Tactics Ajax/Barcelona Van Gaal Philosophy 433

[CJ_Randell]

I have been using this 433 since FM21 and it still appears to be bearing fruit. 

It's a pretty standard 433 but based on the principles of Louis Van Gaal's Philosophy. 

Although currently LVG is using a 5 at the back system with Holland, historically he has favoured the 1-4-3-3 (as he calls it). 

A few key principles are the preference for Attacking Football, High Pressing and Getting Crosses Into The Box.

LVG is also of the belief that your main playmakers should be in deeper areas of the pitch as this allows them to see more of the game and has used Koeman as a playmaking CB as well as his use of Guardiola in DM for Barcelona. 

I have focussed on 4 Key Attributes based on the famed T.I.P.S model which are as follows:

Technique - Self explanatory, I go with Technique. 

Intelligence - Being able to make the right Decisions in game is key. 

Personality - Everyone willing to work hard for their team, Teamwork. 

Speed - It would be easy to go with Pace, however, LVG views speed as a mental attribute as well as physical, so I've decided to go with Stamina as my 4th key attribute. This ensures that players can be playing at their peak for longer in games, ensuring that their able to make the correct decisions as well as move around the pitch for the full 90 minutes at their top speed. 

It's important that all players have these 4 attributes, from Goalkeeper to Striker, therefore I generally won't sign a player who doesn't have at least 10 for each, or I will use training to focus on these if a player is lacking in a certain area. 

With the 4 Key Attributes in place I now need to focus on the individual positions in the team. Again, LVG is famous for providing dossiers to each player, detailing what is expected of them in the role they are playing. This isn't really possible in FM, but you can train your players in the role they will be playing on the field and also focus on a few additional attributes for each role. 

GK - Sweeper Keeper - Handling, Reflexes, Positioning

FB - Full Back - Crossing, Tackling, Positioning

CB - Central Defender - Tackling, Positioning, Strength

DM - Deep Lying Playmaker - Passing, Tackling, Positioning

CM - Box to Box Midfielder - Dribbling, Movement, Positioning

AML/AMR - Inside Forward - Dribbling, Shooting, Movement

ST - Pressing Forward - Aerial, Shooting, Movement

I'd make sure to focus on Team Dynamics, LVG has famously sold very talented footballers as they did not buy into his philosophy. 

LVG is a big advocate for youth players, train them in the same way as the first team, focus on the key attributes for their role, use mentoring from senior players, and when they're ready, have faith in them. 

I could go on and on about LVG, but I won't,  I will make reference to 2 books I have used to help me build this philosophy. 

Louis Van Gaal's Coaching Philosophy and Principles by Soccer Tutor and The Coaching Philosophies of Louis Van Gaal and The Ajax Coaches by Henny Kormelink and Tjeu Seeverens.

I'm not using any set piece exploits although I have moved away from default, mainly to make sure I don't get caught on the counter when attacking as I find the default settings to be pretty suicidal. 

I don't change anything game to game, but if I have a narrow lead, I will switch on 'Time Wasting' for the last 10 minutes. 

I'd be grateful if someone would give this philosophy a real go, I've managed to win the World Cup with England and had a pretty good start with Ajax using this system, but due to work and family commitments I don't get a great deal of time to play and test this significantly. 

If anybody has any questions as to why I chose certain roles or attributes, anything really, feel free to ask. 

[P.Rahul]

How many crosses ur IF'S takes in 1 game .

[Tondiisk97]

Keep updating us with result please 🙏

player stats (goals and assists) would be nice too

[CJ_Randell]

7 minutes ago, P.Rahul said:

How many crosses ur IF'S takes in 1 game .

To be honest the FB's do most of my crossing. 

But as a team it's usually at least 20 crosses per game we make. 

That's why I've focussed on Aerial as a key attribute for my ST. 

[P.Rahul]

20 crosses from FB is good no. ur result in very good also until now if u maintain this rate 3 goals per game than its very nice even  i used similar tactics only change i use through ball in final third.

[CJ_Randell]

I've decided to give this a real test with Leeds, using the attributes listed above I have created an average rating for each player which I will use to help me decide on my main 11, this will obviously change as players improve or if players aren't performing, but it's a good starting point to see who suits my philosophy best. 

My plan is to re-do this every 6 months so I can track who is improving and whether players are in a position to get more game time. 

This should also help me to highlight areas for recruitment. 

I chose Leeds as they're the team I support so I'm familiar with the players and which youth players I expect to have a bright future. 

[P.Rahul]

How many players u use in as ur first team squad i use 28 players in my first team squad.. changing them every match as i am doing goal scoring challenge apart from striker and sub all others players get rest after playing a match .. rotate ur team and .. make ur clubs youth players as ur substitute players.. give them game time in every game if possible.

[Zagreus]

Love van Gaal (shame the Netherlands just lost) and have been working on some very similar strats, will post results if I find the time to get in a couple of seasons 

[Save&Repeat]

19 hours ago, CJ_Randell said:

I have been using this 433 since FM21 and it still appears to be bearing fruit. 

It's a pretty standard 433 but based on the principles of Louis Van Gaal's Philosophy. 

Although currently LVG is using a 5 at the back system with Holland, historically he has favoured the 1-4-3-3 (as he calls it). 

A few key principles are the preference for Attacking Football, High Pressing and Getting Crosses Into The Box.

LVG is also of the belief that your main playmakers should be in deeper areas of the pitch as this allows them to see more of the game and has used Koeman as a playmaking CB as well as his use of Guardiola in DM for Barcelona. 

I have focussed on 4 Key Attributes based on the famed T.I.P.S model which are as follows:

Technique - Self explanatory, I go with Technique. 

Intelligence - Being able to make the right Decisions in game is key. 

Personality - Everyone willing to work hard for their team, Teamwork. 

Speed - It would be easy to go with Pace, however, LVG views speed as a mental attribute as well as physical, so I've decided to go with Stamina as my 4th key attribute. This ensures that players can be playing at their peak for longer in games, ensuring that their able to make the correct decisions as well as move around the pitch for the full 90 minutes at their top speed. 

It's important that all players have these 4 attributes, from Goalkeeper to Striker, therefore I generally won't sign a player who doesn't have at least 10 for each, or I will use training to focus on these if a player is lacking in a certain area. 

With the 4 Key Attributes in place I now need to focus on the individual positions in the team. Again, LVG is famous for providing dossiers to each player, detailing what is expected of them in the role they are playing. This isn't really possible in FM, but you can train your players in the role they will be playing on the field and also focus on a few additional attributes for each role. 

GK - Sweeper Keeper - Handling, Reflexes, Positioning

FB - Full Back - Crossing, Tackling, Positioning

CB - Central Defender - Tackling, Positioning, Strength

DM - Deep Lying Playmaker - Passing, Tackling, Positioning

CM - Box to Box Midfielder - Dribbling, Movement, Positioning

AML/AMR - Inside Forward - Dribbling, Shooting, Movement

ST - Pressing Forward - Aerial, Shooting, Movement

I'd make sure to focus on Team Dynamics, LVG has famously sold very talented footballers as they did not buy into his philosophy. 

LVG is a big advocate for youth players, train them in the same way as the first team, focus on the key attributes for their role, use mentoring from senior players, and when they're ready, have faith in them. 

I could go on and on about LVG, but I won't,  I will make reference to 2 books I have used to help me build this philosophy. 

Louis Van Gaal's Coaching Philosophy and Principles by Soccer Tutor and The Coaching Philosophies of Louis Van Gaal and The Ajax Coaches by Henny Kormelink and Tjeu Seeverens.

I'm not using any set piece exploits although I have moved away from default, mainly to make sure I don't get caught on the counter when attacking as I find the default settings to be pretty suicidal. 

I don't change anything game to game, but if I have a narrow lead, I will switch on 'Time Wasting' for the last 10 minutes. 

I'd be grateful if someone would give this philosophy a real go, I've managed to win the World Cup with England and had a pretty good start with Ajax using this system, but due to work and family commitments I don't get a great deal of time to play and test this significantly. 

If anybody has any questions as to why I chose certain roles or attributes, anything really, feel free to ask. 

Will give it a go for my new season.

[MikeS91]

What was your first 11 with Ajax?

[Schwantz34]

On 09/12/2022 at 11:41, CJ_Randell said:

I have been using this 433 since FM21 and it still appears to be bearing fruit. 

It's a pretty standard 433 but based on the principles of Louis Van Gaal's Philosophy. 

Although currently LVG is using a 5 at the back system with Holland, historically he has favoured the 1-4-3-3 (as he calls it). 

A few key principles are the preference for Attacking Football, High Pressing and Getting Crosses Into The Box.

LVG is also of the belief that your main playmakers should be in deeper areas of the pitch as this allows them to see more of the game and has used Koeman as a playmaking CB as well as his use of Guardiola in DM for Barcelona. 

I have focussed on 4 Key Attributes based on the famed T.I.P.S model which are as follows:

Technique - Self explanatory, I go with Technique. 

Intelligence - Being able to make the right Decisions in game is key. 

Personality - Everyone willing to work hard for their team, Teamwork. 

Speed - It would be easy to go with Pace, however, LVG views speed as a mental attribute as well as physical, so I've decided to go with Stamina as my 4th key attribute. This ensures that players can be playing at their peak for longer in games, ensuring that their able to make the correct decisions as well as move around the pitch for the full 90 minutes at their top speed. 

It's important that all players have these 4 attributes, from Goalkeeper to Striker, therefore I generally won't sign a player who doesn't have at least 10 for each, or I will use training to focus on these if a player is lacking in a certain area. 

With the 4 Key Attributes in place I now need to focus on the individual positions in the team. Again, LVG is famous for providing dossiers to each player, detailing what is expected of them in the role they are playing. This isn't really possible in FM, but you can train your players in the role they will be playing on the field and also focus on a few additional attributes for each role. 

GK - Sweeper Keeper - Handling, Reflexes, Positioning

FB - Full Back - Crossing, Tackling, Positioning

CB - Central Defender - Tackling, Positioning, Strength

DM - Deep Lying Playmaker - Passing, Tackling, Positioning

CM - Box to Box Midfielder - Dribbling, Movement, Positioning

AML/AMR - Inside Forward - Dribbling, Shooting, Movement

ST - Pressing Forward - Aerial, Shooting, Movement

I'd make sure to focus on Team Dynamics, LVG has famously sold very talented footballers as they did not buy into his philosophy. 

LVG is a big advocate for youth players, train them in the same way as the first team, focus on the key attributes for their role, use mentoring from senior players, and when they're ready, have faith in them. 

I could go on and on about LVG, but I won't,  I will make reference to 2 books I have used to help me build this philosophy. 

Louis Van Gaal's Coaching Philosophy and Principles by Soccer Tutor and The Coaching Philosophies of Louis Van Gaal and The Ajax Coaches by Henny Kormelink and Tjeu Seeverens.

I'm not using any set piece exploits although I have moved away from default, mainly to make sure I don't get caught on the counter when attacking as I find the default settings to be pretty suicidal. 

I don't change anything game to game, but if I have a narrow lead, I will switch on 'Time Wasting' for the last 10 minutes. 

I'd be grateful if someone would give this philosophy a real go, I've managed to win the World Cup with England and had a pretty good start with Ajax using this system, but due to work and family commitments I don't get a great deal of time to play and test this significantly. 

If anybody has any questions as to why I chose certain roles or attributes, anything really, feel free to ask. 

I'm a Leeds fan myself so will definitely give it a go because I've found them so difficult to find a good system for on FMM23.

[CJ_Randell]

5 hours ago, MikeS91 said:

What was your first 11 with Ajax?

                     Pasveer

Sanchez Timber Bassey Blind

                      Alvarez

Tadic Taylor Klaassen Ocampos

                     Berghuis

I did rotate players ahead of Champions League games too. 

 

added 0 minutes later

1 hour ago, Schwantz34 said:

I'm a Leeds fan myself so will definitely give it a go because I've found them so difficult to find a good system for on FMM23.

Yeah. I really wanted to try and implement a Red Bull style for Leeds this year, but couldn't seem to find the right set up so I reverted back to what worked for me in previous years. 

[Legend288]

Working well for me.

 

 

P.s i start using this tactic in season 2. And it is very good in defence too.

 

 

[CJ_Randell]

22 minutes ago, Legend288 said:

Working well for me.

 

 

P.s i start using this tactic in season 2. And it is very good in defence too.

 

 

Love to see it. 

It's not always the most entertaining of tactics, but it's always got the job done. 

Glad to see you have it working.

Have you just copied the tactic or focussed on the philosophy too? 

[Legend288]

31 minutes ago, CJ_Randell said:

Love to see it. 

It's not always the most entertaining of tactics, but it's always got the job done. 

Glad to see you have it working.

Have you just copied the tactic or focussed on the philosophy too? 

Copy and i done not many transfers but i focussed on your philosophy ) and it worked

Edited December 10, 2022 by Legend288

[Save&Repeat]

Here is my progress, I started using this tactic at the beginning of this season. It's going well so far, but you don't score many goals with this tactic. However, defensively it's immense.

Edited December 11, 2022 by Save&Repeat

[Save&Repeat]

End of season update: Won the treble! 2nd in the Premier League, losing out of GD. Idk why but Ivan Toney was allergic to scoring in league games?! Amazing tactic, perhaps the most efficient I have tried so far. Thanks for sharing.

[CJ_Randell]

4 hours ago, Save&Repeat said:

End of season update: Won the treble! 2nd in the Premier League, losing out of GD. Idk why but Ivan Toney was allergic to scoring in league games?! Amazing tactic, perhaps the most efficient I have tried so far. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for testing this for me. 

Amazing results . . Really glad to see it working. 😁

[CJ_Randell]

So I've made it to the World Cup break and results haven't been great. 

I find myself in mid-table but purely down to my side being unable to take chances whilst the AI are obscenely clinical.

Tactically there's little wrong, were dominating possession and chances, averaging 10.3 shots per game and limiting the opposition to 4.4 shots per game, but when you look at the shots per goal, we need 8.5 shots to score whilst the AI is averaging a goal every 4.4 shots. 

There's been multiple games where the AI have scored with seemingly their only shots in the game. 

I've struggled to get goals from anyone other than Bamford, so I'm looking to bring in a new Striker and a CM who can score goals. Hopefully this will help.

[Schwantz34]

4 hours ago, CJ_Randell said:

So I've made it to the World Cup break and results haven't been great. 

I find myself in mid-table but purely down to my side being unable to take chances whilst the AI are obscenely clinical.

Tactically there's little wrong, were dominating possession and chances, averaging 10.3 shots per game and limiting the opposition to 4.4 shots per game, but when you look at the shots per goal, we need 8.5 shots to score whilst the AI is averaging a goal every 4.4 shots. 

There's been multiple games where the AI have scored with seemingly their only shots in the game. 

I've struggled to get goals from anyone other than Bamford, so I'm looking to bring in a new Striker and a CM who can score goals. Hopefully this will help.

Bamford is an average striker just like real life.

I have Glatzel who was a cheap option for now and he gets goals. Not much pace though.

[CJ_Randell]

10 minutes ago, Schwantz34 said:

Bamford is an average striker just like real life.

I have Glatzel who was a cheap option for now and he gets goals. Not much pace though.

I always like to start without budgets in the first window. 

I've arranged a deal for Pedro from Brazil for January. 

We're linked with him in real life apparently too. So let's hope he's good. 

[White Europe]

Choose leeds just to test tactic, fan of van gaal and i like more than just Your tactic but also philosophy behind getting right players for it.

I will start proper save with transfers etc. With some other team and DNA of that save will be based on: 

Pace

Stamina 

Teamwork

Decision

Thanks for tactic 👍

[Schwantz34]

1 hour ago, CJ_Randell said:

I always like to start without budgets in the first window. 

I've arranged a deal for Pedro from Brazil for January. 

We're linked with him in real life apparently too. So let's hope he's good. 

Damn I wasn't sure he was on it and didn't come up when I searched before going for Glatzel.

I'll have done something wrong with the search. Still getting used to all the new search things 🤣

[MarkD]

Going to give this a go with Bolton in League One, got some high valued players for that division which I can move on and bring in players to suit the philosophy, looking forward to it 👍🏻 

[MarkD]

6 hours ago, MarkD said:

Going to give this a go with Bolton in League One, got some high valued players for that division which I can move on and bring in players to suit the philosophy, looking forward to it 👍🏻 

First season done....

shame about the one loss to Sheffield Wednesday, but that was the 5th game of the season so went 41 games Unbeaten in the league after that.

Bring on the Championship and I'll have a front 3 of Endrick, Marcus Leonardo and Angelo.....let's hope they do well.

Great tactic @CJ_Randell 👌👏

[Kavver]

Have anyone tried using wingers instead? Just tried it a couple of games. the wingers seems more lethal.

[Schwantz34]

5 hours ago, Kavver said:

Have anyone tried using wingers instead? Just tried it a couple of games. the wingers seems more lethal.

I run it with wingers and a DM isntead of DLP and its been better that way for me.

[TehSpaceGiraffe]

On 13/12/2022 at 01:43, MarkD said:

First season done....

shame about the one loss to Sheffield Wednesday, but that was the 5th game of the season so went 41 games Unbeaten in the league after that.

Bring on the Championship and I'll have a front 3 of Endrick, Marcus Leonardo and Angelo.....let's hope they do well.

Great tactic @CJ_Randell 👌👏

Did you keep your striker as a PF? I've never had much success with that role but your results are very impressive 

[MarkD]

2 hours ago, TehSpaceGiraffe said:

Did you keep your striker as a PF? I've never had much success with that role but your results are very impressive 

Yes mate, just kept everything as is in original post

[Melv98]

Great tactic. Not the highest in terms of goals, but very good defence which I like. I know it’s Barca….. but went unbeaten in the league, won the champions league and Spanish cup. 👍