ZaZ
Trapping opponents outside, to keep players more concentrated in the middle.



Defensive midfielder taking more risks.



Wingbacks with neutral pressure, like this tactic. Checking if that is disrupting the offside trap in a line of four.



Ace3123 said: Have you tried replacing SS with FR?

I did in a different context, but I will test it again.
Removed press more from wingbacks since wingers are now pressing opponents on the flanks.



Just updating Spring with the latest improvements from Autumn 4.5.



Removed Move Into Channels from AMC, to check if there is some new interaction with the frontline after changes, based on results from this tactic.



Removed Roam From Position, to check if there is some new interaction with the frontline after changes, based on results from this tactic.



ra1zed said: I'm very new to FM26. This is my first ever save.

It's 2029 and I'm on the 2nd season using the set piece, some tooltips started appearing specifically saying that taking corners like we have been "leaves us open to powerful counter-attacks" or something like that. I have seen at least one instance of one our corners directly leading to an opponents goal through a "Key" moment. It left me confused, as it did not happen a single time on the first season.

The one change is that I lost Lucyo, which was an amazing set piece taker. And now I'm left with guys that are around 3-5 in that stat. But I have not changed the tactic.


If it is something that happens once a season or so, then it is not much to be worried about. I will check if adding an extra stay back in attacking corners hinder too much the goal scoring ability. Thank you again for the feedback!
Testing different "pressures" on midfielders, to see how it interacts with new defensive movements from frontliners. This one uses Press Less Often with both.



Testing different "pressures" on midfielders, to see how it interacts with new defensive movements from frontliners. This one uses Press More Often with both.



Antal said: I try to stick to reality, so that in this tactic the left insiders play with their right strong foot, and the right insiders with their left strong foot, but I’m not sure that this is more effective)

I did not see any study about footing in FM26. There was one for FM24 here, and another by FM-Arena. In my personal opinion, the difference is negligible, and I often train my wingbacks and wingers in the opposite side so I can always use the best players available. My rule of thumb is to not care about it for selection, but try to put the same foot as side among selected players.
TurboHips said: Wow insane work mate could you post instructions when back

Thanks. Instructions were added to first post.
ra1zed said: Used this for an entire season as a 5DN Brazilian team. In comparison to the Assistant Coach, there was a very noticeable increase in goals from corners and free kicks (Lucyo is insane at FKs) especially. Conceded goals seemed to stay the same, although my defenders are the worst part of the squad. I have uploaded the tactic used, as I am not sure if it matters too much.

Thank you! I am focusing on corner defense these days, but could not find much improvement yet. Funny enough, these corner defense settings seem good in isolation, but when the team starts to score more corner goals, it starts to concede more too. Probably just a coincidence, but I will keep working on it.
I am out of town until tomorrow, so I can only update the post or answer questions when I return. Great to see another breakthrough, though!
Nozdormu said: Hi, @ZaZ do you have a training schedule for goalkeeper? Thank you~

Sorry, but I do not.
Neutral defensive line behaviour with pressing more frontline.





Striker Tactic (TODO: Test updated striker version.)
https://fm-arena.com/thread/19215-zaz-autumn-3-39-st/.

A high intensity tactic that scores goals from inside the box, with most assists from the middle. Goals and assists are well distributed between all players.

Player Instructions, Opponent Instructions and Situational Tactics Player Instructions
All: Tackle Harder
GK: Pass Shorter
BCB: Pass Shorter, Trigger Press More Often
OCB: Shoot Less Often, Take More Risks, Pass Shorter, Trigger Press Less Often
AWB: Sit Narrower, Cross From Byline and Shoot Less Often, Trigger Press More Often
CHM: Roam From Position
IF: Stay Wider, Trigger Press More Often
SS: Move Into Channels, Trigger Press More Often

Opponent Instructions
Only recommend people to use if they know what they are doing. You can read about how I use opponent instructions here.

Defensive Tactic
The goal of this version is to hold a score without a noticeable cost of performance. Use when you want to concede less goals. (TODO: Test updated defensive version.)
https://fm-arena.com/thread/19266-zaz-autumn-3-40/

Light Tactic
The goal of this version is to preserve players, saving condition while avoiding injuries and cards, at the cost of performance. Use when you have a comfortable lead. (TODO: Test updated light version.)
https://fm-arena.com/thread/19340-zaz-autumn-3-40-light/

Training and Set Pieces You can read more about my suggested training schedules here. (TODO: Test updated set pieces.)
Schedules
Ideally split 3:1 between Growth and Rebalance during the season, with Rebalance used around once a month. Optionally, you can use the General during all season.
Rebalance ([Resistance]): Redistributes CA among the most important attributes.
Growth ([Physical]x5[Attacking]x5 for one match or [Physical]x2[Attacking]x2 for two matches): Improves secondary attributes, with focus on key attributes.
General ([Physical]x2[Attacking]x2[Resistance]): Simplified version combining Growth and Rebalance, to be used during the whole season if you do not want to overthink with training.

Rest and Recovery
Three Rest sessions are used after every match to trigger super-rest, and Recovery sessions are used to reduce the loss of match sharpness in days without training.

Automatic Intensity
Double when full energy, and no pitch or gym training when below full condition.

Individual Focus
Quickness, or Agility/Reactions for goalkeepers

Roles
Not needed, but you can pick any role with highlighted Pace and Acceleration to train new positions

Set pieces and training are in the attachments. Pictures for people on consoles are below.








For youth teams, I usually do just the rebalance routine (Resistance x1), to ensure players grow Pace and Acceleration without compromising their potential attributes.

Preferred Player Attributes Top priority: Pace and Acceleration are by far the most effective attributes.
Minimum requirements: 6 in Work Rate, Agility, Concentration and Stamina. These attributes hurt a lot when low, but do not improve performance significantly at higher values.
Only look below if still in doubt between two players.
Priority #2: Jumping Reach (especially for defenders).
Secondary requirements: 10 in Balance, Dribbling (especially for flank players), Work Rate and Anticipation.
Only look below if still in doubt between two players.
Priority #3: Dribbling and balance.

Example of ideal player
Pace: 18+++
Acceleration: 18+++
Work Rate: 10
Agility: 6
Concentration: 6
Stamina: 6
Anticipation: 10
Jumping Reach: 10++
Dribbling: 10+
Balance: 10+

There are two player filters in the attachments. You can use them in Recruitment > Player Database > Edit Search, loading them in the cog icon by the bottom left. One filter is to remove bad players, while the other is to show very good players (but might filter out some good outliers).

Credits to everyone in FM-Arena who did small experiments which gave hints to what might be working well in this patch. Probably there will be a better tactic inspired by this one in the next hours or days, so I am just happy to contribute.
ZaZ - Set Pieces 2.0.fmf
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ZaZ - Player Filter.fmf
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ZaZ - Player Filter Elite.fmf
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ZaZ - Rebalance - 2 Matches.fmf
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ZaZ - Rebalance - 1 Match.fmf
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ZaZ - Growth - 2 Matches.fmf
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ZaZ - Growth - 1 Match.fmf
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ZaZ - General - 2 Matches.fmf
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ZaZ - General - 1 Match.fmf
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Goalkeeper dribbling more, because I want to see if it has some synergy with the Sweeper Keeper role.



Bradjc94 said: Any suggestions on who you would recommend in that role?

There are some threads of GS scout weights and people investigating the performance of players in each position, and they should be able to give a more informed suggestion than me.

If you just want some well known name, then Palmer, Bellingham, Musiala or Foden should do the trick.
Bradjc94 said: @ZaZ Well done, should we use this or 3.59 for a team like Barcelona?

They are barely the same, with a small tweak on the goalkeeper. This one had better results in the test, so I would stick to it. Too bad Barcelona does not have a good AMC, so you will have to hire someone for that position if you want peak performance.