New Roberto De Zerbi 4-2-3-1 Tactic with Brighton | FM23 2023-24 Season
Here, I will look into the new Roberto De Zerbi 4-2-3-1 tactic. Roberto De Zerbi is doing a marvellous job at Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton sold two of their most talented midfielders, Caicedo and Mac Allister, but it seems they are not missing these two players. In their first four matches, Brighton has won three and lost once to West Ham – which came as a little surprise to me.
In terms of the tactic, it is a 4-2-3-1 which sometimes seems like a 4-4-2 tactic due to De Zerbi preferring his main striker either Welbeck or Ferguson to drop deeper. As always, you can compare this tactic with the one I predicted that De Zerbi would use because there are similarities between the two. With no further ado, let’s get into the details of this tactic.
New Roberto De Zerbi 4-2-3-1 Tactic | Tactical Instructions
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In Possessions
They will start up plays from behind often. During the build-up phase, the centre-backs will stay wide inside the box. Milner will tuck inside at the right flank, while Estupinan will spread wide at the left flank and be ready to attack. The DMs, Gross and Dahoud will drop deep close to the box, to help reduce pressure on the defenders, providing a numerical advantage against the opposition’s first press.
In the approach play, The Seagulls could focus on plays either on the sides of the field or through the middle of the field. The passing directness is generally shorter to control the possession of the game. The tempo is set at standard while circulating the ball, plus the players will adopt a “pass-first” strategy to prevent individualistic football – which means dribble less in FM23. Brighton will look for underlaps on both sides of the field, as they approach the final third.
In Transition
The attacking width is wide, to stretch the opposition defenders wide. During attacks, Milner will sometimes stay back or get forward to support the attacks, while Estupinan will always get forward to impact the opponent’s half. Gilmour will hold his position while Gross gets forward during attacks. The wingers, Mitoma and March will hug the touchline, while Welbeck or Ferguson as the striker will drop deeper than the attacking midfielder. The furthest player in Seagulls’ attacking phase is the attacking midfielder, Joao Pedro or Enciso
Brighton will also use counterattacks, when they win the ball on the break, they are mainly fluid counterattacks as the manager requires. In the final third, the Seagulls work their way into the box.
When they lose the ball in the opposition half, they will apply frontline pressure to win the ball quickly higher up. The goalkeeper will distribute the ball quickly or after slowing the pace down, by rolling out the ball quickly to the centre defenders and fullbacks.
Out of Possession
They can defend in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 shape. The defenders will step up the defensive line, in order to compress the opposition half, leaving them little room to play. The defenders will also remain compact, thereby forcing the opposition attackers wider rather than inside.
In the pressing strategy, The line of engagement will be higher and they will press to cross goalkeeper distributions but not always – the Seagulls’ pressing intensity will be more often. Finally, the defensive line is also higher.
New Roberto De Zerbi 4-2-3-1 Tactic | Formation Lineup
Role Selections
GK
Steele is a sweeper keeper on support duty.
CDs
Webster and Dunk are ball-playing defenders on defence duties. They will stay within the defensive line to stop attackers, mark forwards and clear the ball from dangers when required. They both have good passing ranges to set up attackers via diagonal passes
FBs
Estupinan is a complete wing-back on support duty. Estupinan will balance his attacking instincts with some defensive duties. During attacks, he will often stay wider at the flank, with the inclination to impact the opposition half by making overlapping runs in the final third.
Milner on the right, is an inverted wing-back on support duty. During the attacks, he will choose to either stay behind with the CDs or get forward by tucking inside to support the team’s offensive transitions. Veltman is a traditional fullback on support duty.
DMs
Billy Gilmour is a deep-lying playmaker on defence duty. He will hold his position during attacks, between the midfield and defensive line to offer an outlet for recycling possession. Gilmour will be spraying passes to initiate attacks, switching plays side and side and getting a little further to support the attacks. Dahoud was also a deep-lying playmaker on defence in the first game against Luton.
Pascal Gross is a segundo volante on support duty. He always moves forward during attacks, coming late into the box to get the end of a cross. Gross is also defensive conscious, tracking back to support the defenders.
AM
Joao Pedro is a shadow striker. He is a scoring threat in the opposition box, pushing inside the box as the ball arrives in the final third, He will also lead the attacking lines. When out of possession, Pedro will press the opposition defenders aggressively when out of possession. Enciso was also a shadow striker in the game against Wolves.
Ws
Mitoma and March will be inverted wingers on support duties. They will stay wider when the team gets forward to attack, and look to cut inside into the attacking third while opening space for the fullbacks to overload the flanks. March and Mitoma will take risky passes to support the forward.
CF
Welbeck as the lone striker is a target forward on support duty. He will use his physical attributes to disrupt the defenders and bring teammates into attacks. During attacks, he will drop to the midfield to receive the ball, guarding the ball with his body and opening space for his teammates to exploit. Ferguson is also a target forward on support duty.
Team Mentality
I use a positive mentality at Home except against tougher teams, where I will switch to an attacking mentality.
Then on Away matches, I always switch to a balanced mentality.
New Roberto De Zerbi 4-2-3-1 Tactic | Result and Stats
Data Hub
Scoring
Conceding
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why solly March was mark tighter?