Football Manager 2022 has finally arrived, which means it's time to put your tactical hat on and start thinking about the formations and tactics you're going to use in this year's game.
We've got you covered for an in-depth look at five of the best styles we've used so far on the FM22 Beta.
FM22 Best Tactics
Choosing your tactics can be a difficult task, especially when you think you've found the right formula only to be proved wrong by a five-match losing streak.
From positive, attacking formations to cautious and defensive approaches, using any one of these formations should guarantee success in Football Manager 2022.
Click here to read our guide to the best formations in FM22.
Positive 4-2-3-1
The go-to choice for many managers in the modern game, the 4-2-3-1 system offers an excellent balance in both phases of play (attacking and defensive).
Using a tika-taka style with a positive mentality will see your team dominate possession and create plenty of chances.
We'd recommend using a deep-lying playmaker in this formation, ensuring that your midfield isn't overrun on the counter.
Your defenders will also need to be good on the ball and your full-backs will need to have a good work rate. Failing to balance the formation could lead to your team leaking goals, but striking the right tune will see this formation reap major rewards.
Defensive 5-4-1
It's often difficult to know how to combat the biggest and best teams in Football Manager 2022, but this formation should certainly help.
Whilst going defensive can be a difficult moral choice, this 5-4-1 formation allows you to sit back but also push forward on the counter.
With your wingers encouraged to push forward on the break, and your midfielders being box-to-box, this formation allows you to make your opponents rue their missed chances.
Sitting back can be effective, but you'll need to have a plan B in place if things start to turn ugly.
Cautious 3-3-3-1
Set up in the style of a Marcelo Bielsa team, this relentless formation requires your team to be constantly running and to be able to break quickly on the counter.
Perfect for a team in the Premier League hoping to progress, this formation allows you to soak up pressure before moving the ball quickly between the lines.
With the new wide centre-back role arriving in Football Manager 2022, you could utilise this new innovation to make your wing play even more dangerous.
The central midfielder at the heart of your team is the most important player in this formation, and you'll want to make sure they have the perfect balance to perform in such a demanding setup.
Gegenpressing 4-1-2-1-2
Football Manager 2022 has introduced a brand new stamina system that means gegenpressing can no longer be abused by managers.
In the past, it was simple to send your players into the press and see no consequences, but now you'll need to make sure that your players have the natural fitness that permits them to operate in this kind of style.
When you find the right balance, we recommend using this formation.
Whilst it may be strange not to deploy a winger, using the ball through the centre could be the perfect way to counteract three at the back formations that attempt to scupper your midfield.
Your full-backs will have to work hard, but this formation provides a perfect balance that could lead to huge success in Football Manager 2022.
Balanced 3-4-3
By far the most successful formation we've used in Football Manager 2022, the 3-4-3 is a formation that provides incredible balance across the pitch.
Ensuring your wingers have good vision and crossing stats is key to this formation, with the supply to the front line the most important element of this setup.
Deploying a low defensive line will ensure your defenders aren't breached by long balls, but you'll definitely want to have a sturdy ball-winning midfielder in front of them.
When used effectively, this tactical style could be one of the best in the game.
Click here to find out everything we know about Football Manager 2022.
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