"The Wingback Renaissance" - Gasperini's Tactical Revolution
Welcome back to The FM Technical Area, the Football Manager Podcast!How did Robin Gosens go from Germany's fourth division to starring at the Euros in just five years? The answer lies in Gian Piero Gasperini's wingback revolution at Atalanta, where tactical intelligence consistently trumps individual brilliance.In this episode, we dive deep into the system that transformed Atalanta from relegation battlers to Champions League regulars - without breaking the bank on world-class players. Gasperini's genius isn't just using wingbacks; it's his asymmetric approach that creates numerical superiority everywhere on the pitch.What We'll Focus On:Why one attacking wingback paired with one defensive wingback is more effective than symmetrical deploymentHow center-backs must adapt their positioning to cover the space vacated by marauding wingbacksThe specific FM roles and instructions that recreate Atalanta's 3-4-1-2 masterpieceWhy tactical systems can elevate average players into key contributorsKey Insights:We'll explore how Gasperini's background in youth football shaped his philosophy of developing players within systems rather than relying on individual quality. You'll discover why positional fluidity and intelligent pressing triggers make this system so effective against technically superior opponents.FM Application:Detailed tactical setup including formation, player roles, and crucial team instructions. We'll show you which attributes matter most for wingbacks (spoiler: it's not just pace and stamina), and how to implement this system with Championship-level players.Real-World Analysis:Learn to spot the visual cues that separate effective wingback play from glorified full-back performance. We'll teach you what to watch for during matches and which statistics prove your system is working.Perfect for intermediate FM players looking to maximize squad potential through tactical innovation rather than transfer spending.---Check out our site! Get in touch via email (GG/TTA), BlueSky (GG/TTA, The Site Formerly Known as Twitter (GG/TTA) & Slack (#gaffergraemo & #thefmtechnicalarea) #WeAreTheCommunity (Slack/ BlueSky/ X) interactions form a vital part of the pod, so get involved! Music from Pond5 - Electronic Dance Music (Happy Background Summer Party Sport Club Short) - P5 Music by Pond5---Episode Sources:https://scoutedftbl.com/gasperini-atalanta-five-principles/https://breakingthelines.com/tactical-analysis/tactical-analysis-gian-piero-gasperinis-atalanta/https://the-footballanalyst.com/atalanta-gian-piero-gasperini-tactical-analysis/https://totalfootballanalysis.com/team-analysis/atalanta-attacking-tactics-202425-tactical-analysishttps://www.forbes.com/sites/adamdigby/2025/06/18/why-gian-piero-gasperini-could-be-the-perfect-appointment-at-as-roma/https://totalfootballanalysis.com/head-coach-analysis/gian-piero-gasperini-tactics-roma-2025-2026-tactical-analysis
Forget perfect organisation—sometimes controlled chaos beats technical superiority. This week we're diving into Marcelo Gallardo's River Plate masterclass: creating systematic disruption that levels the playing field against better teams.While gegenpressing gets all the attention, Gallardo's approach goes deeper—intelligent pressing traps that force opponents into predetermined mistakes, calculated "escape routes" that lead to even more dangerous situations, and psychological pressure that turns technical giants into nervous passers.What We'll Talk AboutPressing Traps: How to deliberately overload zones while leaving bait for opponentsControlled Chaos: Creating systematic disruption that appears random to opponentsEmotional Intensity: Using psychological pressure to force technical errorsFM Implementation: 4-2-3-1 setups with specific pressing triggers and player rolesPerfect for managers facing technically superior opposition who want to disrupt rather than out-pass. Learn why sometimes the best defence is controlled offensive chaos—and how to make your opponents play at your tempo, not theirs.Because when you can't out-technique them, you can definitely out-fight them.---Check out our site! Get in touch via email (GG/TTA), BlueSky (GG/TTA, The Site Formerly Known as Twitter (GG/TTA) & Slack (#gaffergraemo & #thefmtechnicalarea) #WeAreTheCommunity (Slack/ BlueSky/ X) interactions form a vital part of the pod, so get involved! Music from Pond5 - Electronic Dance Music (Happy Background Summer Party Sport Club Short) - P5 Music by Pond5Episode Sources:
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The Evolution of the False 9
The traditional #9 died at football's pinnacle—and the False 9 rose in its place, but the role isn't just about Messi dropping deep or Firmino's pressing. We're exploring how this role has evolved far beyond Barcelona, starting with Hidegkuti's revolutionary Magyars to Martínez's tactical masterstroke using Lukaku as a physical "decoy" False 9 for Belgium.What You'll Hear About:Classic False 9: Technical requirements and why Messi/Firmino became the templatePhysical False 9: How Lukaku's unconventional role created chaos against Brazil in 2018FM26 Implementation: Tactical setups and player instructions for both stylesData Analysis: Key metrics and warning signs to watchKey SegmentsTheory (15 min): Barcelona's possession vs Belgium's counter-attacking chaosListen & Learn (10 min): Visual cues—what success looks like vs common mistakesFM Application (15 min): Formations, roles, and instructions for both False 9 stylesData Detective (10 min): Stats that matter and red flagsCase Study: Transforming Belgium's attack through Lukaku's reimagined rolePerfect for FM tacticians looking to experiment ahead of FM26's release and understand how tactical concepts translate across different player profiles. Whether you're building around a technical playmaker or a physical target man, this episode shows you how to make the False 9 work for your squad.Get those tactical juices flowing—because sometimes the best False 9 isn't the player you'd expect.---Check out our site! Get in touch via email (GG/TTA), BlueSky (GG/TTA, The Site Formerly Known as Twitter (GG/TTA) & Slack (#gaffergraemo & #thefmtechnicalarea) #WeAreTheCommunity (Slack/ BlueSky/ X) interactions form a vital part of the pod, so get involved! Music from Pond5 - Electronic Dance Music (Happy Background Summer Party Sport Club Short) - P5 Music by Pond5Episode Sources:https://totalfootballanalysis.com/opinion/messis-impact-how-the-false-9-changed-the-game https://fcbarcelona.us/false-nine-soccer/ https://the-footballanalyst.com/false-nine-football-tactics-explained/ https://worldfootballindex.com/2020/07/analysis-barcelona-real-madrid-6-2-may-2009-full-match/ https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/firmino-delivers-false-nine-masterclass-says-klopp-idUSKBN2HF07O/ https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/champions-league/2017-2018/why-roberto-firmino-is-jurgen-klopps-football-philosophy-incarnate_sto6770862/story.shtmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2911770/2021/10/28/analysing-roberto-firmino-liverpools-masterful-false-nine/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1965482/2020/08/05/liverpool-front-three-salah-mane-firmino-analysis-klopp/https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/jurgen-klopp-tactics-liverpool/https://themastermindsite.com/2022/01/29/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-tactical-analysis-2021-22-edition/https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/EPL/The-numbers-game-Stats-show-Firmino-is-a-more-complete-forward-than-Kane/1963187https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/06/roberto-martinez-belgium-players-world-cup-rejigged-false-nine-brazilhttps://learning.coachesvoice.com/tactics-brazil-belgium-hazard-debruyne-fellaini-lukaku-neymar/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/06/lukaku-offers-the-clue-and-belgium-solve-mystery-of-beating-brazilhttps://thefalse9.com/2014/06/world-cup-golden-boot-contenders-romelu.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/manchester-united-man-city-live-updates-premier-league-score-result/B4hgIDpUUuED/VPRkGzv2HQ7A/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/026d-135a261f0c56-3487bcf3a37c-1000--the-no9s-guardiola-s-double-false-nine-messi-the-origina/
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S5E10: What Now? Reflecting on FM25 and Looking Ahead to FM26
In this season finale of The FM Technical Area, we take a reflective and forward-looking journey through one of the most unusual years in Football Manager history. FM25 was hyped as a landmark release — and instead, we faced a cancellation, community frustration, and a holding pattern that tested our creativity.But through it all, the FM community kept going. From deep saves to custom content, tactical tinkering to narrative roleplay, the game lived on — even without major updates.Join us as we:Reflect on the FM25 cycle and what it taught usShare top tools, podcasts, books, and YouTubers to prep for FM26Explore 3 creative save ideas to keep you engaged this summerHighlight community insights and how you’ve stayed inspiredLaunch our summer challenge: #FMScoutingChallenge💡 Featured Segments:FM25 Fallout: Lessons from a season of delays and creativitySummer Scouting: Podcasts, videos, and books to sharpen your FM brainSave Ideas: Off-meta concepts to keep things fresh until FM26Community Voices: What kept you playing through the limboThe FM Scout Challenge: A summer project to plan your FM26 saveCheck out our site! Get in touch via email (GG/TTA), BlueSky (GG/TTA) & Slack (#gaffergraemo & #thefmtechnicalarea) #WeAreTheCommunity (Slack/BlueSky) interactions form a vital part of the pod, so get involved! Music from Pond5 - Electronic Dance Music (Happy Background Summer Party Sport Club Short) - P5 Music by Pond5
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S5E9: Manager in Focus — Kjetil Knutsen & the Bodø Blueprint
In this episode of Manager in Focus, we turn our attention to the Arctic Circle and the remarkable rise of Kjetil Knutsen, the architect behind Bodø/Glimt’s tactical revolution. From a club with one of the smallest budgets in European competition to conquering Roma 6–1, Knutsen’s philosophy offers inspiration for every Football Manager save.🔍 We break down:Knutsen’s tactical identity and principlesHow to replicate his 4-3-3 system in FMRecruitment strategies that echo Glimt’s brillianceWeekly training schedules with tactical purposeA listener Q&A on pressing without losing shapeAnd a brand-new Community Challenge: The Bodø Blueprint🟡 Community Challenge: The Bodø BlueprintStart with a small club, limited budget, and big ambition. Build a vertical, high-pressing 4-3-3 with youth at its core — and conquer your domestic league and beyond.Challenge rules & details in the episode.Tag your progress using #FMBodoBlueprintResources Mentioned:https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3589385/2022/09/14/knutsen-de-zerbi-brighton-potter-tactics/https://www.reddit.com/r/Glimt/comments/1cedw7g/why_is_no_club_looking_at_kjetil_knutsen/https://totalfootballanalysis.com/team-analysis/bodo-glimt-2023-title-chasing-tactics-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tacticshttps://news.bet365.com/en-gb/article/kjetil-knutsen-profile/2025050512325304497https://tottenhamhotspur.blogspot.com/2025/04/tactical-analysis-tottenham-hotspur-vs.html#:~:text=FK%20Bod%C3%B8/Glimt%2C%20under%20coach%20Kjetil%20Knutsen%2C%20play,artificial%20pitch%2C%20Glimt%20often%20push%20the%20tempohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lusc8gJC7Kc Check out our site! Get in touch via email (GG/TTA), BlueSky (GG/TTA) & Slack (#gaffergraemo & #thefmtechnicalarea) #WeAreTheCommunity (Slack/BlueSky) interactions form a vital part of the pod, so get involved! Music from Pond5 - Electronic Dance Music (Happy Background Summer Party Sport Club Short) - P5 Music by Pond5
South Africa