FM 2020
Best FM 2020 Tactics: Deadly Duo — Unbeaten In Patch 20.2
Hey guys and welcome to our best FM 2020 tactics for patch 20.2. Since the update you may have struggled for consistency, but we have found the answer in a two system approach.
Our default tactic is called ‘Mafia 4-2-4’ and the secondary more conservative system is named ‘FV Breit 5-2-3’. Both are good systems in their own right, but combined lead to my unbeaten run with Leipzig. We beat Livepool 3-0, Bayern 3-2, Dortmund 5-2 away, Athletico Madrid 2-0 and the highest scoring game? 7-0 vs Mainz!
Since posting this tactic we have found a far superior system winning the top flight quadruple with York City! Created for patch 20.4. Try Knap’s BEOWULF 4-4-2 by clicking here.
Make sure you read this entire post, it is vital to follow the advice and understand when each system comes into its own. I have spent a lot of time testing this combination to understand their strengths and weaknesses. I will guide you through both systems as below. You can download them all at the very bottom.
- Outline both systems
- When each tactic should be used
- Best players for each role
- When to use each system, results and visual analysis.
Best FM 2020 Tactics: Mafia 4-2-4
Originally posted on FM Korea, Mafia takes the shape of 4-2-4 with an AMR and AML. For an attacking shape its secure defensively but can be found out against top opposition. Both strikers look to get in behind but also attack set pieces, AMR and AML pull the opposition out of shape while a plethora of players look for that ball over the top.
You will get a shed load of clear cut chances, Mafia works best for mid-table to top teams, I certainly wouldn’t recommend for the lower leagues. Lets move onto when this best FM 2020 tactic should be used before dissecting each role.
Best FM 2020 Tactics: When to use Mafia
Here are the guidelines for using Mafia in order of importance, clearly some scenarios contradict each other. You may find it easier to understand our screenshot of results further down. This includes a marker for when each system was used.
1. Do not use v three DC systems at all — Mafia relies heavily on the ball in behind, three centre backs gobble this up and strike on the counter. Wolves and Sheffield United are a good example of this.
2. Do not use Mafia at home v ‘organised’ big teams — Organised big teams are like Juventus and Real Madrid. As above they will sit in, eat up the ball in behind then strike on the counter. Such systems eat into this tactic, I will offer specific advice further down on this.
3. Do not use Mafia away unless you expect victory — This system is risky, while it is organised you are committing a lot to the counter. Quality opposition will find you out especially on their turf.
4. Use Mafia when clear favourites
5. Use Mafia to get a late winner — I used FV Breit as a stable, feel the game out system. I would then switch to Mafia for the last 20 minutes if still drawing.
Best Football Manager 2020 Tactics — Mafia Roles
This bit is vital, do not skip reading about roles then bitch to me when you lose;
GK — sweeper keeper (defend) — Due to the amount of one on ones in this years game I’d look at attributes in this area for any keeper.
CD — ball playing defender (defend) — Ideally find centre backs who can pass and carry the ball out but I’d say its more important to have a towering presence. Speed is important to counter those annoying passes in behind. Ajer and Onguene are perfect buys for this role.
DR/DL — wing backs (support) — Fast but technically gifted wing backs are great. Look for crossing ability and passing. Both players will find the advanced forwards in behind. I enjoyed Augustinsson, Luca Pellegrini and Zeki Celik here.
CM — deep lying playmaker (support) — Great passing and vision are important but long shots will help as both MC’s do shoot from range. I liked Tonali and Dani Olmo.
CM — central midfielder (support) — As above but maybe a little more forward thinking so all round ability is important. Guimaraes will work.
AMR — winger (support) — You can switch AMR with AML, but be sure to adjust player instructions appropriately. The winger will stay wide and find your strikers in the box. Speed and technical ability are important. The AMR will drag defenders out of position.
AML — inverted winger (support) — This guy cuts inside to find himself in a shooting position. Fast, technical players are best and Forsberg was brilliant for Leipzig. I had Kluivert with Newcastle who consistently pissed me off with his terrible finishing.
ST’s — advanced forward (attack) — The main goal threat good finishers are a must but speed is even more important. I found Eposito and Haaland good but Werner and Schik were literally unstoppable.
Best FM 2020 Tactics — FV Breit 5-2-3
Created by AD1990 this is the polar opposite of Mafia, making FV Breit a perfect counter balance. The three man defence turns five when out of possession and makes for a perfect underdog tactic in the top leagues. This system can struggle to break down negative opposition but soaks up pressure before striking hard.
I have seen many an upset using this system but that is what Breit is, an underdog tactic. Developed for earlier patches most have given up trying to make this work, it just isn’t potent enough. Used alongside Mafia however, it is perfect.
Best FM 2020 Tactics: When to use FV Breit
I have outlined when to use Mafia, but when should we use FV Breit? In a nutshell, the 4-2-4 is my default option and 5-2-3 our go to for tough opposition or to counter certain systems. So when should we use this best FM 2020 tactic?
1. Use v three DC systems — Almost all tactics will struggle vs three at the back. Its one of few systems which can handle the ball in behind so my approach is to fight fire with fire. Wolves and Sheffield United specifically are a nightmare to play against but Breit does a good job.
2. Use away from home — A safe option away from home I would use FV Breit unless you absolutely expect to win. If drawing at half-time consider switching to Mafia with 20-30 minutes remaining.
3. Use at home v big teams when not favourites — Do you attack the big teams at home or sit in? If in doubt use FV Breit and switch to Mafia in the second half. I would definitely use the 5-2-3 at home to Juventus, Real and Chelsea. The first two are so organised and use tight tactics, Chelsea play narrow and on the counter. I would go with Mafia against a 4-4-2, so Atletico are a good example.
4. Use when underdogs
5. Do not use when clear favourites — A test on FM Arena proved FV Breit does not work for out and out favourites, but does well for underdogs.
Best Football Manager 2020 Tactics — FV Breit Roles
GK — sweeper keeper (defend) — Due to the amount of one on ones in this years game I’d look at attributes in this area for any keeper.
CD — ball playing defender (cover) — Ideally find centre backs who can pass but I’d say its more important to have a towering presence. Speed is important to counter those annoying passes in behind. Vallejo and Onguene are perfect buys for this role.
CD — ball playing defender (stopper) — Same as above but I really enjoyed Kristoffer Ajer in this role.
DR/DL — wing backs (attack) — Fast but technically gifted wing backs are great. Look for crossing ability and passing. Both players will find the advanced forwards in behind. I enjoyed Augustinsson and Luca Pellegrini here.
CM — deep lying playmaker (support) — Great passing and vision are important but long shots will help as both MC’s do shoot from range. I liked Tonali and Dani Olmo.
CM — box to box midfielder (support) — Maybe a little more forward thinking so all round ability is important and certainly good physical attributes. Guimaraes will work but Kampl did well for me with Leipzig.
AMR/AML — inside forward (support) — Always looking to cut inside these guys carry the ball and need to finish. Good technical players and speed are important. Lookman was good and Cengiz Under or Bowen of Hull worked well.
ST — deep lying forward (attack) — The main goal threat good finishers are a must but speed is even more important. I found Eposito and Haaland good but Werner was literally unstoppable.
Time Wasting Tactic
When using Mafia 4-2-4 you may need to time waste with 10 minutes remaining, but Switching from 4 to 5 at the back is difficult mid-game. I use a time wasting tactic from TFF for this, its a 4-1-3-2 so the players slot nicely into it. No detail required here but be sure to tell any booked players to ease off tackles.
Best FM20 Tactic for new patch — Leipzig Test
The combination of these two tactics lead to an unbeaten test with Leipzig. Averaging 3.7 goals a game we drew just once and won 7-0 on two occasions. I can guarantee we would not be top if using just one of these systems, but I’ll cover that further down.
Werner scored 1.5 goals a game and Schik 0.76 both avaergaing 7.97 and 7.82 ratings respectively. Now we move onto the interesting stuff, when each system was used.
Red dots mark Mafia and yellow dots FV Breit. A clear pattern shines through. From 25 games played I used Mafia 15 times and FV Breit 9 showing the importance of a dual tactic approach.
- Used Mafia when expecting to win unless against 3 DC’s. We were favourites against Frankfurt & Wolfsburg but they play 3 DC’s.
- Used FV Breit when not sure, so away to Bremen and Lyon.
- Used FV Breit when clear underdog, so away to Liverpool, Leverkusen and Dortmund.
- Used FV Breit with defensive mentality when expecting heavy loss (away to Atletico) or to close a game out with 10-15 minutes remaining.
Ultimately this will be personal to your save but the logic above worked well. We’ll also scan through my results with Newcastle but first my Leipzig squad. The wide men and strikers are so important. AMR, AML and both ST’s scored a combined 60 goals and assisted 24. The rest scored a combined 6 and assisted 18.
Newcastle Results — Learning From Mistakes
I went unbeaten with Leipzig by learning from my mistakes with Newcastle. I stubbornly used Mafia regardless of opposition. Despite winning well we lost and drew vital games to Juventus, Everton and Man Utd.
Note the instructions above to use FV Breit away unless favourites and at home against big teams. The Everton game fell under ‘not sure’ category so again, I should have used the 5-2-3. Also note that 3-2 victory over Sheffield United, they played 3 at the back and we were extremely lucky (remember we never use Mafia v three DC’s.)
The next screenshot shows just one mistake and some exceptional results. Red dots represent Mafia, yellow is FV Breit. We beat Liverpool away, drew at Old Trafford and beat Spurs away using FV Breit.
The mistake came against Wolves, at this time I hadn’t recognised three DC’s as a problem for our 4-2-4. After that game I started using the 5-2-3 against such systems and thrashed Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, despite struggling in the corresponding fixture at home.
Find the best FM 2020 players:
Best FM 2020 Tactics: General Tips
- Follow the instructions carefully and learn from bad results.
- Tell players who are booked to ease off tackles.
- When using Mafia — Switch the AMR and AML roles (with instructions) around if more suited to your team.
- Be wary of slow defenders, balls in behind are an issue in patch 20.2.
- See games out with TFF’s time wasting tactic linked above.
- If 2-3 goals up switch to cautious mentality, this will preserve the players energy for future games.
- As with any tactic all three need loading at the start of pre-season. Also avoid signing a whole new team unless you are experienced doing so.
- I asked my Assistant to take care of training and opposition instructions. I took charge of individual training to set each player up in their specific role.
- You must get fast forwards who can finish, in Mafia the AMR needs to be left footed and AML left footed (unless you switch sides)
- Strikers attack set pieces in Mafia. If not good in the air switch to centre backs.
- You need a decent size squad. Two players per position to allow for injuries and bans if you are in Europe.
- You MUST download these tactics, do not try and copy. There are many individual player instructions and set pieces are vital.
Best FM 2020 Tactics: Download
Download our unbeaten combo below and follow the instructions:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD — MAFIA 4-2-4
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD — FV BREIT 5-2-3
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD — TIME WASTING TACTIC
1. Download all three tactics above.
2. For Windows put the downloaded files in this folder: Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2020/tactics. If the «tactics» folder doesn’t exist you will have to create it. Windows users skip to step 2, Mac users read below.
Mac users put file in this folder: Users/YOUR Mac USERNAME/Documents/Sports Interactive/Football Manager 2020/tactics. To access your files on Mac open ‘Finder’, click ‘Go’ from the menubar, press and hold the ‘alt’ key to show ‘library’ in your menu, while still holding ‘alt’ click it, then go to ‘Application Support’ > ‘Sports Interactive’ > ‘Football Manager 2020’
3. Now load the game as normal and enter the tactics screen.
4. In the tactics screen, click the tactic you currently have loaded then select ‘load’ from the drop-down menu
5. Select your chosen tactic and click load.
6. Repeat this for all three tactics in 3 seperate tactic slots
If you read the whole thing, bloody good job and enjoy the reward. These guides take days to prepare so any social shares would be much appreciated. Please do follow us on social media for future posts in the series and if you would like to see me play live, follow us on Twitch here.
