodri defends the space in front of the defenders, blocking opposition attacking threats. Reijnders offers protection at the centre midfield and can block opposition passing lanes.

AM

Foden is an attacking midfielder. He operates higher up the pitch to receive passes in the pocket of spaces. Foden can fashion chances for the team in the final.

Out of possession, Foden is a pressing centre midfielder. He steps further to press the opposition higher up the pitch.

Ws

In possession, Doku and Silva are wingers. They stay wider during attacks when the team advances to attacks, to cut inside with their respective dominant foot into the attacking third. Savio and Oscar Bobb are also wingers on the left and right sides of the pitch, but unlike Doku, Savio runs wide of the ball at the left flank.

Out of Possession, Doku and Silva are tracking wide midfielders, tracking back to help out the fullbacks in defensive situations

CF

In possession, Erling Haalnad is a poacher. During attacks, he sits on the shoulder of the last defender, looking to attack through balls play behind the defence. He is the team’s main source of goals, scoring up to 17 goals this season.

Out of possession, Haaland is a central outlet centre forward with the instruction to trigger press often and stay higher to an outlet for counterattacks.

Team Mentality

At Home, I use a positive mentality no matter the opponent.

On Away, a balanced mentality works better, but if I concede early while facing a less difficult team, I switch to a positive mentality.

Results and Stats

Data Hub

Goals

Assists

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