Player Instructions for Each Role

To make this formation truly overpowering, your player instructions need to synchronize perfectly.

Striker (ST)

Stay Central

Get In Behind

Stay Forward

Your striker must be your focal finisher — ideally a quick, clinical forward like Mbappé, Osimhen, or Rashford. He will occupy defenders and stretch the backline vertically.

Left and Right Wingers (LW/RW)

Cut Inside

Get In Behind

Come Back on Defense

This makes your wingers behave like inverted forwards when attacking, allowing them to FC 26 Coins exploit half-spaces and create shooting lanes.

Central Attacking Midfielder (CAM)

Stay Forward

Free Roam

Get Into the Box for Cross

Your CAM — a creative hub like Bellingham, Musiala, or Bruno Fernandes — links midfield to attack. The "Free Roam" instruction allows for unpredictable positioning and chance creation.

Left Defensive Midfielder (CDM #1)

Stay Back While Attacking

Cut Passing Lanes

Cover Center

This player anchors the midfield — use a pure destroyer such as Rodri, Casemiro, or Declan Rice.

Right Defensive Midfielder (CDM #2)

Balanced Attack

Cut Passing Lanes

Cover Center

This second CDM (like Valverde or Barella) should help progress the ball forward and assist in transitional play.

Fullbacks (LB/RB)

Stay Back While Attacking (or Balanced if confident)

Overlap

Normal Interceptions

If you're skilled at defending transitions, switch them to "Balanced Attack" to support your wingers. Otherwise, keep them conservative.

Center Backs (CBs)

Stay Back While Attacking

Normal Interceptions

Stick with agile yet strong defenders who can handle pace — think Upamecano, Koundé, or Van Dijk.

Goalkeeper (GK)

Comes for Crosses

Sweeper Keeper

A modern keeper like Donnarumma, Alisson, or Ter Stegen fits perfectly here.

Game Plan: Attacking Flow and Defensive Shape

The 4-2-1-3 thrives when transitions are sharp and positioning is disciplined.

Build-Up Play

Start with short passes between your CDMs and CAM. Use the fullbacks sparingly to draw opponents wide, then thread a through ball between the opposition's midfield and defense line.

Chance Creation

Use Direct Passing to stretch the defensive shape. The CAM and wingers will constantly move into open lanes, allowing one-touch combinations. If you spot the striker peeling off the shoulder, trigger a manual through ball with L1 + Triangle (PS) or LB + Y (Xbox).

Defensive Structure

When defending, your wingers drop back to form a 4-4-1-1 block, compressing space and funneling opponents toward your CDMs. Maintain shape; don't spam tackles. Instead, control your CDM to buy FC Coins cut off passing lanes and wait for intercepts.