Cloud9

I was using a similar-ish type of setup at the start of FM24 where the SV combined really nicely with a WP(a)! Some great movement between the two. That being said, I am increasingly a fan of the IW(s) for the buildup phases of play. I think the WP(a) can provide a little extra fizz (perhaps redundent with your DLF + DLP).

It just indicates the tendency at which the press is triggered. At its lowest players will be very selective in when to press. Usually in my defensive approaches I am happy to leave the slider in the middle. A situation where the press could be triggered is something like a poor first touch.

Actually both roles are required to hold up the ball. It’s one of the key differences between a F9 and a DLF!

On your last question: I believe Cross Engagement is a final third instruction(but your own defensive third) and Trap Inside or Outside applies before that. So Trap Outside would not necessarily apply closer to your goal. I agree having Godin is a great idea if you're looking to trap outside! In Fm terms I would defend as far away from my own goal as the opposition allows by taking into account the speed of their frontline when judging a high vs standard defensive line. On line of engagement, you can happily alternate between a mid and low block in an old school Atletico recreation.

The traps (+ using PIs and OIs) won't require you to compromise a tactical vision! Those are right out of the traditional catenaccio playbook. You can't select them both at the same time in the TI menu However you could engineer specific traps with PIs + OIs as well, which would be something to consider. I find it a little tricky to get an exact recreation of realistic pressing styles as the touchline (w/ the striker drifting wide + WM pressing) doesn't effectively count as another player as you'd see IRL and teams are not effectively punished for giving up central control. The box trap between the two strikers and midfield pairing (another Atletico staple) won't get that coordinated collapsing motion that you'd see IRL either....although in the right situation the central players will be more than able to pull of a central press in FM terms. To see realistic pressing we would need the addition of: 1. An increased importance on central midfielders to control the game. 2. A rework to the pressing system (perhaps like the set piece creator?) where coaches could personalize the press. In FM terms I am usually deploying traps to simply funnel the opposition where I want them to go on a match to match basis instead of the IRL intricate, coordinated presses. This is either into a high congestion area of the pitch or where I believe I can nullify their attacking threat (For example: if weak in air in the box, funneling wide). However, for FM24 these reactive traps are a must in nullifying the opposition as positional play + midfield 4's give a lot of tools to break you down! In their current state, in my opinion at least, they are just a simplification of the highly sophisticated pressing systems we see deployed in modern football..

Yes totally doable, learning to utilize traps will fix both those issues! Try throwing a ball winning midfielder in the midfield as well. I would prefer a Bwm(s) to either your Anchor or your Cm(s) based on what you mention you’re looking to achieve. A lot of your issues sound like they stem from accepting too much pressure , check out the positioning of your players out of possession and try to make small tweaks. That push back threat I mention is not primarily when your team already have the ball. Adding a few forward runners will help, at the moment it’s really just the AF providing a forward movement / threat to attack space. Lastly, if you’re unhappy with your wingbacks you can utilize them in the WM strata as customizable WM roles or as DWs.

Traps are super important on FM24 and they are extremely impactful. I would spend some time figuring out how they work in a user friendly, traditional counter attack approach (which will have many less pitfalls for you than a Catenaccio) before returning to perfect the old Italian style A 4-4-2 might also be a helpful formation switch, especially if you are struggling to shut down wide spaces. Another user-friendly change for what is a fairly tinker heavy experience for most counter attacks on FM24. 4-4-2's are great in that they can provide versatile trapping options as well, they're one of my go to formations for FM24!

I am not usually a fan of Stopper/Cover roles in a defensive operation. You can utilize them in highly specialized approaches but unless you are doing a lot of game to game management + in game tweaks you are just pulling apart your defensive structure for the opposition. Aside from that...the tactic looks like it provides very little pushback onto the opposition, which is a common pitfall of defensive approaches. There are very few roles capable of progressing the ball via passing or dribbling...or moving into open space themselves. The second tactic especially falls into these traps. Even with more aggressive PIs + traits I would want some dynamic roles in there. In a low block sheer pace becomes very important, which is one reason I've typically favored a mid block in my own defensive tinkering If you want to trap inside, you can ask the wingbacks to Mark Tighter and use a TI combo of Stop Crosses / Trap Inside. Again you will need to use these somewhat situationally or you can cause problems for your team. I have linked how to use traps + cross instructions in the Quickfire section. Putting a wingback or two on attack in the first system will go a long way. Your system is currently very demanding/dependent on them in wide spaces. As I mention above I would consider a SS for the AMC role...particularly if you're going to trap inside. The role has hard working tendencies coded under the hood and can contribute to the central trap you're attempting to pull off (while also getting involved in a more direct approach). You do not need to feel pigeonholed into playing a goalscorer in the profile either. The more specialized your defensive approach (and more catenaccio like it is) the more in game tinkering will be required for each matchup!

I would avoid counter-press combined with more often trigger press in a defensive block. In general you'll want to use counter-press situationally in a block, if you use it as a pre-set you're just going to get played through a lot like this. Why are you trapping outside? Again, a situational TI in most circumstances and highly dependent on personnel. You are not posting that much information so it will mostly be guess work from the forum. Could be a tactical issue, how you've built your squad (weak concentration?) or down to poor rotation/pre-season.

I suspect it could have an adverse impact. Plays one-twos will increase the tendency for a one two to happen, which is in effect a player take on w/out an attempted dribble. This will see the ball moved forward quickly, which isn't always a plus for high possession. You will also lose it more frequently in this manner. In general I would avoid player traits unless you are really sure it fits the profile + the tactic. Giving them liberally can result in key issues in your play. Picking one or two players you'd like to see do it more frequently could be suitable, but it's important to remember the players will still do this action when appropriate without the trait.

Yes they are very impactful, I find them very useful in a block. If you're not sure how to use them you can easily hamper your approach.

Kane is probably a DLF(a). A CF(a) needs to be able to run in behind and run with the ball as well! Imo Kane is a weird player IRL because he has a great passing range and poaching ability, but lacks the ability to hold up the ball/contest aerially which is a key point of a classical DLF. I'm not sure if that's represented well in game though Isak is a nice example of a CF(a), but he is a bit of a unicorn in the modern game.

Post your system? Roles operate only in the context for which you put them in. All three roles offer a spearheading option via the attack role. A pressing forward won't just sit on the oppositions shoulder like an AF forward will, as he will also charge around pressing. A CF is a much more demanding role compared to a PF, who can function quite well with a limited attribute spread.

I don't have a verified answer on that but what I do know is that the pre-season is very important for fitness over the course of the season and injuries are underplayed in FM. You're also not going to do irreparable damage to him as you could to a real athlete w/out sufficient rest. I would throw him right in the deep end as soon as you can, no holiday.

He will have more creative license as a 10 AP than as an 8 AP as he'll be able to stay high. A MEZ can also be a nice creative role w/an athletic profile for an 8. Both formations (4-2-3-1, 4-3-3) can work fine...but the 4-2-3-1 presents the ability to give him more a free role. Onana + Garner could make for a very nice pivot while Wirtz does whatever he likes up top. A 4-2-3-1 also provides better cover for an IWB than a 4-3-3. Garner does not look like a natural holding 6, so I would recommend this route. A CF(a) w/Beto in the role will take away from Wirtz. If you want to build around one player then giving other players more concrete roles/duties is a good idea. I believe Wirtz has quite a high ceiling so at 21 you can really develop him to play however you like.

Mentoring groups require at least three different players, so whoever else is in the group is a factor. Fairly Professional and Resolute do not necessarily indicate different levels of professionalism I believe, but different levels of determination between the two players. I frequently see Fairly Professional convert to Resolute at about 15 Determination? I am not up to date on the exact values of personalities. There is also a fair bit of luck involved, so keeping things low risk and checking the influence of the good personality players is important. You can check their media handling for more insights into these hidden personality traits. Putting a Professional player into a Resolute group sounds inadvisable. The second example may be down to the third player as I mention above, or simply bad luck. You could consider putting two mentors w/verifiably better personalities per youngster depending on how your squad is built. I only do 1 senior mentor + 2 youngsters when the influence level is "significant" on the mentor.

If there's more space in behind then AF can work on Tresoldi. You will just see more through balls attempted in this manner via running the channels, so I would watch how the team is playing and decide from there. The choice is then largely situational/stylistic in what you're looking for, the poacher will attack that space as well!

Tresoldi is by far your best option here, he is an excellent poaching profile when the opposition sit deep but I wouldn’t play him as a CF. I would keep the crossing varied so he can take advantage of his physical profile in the box. Especially so with two traditional wingbacks. On height it is the jumping reach to keep an eye out for.

The other nice part of running a 4-2-3-1 is that you can put a AP squad player in the 10 role to help break down blocks. Hit crosses early can be a nice tool to catch opposition out before they close ranks and work the ball into the box can help you prevent wasted possession. If you’re controlling the match, you can always ramp up/reduce the tempo in sections of the half. I tend to adjust the width to go along with it (more narrow for a frantic press, wide for patient). Just going for it when they’re tired is never bad!

I would use it regularly, but being flexible for your opposition is important. That can also be important when deciding the wingback roles/duties in breaking down an opposition block (where you will target a weak defensive point). Are you crossing low because the 9 is short? This is also a big issue against sides sitting deep. On an AF, I would prefer a Poacher as a spearheading forward when breaking down the opposition (won’t run channels, less forced turnovers). However, short solo poachers are generally bad imo. The CF will combo nicely holding up the ball/playing in the inside runners if the player is capable of it, but usually I find it difficult to find a physical + technical profile w/ the mentals to pull it off. Isak is a prime example IRL, but he is a very unique player.

Add a runner to your pivot and try putting one of your IW as an IF(s). That will give you a bit more punching power and less dependency on the CF as a goal threat. An IF will give you a more direct goal scoring run than an IW who will provide more in buildup phases. Is your striker capable of playing as an CF(a)? They are quite rare and a poor one can suck the oxygen out of your frontline. W/the strength of your squad, if you just do morale management and proper rotation you should do fine.

Perhaps you are overcomplicating things? Everything impacts everything on FM so it is easy to do. I would focus on roles for anyone struggling with the tactical UI. Building a foundation of how roles move/interact with each other will give you the tools you need to build a successful tactic. Keeping it simple and watching matches (I like the data analyst view), can help give you a better idea of how your tactical changes impact the players. Running a tactic with a fairly blank slate of TIs can go a long way. TIs are a little bit vague in the UI in terms of their actual function, but the PIs are fairly straight forward. You can always do a search on the forum for a specific TI and it's exact outputs...there are years of experience here. Since everything impacts everything, there will always be a lot of problem solving/testing of specific interactions I have linked the FM24 Manual, which is a strong reference: https://community.sports-interactive.com/sigames-manual/football-manager-2024/

I certainly don't know how everything works in the game! If you're unsure about a PI, you can just hover over it with your mouse and the game will explain it to you itself. Hold Position is a very straight forward principle. As @crusadertsar mentions, traits can overrule the PIs and TIs of your tactic and see a player charge off to do his own thing. Most positional play roles will not give you the ability to ask a role to hold, unless he is moving from one holding role to the other (such as a HB). Hold Position is simply the counterpart to Roam from Position. He will be staying put when your team has the ball. Keep in mind that each role will have coding under the hood, so not all roles will behave the same with a PI ticked. At the end of the day your tactical setup is impacting the tendency of your player to do something. With PIs you are directly telling the player what you expect from him in certain situations.

Or you know it could be that it comes hard coded with hold position.

I was experimenting with a 3-4-2-1 like you mention in an earlier experiment to play centrally! Similarly a 4-2-3-1 with an IWB, or two, offer a lot of potential for going through the middle. Glad you like the pass maps I've substituted the IW for an IF(s) for a bit higher positioning and to avoid link up play with the wingback. The off footed winger I've left on support with aggressive PIs + player profile (I think going attack on this role would see too many turnovers of possession with the hardcoded PIs). The other experiment was to move the RPM up to the CM strata where he can rotate forward and back with a bit more ease. This creates a staggered 4-3-3 and focuses a lot of the play through the DLP. I think I still favor the traditional double pivot for the ability to play through a high press at the moment. Libero's(d/s) are one of my favorite roles on Fm24. Admittedly I haven't experimented with them too much with a HB. Usually I utilize them to create that stable 3-2 formation build up from the back. WB(d) are a great way of ensuring you're using the physical profiles of the wingbacks in 1v1 defensive situations. In some ways they're similar to the IFB in this manner; you're comfortable with your defenders going 1v1 as the front players bomb on with extra freedom to create.