‘’What is the best formation? What instructions are the best to play with?’’ Players only ask these 2 questions and play the same thing all over the year.

So, we are presenting you two shapeshifting formations that will let you have fun while also winning against those metaphormations. The reason we call them shapeshifter is because you switch from one tactic to another while switching from the defense to offense in a single formation.

These might not be the best of the best formations out there, but trying them out will bring another taste of FIFA. Of course, it would be even better if you use FUT 23 Coins to buy some powerful players to expand your squad.

4-1-2-1-2(2)

4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) has been one of the beloved tactics in FIFA. However, this year, it hasn’t been the best one since the wing play is crucial.

If you let your Wing Back stay back, you are limited only in the center. And if you push them out, your defense becomes vulnerable against Counter Attacks, especially from the wing.

To bring the solution to this problem, we play 3-5-2 in the offense and the original 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) in the defense within the same formation. Shapeshifting this tactic in the offense brings the balance to the wing play problem while also reducing the chance of getting countered.

Let’s take a look at the tactics and individual instructions to understand it better. I played this tactic with a Balanced Defensive Style with 45 width and 71 depth while having the Balanced Offensive Style with the option of Direct Passing in the chance creation. Players In Box is set to default as 5 bars and Corners and Free Kicks as one bar each as my personal preference.

Please note that these can be changed with the personal game style and you don’t need to copy every single number. But some of the instructions need to be on point.

The most important instruction goes to the CDM role. Cut Passing Lanes and Cover Center are very common. However, the attacking support “Drop Between Defenders” is the key to have the 3-5-2 setup in the offense.

So, whenever your bean bags go out as you’re attacking, the CDM will drop between the two Defenders, making those two also spread a bit towards the sides. And this will create the three-man defensive setup, which could also help against the Counter Attacks through the wings. In case you’ll lose the vault in a bad spot. That being said, the wing back should be both set either on “balance” or “join the attack” as I don’t see that much of a difference between them.

Using Overlap also allows them to make efficient runs in behind the defensive line and they can act like bringers in that matter.

Both CMS are set on default. Normally, people lock them to Stay Central, especially in defense. But not getting stuck with them in the center both helps in the defense and the offense.

In the defense, they will help you with the wing defense before the wing backs. In the offense, they could join the attack as left or right attacking midfielders who can build a bridge between the wing and the center.

And finally, the CAM is set on default and the Strikers don’t Stay Central as we would have enough wing activated through the wing backs going forward and see him supporting them. Like mentioned, you go back to normal 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) when you go back to defending.

The main reason that this tactic is too strong is that it gives you the versatility both in the center and on the sides just because you have too many players spread across the pitch. The Direct Passing option also gives you tons of passing stations, which will enable a very good passing flow.

The only downside of it is that you can get counted through the center often if you use your CMS to offensively. Other than that, I find it really effective on both sides of the pitch.

Let’s take a look at how this versatility comes in handy in the offense. As I go out to attack, my CDM moves between the Defenders and we get the 3-5-2 setup in the offense.

The left CM nears himself towards the wing and receives the ball from the left Wing Back. Passing the ball towards the center brings an open area for the attack while the Wing Back completes his run and then receives the ball again from the CAM. So far, good flow.

While the opponent switches to own Wing Back, you can clearly see that this flow enabled so many passing opportunities in their own half.

So, I quickly pass back to the CM and see the opportunity towards a Striker. Even though the Striker struggled a bit to get the ball, he eventually passes the ball back to my CAM and there you see the power of the support provided by the option Direct Passing and I use it as a bay to bring the Defender there. Turn around, pass back the Striker, and get the ball back to CAM.

You have so many passing opportunities even in the box with this formation, and baiting the pass is so easy since the opponents get too confused over which attacker to defend to. And I take advantage once more with my CAM. Get away from the Defender’s move and score the goal.

4-5-1

Let’s move on to our second information, the 4-5-1.

Similar to the first one, this one also changes in the defense and lets you defend it 4-4-2 in the process. The main reason we’re shapeshifting to 4-4-2 in the defense is that you will need more presence in the center of the Midfield as you’re defending.

I used the same tactics regarding the width, depth, and the styles as the 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow). However, the instructions here are a bit more complicated.

Let me show you how we get back to the 4-4-2 setup on the tactics board, so you can clearly understand it. Your Striker is set to Stay Central again. Your Wing Back should be set to Stay Back While Attacking this time. Because you don’t need them to go out to attack since you have too much Wing activity already. The Wingers are set on Stay Wide and Come Back On Defense. And the Central Midfielder is set to Stay Back While Attacking and Cover Center.

Here is a tricky part depend depending on which Winger has the better defensive stats that you want to play as the secondary CM in the defense, make sure to set the CAM on that side to come back on defense and the other CAM to stay forward.

In my case, this will push the right finger towards the center and then the right CAM towards the right wing as if it was a real 4-4-2 setup.

What I love about this information is that it allows you to penetrate the wings without getting exposed in the back. Your Winger and the CAM are the ultimate duo to break the wing Defenders and they create a lot of space. Also, the side switching is an incredible tool as you have too much activity on both sides.

However, the downside is that you have less activity in the center and your lone CM can become overwhelmed a lot if you hold on to the ball too much with them. So, focus mainly on the sides.

Here’s how I play with this formation offensively. I received the ball with my Central Midfielder and look out for opportunities on the wings. My two Wingers are each spread close to the touchline, so I select one of them and deliver a long ball towards them. This is where I start to do a play between the Winger and the CAM player.

Right after I passed the ball directly towards the CAM player, I look forward to get the ball back to my Winger since they play really close to each other. Every single defensive move that my opponent makes leads to a two versus one situation for me.

If he tries to defend the potential receiver, which is the CAM here, then he opens up the space for the Winger for a potential shot. And if he tries to confront the Dribbler, my Winger here, then he opens up space for the CAM. If you can Master it, this is a win-win situation for you.

So, here he tries to confront the potential shot and then opens up space. And it becomes really easy for me to find the Striker with that opportunity.