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 343 post is the 4th tactical piece of this series. The previous posts can be found here: coffeehousefm.com/lattequarterly

I hope you enjoy them - FM Grasshopper

343

343 Passing Network

Similarly to the 3-5-2, this formation benefits from the extra centre back when starting to build our attack. Like the 3-5-2, it is unlikely that it’ll be facing 3 centre forwards pressing the centre halves, thus we have our solid base for passing. We can advance via wide centre backs out to the wings or alternatively our central centre half might carry the ball forward through the middle. With clever movement we can open up passing lanes to the Central Midfielders and Wide Attackers. The Centre Forward can drop deep to offer a line breaking passing option too.

3-4-3 Structural Spaces

Half Spaces

Our two wider attackers not only sit in space between the opponents Defence and Midfield but also if against a back 4 between their Full Backs and Centre Backs or for a back 3, behind their Wing Backs. They are placed in that Half Space channel mentioned above and are very hard to pick up. From here they can drive into space behind or ahead of the Centre Backs.

Wing Play

The two Central Midfielders act as Double Pivots in this system which free up the Wing Backs to push forward more than the 3-5-2 system. The Wide Attackers can occupy the opponent Full Backs or Wide Defenders thus creating more space for our Wing Backs to exploit high and wide up the pitch. If in this position, we also have the Centre Forward and far-side Wide Attacker to give crossing options in the box.

3-4-3 Structural Overloads

3-man Attack of Centre

We mentioned above that the 3 attackers can combine to overload the opposition’s defensive centre especially if they have a back four. They can pass around the defenders or simply using their presence can create space for the extra Attacker. Look out for those diagonal runs from wide in behind occupied centre back.

Out Wide

I said previously in the ‘Beat the 4-4-2 section’, with this tactic that when our Wide Centre Back has possession it creates a 3v2 on the flank. The rest is copied from above verbatim:

“When the centre back moves forward with the ball we look to commit the wide midfielder to come forward to press, thus creating a 2v1 with Wide Attacker and Wing Back. We also have options from opposite side Wide Attacker and Centre Forward.”

Source: https://coffeehousefm.com/lqblog/2023/1/15/space-and-overloads-442-football-manager-tactics

Clogging the Middle

We can drop back this formation easily to defend as a 5-4-1 with a heavy presence of defenders through the centre of the park. If we do sit in, it makes it very difficult for opponent to break down.

3-4-3 Vulnerabilities

Space behind Wing Backs/Getting caught on the Counter Attack

There is the same danger as the 3-5-2 in the space behind our wing backs can be exploited. Having the two centre midfielders instead of a single pivot a la the 3-5-2 should lessen the risk but it still exists here. Again if the wing backs aren't physically up to the task this compounds the vulnerability.

The risk of getting caught with too many players in defence is heightened in the 3-4-3 because we are asking our Wing Backs to be pushed higher and more focused on attack because of the cover. However if the central midfielders desert their post in excitement then we will be more exposed.

3-4-3 Transitional Shapes

Defends in a 5-4-1:

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

3-4-3 Attacking Variance/Predictability Rating

One of the great proponents of the 3-4-3 is Antonio Conte. His football has often been described as dull or predictable but everyone agrees it is very effective. I personally think the 3-4-3 gives you options to attack wide, through the centre or in those half-spaces which in my opinion make it quite varied.

How to beat 3-4-3 in FM23

My plan on beating the 3-4-3 would focus on the wings. Firstly, by having two players wide, I am looking to unsettle their WIng Back. Get him looking over his shoulder at my Winger waiting to sprint into that big space behind every time he runs forward. I am counting on my Full Back and Centre Midfielders to cope with the threat of the Wing Back/Wide Attacker combination. By setting up with 4 at the back I have one defender more than their forward three. Of course my wingers can and should drop back to form a midfield bank of 4 whilst my 2 strikers can harry the 3 centre backs despite being outnumbered. In theory my 4-2-4 can defend with 8 against 7 opposition attackers whilst countering in the areas the 3-4-3 is weakest - the space behind the wing backs.

My 4-2-4 using FM preset Wing Play TIs would look like this:

My 3-4-3 in FM23

I am taking inspiration for the 3-4-3 from Serbia and Denmark with a team of 10 hard working players looking to fight for their teammates when out of possession. Try to frustrate the opposition in a 5-4-1 defensive shape. For my defence, nothing too fancy - standard Goal Keeper with 3 x Centre Backs (x2 defend and x1 on cover). Ahead will be two attacking Wing Backs ready to get up the pitch and offer width to our attacks. Inside them will be two sitting midfielders who will need to be positionally disciplined. I may allow one of them to step forward to join attacks but just the one!

Ahead, two wide attackers I am going to use Inside Wingers and have them sit narrower via Player Instructions. For variance, one will be on Attack and the other Support.

At the top, a good old fashioned battering ram would be good. If I have a Mitrovic-like player then Target Forward on Attack. If not, I might play a support forward (DLF or PF) with an Inside Forward on Attack instead.

That’s my thoughts on the 343, thank you for reading,

tommysboy007