FIFA 23 Atletico Madrid Career Mode Guide - Starting Lineup, Who to Sign & more

Atletico Madrid are one of the best teams in FIFA 23, but can you take them to the next level in Career Mode?

The two-time Champions League runners-up have never tasted European glory, so that is going to be one of the biggest challenges for you as manager.

Our guide should help you as you attempt to make history with Atletico Madrid and take them to heights they have never reached before.

Team Rating

Atletico Madrid has a five-star rating in FIFA 23.

The breakdown of the ratings is as follows: ATT 82, MID 83, DEF 81.

Starting Lineup and Formation

Atleti set up in the 3-5-2 formation in FIFA 23 by default as this is the system we are most familiar with seeing them play in real life.

However, the 3-5-2 doesn't quite suit the current meta so we would recommend switching to the 4-3-3 holding variation, allowing the team to remain defensively stable whilst posing an attacking threat.

You may wish to go for the 4-3-3 attacking variation if you prefer playing with a traditional number 10, or 'CAM'.

Up front we have the immensely talented Joao Felix. The Portugal international will be supported by wingers Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa.

The midfield trio is made up of Thomas Lemar, Matheus Cunha and Rodrigo De Paul, with the likes of Geoffrey Kondogbia and Saul waiting in the wings.

Jose Gimenez partners Mario Hermoso in central defence, whilst the versatile Marcos Llorente and Sergio Reguilon operate in the full-back positions.

World-class goalkeeper Jan Oblak is the man between the sticks, of course.

Tactics and Instructions

With the exciting Joao Felix being the main target up front, we want to maximise his goal threat.

So, instruct the striker to Stay Forward, Stay Central and Get In Behind to give him the best possible chance of a sight at goal.

You may also want to set the speedy Yannick Carrasco on Get In Behind, whilst instructing Angel Correa to Cut Inside.

Both full-backs, Marcos Llorente and Sergio Reguilon, are capable of providing a real threat going forward, so instruct the wing-backs to Always Overlap in order to bolster the attack.

Make sure you instruct your number six, Rodrigo De Paul to Cover Centre and Stay Back While Attacking, or you may leave yourself vulnerable to the counterattack.

Training

When it comes to developing youngsters, you won't be short of options within this Atletico Madrid squad.

You'll want to focus on training Portuguese starlet Joao Felix (POT 90), who can grow into one of the best forwards in the entire game.

Thomas Lemar (POT 86) and Matheus Cunha (POT 86) can grow into a truly world-class midfield duo with just a few years of training.

Marcos Llorente (POT 85), Jose Gimenez (POT 85) and Nahuel Molina (POT 84) can all develop into top defenders in Career Mode.

Renan Lodi (POT 85), who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, should be trained upon his return to the side in order to take over the left-back role.

Transfer Market

Starting budget: £79 million

Who should go?

Ageing centre-back pair Felipe (OVR 81) and Stefan Savic (OVR 84) can be sold for a combined £40 million in the first season.

With sufficient cover in the middle of the park, 30-year-old centre-mid Koke (OVR 83) can be shown the door for around £35 million.

The likes of Alvaro Morata (OVR 80) and Axel Witsel (OVR 79) can also be sold in order to generate a further £30 million for future signings.

The following youngsters can also be sold as their potential rating is not high enough in FIFA 23 to challenge for a first-team spot:

Fran Gonzalez, Mini, Manu Lama, Diego Bri, Marco Moreno

Loans

The Atleti squad has ample depth, meaning there are a number of youngsters who can be sent out on loan.

The likes of Alberto Moreno (POT 80), Iturbe (POT 80) and Carlos Martin (POT 80) can all be sent out on loan in order to fast-track their development.

You should look to offer Portuguese forward Marcos Paulo (POT 80) regular minutes elsewhere upon his return from his current loan spell.

Who to Sign

New transfer budget: £188 million

World-Class Winger

When looking at the Atleti starting XI, there isn't one clear weakness. However, we feel the addition of a top wide forward will take this team to the next level.

AC Milan and Portugal international Rafael Leao (OVR 84) should be your number one target. The winger boasts incredible pace and dribbling as well as four-star skill moves and a four-star weak foot.

The exciting 23-year-old will instantly be one of the best players in the squad and can develop into a 90 OVR card. Leao can be picked up for around £70 million.

Transfer Options (RM/LM/RW/LW)

Dominant Centre-Half

With a hefty chunk of cash left in the transfer budget, we recommend you go out and sign a top-class centre-back to replace Mario Hermoso.

We'd recommend pinching a centre-back off your rivals, Real Madrid. 24-year-old Eder Militao (OVR 84) has all the attributes a CB needs in FIFA 23.

The Brazilian can grow into an 89 OVR player in Career Mode but he won't come cheap, being priced at roughly £60 million.

Transfer Options (CB)

Board Expectations

As you'd expect, results on the pitch are what matters with Atleti.

Domestic Success and Continental Success are both of critical priority, so you better make sure you bring home some silverware.

Brand Exposure is also vital to the club, but this means that low priority has been given to your Financial objectives which should take a bit of pressure off.

There is some expectation to deliver on the Youth Development objectives, so you'll need to keep an eye out for any future stars in your Youth Academy.