This Tactic is Great, Trust Me

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Asymmetrical tactics can be very scary to try, but when done right, they can stifle the opposing team while creating diverse looks that can confuse a defense and consistently create open scoring chances in Football Manager. The release of FM24 is your perfect chance to try to cook up your own perfect solution to an imperfect team.
Adversity is so often the genesis of creativity. In Football Manager, this is looking around your team and realizing their is an unusual collection of players that qualifies as your most talented group. You can find a way to fit those guys on the field and make your dreams come true with an asymmetrical tactic. Well, most of your dreams.
Much Love,
FM Senpai
Here’s my tactic ► steamcommunity.com/sharedfile...
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#FM24 #Gaming #Hashtags

[@stupiditiusmaximus]

"Do you like to be different?" "Obviously, Zealand, I watch you."

[@GuggiLFC]

Had a similar tactic in fm21, but always had issues down the left because the defense would not shift over, glad something like this is finally working as intended.

[@Nekensuu]

I used these exact same formation on fm23 and now on the same save in fm24, the roles were obviously a bit different. Still works fantastically well, with normal-ish gegenpress directions and roles

[@cass2239]

​@@NekensuuWould it be with R-NFB and a L-IW? I'm think I have a squad that would fit this so wondering how well it would transfer to previous FMs

[@Onebadterran]

This has been a successful tactic. One change I would suggest, having used it for several seasons, is to tell the ST(C) to Position Mark the D(CR) when out of possession. This has kept the ST(C) up further forward and conversely stretched the opposition formation, meaning they have to make longer passes if they want to play back to their defenders. I don't expect the ST(C) to actually intercept anything, rather it creates situations where the opposition are forced to play riskier passes and are more likely to miss a pass or get intercepted, opening up an immediate counter-attacking opportunity.

[@sam-rv8tp]

love how the positional awareness has improved in the game. it seems like players in general are more fluid and smart

[@BigBazzer10]

Mine aren't run away from the ball still I may aswell be playing fm 1809

[@brosirs]

Looks a lot like the tactic Old Man Phil's sworn by for some time - always good to see these things being rediscovered and popularised

[@itsdat_j3]

That's what I was thinking Zeeland might or not have gotten inspiration from Old man Phil cause I used this tactic in the last FM and it worked Wonders thanks to Phil

[@harleywatson9077]

please make more videos like this i’m bad at tatics and it’s made me learn a lot from this

[@goncalocastronunes9816]

I genuinely had come up with the exact same tactic as you in my Le Mans save. The only difference was the I used a IWB (S) on the left and a TF (A) as a striker! Also sometimes during the game moved the playmaker to the central position in order for the IWB to have more space to progress through the field. Great video!

[@angelo2s]

I played this exact tactic (different roles) with Madrid last year, i wanted two attacking central players to make a 2v2 on the CBs, so i used Asensio as an AM on attack and put Valverde on the wing providing the width with Carvajal, it was super cool!

[@derelict06]

Very similar to the 3412 I’ve been rocking for a few years. Midfield 2 of a DLP DM and B2B CM with an offset AM to the opposite side of an inverted winger

[@100ttben]

I used this formation at some point in last years game but had dlp instead of bwm, box to box instead of ap, ss instead of am, af instead of cf and inside forward instead of winger. Worked really well but not used it yet this year, glad to see it's still afective

[@henrikmadsen6446]

11:02 it is also a 442, a 424 and a 4231 DM. It is a lot of things if you just switch 3 positions. :)

[@elmorgano81]

I've been using a symmetrical formation that changes in the last 30 minutes to an asymmetrical formation. It seems to work 90% of the time. Love using it as an implemented weapon, it's amazing. Will 100% be making a asymmetrical for a full match, so many options!

[@esp2017]

I've used this asymmetric formation a few game versions now. All I do differently is move the right midfielder up to make a front two, and turn the full back into an attacking fullback when playing smaller sides. Essentially a 343 when on the ball.

[@cowboyx1303]

I’ve made this tactic which I think works well against all the formations you mentioned in the beginning.I would like some opinions on it if anyone doesn’t mind So it a 5-1-1-3 DM WB wide asymmetric Tactical style: Control Possession Mentality:Balanced Fairly Narrow, Play out of defence Low tempo with much shorter passing,Work ball in box, Disciplined In transition Slow down pace,Roll out,Hold shape and counter press. Much higher line, Higher press and more often,get stuck in, stop crosses and prevent gk distribution. Defence: Two BCD defend and a Libero on support Midfield: Two IWB and a DM as DPL and a RPM Attack: Two IW attack and a CF attack It is also good against big teams I have unfortunately only used it with my Spain team which won the World Cup, Finalissima and Euro Championship. If you have read this far I really appreciate and I sincerely apologise for making it so long.

[@cowboyx1303]

I just realised my tactic looks very similar in the video

[@bloodshed_]

Nice walkthrough. Let's see if this will take my Roda JC side to the Eredivisie!

[@shilalupiyatama]

Wow, this tactic work like a charm in my nagoya grampus save, of course with a little tweak adjusted to my team condition. Thanks Zealand!

[@RafalLuberacki]

can you please send it me this tactic (fmf file) to my email addres please?

[@T.E.S.S.]

I haven't used this formation in years. Gonna be fun trying it again.

[@duncan7961]

I've loved using lopsided formations for years now, to mixed success. I just find it so much more interesting than using a standard shape.

[@darrenb5249]

This is crazy that's my exact shape I've been using and it's working wonders. slightly different roles using a box to box in central midfield and advanced playmaker on attack behind a pressing forward it's working wonders.

[@stefverstegen1936]

Do you use player instructions? I want to try this tactic but the download doesnt work for me.

[@Vasilypetlyuk]

I used similar tactics in fm21. True, there were slightly different roles. the center forward was also shifted to the left of the center. and the left winger was slightly lower. on par with the right midfielder. and everything is pretty much the same. One of the advantages is that if you play in one club for a long time, then it is easy to retrain your young juniors for it. because no matter what you have there, almost all positions are used in this tactic 😅

[@darrylhewes2376]

That tactic is basically what I used for my Ipswich Town save. And is basically the formation Ipswich have been using for 12 months

[@williepeace]

I do it with 2 DMs, and the left is a Segundo Volante, and the right winger moved up to RAMC, set Left Winger to IF. and make the WB a IWB.

[@bradthewalrus]

I created a very similar tactic with my Tokyo Verdy save for exactly the same reason, it just fit the players I had. Plus if you think about what the movements would logically be in and out of possession, it kind of made sense in a weird way. I'm still playing around with some of the player roles though. Absolutely loving the tactical/positional flexibility in this FM. Love your work Zealand, keep it up! P.S. Do you listen to The Sweeper podcast? You guys seem to cover a few similar topics! I think you'd dig it if you haven't checked it out already 🙂👍

[@thecatalysthd9701]

Looks like what Scaloni used in the WC final with Di Maria wide on the left and Messi inside

[@Kushtah]

Used a tactic like this on my fm23 build a nation save. It was pretty solid mine was sloping to the left not the right though. So with a lw and a rm.

[@TheAirtry1]

@Zealand I don't know if anyone else has pointed this out but this tactic seems very similar to the manga by KOBAYASHI Yuugo, Ao Ashi, which the main character is an aggressive left back/wingback. There is an anime coming out soon!

[@ahmedebbo1764]

the anime is out already

[@shxz17]

Theres already a full season of the anime out pal

[@AsafDay]

This formation was created over a decade ago. It was basically based on 4-2-2-2 narrow formation. The 2-2-2 box has been rotated in order to make the players harder to mark.

[@minge9]

This is just Barcelona vs RM during Mourinho days where Messi played more central

[@patrickaquino6647]

I was even thinking there are some similarities to the diagonal system used by Brazil in like the 60s

[@destoc5661]

I think with correct roles, a symetric tactic could become asymetric. I play IWB(Su) on the side of SegVol(At), its nuts! Lower league though. Both of them cover each other, and even more nuts they run into box and score.

[@caefamily7179]

Love your vids watching from Ghana Africa

[@Stegibbon]

Ok, couple of bugs I've noticed and I don't know where better to air them to see if anyone else has noticed them. First set pieces. Whenever I try to set them up myself and move certain players to certain places, it moves a completely different player and I'm left with a short player defending the box instead of waiting to spring the counter. I've done all the lists too and have him bottom of aerial defenders and top of counter attackers (eneded up just letting a set piece coach handle them). Second, promises. They seem to have the opposite effect. I play a player in a position they ask, eventually get a message in the inbox saying they are happy the promise was kept, then on the tacitcs screen, the unhappy symbol is there stating they're unhappy playing in a "weak role and position". They seem like easy bugs to fix if they are widespread.

[@emrahdincer]

This is nearly the exact tactic that I've been using since 2006 or so. I never use any other tactic and it's great fun. I put the winger on raumdeuter role, the wb and fb inverted, pure winger on the other winger. Definitely one libero, B2B on the MC, SS on the AM, and F9 on the SC.

[@ekzxty]

Yes I loved the inverted fullback role back in the day when it didn’t exist

[@emrahdincer]

@@ekzxty I do it so now, but the basic shape (move one flank of a 4-4-2 half step forward, and the inside on the other side half step back) is the same. I actually used to put one DC back in SW just to be able to make it a sweeper

[@slavadamer1128]

But... It's not the same tactic anymore, with all the changes

[@emrahdincer]

@@slavadamer1128 it's the same asymmetric staggered tactic, just player roles are different

[@alejandromartinezdeaguirre2752]

I have to say that this tactic is great! I'm using it at Blyth Spartans (Vanarama National League North) and, in December, the team is 2nd (3 points off 1st with two matches in hand for us) with most scored goals (60) and 2nd least goals against (20) and only one defeat. I'm also in the 3rd round of the FA Cup after winning Wimbledon (two leagues above) and Cambridge United (three leagues above). Thanks Z!!

[@benchie3019]

where have you found these tactics to use, he doesnt show in the vid

[@alejandromartinezdeaguirre2752]

@@benchie3019 you can copy it from the video, the FM screen is shown widely throughout the video. The only thing it does not show is if there are any player instructions.

[@trevorlewatle1886]

System looks good n solid. Well done

[@HairyOgres888]

I always find it fun to experiment with new roles and different styles of play in a new football manager, because there has been no meta tactics developed yet, you have to figure out a winning tactic for yourself.

[@symptomofsouls]

I'm in a wierd spot rn where my club has 0 money and 0 good midfielders. So I am trying to figure out a 1 CM tactic that doesn't leave me exposed defensively

[@BoxinSquare_]

This tactic is really working for my PAOK squad of course with a few tweaks to fully fit my squad but it is an excellent base tactic,thank u Z!!!! Question : Will you create a skin for FM24?

[@pedrodomingues7668]

Have to try this tactic, it actually fits my squad

[@predragsijerkovic6328]

Have to admit i expected more from Zealand. Im playing this tactic in last 3 FMs. Better to have IW and IF in the attack, MEZ and VOL in the midfield

[@aaroncobb1627]

Is the tactic better with a winger on the left or an inside forward mate ?

[@sld1776]

4231 Assymetrical. So much fun. I prefer to have the Wide Midfielder on the left in memory of FM 2011 Gareth Bale.

[@gluestix17]

ok so my first main tactic this year is surprisingly similar to Zealands, but made from a standard 4-3-3 my back 4 is the same apart from the RCB being on cover midfield 3 is an Anchor, a CM on support that gets involved in all phases of play, and a MEZ on attack who can join the forward line then I've got an IF(A) on the left, a DLF (A) and a winger on support on the right (occupying similar regions to Zealands front 3) and most if not all of the tactical instructions are the same loool

[@Penguin_butler]

If you train an asymmetric formation and wanted to be able to flip would you have to train 2 separate tactics? Hope that makes sense

[@yvindmartinsen1249]

This tactic works very well for me with Strømmen in the 3rd tier in Norway. Only issue is that I'm conceding a lot of goals, hardly any clean sheets. Tried setting the defensive line one notch lower, but it doesn't seem to do anything. Any suggestions? Lower the defensive line even more?

[@theWrestling7]

Question, why “structured” with positive mentality? Structured means > distance between players and then u use short passes?

[@jamesrexus8555]

I would watch a 1 hour tactic video on fm24 easly

[@terjegabrielsen]

If you get a sending off during a match with this tactic, how would you reposition players to keep the shape both offensively and defensively?

[@erlendurfuni116]

Beautiful Álftanes kit you have got there. Álftanes is my home team in Iceland 🇮🇸

[@pwalmsley9]

I've found that setting up the DM as Half Back and changing the IFB to Attack means that the DM drops in and can often turn it into a back 4.5 out of possession, which leaves few spaces for opposing forwards. In possession, they both seem to rotate in-and-out of the backline which means (hopefully) we retain the ball a bit better when playing out from the back. Now I just need to fix the goal droughts...

[@jimhumble3000]

IFB doesn't have attack option

[@Madaherios]

@@jimhumble3000 He probably means IWB

[@pwalmsley9]

Yeah, typo.

[@czynx3196]

Is there any other way of downloading the tactic? I'm not on steam

[@skreby1441]

Every year I keep hearing about how op assymetrical formations are but my OCD will never let me do it

[@krashd]

I've always had decent luck with asymmetric formations because I have a habit of playing folk in their best spot rather than forcing them to learn a new spot and more often than not I'll end up taking over a team just to find out they have an AMR but no AML or three great fullbacks that all play only on the right. Honestly some teams are a hodge-podge of nonsense when you first take them over.

[@TheMrMantequilla]

When do you start your long term save? Or has it already started

[@kylepatrick4996]

I've been playing a 5-0-5 because my midfielders were pissing me off and I just want chaos and for things to burn.

[@IMBREISGAU]

i literally made this tactic by myself, because this was where my best player can be placed on their favorite positions.

[@rennya84]

Were do you get the tactic? I've subscribed it on steam but I can't find it in the game and it doesn't appear in the fm24 tactic folder as well...

[@Creddiam]

I had the same shape two years ago with Zwolle, ASSE and Utrecht

[@jamesfreeman68]

Does anyone have a link to the tactic that isn't steam workshop? (I'm playing on game pass)

[@SirNogard_]

Please, make a video about the Fernando Diniz (Fluminense and Brazilian National Team Coach) tatics.

[@JackDFrost-mb7li]

Used this in my sevilla save in fm19. Wanted to get the best out of Navas, Banega and, Gudelj but having a normal 4231 left me exposed. Asymmetric formations are more OP than people think.

[@yonscarr]

Any other place than I can download this one? I'm not using steam but game pass?

[@andrewsutherland7913]

"Yes, we are all different."

[@gbarandon]

It looks to me as a 4-4-2 diamond with the diamond moved to the right and one of the two strikers moved to the left to balance things up

[@khalidmkhan]

Almost a direct copy of Old Man Tactic. So, I know it works. You can modify it to make it a low block as well. Thanks for uploading.

[@Djiehh]

"You are going to play against a 4-4-2 ..." I wish! I started my first save in FM 24 as FC Porto because I wanted to try Portugal for a while. Now all league teams that aren't Sporting or Benfica will play a tactic that I have dubed "man the barricades" (otherwise known as the 3-4-2-1 with two DMs and wingbacks). 😅 The last FM I played was 22, and I decided I would buy 24 after watching your preview a few weeks ago. I have to thank you for your coverage, because it was definitely a good decision. Coming from 22, it is immediately noticeable how much better the match engine is by now, given the fact that wing play is now actually going to result in something other than the attacking player being blocked by the defender or the offense being caught offside.

[@yesman715]

Inverted wingbacks have been so good for me this year

[@goyaskill]

Tried it on my benfica save. Good results so far, but I'm struggling with my striker. Tried CF and PF and Ramos isn't scoring many goals. Trying DLF now for the second season but it doesn't seem to be working well either.

[@drizztthedrow2525]

I like it. Just need to find a right sided winger now

[@christopherward1590]

Great video but what are the player role instructions because i cant download the tactic on xbox

[@iamgngr]

Hey Zealand, is it possible to upload thi and future tactics not only on the steam workshop? I for myself decided to make life harder and play fm with the xbox gamepass and steam workshop makes it impossible for me to get the tactic. It lets me sub to it but it just appears nowhere in all its folders unfortunately.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

I'm gonna try this out. I've got Chelmsford promoted from Non-league to the Prem in successive seasons and then I played through the first year in the prem and came dead last, all my players are "Good Sky Bet League One" or "Good Championship" players and I simply can't attract anyone of Premiership quality, so I'm going back to the start of the season and going to try again. I tried everything I could think of last season, after playing the same 4,1,1,3,1 asym with DM on the left and Mezzala on right, the whole way up. I played with a IFB on left, Wing back on right and a Libero, so we only had 2 players in defence most of them time, but that obviously wasn't going to work with these players in the prem. I tried 442,433,532,541, nothing worked. I won 3 matches. I just need to survive one year in the prem and I'll be able to get some half decent players. Hopefully this will give me just enough points do that.

[@Tubsidio]

I do trust you... I have been using it for the whole fm23 and winning it all

[@dinvinciblenoob]

I used a smiliar tactic to this in fm23 with united and osimhen scored 72 goals in some 50 games

[@jimwilson6449]

Used to try this system all the time

[@MrBaboko]

Yo Z! Amazing kit!! Álftanes!

[@michaelfitzgerald85]

Downloaded it today to give it a bash the lw is set as an if? Is that something that was changed or is it an error?

[@rabbirosadamundele6933]

Do you have any roles for certain positions?

[@viniciusrestelli1110]

I used a tactic like this on fm08. God damn it, it's been so long lol

[@TsunamiXVI]

Is there a way to get al of the tactics settings and stuff. I'm on console so I can't just download it.

[@stevenmeister2168]

I cant believe how lucky i got. I came up with almost the exact same tactic as this, but this is my first FM game. It was just through sheer luck, putting my best players in their best roles, but man it was cool hearing someone explain it. Im so stunned, thanks for making me look smart to myself

[@Diamond-vy1lx]

I changed to this on the fly for the 2nd half of a league game I needed to win, the only noticeable difference was that my LB was an IWB (A) because that guy is good in that role However, unlike Zeeland, I didnt have the balls to stick to this and I then still played every other game in a 433. I won the UCL, so I must have been doing some things right

[@james_graham]

Just tried it, reversed it because of the players I have, and won my 1st match 2-0. Any tips for playing much stronger teams?

[@michaelfarrow5817]

This might explain why my formation stopped working as well when I centralised my DM and MC.

[@ericgriffith-cole4724]

🥺🥺🥺this has been my fm20 tactic. I feel so vindicated gonna by 24 now for sure

[@konstus]

3-4-2-1 possession merchant is op once you got the right players

[@alaminbala7718]

On fm23 can the IFB be mimicked using the NFB? @Zealand

[@gianwebb940]

I am playing on a console and really want to try it ? any suggestions on how I can do this ?

[@jespermoe3072]

What coatches do you use in that system??

[@apurbapan1813]

Amazing tactic. I play on gamepass. Could you please share the tactic file as I'm unable to get it from steam

[@samuelroberts7959]

Could I use this in lower league in Germany do you think?

[@koenzzz]

It’s almost exactly as PSV Eindhoven is playing right now!

[@garethwardle6157]

I'm glad it isn't just me for the injuries. It's absolutely season ruining.

[@user-pc9mu7wq6q]

I am using the exact same tactic with a dlp instead of a BWM 3 seasons in an Ipswich team. Players fit the roles. Predicted to finish 4th (Championship) i am 16th having played 20 matches. I cant seem to create chances and concede to teams that are even threatened with relegation. My top scorer has 4 goals in late November. Help is it the update or smth else

[@thefridge3831]

I have dominated leagues using a 4-2-4 but using something similar in FM23 with DM (D) a DLP (S) and an IW/IF (S) in a line, and AF, DLF/TF and W on Attack and one IWB on Support. Always seems to carve through teams especially with more direct passing.

[@grantrobbins9949]

The tactic 🐐

[@RafalLuberacki]

is there any other option to download it?

[@henrikmadsen6446]

Hi Zealand. Please cover what physical condition actually does. Yes, it increases injury risk but does it do nothing else..?? It must but what?

[@TheRuyyya]

I'm managing Dover and after seeing this video I had decided to try it out in FA Cup second qualifying round against an Isthmian Premier side. My left winger got fouled inside penalty area 4 times lol this is broken.

[@WhenTheCrowdsAreGone]

does anyone have the file? I play the game on Game Pass so I can't actually use the steam workshop

[@lgr7162]

:( what about us on gamepass Mr Zealand? copied into my leeds save but is there any player instructions?

[@RafalLuberacki]

any chances to get file of this tactic in fmf type?

[@chris9964]

It feels like absolutely everyone has been using at least one IFB this year so far 😂