This is a practical guide to creating tactics that (hopefully) won't result in your team getting beaten 20–0 in its first match. It is not a step-by-step tutorial — if you're unsure how to set tactics in the first place, you should read this guide first. But if you already know how to create tactics, here are some tips to avoid disaster on match day.
It's perfectly fine to experiment with formations — but don't go overboard. A wildly unconventional setup can leave your players completely confused on the pitch, and that's a recipe for disaster.
We recommend sticking with real-world formations — something that's commonly used in football today. These include systems like 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2, or similar setups you'd regularly see in actual matches. Variations of common formations (like a 4-4-2 diamond, with one defensive and one attacking midfielder) are also fine.
However, extreme or unrealistic setups—like a 1-1-8 formation — won't work. In fact, such formations aren't allowed. If you use an invalid setup, your team will be assigned a default 4-4-2 bot-controlled formation instead.
We all know that midfield is the heart of the team, but having a strong midfield alone won't win you games. You still need defenders who can hold the line and attackers who can score goals. But more importantly: your formation and style of play must make sense together.
For example, playing with five midfielders and selecting a long ball passing style is a waste — the ball will usually bypass those midfielders entirely. Likewise, using only defensive and attacking midfielders without a true central midfielder, and then choosing short/direct passing, will cause your play to break down. Or, if you assign a sweeper in your back line but enable the offside trap, you're asking for trouble.
Think about how your formation, player roles, and tactical choices fit together. Always have a clear vision of what kind of football you want your team to play — and build your tactics around that.
Fitness plays a crucial role in every match. Sending out players who are exhausted is almost guaranteed to hurt your chances. Always check each player's Condition before including them in your starting eleven.
Always check the match day weather forecast before finalizing your tactics. For example, trying to play short, direct passing in a rainstorm on a soaked pitch probably won't lead to fluid or creative football.
Making use of substitutions is helpful in many situations — from giving younger players a chance, to refreshing your squad when fatigue starts to show. However, whatever the case, it's smart to keep one substitution in reserve in case of an injury.
Bringing on fresh legs in the second half can shift the momentum in your favor. The substituted player gets a break, and the incoming player can often wreak havoc against a tired opponent.
There are plenty of ways to outplay your opponent with smart tactical choices. Here are a few examples:
One common mistake: fielding a single classic defender and thinking a couple of defensive midfielders will protect the goal. That's not how it works!
Use actual defenders to defend. At minimum, you need at least one central defender (supported by two fullbacks or wingbacks). If you're not using fullbacks, then use three central defenders. Playing with only two central defenders—even with a defensive midfielder in front—has proven too risky and often results in conceded goals.
As with the “use common formation” tip, look to real-world football as a guide. You don't see many teams fielding one defender and eight forwards these days, do you?
Hopefully these tips will help you build a successful tactic that lead your team to the top of the table. For more tactical tips (including a short description of skills needed for each position), check out the Tactical FAQ.