Formation
4-3-3: Best reflects City’s defensive shape and attacking fluidity, with one full-back inverting and
midfielders forming a box. Alternatively, a 4-2-3-1 can mimic the in-possession 3-2-4-1 by setting
the attacking midfielder (e.g., De Bruyne) to push forward.
Team Instructions
Mentality: Attacking
Reflects City’s dominant, proactive style in 2022/23, aiming to overwhelm opponents (135 goals
scored in tests). Use Positive for underdog teams to reduce risk.
In Possession:
Passing Style: Short Passing
Mimics City’s 66% possession average, focusing on quick, short passes to control games.
Tempo: Slightly Higher
Encourages quick transitions to exploit Haaland’s pace and De Bruyne’s through balls.
Width: Fairly Wide
Keeps wingers (Grealish, Silva) high and wide to stretch defenses, creating space for Haaland and
midfielders.
Approach Play: Play Out of Defence
Replicates City’s build-up with Ederson and centre-backs, often involving Stones’ inversion.
Creative Freedom: Be More Expressive
Allows De Bruyne, Gündoan, and wingers to rotate and create dynamically, as seen in City’s fluid
3-2-4-1.
In Transition:
Counter-Press: Enabled
Reflects Guardiola’s “six-second rule” for aggressive ball recovery.
Counter: Enabled
Exploits transitions with Haaland’s runs and wingers’ 1v1 skills (e.g., Grealish’s dribbling).
Distribute To: Centre-Backs and Goalkeeper
Encourages build-up through Ederson, Dias, and Akanji, with line-breaking passes to midfield.
Out of Possession:
Defensive Line: Higher
Supports City’s high press and compact shape, reducing space for opponents.
Pressing Line: High Press
Mimics the intense full-pitch press led by Haaland.
Pressing Triggers: Much More Often
Ensures aggressive pressing to disrupt opposition build-up.
Defensive Style: Prevent Short GK Distribution
Forces opponents to go long, allowing Dias and Akanji to win aerial duels.
Player Roles and Instructions
Using Manchester City’s 2022/23 squad, here’s how to set up roles in FM24 Touch:
Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper (Support)
Ederson initiates build-up with accurate passes. Use Take More Risks and Distribute to Centre-
Backs.
Centre-Backs:
Left CB: Ball-Playing Defender (Defend) – Nathan Aké. Use Take More Risks to reflect
progressive passing.
Right CB: Central Defender (Defend) – Rúben Dias. Use Take Fewer Risks to maintain defensive
stability.
Right-Back: Inverted Wing-Back (Support)
John Stones/Manuel Akanji inverts into midfield alongside Rodri, forming a 3-2 base. Use Sit
Narrower and Take More Risks.
Left-Back: Wing-Back (Support)
Kyle Walker provides width or overlaps. Use Get Further Forward and Stay Wider. If using Aké
here, set as Full-Back (Support) with Stay Wider.
Midfield:
DM: Defensive Midfielder (Defend) – Rodri. Anchors the midfield, covering for Stones’ inversion.
Use Hold Position.
CM (Left): Central Midfielder (Support) – lkay Gündoan. Links play and rotates into pockets. Use
Take More Risks and Move into Channels.
CM (Right): Advanced Playmaker (Attack) – Kevin De Bruyne. Creates chances and drives
forward. Use Get Further Forward, Take More Risks, and Roam from Position.
Right Winger: Winger (Attack)
Bernardo Silva stays wide for 1v1s, delivering cut-backs. Use Stay Wider and Run Wide with Ball.
Left Winger: Winger (Support)
Jack Grealish stretches play and dribbles. Use Stay Wider, Dribble More, and Run Wide with Ball.
Striker: Advanced Forward (Attack)
Erling Haaland makes runs in behind and attacks crosses. Use Get Further Forward and Move
into Channels.
