FIFA 23 custom tactics guide: Best formations & player instructions

To build a formidable FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, incorporating highly efficient custom tactics is crucial, particularly in game modes such as FUT Champions and Division Rivals. In our upcoming FUT match, we will provide a comprehensive guide on the most effective FIFA 23 custom tactics and player instructions.

In FIFA 23, there are numerous avenues to enhance your Ultimate Team lineup once you dive in. One such option is acquiring pricier promotional players, which can appear promising. Nonetheless, employing effective strategies remains the optimal approach for maintaining competitiveness in Division Rivals and FUT Champions.

In FIFA 23, you have the opportunity to refine your tactical approach, enhancing your preferred style of play. By utilizing the appropriate tactics, formations, and player instructions, you will witness significant progress in your FUT performances, leading to improved results.

If your goal is to excel in Ultimate Team mode in FIFA 23, it is crucial to make use of the most effective custom tactics. Therefore, we have prepared a guide outlining the top setups to employ in 2023.

• FIFA 23 Strategies: Offensive Configurations
• Defensive Configurations for FIFA 23 Tactics
• Top FIFA 23 formations for Ultimate Team include 4-2-3-1, 5-1-2-2, 4-3-2-1, 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow), 4-2-2-2, and 4-4-2.

FIFA 23 tactics: Attacking settings

While it is undoubtedly satisfying to have a defensive tackle that prevents a scoring opportunity, the thrill of advancing on the field with the sole purpose of scoring a goal in FIFA is truly unparalleled.

FIFA 23 offers numerous attacking strategies to suit your preferred playing style. Whether you prefer to replicate Manchester City’s possession-oriented football or Liverpool’s fast-paced direct play, there is a strategy to cater to every player’s preferences.

Build up play

• Balanced: The team will uphold their formation and structure, with players choosing to support and make runs only when they deem it appropriate. The team maintains a moderate pace of play, neither excessively fast nor slow.
• Gradual Progression: Fewer forward runs are utilized, prioritizing a methodical approach. This strategy highlights a short passing game and a deliberate build-up.
• The Long Ball strategy relies on forwards who are prepared to receive direct passes behind the opposing defense. This offensive approach frequently bypasses the midfield and thrives with speedy players possessing exceptional positioning abilities.
• Rapid Progression: The most efficient approach to advance your team towards the opponent’s goal for immediate scoring opportunities. However, be aware that this high-risk, high-reward tactic may make you vulnerable to counterattacks.

Chance creation

• A balanced approach for chance creation is neither quick nor sluggish, similar to Build Up play.
• The possession tactic enhances a short passing game, allowing the team to patiently await an opportunity to attack. However, it is less likely to create runs that penetrate the opposing team’s defensive line.
• In Direct Passing, the team, after gaining possession, will advance into the attacking zone and create opportunities by making runs for passes into the open areas behind the opposing defensive line.
• Forward Runs: This strategy involves sending players aggressively into attacking zones, but it also carries the risk of being vulnerable to a counterattack if possession of the ball is lost.

FIFA 23 tactics: Defending settings

When establishing your defensive tactics, the initial aspect to contemplate is the placement of your back line. If your defensive line possesses exceptional speed, you have the option to adopt a high line strategy, exerting intense pressure on the opposing team.

If you prefer to keep your defenders and goalkeeper closer together, you can adjust the width and depth settings slightly deeper. Additionally, you can combine this positioning with one of the defensive styles listed below.

When determining your width and depth, remember to align them with your defensive style. For instance, it would be contradictory to adopt a high line and then employ the Drop Back tactic for defense.

• The Width/Depth slider allows players to adjust the placement of their defensive line. Opting for a high line is advantageous for offensive play, but it increases vulnerability to balls played behind the defense. On the other hand, choosing a deep line is most suitable when safeguarding a lead.
• Adopting a Drop Back strategy will maintain your team’s formation and allow your opponents to have more possession. While it may limit your attacking opportunities when you regain possession, it can effectively frustrate your opponents.
• Balanced: Adopt a balanced approach to the game by having your team apply pressure towards the center of the field while maintaining a neutral formation.
• The strategy of Pressure on Heavy Touch involves maintaining your team’s formation until a chance to apply pressure arises. Whenever the opposing team loses control of the ball or struggles with handling a challenging pass, your players will swiftly seize the opportunity.
• Pressing After Possession Loss: Following a loss of possession, your teammates will actively pursue the ball for around 7 seconds. This approach demands significant stamina and may result in vulnerability if the ball is not swiftly regained.
• Continuous pressure: This strategy involves consistently exerting intense pressure on opponents, but it significantly depletes your stamina.

Best FIFA 23 formations for Ultimate Team

The 4-2-3-1 formation in FIFA 23 has become immensely popular this year. Skillful players are utilizing it with great success due to its exceptional balance.

The pair of holding midfielders provide excellent protection for the center-backs, making it difficult for opponents to penetrate through the midfield. Additionally, regardless of whether you opt for the wingers or attacking midfielders approach, there is ample width available to deliver crosses into the box.

However, one of the key advantages of the 4-2-3-1 formation is its adaptability during a game. By pushing one of the holding midfielders up the field, it provides additional attacking options when the team requires a goal. Conversely, instructing the central attacking midfielder to defend helps congest the midfield area.

Overall, the formation in FIFA 23 is an exceptionally robust system that caters to every playstyle, earning it the title of the ultimate formation.

Best FIFA 23 custom tactics for 4-2-3-1

Player instructions

• Left-back: Maintain a defensive position during offensive plays.
• Right-back: Remain in a defensive position during offensive plays.
• Instructions for the CDMs: Position one CDM as a cover center while instructing them to stay back while attacking. For the other CDM, maintain a balanced approach.
• CAM: Maintain an advanced position and position yourself in the box to receive crosses.
• ST: Maintain an advanced position, and look for opportunities to make runs behind the defense.

Defensive tactics

• Defensive Style: Balanced
• Width: 35
• Depth: 55

Offensive tactics

• Direct passing is utilized to construct a play.
• Chance Creation: Forward Runs
• Width: 40
• Players In Box: 70
• Two bars: Corners and Free Kicks.

Best FIFA 23 custom tactics for 5-1-2-2

• LWB: Engage in the offensive, Overlap
• RWB: Take part in the offensive, Perform overlapping runs.
• CDM: Remain in defensive position, providing cover in the center of the field and refrain from joining the attack.
• Keep to your designated spot and maintain equilibrium.
• Remain in Position in a Well-Balanced Manner
• Balanced Width, Mixed Attack: LST
• RST: Stay forward

Defensive tactics

• Defensive Style: Balanced
• Width: 48
• Depth: 62

Offensive tactics

• Building Up Play: Utilizing Long Passes
• Chance Creation: Direct passing
• Width: 53
• There are 50 players in the box, which is equivalent to half of the total number of players.
• Corners and Free Kicks: One unit

Best FIFA 23 custom tactics for 4-3-2-1

• Left-back: Remain defensively positioned during offensive plays.
• Right-back should remain defensive when the team is attacking.
• Cover the center position and maintain a defensive stance while engaging in an attack.
• Center coverage and balance in both directions: LCM (Left Center Midfielder) and RCM (Right Center Midfielder).
• Stay central and make runs behind the defense.
• ST: Keep pushing forward, look for opportunities to break through the defense.

Defensive tactics

• Defensive Style: Balanced
• Width: 40
• Depth: 50

Offensive tactics

• Developing the Attack: Long Passes
• Chance Creation: Direct passing
• Width: 35
• Players In Box: 50
• There are 2 bars dedicated to corners and free kicks.

Best FIFA 23 custom tactics for 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow)

Player instructions

• Left-back: Remain in a defensive position when advancing forward.
• Right-back: Remain in a defensive position during offensive plays.
• CDM: Remain in the central position, and prioritize defensive duties over joining in the attack.
• CMs: Move towards the penalty area to be in position for crosses, Move up the field
• CAM: Stay forward
• Stay up front, and position yourself to run behind the defense.

Defensive tactics

• Defensive Style: Balanced
• Width: 40
• Depth: 50

Offensive tactics

• Build Up Play: Balanced
• Chance Creation: Forward Runs
• Width: 40
• Players In Box: 70
• Two bars: Corners and Free Kicks

Best FIFA 23 custom tactics for 4-2-2-2

Player instructions

• Left-back: Remain in defensive position during attacks.
• Right-back: Maintain a defensive position during offensive plays.
• CDMs: Maintain defensive positioning, refrain from pushing forward during attacks.
• CAMs: Maintain an advanced position and position yourself inside the box to receive crosses.
• Stay up front, and try to get behind the defense.

Defensive tactics

• Defensive Style: Balanced
• Depth: 50

Offensive tactics

• Fast build up: Accelerated play formation
• Chance Creation: Forward Runs
• Width: 40
• Players In Box: 50
• Corners and Free Kicks: Two bars

Best FIFA 23 custom tactics for 4-4-2

Player instructions

• Left-back: Remain in defensive position during offensive plays.
• Right-back: Maintain defensive positioning during offensive plays
• LM and RM: Move towards the center, Make runs behind the defense.
• Cover the center position, have one player stay back while attacking, and have another player play in a balanced manner.
• ST: Keep moving up, Look for opportunities to break through the defense.

Defensive tactics

• Defensive Style: Balanced
• Width: 40
• Depth: 50

Offensive tactics

• Build Up Play: Balanced
• Chance Creation: Balanced
• Width: 50
• Players In Box: 50
• 2 bars: Corners and Free Kicks

Mastering FIFA 23 Ultimate Team matches can easily be achieved with effective strategies.

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To explore further about FIFA 23, make sure to refer to our additional guides.

1. Unlocking the Twitch Prime Gaming pack for free in FIFA 23
2. Discovering the top wingers in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team
3. Unveiling the finest midfielders in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team
4. Identifying the most potent strikers in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team
5. Showcasing the top-notch goalkeepers in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team
6. Highlighting the best defenders in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team