FM23 Fluid Counterattack Tactic | FM23 Asymmetric 4-1-4-1 with Wolfsburg

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Here, I will talk about version 2 of my custom FM23 fluid counterattack tactic under my FM23 Custom Tactic series. In the previous article, I mentioned that my custom gegenpress tactics are of two versions, which are:

Classic 4-3-3 version

Asymmetric 4-1-4-1 version

I have discussed the details of the classic 4-3-3 version previously. Therefore, I will discuss the details of the asymmetric 4-1-4-1 version. At first, I used Hertha Berlin but it equally failed. So I decided to switch to Wolfsburg and it was successful as my team is topping the Bundesliga table after 17 games. Even though the tactic was successful with Wolfburg, I think it can be successful with teams like Newcastle United, Real Madrid, ATL Madrid, Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus. Let’s get into the details of this tactic.

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FM23 Fluid Counterattack Tactic: Setup

In Possession

We build up plays mostly from behind like modern football teams. But still, we go for direct kicks when we are under pressure. During the build-up, the CDs spread wide inside the box close to the goalkeeper. Guilavoguiand Arnold will then form a pivot above the CDs. Otavio and Baku will spread wide, ready to attack. Brekalo and Wimmer will spread wide while Waldschmidt will sit inside the midfield. The picture below highlights it better.

As the team progresses with the ball, I mostly want them to focus on plays mainly through the sides of the field than the middle of the pitch. When the players receive the ball, I still want them to run at the defence rather than dribbling less – just like in the previous version. As we approach the opposition box, I want them to look for underlap on the left side of the pitch. And overlaps on the right side. Lastly, unlike the previous version, the passing directness is shorter. Moreover, I want them to be more expressive from their position than disciplined.

In Transition

In transition, the attacking width is standard as I want them to stretch the width or compress the width when necessary. We are quick but not very quick during the transition due to the team’s slightly higher tempo. I equally want the team to always go for counterattacks on the break, the counters are always fluid counterattacks. In the final third, We can shoot at a distance, hit early crosses or patiently work the ball into the box to get the ball in the back of the net.

When my team loses possession, I instructed them to apply frontline counterpressure to win the ball back in the opponent’s half.

Out Of Possession

In the defensive phase of the game, my team defends in a 4-1-4-1 shape and they trap the opponent’s attackers inside than outside, forcing them to use the central areas to attack. Moreover, I want the fullbacks and wingers not to close down crosses from the flanks rather they should invite crosses.

Furthermore, we use a lower line of engagement and an extremely high pressing intensity. This means that immediately after the opposition reaches the halfway line, we start pressing them intensely forcing them away from our half of the field and the defensive line is equally lower. Furthermore, the defenders drop off the defensive line more than stepping up.

FM23 Fluid Counterattack Tactic | Formation Lineup

FM23 Asymmetric 4-1-4-1: Role Selections

GK

The goalkeeper, Casteels is a sweeper keeper on defence duty.

CDs

The centre-half defenders are ball-playing defenders on defence duties. They have the great passing range to launch defence-splitting passes to find higher-positioned teammates. In defensive situations, They will stay within the defensive line to break up attackers, mark attackers and prevent the ball from getting into the box. Van de Ven and Lacroix are my first choices for the positions.

FB and WB

Here, there is a fullback and a wing-back which are one of the things that made the tactic an asymmetric one. The fullback, Paulo Octavio is an inverted wing-back on support duty. I want him to sit narrow when the team gets forward to attack, acting as a midfielder and then making underlapping runs in the final third.

The wing-back, Baku is a complete wing-back on support duty. He will spread wide when the team gets forward to attack, making overlapping runs at the flanks and has the freedom to roam to impact the attack in the final third.

DM

The defensive midfielder, Guilavogui is a half-back. I want to stay back during attacks, forming a back-3 with the centre defenders and helping protect the defensive line against counterattacks.

CM

At the centre midfield, Arnold is a deep-lying playmaker on support duty. I want him to take control of the midfield by dictating the game tempo, circulating the ball side to side and then getting forward to support the attack.

Side Midfield and Winger

The side midfield, Brekalo is a winger on support duty. He will stay wide during attacks, looking to run at his marker with the ball and put in crosses. Since Brekalo is right-footed, he can still cut inside with the ball.

The winger, Wimmer is a raumdeuter. I want to investigate and exploit space especially space created by the centre forward.

AM

The attacking midfield in this tactic is Waldschmidt. Waldschmidt is an advanced playmaker on support duty. He has the total freedom to move around the pitch connecting with teammates and making himself available for passes. Moreover, he plays killer balls in the final third.

CF

The centre forward, Lukas Nmecha is a target forward on support duty. I want to use his physicality to disrupt opponents, opening up space for teammates to exploit. He does drop to receive the ball and lay it off to onrushing teammates.