Guest Blogger tommysboy007 returns once again with another ‘Space and Overloads’, which aims to detail a few tactical setups in Football Manager 2023. From passing networks, structural shapes and vulnerabilities this 532 post is the 3rd tactical piece of this series. The previous 442 + 433 posts can be found here: coffeehousefm.com/lattequarterly

I hope you enjoy them - FM Grasshopper

532

532 Passing Network

By having 3 centre backs, it is likely to have at least one spare man available to pass away from pressing opposition striker(s) if playing against a one or two attacker formation. This gives us a stable base with which to build up from the back. In front of our defence we have 5 midfielders offering more passing angles to progress the ball forwards. The middle holding midfielder will be our passing pivot. These numbers in midfield give a variety to how we can attack. Most positions will have at least 2 passing triangles to help us control possession.

3-5-2 Structural Spaces

Two Forwards Partnership (as per 4-4-2). With two up top you have the opportunity to expose space behind and in front of the opposition’s defensive line. 

3-5-2 Structural Overloads

Flanks

With our Wing Backs pushing forward and wide, we can use the nearest Wide Centre Back or Striker and Central Midfielder to create 3v2 overloads on each wing. 

As an extreme example of overloading the flanks, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United or Steve Clarke’s Scotland use an attacking Wide Centre Back to overlap their Wing Back who is occupying the opponent’s full back. 

Midfield Numerical Superiority

The 5 men across the horizontal middle of the pitch will outnumber most other formations. As seen with Passing Network above this enables good possessional control.

3v2 or 5v3 Defence?

Let’s not pretend this isn't a Defence Minded tactic. With wing backs dropping back to form a 5 man defence and one striker coming into create 4 man midfield the basic defensive shape is 5-4-1. Quick counter attacks should still see us defend with 3 against two strikers or matched up against a 3 attacker formation. Note against a 4-2-4, I’d like to think we’d have enough bodies going forward to not worry about counter attacks!

3-5-2 Vulnerabilities

Space behind Wing Backs/Getting caught on the Counter Attack

There is a danger especially when losing possession that the space behind a 3-5-2’s wing backs can be exploited. As we have seen with Wing Backs having to patrol the full length of the pitch, this space will be exaggerated if a player’s stamina is too low to make the effort and get back in defence. 

3-5-2 Transitional Shapes

Defends in a 5-4-1:

Attacks in a 3-1-2-4 or 3-1-6:

3-5-2 Attacking Variance/Predictability

The 3-5-2 does offer different angles of attack with the 5 man midfield. By sacrificing a defender, we can attack with 7 players although due to noted vulnerability to counter attacks above, it is typical to keep a holding midfielder back to help out defensively. Even so we can push forward our midfielders to join the striker force and have four bodies in and around the penalty area for chance creations, getting on the end of crosses and capitalising on any poor clearances.  

How to Beat a 3-5-2 in FM23

Similarly to defeating the 4-4-2 and for the same reason, I am going with 3 at the back. We’re up against 2 strikers and we’re going to assume they are better players than my defenders so we need to outnumber them with a 3-player central defensive line. Read above in the 4-4-2 section for more benefits to keeping to the Defenders = No. of Opponent Strikers + 1 formula. 

Next we are man-to-man with two central midfielders and two deeper wing backs against the 4 more advanced players of the 3-5-2 midfield. The “spare” man is going to be played higher up the middle of the pitch to occupy the mind of the 3-5-2’s holding midfielder. In front of him we will have two centre forwards being asked to press the opponent’s defence when out of possession. 

The plan in possession is to counter attack with the two strikers making runs outside and in behind the centre backs to create space for the Advanced Midfielder to attack. 

My 3-5-2 in FM23

Having players that can be effective attacking Wide Centre Backs - like Croatia’s Gvardiol or Scotland’s Tierney - is unlikely at my level. Which is why we’re following the Wales blueprint. A standard Goalkeeper and Central Defenders are chosen. 

Our holding midfielder will also be our playmaker, a Deep Lying Playmaker on Defend to be more precise. On the flanks will be two Wing Backs because I don’t feel any of the Player Role options on the “midfield line” will make the players join the defensive line as I would like. One Central Midfielder on Support and the other on Attack will be balanced enough to get a staggering shape moving forward. Upfront, will be a Deep Lying Forward on Support + Advanced Forward combination with the option of making it a Pressing Forwards on same duties if against really tough opposition. 

As a team strategy, I want more controlled possession so Balanced Mentality and Shorter Passing are chosen with a Standard Defensive Line and Mid Block to maintain the shape. 

That’s my thoughts on the 532, I’ll be back soon with a breakdown of a Denmark/Serbian inspired 343 from World Cup 2022.

Thank you for reading,

tommysboy007