Ruben Baraja 4-2-3-1 Tactic with Valencia CF | FM23 2023-24 Season
So, this will be our last tactic for FM23, as we prepare to move to FM24. Here’s Ruben Baraja 4-2-3-1 tactic with Valencia for FM23. Valencia, under their new manager Ruben Baraja, had a good start to the season. In their first five games in Laliga, they won three and lost two. In the matches they won, Baraja’s men managed to beat Atletico Madrid 3-0, which made me create this tactic. After they defeated Simeone’s men, Los Ches has failed to record a win ever since.
Well, the FM23 tactical replica of Baraja’s 4-2-3-1 tactic is quite successful, as my team is 4th on the table after 14 matches. So let’s get into the details of it, shall we?
Ruben Baraja 4-2-3-1 Tactic with Valencia | Tactical Instructions
In Possession
Baraja’s side plays out of defence most of the time, but the goalkeeper still has the option to take direct kicks, especially when they are under pressure – which is the most common build-up style in today’s football. Because of the playing out of defence build-up style, the team has set up a good build-up shape, where the central defenders will spread wide inside, while the fullbacks stay wide at the flanks – sometimes, the right fullback, Correira tuck inside at the right flank. The double defensive midfielder will stay just outside the box, to offer an overload.
Moreover, Valencia tends to use the flanks or the middle of the field, to focus their plays. Their general passing directness is standard, as they try to control the possession or use a direct approach which they are more comfortable with. As the team approaches the final third, they look for overlaps on the left side of the pitch and then overlap or underlap on the right side.
In Transition
The attacking width is fairly wide. Furthermore, Los Ches capitalizes greatly on counterattacks, they don’t have the time to hold shape during the transition, rather they go directly for counterattacks. Their counterattacks are direct counterattacks, sometimes they use fluid counterattacks. In the final third, they mostly worked the ball into the box.
Lastly, immediately after Valencia loses possession of the ball in the opponent’s half, they regroup back to their own half, to defend it.
Out Of Possession
Baraga’s men defend in a 4-4-2 shape and they employ a ‘trap outside’ pressing trap to force the opponents outside at the flanks. Baraga has employed a higher line of engagement, plus the team press with a more often pressing intensity. The defensive line is set higher and sometimes they press to close down the goalkeeper’s short distribution.
Furthermore, the defenders drop off the defensive line to defend closer to their own goal and protect the box against the opponents. Lastly, the side defenders do try to block crosses.
Ruben Baraja 4-2-3-1 Tactic with Valencia | Formation Lineup
Role Selections
GK
The goalkeeper, Mamardashvili is a sweeper keeper on support duty.
CDs
The central defenders, Mosquera and Diakhaby are ball-playing defenders on defence duties. They are comfortable with the ball on their feet and can switch ball from side to side. As defenders, they both will sit within the defensive line to break up attacks, mark opposition attackers and then block through balls or shots.
FBs
Jose Gaya is a wing-back on support duty. He will spread wide during attacks, eager to beat their markers and cross the ball from the left flank. Gaya equally returns to cover their defensive duties in defensive situations.
Rendall Correira is an inverted wing-back on support duty. During the attacking phase of the game, he will get forward from narrower positions, with the right winger hugging the flank. In the final third, he can make overlapping or underlapping runs down the flank.
DMs
Pepelu is a defensive midfielder on defensive duty. He is instructed to hold his position when the team goes for attacks to protect the defensive line against counterattacks. Pepelu can set up attacking moves from deeper positions.
Javi Guerra is a segundo volante on support duty. He supports the team very well both in defensive and offensive situations. In the offensive situation, he will try to get into the box to see the end of a cross. While in defensive situations, he would track back to help protect their box. On the other hand, Diakhaby was a ball-winning midfielder on support duty in the game against Sevilla.
AM
Almeida is an advanced playmaker on support duty. He connects the midfield and attacks, plus he has the vision and passing range to do so and creates scoring chances in the final third.
Ws
Diego Lopez is an inverted winger on support duty. He will sit narrow during an attack, cut inside with his right forward, towards the opposition box, to shoot or pass the ball in the final third.
Fran Perez on the right flank, is a winger on support duty. He will hug the touchline, to receive the ball during attacks. With the ball, he will run down the right flank, beating his marker and hitting crosses from there.
CF
Hugo Duro is an advanced forward. During the attacking phase, he leads the team’s attacking line, spearheading the attacking moves. With the ball, Duro will make runs at the central defenders, to shoot and pass to teammates in the final third.
Team Mentality
I use an attacking mentality at Home against all teams Then on Away matches, I always switch to a balanced mentality.
Ruben Baraja 4-2-3-1 Tactic with Valencia | Result and Stats
Data Hub
Scoring
Conceding
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Who’s the first tactic at fm24?
atm