Let’s be honest for a second. We’ve all been there in Football Manager 2020. You’ve meticulously built your tactic, you’re dominating the xG, the highlights are all one-way traffic… and then it happens. A dubious penalty call against you in the 89th minute, a straight red for a seemingly clean tackle, a disallowed goal for a phantom offside. Your screen goes dark with that final whistle, and you’re left staring, utterly dejected. It’s in those moments I’m reminded of a quote that, while not about FM, captures the feeling perfectly. After a controversial call in a basketball game, player Moala Tautuaa said, “I’m not gonna say much. You all saw the play. I don’t agree with the call. That’s the exact opposite of the right call.” That’s the exact frustration we feel when the FM match engine seems to conspire against our genius. But here’s the hard truth I’ve learned over thousands of virtual hours: more often than not, it’s not the engine. It’s us. Our tactics weren’t as foolproof as we thought. Success in FM20 isn’t about finding one magic bullet; it’s about building a robust, adaptable system that can withstand those moments of madness and consistently unlock your squad’s true potential. Based on my own successes and painful failures, here are ten essential tactical pillars that transformed my saves from erratic to consistently dominant.
First and foremost, you must build from a solid foundation. I’m a firm believer that your tactical shape should reflect your squad’s strengths, not just copy a trendy download. Starting with a balanced mentality like “Positive” at home gives you a platform to control games without being suicidally open. I’ve found that using two defensive duties in a back four, typically my full-backs on Support, provides essential stability. One of my biggest early mistakes was going all-out attack from the first minute; it’s a recipe for those heartbreaking, gegenpressed counter-attack goals. Speaking of pressing, it’s a weapon, not a default. I used to just crank “Press More Often” and “Get Stuck In” every game. My teams were exhausted by November and conceding constantly. Now, I’m more surgical. Against a technically gifted but slow opponent? Yes, let’s press high with a trigger press on their deep-lying playmaker. Against a direct, physical team? I’ll drop the line of engagement to standard or even lower, condensing the space and forcing them to play in front of me. This single adjustment probably saved my save with Leeds United, cutting goals conceded from 1.8 per game to under 1.1 over a season.
The midfield battle is where games are truly won and lost. I’ve moved away from the “three playmakers” fantasy to a philosophy of balance and complementarity. You need a blend. In my 4-2-3-1, which is my personal go-to for its versatility, the double pivot is sacred. One holder, like a Deep Lying Playmaker on Defend or a Ball Winning Midfielder on Support, and one connector, like a Mezzala or a Central Midfielder on Attack. This gives you both security and penetration. Up front, the role of your central striker is critical. I’ve had a 34-goal season using a Pressing Forward on Attack in a high-press system, but I’ve also thrived with a Complete Forward on Support who drops deep and links play, creating space for my inside forwards. Don’t be afraid to tweak roles based on the player. I had a regen who wasn’t fast or strong but had 18 Passing and 17 Vision; I built the entire attack around him as a Trequartista, and he broke the league assists record with 28. That’s the beauty of FM20—it rewards you for seeing a player’s unique potential and crafting a tactic to magnify it.
Finally, let’s talk about in-game management, the true separator. Setting a tactic and hitting “Play” is only half the job. You have to be a manager. Watch the comprehensive highlights. Is their wing-back constantly getting free? Add “Stay Wider” to your winger or tell your full-back to mark him tighter. Are you having lots of possession but no shots? Increase tempo slightly or switch to a more direct passing style. I always have three tactical variants saved: my main control tactic, a more aggressive version for chasing games, and a defensive, counter-attacking setup for protecting leads against top sides or seeing out tough away games. Using shouts like “Demand More” or “Praise” can genuinely shift momentum. And about those Tautuaa moments—when the referee makes a call that feels like “the exact opposite of the right call”—don’t lose your cool. Raging at officials might feel good, but it rarely helps. Instead, use it as a trigger. If you’re unfairly behind, that’s the signal to shift to your aggressive plan, make a positive substitution, and push for the equalizer. The system will test you, but consistent success comes from a blend of deep preparation and agile adaptation. Master these principles, from a solid base to intelligent in-game tweaks, and you won’t just hope for success; you’ll build a club culture that expects it, season after season.