Best Man City Tactics In FM23: A Guide

This is the most comprehensive guide on the best Man City tactics in FM23!

Football Manager 2023 has brought exciting updates to the game, challenging players to devise effective strategies to lead their teams to victory.

For Game managers looking to replicate the success of one of the world’s top football clubs, Manchester City, this article aims to provide valuable insights into crafting winning tactics.

Whether you’re struggling to find the right formation, unsure about player roles, or seeking tactical adjustments, we’ve got you covered. Join as we delve into the intricacies of developing the best Man City tactics in FM23, unlocking the potential for greatness on virtual football fields!

What Is the FM 23 All About?

Football Manager 2023 (FM23) introduces an array of exciting features that redefine the managerial experience. With brand new squad planning tools, managers gain a better overview of their prospects, leading to more informed scouting and recruitment decisions, and increasing the chances of securing title-winning talent.

In this edition, managers will face a tougher challenge as the game boasts the most realistic AI managers in series history. A complete overhaul of their decision-making capabilities has made them more intelligent and competitive, pushing you to your limits as you strive for success.

The immersive experience is further enhanced with the inclusion of fully licensed UEFA competitions, namely the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League. This addition adds a greater sense of occasion and authenticity to your managerial journey.

To deepen the connection between managers and fans, FM23 introduces the new Supporter Confidence system. By understanding the expectations of the supporters on and off the pitch, you can secure a bright and prosperous future in the dugout, fostering a strong bond with the club’s loyal fanbase.

Additionally, the Dynamic Manager Timeline records and snapshots the pivotal moments of your managerial career, whether it’s leading a lower league team to cup glory or triumphing against relegation. This feature offers a retrospective look at your achievements and milestones, celebrating your managerial success.

Man City Defaut Team In FM23

See below the default Man City Team for the FM23 Game.

Position	Squad Number	Player Name	Nationality	Age
Goalkeeper	33	Scott Carson	England	38
Goalkeeper	31	Ederson	Brazil	30
Goalkeeper	18	Stefan Ortega	Germany	31
Defender	25	Manuel Akanji	Switzerland	28
Defender	6	Nathan Aké	Netherlands	28
Defender	62	Shea Charles	Northern Ireland	19
Defender	14	Aymeric Laporte	Spain	29
Defender	82	Rico Lewis	England	18
Defender	22	Benjamin Mendy	France	29
Defender	3	Rúben Dias	Portugal	26
Defender	21	Sergio Gómez	Spain	23
Defender	5	John Stones	England	29
Defender	2	Kyle Walker	England	33
Midfielder	20	Bernardo Silva	Portugal	29
Midfielder	17	Kevin De Bruyne	Belgium	32
Midfielder	47	Phil Foden	England	23
Midfielder	10	Jack Grealish	England	27
Midfielder	8	İlkay Gündoğan	Germany	32
Midfielder	75	Nico O’Reilly	England	18
Midfielder	80	Cole Palmer	England	21
Midfielder	32	Máximo Perrone	Argentina	20
Midfielder	4	Kalvin Phillips	England	27
Midfielder	93	Alex Robertson	Australia	20
Midfielder	16	Rodri	Spain	27
Forward	19	Julián Álvarez	Argentina	23
Forward	9	Erling Haaland	Norway	23
Forward	96	Ben Knight	England	21
Forward	26	Riyad Mahrez	Algeria	32

What’s The Best Tactics For Man City In FM23?

Although there are numerous tactics that work best for Man City in FM23, I have identified the two best based on my experience playing the game.

A. 4-3-3 Tiki Taka Mastery

Tiki-Taka Mastery is a possession-based tactic that emphasizes short, quick passing, and maintaining high levels of ball retention. This tactic aims to dominate possession, control the tempo of the game, and create numerous passing triangles to penetrate the opposition’s defence. It suits Man City’s technically gifted players and encourages intricate passing sequences to break down stubborn defences.

Player Roles and Instructions

1. Goalkeeper (Sweeper Keeper – Support): Sweeper Keeper with Support duty helps in initiating attacks from the back, contributing to the possession game.
2. Defenders (Full-Backs – Attack, Central Defenders – Defend): Full-Backs push higher up the field, offering width in attack. Central Defenders remain compact and focus on defensive duties.
3. Midfielders (Deep-Lying Playmaker – Defend, Central Midfielders – Support): The Deep-Lying Playmaker acts as the metronome, orchestrating play from deeper areas. Central Midfielders support possession and provide passing options.
4. Attacking Midfielder (Advanced Playmaker – Attack): The Advanced Playmaker is the creative hub, linking midfield and attack, looking for gaps in the opposition’s defence.
5. Wingers (Inside Forwards – Attack): Inside Forwards cut inside to overload the central areas, opening space for overlapping Full-Backs and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
6. Striker (False Nine – Support): The False Nine drops deep to draw defenders out of position and create space for the wingers to exploit.

Team Instructions:

1. Playing Style (Control): Encourage the team to play with a controlled and patient approach, focusing on ball retention.
2. Passing (Short): Emphasize short passes to maintain possession and facilitate quick combinations.
3. Tempo (Lower): Slow down the tempo to encourage patient buildup and fluid ball movement.
4. Width (Narrow): Utilize a narrower width to compact the play and exploit central areas.
5. Defensive Line (Slightly Higher): A slightly higher defensive line helps in maintaining a compact shape and pressing the opposition effectively.
6. Pressing (More Urgent): Apply more urgent pressing to win back the ball quickly and high up the pitch.
7. Creative Freedom (More Expressive): Grant players more creative freedom to improvise and take advantage of their individual skills.

B. 4-1-4-1 Gegenpressing Dominance

Gegenpressing Dominance is an aggressive, high-intensity tactic that aims to win the ball back quickly after losing possession. It capitalizes on Man City’s energetic players, pressing the opposition relentlessly to regain possession and launch swift counter-attacks. This tactic is ideal for teams that have high stamina and are willing to work tirelessly without the ball.

Player Roles and Instructions:

1. Goalkeeper (Sweeper Keeper – Support): Sweeper Keeper with Support duty contributes to ball recovery and initiates counter-attacks with quick distributions.
2. Defenders (Full-Backs – Support, Central Defenders – Defend): Full-Backs support the attack but maintain defensive responsibilities. Central Defenders focus on defending and providing stability at the back.
3. Midfielders (Defensive Midfielder – Defend, Central Midfielders – Attack): The Defensive Midfielder shields the defence, intercepting passes, and breaking up the opposition’s play. Central Midfielders provide creativity and forward movement.
4. Wingers (Wingers – Support): Wingers push high and wide, aiming to press the opposition’s full-backs and contribute to the attacking phases.
5. Striker (Pressing Forward – Attack): The Pressing Forward leads the pressing from the front, hassling defenders, and creating turnovers in advanced areas.

Team Instructions

1. Playing Style (Control): Encourage a controlled approach while staying compact and aggressive when pressing.
2. Passing (Mixed): Use a balanced mix of short passes to maintain possession and long balls to exploit space during counter-attacks.
3. Tempo (Higher): Play at a higher tempo to increase the intensity of pressing and counter-attacks.
4. Width (Wide): Utilize a wider width to stretch the opposition and create spaces for counter-attacks.
5. Defensive Line (Higher): Maintain a higher defensive line to compress space and initiate the press closer to the opposition goal.
6. Pressing (More Urgent): Apply an aggressive pressing approach to regain possession quickly.
7. Creative Freedom (More Expressive): Allow players to express themselves in the attacking phase, enhancing their decision-making abilities.

Conclusion

In Football Manager 2023, finding the best tactics for Man City is crucial for achieving success and dominating the virtual football world, especially if you are a City or Guardiola fan. After careful analysis, two standout tactics emerge: “4-3-3 Tiki-Taka Mastery” and “4-1-4-1 Gegenpressing Dominance.”

“Tiki-Taka Mastery” is the go-to tactic when you want to assert control over the game, dominate possession, and break down stubborn defences with intricate passing sequences. It suits a patient and possession-oriented approach, making it ideal for matches where your team is expected to control the game’s tempo and create scoring opportunities through precise build-up play.

On the other hand, “Gegenpressing Dominance” is the perfect tactic for unleashing Man City’s high-intensity and energetic players. It excels in winning the ball back quickly, pressing the opposition relentlessly, and launching swift and deadly counter-attacks. This tactic is best employed in matches where you anticipate a tough defensive challenge from the opposition and want to capitalize on turnovers to strike with lightning speed.

Ultimately, success in FM23 depends on adapting and choosing the right tactics based on your team’s strengths, the opponent’s weaknesses, and the match situation at hand. Experiment with these best Man City tactics in FM23 and fine-tune them to suit your squad and preferred style of play.

Now, it’s time to take the virtual reins of Manchester City and lead them to glory! Dive into the world of Football Manager 2023, utilize the “Tiki-Taka Mastery” to control the game with precision or deploy the “Gegenpressing Dominance” to unleash an unstoppable force. Embrace the challenge, make tactical decisions, and write your own legacy as the mastermind behind Manchester City’s success!