Football Manager 2023: Best Formations to Win

In every new Football Manager there are new tactics and formations that are favoured in the new game. We are now a couple months into Football Manager 2023’s (FM23) life and in that time we have figured out some of the best formations in the game.

Here are some of the most effective formations we have used during our time with the game. It is worth noting though, a good formation always relies on having the right players to fit the system.

FM23 Best Formations 

FM23: 4-4-2: Counter Attack 

The 4-4-2 Counter Attack may seem a bit negative, but if you’re in a lower division and you’re just trying to scrape some points, win some game, and climb up the table, this formation is perfect. 

You need to be defensively solid, with players who are physically adept. This way, even if you can’t dominate things like possession, your players will be able to dominate their one-on-ones. 

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If you have big forwards too, whack early crosses on and just watch the goals fly in. It may not be pretty, but it’s a great place to start and it will get the job done. 

FM23: 5-2-1-2: Gengenpress

If FM23 is anything like FM22, then the 5-2-1-2 Gengenpress is going to be another killer way to play. The wing backs provide great width, and if you have two, decent sized strikers they will be able to score goals for days. 

Last year was the first time 5 at the back worked effectively in FM, in previous years it was always a bit of a non-starter. It makes sense then, that it will continue to be just as effective in FM23.

The only issue with a Gengenpress, is you have to have players with the engines to maintain the constant press. You won’t give the opposition a second to breath, and because of your team’s shape there is nowhere for them to go. If you play quite attacking, you can get from back to front very quickly on the counter. 

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FM23: 4-3-3 Tiki-Taka 

It’s how Spain won the World Cup, it’s how Pep Guardiola won the treble at Barcelona, and it’s how you could do it in FM23. It’s patient but it is incredibly effective. You will need to ensure you have players comfortable on the ball, who aren’t too at risk of losing it. 

This tactic will only work, if you have much better technical players than the rest of the league. So you either need a lot of money, or some good youngsters coming through. 

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Using the 4-3-3 will allow you to dominate possession, hopefully dominate your opposition and grab plenty of goals in the meantime. Your inverted wingers are going to be crucial here, so make sure they can finish or create. Then just sit back and watch the trophies come in. 

FM23: 5-2-3/3-4-3 Vertical Tiki-Taka

This system isn’t too far removed from what Antonio Conte likes to deploy at the teams he is managing. You have good strong defenders, with one who can play out and start attacks if you need them to. Then a mobile, defensively minded midfield two to break up the play, whilst your front three can score goals for fun. 

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Again, you need to ensure you have players who are technically very good and can find space with their passes, but you will have more defensive cover with this system than the 4-3-3, so you won’t have to be as dominant.

If you do find yourself under fire a bit, you can always switch to a counter attack too and this shape is still just as effective. 

You can also always download tactics from the Steam store or online, as these can often give you a bit of an edge if you’re struggling.