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The AJAX/Van Gaal 3-3-3-1 tactic: how to build a perfect one?


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Hi everybody!

As an Ajax supporter my goal for each FM is to make a working 3331 tactic, like Louis van Gaal did in 1995.
The formation I want to use is a 3-3-31 and I would like some help to build a perfect one!
So I would love to hear your suggestions for this tactic: team instructions and/or player roles.

Team Instructions:
- (Much?) Shorter passing
- Work ball into Box
- Be More Disciplined
- Counter-press
- Distribute to CB
- High D-Line
- High Press
- More Often
- Prevent GK distribution

I will add player roles later today.

Formation

Spoiler

image.png.d8e3728cae28c529c2bb535dc0b2e5c0.png

 

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Quote
VAN-GAAL-1.png?resize=640%2C582&ssl=1

Given that Ajax have a clear playing philosophy the in-game team instructions will be exactly the same across the three different systems. This will ensure that regardless of system the underlying principles of the Ajax way game model will stay consistent. 

image-4.png?resize=162%2C365&ssl=1

Each formation is a compromise of strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, I will be looking to react to opponents in-game, changing systems, and drawing upon every fibre of my tactical awareness with the view to making those all important marginal gains

This by @MattyLewis11 might help it’s part of his Ajax way series 

 

https://www.viewfromthetouchline.com/2023/11/03/fm24-the-ajax-way-introduction/

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13 minutes ago, Karlo said:

To create this formation, I think you will first have to start with a back four.

I think the right and left back should be IFBde and the DM a Libero on support.

Interesting. Formation could be a 4231. Thanks. Going to try my Formation first but its on the list. Maybe for tough away games. 

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22 minutes ago, Skywalk3r83 said:

Interesting. Formation could be a 4231. Thanks. Going to try my Formation first but its on the list. Maybe for tough away games. 

If you have Google Books this is a pretty good book to refer to. 

The System he explains in there is more a 4231 with one of the CB's stepping up to form the base of the diamond. 

Screenshot_20240213_124035.thumb.jpg.705ee1e21cdf180d8f4857cab3ef2efe.jpg

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3 hours ago, Skywalk3r83 said:

Interesting. Formation could be a 4231. Thanks. Going to try my Formation first but its on the list. Maybe for tough away games. 

IFBde - Lsu - BPDde - IFBde

It's a bit like how City defends with Stones. With the new rotations you get the field occupancy you want.

Only the rest of the attacking roles will be a matter of experimenting and seeing what suits the players
 

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@Skywalk3r83 I don't want to stop you from adopting your own tactical interpretation. (This is based on a LVG Ajax side) However, this has been built off the back of four seasons of FM24.

image.png.d8333f027f983f6637516a35829c1f1c.png

The outcome in season four...

image.png.e12a2170b7a1a74e4fb5d1734caa213e.png

The previous seasons...

S1

image.thumb.png.e7b0436932e1e8e988ef72c580ee2d07.png

S2

image.thumb.png.db3241cb22a74892bc2ad2d1350c9c2c.png

S3

image.thumb.png.a6565b978bbb28fd756079ade9506a1f.png

 

Edited by MattyLewis11
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6 minutes ago, MattyLewis11 said:

@Skywalk3r83 I don't want to stop you from adopting your own tactical interpretation. (This is based on a LVG Ajax side) However, this has been built off the back of four seasons of FM24.

image.png.d8333f027f983f6637516a35829c1f1c.png

The outcome in season four...

image.png.e12a2170b7a1a74e4fb5d1734caa213e.png

The previous seasons...

S1

image.thumb.png.e7b0436932e1e8e988ef72c580ee2d07.png

S2

image.thumb.png.db3241cb22a74892bc2ad2d1350c9c2c.png

S3

image.thumb.png.a6565b978bbb28fd756079ade9506a1f.png

 

No problem! Followed and read your Ajax series 👌🏻

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22 hours ago, MattyLewis11 said:

@Skywalk3r83 I don't want to stop you from adopting your own tactical interpretation. (This is based on a LVG Ajax side) However, this has been built off the back of four seasons of FM24.

image.png.d8333f027f983f6637516a35829c1f1c.png

The outcome in season four...

image.png.e12a2170b7a1a74e4fb5d1734caa213e.png

The previous seasons...

S1

image.thumb.png.e7b0436932e1e8e988ef72c580ee2d07.png

S2

image.thumb.png.db3241cb22a74892bc2ad2d1350c9c2c.png

S3

image.thumb.png.a6565b978bbb28fd756079ade9506a1f.png

 

You play like this in the big games as well?

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  • 6 months later...
On 13/02/2024 at 20:26, SteinkelssonFM said:

@Skywalk3r83 I don't want to stop you from adopting your own tactical interpretation. (This is based on a LVG Ajax side) However, this has been built off the back of four seasons of FM24.

image.png.d8333f027f983f6637516a35829c1f1c.pngThe outcome in season four...

image.png.e12a2170b7a1a74e4fb5d1734caa213e.png

The previous seasons...

S1

image.thumb.png.e7b0436932e1e8e988ef72c580ee2d07.png

S2

image.thumb.png.db3241cb22a74892bc2ad2d1350c9c2c.png

S3

On 13/02/2024 at 20:26, SteinkelssonFM said:

@Skywalk3r83 I don't want to stop you from adopting your own tactical interpretation. (This is based on a LVG Ajax side) However, this has been built off the back of four seasons of FM24.

image.png.d8333f027f983f6637516a35829c1f1c.png

The outcome in season four...

image.png.e12a2170b7a1a74e4fb5d1734caa213e.png

The previous seasons...

S1

image.thumb.png.e7b0436932e1e8e988ef72c580ee2d07.png

S2

image.thumb.png.db3241cb22a74892bc2ad2d1350c9c2c.png

S3

image.thumb.png.a6565b978bbb28fd756079ade9506a1f.png

 

Does the Carrilero role in midfield help with covering the wider areas? I unbeknowingly made this formation with my Barca team but i find with the 3 CBS teams just pass the ball from one wide area to another and they always have at least one free player. I don't really want to use a HB as it would be De Jong and he's best as a DLP. Does a HB literally just drop in and defend or do they offer more?

Thanks.

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On 13/02/2024 at 15:26, SteinkelssonFM said:

@Skywalk3r83 I don't want to stop you from adopting your own tactical interpretation. (This is based on a LVG Ajax side) However, this has been built off the back of four seasons of FM24.

image.png.d8333f027f983f6637516a35829c1f1c.png

The outcome in season four...

image.png.e12a2170b7a1a74e4fb5d1734caa213e.png

The previous seasons...

S1

image.thumb.png.e7b0436932e1e8e988ef72c580ee2d07.png

S2

image.thumb.png.db3241cb22a74892bc2ad2d1350c9c2c.png

S3

image.thumb.png.a6565b978bbb28fd756079ade9506a1f.png

 

Man, I thought this was going to be the secret ingredient to fix my team, but it was not the case. A few caveats:

1) I'm using FM23

2) I switched after game 3 so there was no preseason build-up

3) I have a below average team that was built for a 4-3-3 (not a huge deal but the tactic familiarity is low)

However, my back 3 was in disarray constantly and despite loads of possession, every highlight was going the other way. I started with the tactic as you laid it out and then made adjustments. Only after going with a very low block on defensive was I able to s-house my way to a 0-0 draw against another bottom feeder.

My biggest problem was getting killed on the flanks, especially on crosses that switched field. My opposite WCB was sitting dead in the middle of the pitch while a winger was wide open on the outside - boom, goal against.

You obviously (playing with a very good team) had success with this but how did you deal long crosses?

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Many think Ajax played a 343. I’m lucky enough (and old enough unfortunately) to have seen that Ajax side play in the old stadium. But I was too young too understand anything about tactics.

Ajax played a 343 IN POSSESSION. That’s where the dutch phrase “creating a man more in midfield” came from…

The base tactic was a 4231 with a libero (either Rijkaard or Blind) moving up into midfield. 
 

Watch this clip where Kluivert himself corrects the setup shown on the board…

Good luck with the creation of your system 👍🏻

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I also set out to create an ajax 3-3-3-1 type of tactic myself after watching kluivert on sky sports i starter in 4-2-3-1 but it is aysmmetric 

GK:SK(A)

RB:FB(S)

LCB:L(S)

RCB:BPD(D)

LB:FB(S)

DM:DM(D) or RCM:CAR(S)

LCM:CM(S)

AM:AM(A) or Shadow Striker

LW:W(A)

RW:W(S)

ST:AF(A)

Positive Mentality

Attacking Widith Wide 

Shorter Passing 

Standard Tempo

Play out of defence 

Counter Press

Hold Shape

Distribute to Centre-Backs

Roll it Out

High Press

Much Higher defensive Line 

Trigger Press More often 

Would Have Posted screenshots but i play on console it is quite an annoying process to upload them here

 

 

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On 13/02/2024 at 13:42, CJ_Randell said:

If you have Google Books this is a pretty good book to refer to. 

The System he explains in there is more a 4231 with one of the CB's stepping up to form the base of the diamond. 

Screenshot_20240213_124035.thumb.jpg.705ee1e21cdf180d8f4857cab3ef2efe.jpg

Oh yes great shout! This is indeed a superb book to read! 🙏🏻

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