Tactics Luis Enrique tactic, PSG 2024/2025

[Panamos]

PSG has made it to the Round of 16 after beating Liverpool in a penalty shootout. But before that, they had to get past Manchester City to secure a spot in the UCL Round of 32. In terms of gameplay, PSG looked more dominant against Liverpool in both legs, and they recently crushed Aston Villa in the first leg. So what makes PSG this strong? Let’s talk about it.

PSG often uses the 4-1-2-2-1 or 4-3-3 formation. When attacking, this can shift into a 3-2-4-1 or 2-1-3-4. The backline and central midfield stay compact, while the front three start wide but move tighter into the box. They love quick through balls and 1-2 plays. Midfielders Fabian and Neves are super active in build-up and attack, often rotating with Vitinha.

 

PSG also switches the play from one wing to another to break the opponent’s defense. When the play is on the right, left winger Barcola or Séká stays wide to receive the switch but can also cut inside. Most goals under Luis Enrique come from quick through balls and tight passing combos around the box.

 

When playing Liverpool, Dembélé acted as a "false nine" — dropping deep to pick up the ball and mess with Liverpool’s defensive shape. PSG’s fluid movement and smart positioning make them hard to defend.

 

Defensively, they shape up in a 4-2-2 or 4-1-3-2, pressing high and aggressively. They close the middle and force opponents to the wings, then trap them there. Vitinha often drops back to help defensively, acting like an extra center-back when needed. PSG also keeps a high defensive line, pressing from the front, with Marquinhos, Kimpembe, and Pacho ready to block through balls.

 

 

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Now, how does this tactic work in FM24 Mobile? Let’s break it down.

Since PSG has elite players, I suggest using this tactic only with top teams. It works great in both domestic and European competitions.

 

I made manual transfers and chose the 4-3-3 FTL formation. PSG’s tactical variety is wild. Against Liverpool, they played with three at the back, while against Aston Villa, both full-backs pushed forward aggressively.

 

Goalkeeper (Donnarumma): I use him as a sweeper-keeper. He’s calm under pressure, involved in the build-up, and distributes to full-backs or center mids.

 

Center-backs (Marquinhos & Pacho): Ball-playing defenders. They send passes into midfield or straight up to the front line, helping the build-up from deep.

 

Right-back (Hakimi): Inverted wing-back. He cuts inside to support midfield or even acts like an extra striker. Works well with Dembélé.

 

Left-back (Mendes): Full-back. Moves halfway up the pitch and supports the winger or midfielder depending on the situation. I didn’t use him as an inverted back here to avoid clashing with our central midfielder.

 

 

Attackers:

 

Wingers (Dembélé & Asensio/Séká): Inside forwards. They cut inside to create or shoot, not relying on crosses. In real life, these players rotate sides often — can’t do that in FM, so swap them manually if needed.

 

Striker: I use a deep-lying forward. PSG strikers don’t wait for crosses — they drop back, create space, and connect play. Like Dembélé did vs Liverpool.

 

 

Midfield:

 

Vitinha: Deep-lying playmaker — controls the tempo and often pushes forward.

 

Neves: Roaming playmaker — supports both defense and attack.

 

Fabian: Box-to-box — often pushes into attacking zones.

 

 

Their midfield constantly rotates. Sometimes Fabian moves up while Neves stays, and vice versa. I position Neves slightly deeper so he doesn't overlap with Hakimi's runs.

 

In the end, this creates a 2-2-3-3 shape during build-up:

 

CBs hold the back.

Hakimi pushes high.

Mendes supports halfway.

Vitinha drops to distribute.

Fabian and Neves rotate.

The front three press and create chances with one-twos or dribble entries.

 

 

 

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Team Instructions:

Mentality: Attacking — PSG’s style is always forward-focused.

 

Defensive line: High line — suits teams with quick defenders.

 

Tempo: Slightly slower — helps build attacks with control.

 

Creative freedom: Expressive — players rotate and improvise a lot.

 

Defending: Close down everywhere, cautious tackling, no time-wasting, and use the offside trap.

 

For attacking instructions:

Work ball into the box.

 

Mixed passing focus but short passing style.

 

Final third: through balls and short passes — just like PSG does with their compact attacking moves.

 

 

 

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Final thoughts: This tactic works best with strong squads because it demands a lot from each player. It dominated in every competition — domestic leagues, Champions League, and even the Super League. If you’re using a smaller team, consider adjusting the defensive line and mentality.

 

Try it out, and let me know how it goes!

[ajil]

Look fantastic, Will try it soon

[panjalakuruchi]

Any results? I saw this yesterday in YouTube but no results. I forget the name but it's an Indonesian guy.

[rseven]

IWB or WB for DMR?

[Schwantz34]

13 hours ago, rseven said:

IWB or WB for DMR?

WB.

It tells you on the tactical image.

[rseven]

15 hours ago, Schwantz34 said:

WB.

It tells you on the tactical image.

But in his post, it said 

  

On 22/06/2025 at 19:35, Panamos said:

Right-back (Hakimi): Inverted wing-back. He cuts inside to support midfield or even acts like an extra striker. Works well with Dembélé.

 

[jon78]

On 25/06/2025 at 12:07, panjalakuruchi said:

Any results? I saw this yesterday in YouTube but no results. I forget the name but it's an Indonesian guy.

This tactic might be from this YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/k7xyh2BqmY8?feature=shared

It shows a similar method.

[Schwantz34]

10 hours ago, rseven said:

But in his post, it said 

  

 

The screenshots don't reflect that so I can see your confusion.

Hopefully the poster replies soon for you.

[Panamos]

On 27/06/2025 at 15:01, rseven said:

But in his post, it said 

  

 

Its iwb

added 0 minutes later

Iwb

[Schwantz34]

7 hours ago, Panamos said:

Its iwb

added 0 minutes later

Iwb

Wouldn't they then be in the way of the RP?

[rseven]

2 hours ago, Schwantz34 said:

Wouldn't they then be in the way of the RP?

RP will go amc position and iwb will go mcr position. 

Good combination.

[Schwantz34]

2 minutes ago, rseven said:

RP will go amc position and iwb will go mcr position. 

Good combination.

RP moves around though so not always into the AMC.

I'll have to test and have a look. Interesting tactic.

[TheManager]

Hi, thanks for your PSG tactic analyze. It's really hard to 100% replicate PSG tactic even in FM PC version. But I would like to give my opinion to yours tactic based on what I know about PSG tactic. 

Disclaimer: I just make this based on what I know on PSG tactic. To make it work, you better to tweak it yourself. 

1. Player role

a. Defender

Mendes is Wing Back (WB) because he go forward and help with attacking

Marquinhos & Pacho is Ball Playing Defender (BPD) because will bring the ball forward

Hakimi is Inverted Wing-Back (IWB) because he drift inside and help with possession in the midfield and attacking area

b. Midfielder

Fabian Ruiz is Deep Lying Playmaker (DLP) because he give progressive pass forward

Vitinha is Roaming Playmaker (RP) because he roam everywhere. He help with defending and attacking. He also will move away from his position and doesn't stay in middle 

Joao Neves is Ball Winning Midfielder (BWM) because he have the best defensive action and duel among PSG midfielder. 

 

source: datamb

Fabian Ruiz usually pair with Joao Neves together on attacking and defending, while Vitinha will roam in every area 

source: How Luis Enrique’s PSG Crushed Inter with Pure Tactics

note: 87 = Joao Neves, 8 = Fabian Ruiz, 17 = Vitinha

c. Attacker

Winger: This is the hard one, because they PSG winger play in half-space or play in inside the box. But since PSG doesn't play crossing, the winger likely a Inside Forward (IF)

Striker: PSG striker help have intensive pressing like Pressing Forward (PF) and drop back to help with possession like Deep Lying Forward (DLF). Based on that PSG striker likely is Complete Forward (CF). Although you can use DLF as well.  

 

2.  Tactic

Tempo: PSG is using fast tempo

Final Third: I'm not sure about this one. Since in final third PSG like to dribble past enemy and like to play through balls. In my opinion this is best to left it unchecked. 

Other than that, I agree with it

 

Note: PSG tactic is very hard to replicate it 100%, even on FM PC version. PSG is very fluid with their tactic and position, where defender (CB + FB) can play in forward area, midfielder can play in defensive area and play in forward area, and forward can play in defensive area. For example, when Nuno Mendes go forward, Vitinha will drop back and fill nuno mendes position. There also midfielder where Fabian ruis and Vitinha can change role interchangeably where Fabian ruiz can change to b2b and roam while Vitinha can play as deep lying playmaker and hold midfielder + give progressive pass. 

[jon78]

Another analysis of PSG tactic

 

[MegaBoi]

On 29/06/2025 at 17:27, Schwantz34 said:

RP moves around though so not always into the AMC.

I'll have to test and have a look. Interesting tactic.

No so True.

Dan Explained it beautifully in his Roles Guide, 

Roaming Playmaker actualy Moves forward and backward in straight line, But more narrow, They will take AMC position,

Not like the name Suggests Roaming, they never roams. You can check Role guide or Dan for More Information.