Football Manager 2020: How to choose a formation

The formation is an essential point in Football Manager 2020, it should be well thought out and must fit both the players and your tactics. We therefore explain the basics.

Personnel roster: it is advisable to have several formations in stock and to train them.

Without the right formation, failure is inevitable in Football Manager 2020. So it's worth the effort.

Football Manager 2020: Working out the right formation

For the formation you make under "Tactics", you should know these basics:

• Which formation is suitable depends not least on the opponent: if you play against a weaker team, you can theoretically use more offensive players. Conversely, against a stronger team, you should pay attention to the defense. However, this does not affect the formation alone, but also the roles of the players.
• It is advisable to review the skills of the existing players to develop a formation with suitable roles based on this. For example, if you have strong wingers or outfielders, you should not do without them, as is the case with a narrow midfield diamond (diamond).
• As a very popular all-round formation 4-2-3-1 has prevailed. The strong central midfield allows simultaneous control and game-building as well as defensive protection, while the two wingers increase the pressure on the opponent's goal.
• Also common is a 5-3-2, in which three central defenders provide a strong defensive core, while the variable wing defenders advance in attack and help out in defense at the back. The skills of the wing defenders are hugely important to the success of the tactic - speed, stamina and technique form the basis.
• The classic 4-4-2 with one row in midfield also still has its raison d'être today. It allows control over the midfield and at the same time a strong defensive performance.

Important in any formation, in addition to the role allocation, are the tactical details that need to be understood. For example, a wide attacking width is recommended if you have many players in the center, so that they do not get in the way. Here, familiarization is essential to create a truly successful formation.Last but not least, once you've created a formation, give the players a few games to get used to it before passing judgment. Tactical familiarity increases with each passing day and is a factor that should not be underestimated.