This is my attempt to recreate the classic Deportivo de La Coruña side under Arsenio Iglesias in Football Manager 2026. The idea was to replicate the balance, defensive solidity, and structured attacking play that defined “Super Depor”, while adapting it to the modern ME.
Out of possession: A compact back five with disciplined midfield protection In possession: Wing-backs push high, creating width and turning the shape into a 3-5-2
🧠 Key Principles
1. Defensive Solidity First The core of this tactic is a strong defensive block:
Three centre-backs stay narrow and structured A Half Back-style DM (or equivalent) drops in to reinforce build-up and cover transitions Midfield remains compact to deny central progression
2. Structured Build-Up
The pivot (PDM/DM) acts as the link between defence and midfield One CM provides stability, while the AM operates as the main creative outlet Short-to-medium passing with positional discipline
3. Wing Play Through WB Support
Wing-backs are crucial for width (both sides on attacking roles) They stretch the pitch and provide crossing options, echoing Depor’s classic wide threat
4. Strike Partnership
One Central Forward (CFD) moving a lot One Second Striker (SS/SCF) dropping between lines and linking play This recreates the Bebeto+Barragán duo
🔄 In Possession Shape Back 3 (CBs) Double pivot feel (DM + CM) Advanced AM as playmaker High and wide wing-backs Two forwards combining centrally
🚫 Out of Possession Clear 5-3-2 block Compact vertically and horizontally Designed to: Absorb pressure Force wide play Win second balls
📊 Results (LaLiga 2 – Season) 2nd Place – Automatic Promotion Points: 78 Record: 22W – 12D – 8L Goals: 68 scored / 32 conceded The best defensive records in the league
The tactic delivered exactly what it was designed for:
Consistency over the season Strong defensive numbers Enough attacking output without sacrificing balance
✅ Final Thoughts
This is not a high-risk, high-chaos gegenpress. It’s a controlled, structured system inspired by Arsenio Iglesias’ philosophy:
Defensive discipline Intelligent positioning Efficient attacking play
It works especially well with:
Solid CBs with positioning Hard-working midfielders Wing-backs with stamina and crossing A complementary striker duo
I have tried to recreated Barcelona's Pep Guardiola vs Real Madrid that ended 2-6 with Messi playing as a false 9. I think it really worked but it's a tactic that you should change rhythm during the match to save energies. If you are winning defend with the ball lowing rhythm. I simulated all season on vacation so my 2nd exhausted a lot my team but we got more than 100 goals and points in regular season. We crashed at Copa del Rey at semifinals losing at Bernabeu for 8 goals and in quarter finals at Champions global 5-4 vs Liverpool.
I tried to replicate how Hector Cuper's Valencia played during the season 1999/2000. A wonderfull team with Cañizares as goalkeeper; Angloma, Pellegrino, Djukić, and Carboni at defense; Farinós, Mendieta, Kily González and Gerard at midfield, with Claudio López and Angulo as strikers.
Low block with an amazing long passes with Mendieta comanding and "Piojo" López running towards the rival defenders.
During the Beta I tried to emulate the most effective tactic I played in FM24 with Barcelona. It's a 4-4-2 that take the best of our left winger. So I thought this tactic could give us a great season of Raphinha again. And it does. 15 goals and 20 assist in 50 matches played.
We try to recover the ball asap in the rival's third part of the field so we can connect soon with our two strikers.
Traditional FB that goes 2vs1 in practically every offensive play.
Also, I tried to give an oportunity to new defensive roles as wide covering defensive midfielder.
We got dumped at quarter finals of the Champions League but won La Liga and Copa del Rey.
EduEd7 said: Cómo puedo cargar la táctica en mi partida? Es que soy bastante nuevo con estas cosas y no sé muy bien cómo hacerlo. Expand
Si es con windows debes ir a documentos->sport interactive->football manager 26 y buscar ahí la carpeta tactics. Si no existe la creas y dentro de esa carpeta pegas el archivo descargado.
Luego en el juego, al añadir una nueva táctica eliges la opción cargar táctica y te aparecerá
qmork said: Yes, but when I try to open it in fmi it says that this file cannot be imported. Expand
That's strange. I've been reading that if you change the name of the tactic before import it, it cant be imported. Don't know if that the case but it's the reason I read. Also if it has special caracters in the name, dont think so neither. I hope you can solve it
Trying to make side traps work in FM26 I have prepared this tactic that has made me promote from spanish 3rd to 1st with squads below average every year.
I think that could be great with a better team selection. I will keep trying it to win the Champions League with this team from my city.
⚙️ Tactical Overview
Mentality: Balanced
Shape: Hybrid 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 depending on phase
This system transforms dynamically:
Out of possession: A compact back five with disciplined midfield protection
In possession: Wing-backs push high, creating width and turning the shape into a 3-5-2
🧠 Key Principles
1. Defensive Solidity First
The core of this tactic is a strong defensive block:
Three centre-backs stay narrow and structured
A Half Back-style DM (or equivalent) drops in to reinforce build-up and cover transitions
Midfield remains compact to deny central progression
2. Structured Build-Up
The pivot (PDM/DM) acts as the link between defence and midfield
One CM provides stability, while the AM operates as the main creative outlet
Short-to-medium passing with positional discipline
3. Wing Play Through WB Support
Wing-backs are crucial for width (both sides on attacking roles)
They stretch the pitch and provide crossing options, echoing Depor’s classic wide threat
4. Strike Partnership
One Central Forward (CFD) moving a lot
One Second Striker (SS/SCF) dropping between lines and linking play
This recreates the Bebeto+Barragán duo
🔄 In Possession Shape
Back 3 (CBs)
Double pivot feel (DM + CM)
Advanced AM as playmaker
High and wide wing-backs
Two forwards combining centrally
🚫 Out of Possession
Clear 5-3-2 block
Compact vertically and horizontally
Designed to:
Absorb pressure
Force wide play
Win second balls
📊 Results (LaLiga 2 – Season)
2nd Place – Automatic Promotion
Points: 78
Record: 22W – 12D – 8L
Goals: 68 scored / 32 conceded
The best defensive records in the league
The tactic delivered exactly what it was designed for:
Consistency over the season
Strong defensive numbers
Enough attacking output without sacrificing balance
✅ Final Thoughts
This is not a high-risk, high-chaos gegenpress. It’s a controlled, structured system inspired by Arsenio Iglesias’ philosophy:
Defensive discipline
Intelligent positioning
Efficient attacking play
It works especially well with:
Solid CBs with positioning
Hard-working midfielders
Wing-backs with stamina and crossing
A complementary striker duo
I think it really worked but it's a tactic that you should change rhythm during the match to save energies. If you are winning defend with the ball lowing rhythm.
I simulated all season on vacation so my 2nd exhausted a lot my team but we got more than 100 goals and points in regular season.
We crashed at Copa del Rey at semifinals losing at Bernabeu for 8 goals and in quarter finals at Champions global 5-4 vs Liverpool.
We won La Liga and get to final of CL where Real Madrid beat us.
Low block with an amazing long passes with Mendieta comanding and "Piojo" López running towards the rival defenders.
It's a 4-4-2 that take the best of our left winger. So I thought this tactic could give us a great season of Raphinha again. And it does. 15 goals and 20 assist in 50 matches played.
We try to recover the ball asap in the rival's third part of the field so we can connect soon with our two strikers.
Traditional FB that goes 2vs1 in practically every offensive play.
Also, I tried to give an oportunity to new defensive roles as wide covering defensive midfielder.
We got dumped at quarter finals of the Champions League but won La Liga and Copa del Rey.
Si es con windows debes ir a documentos->sport interactive->football manager 26 y buscar ahí la carpeta tactics. Si no existe la creas y dentro de esa carpeta pegas el archivo descargado.
Luego en el juego, al añadir una nueva táctica eliges la opción cargar táctica y te aparecerá
That's strange. I've been reading that if you change the name of the tactic before import it, it cant be imported. Don't know if that the case but it's the reason I read. Also if it has special caracters in the name, dont think so neither. I hope you can solve it
Have you put the file into the tactics folder?
I think that could be great with a better team selection. I will keep trying it to win the Champions League with this team from my city.