That's right. FC Porto plays in real life in 433 (not as much as in the past as with Conceição there is some alternation between 433 and 422). However, Porto's history was always known for playing in 433. In Football Manager, despite I like 433, the tactic in which I reached most successes was in 4231 (essentially in FM17).

As I was struggling a lot in this new FM edition, not only in Europe but also in Portugal - after the first two seasons in which I was champion, Benfica won the next two leagues and I needed to change something in my approach. After a while, I realised that the players I had were completely suitable to build a strong squad in 442 and so, I build it from the scratch. And... I was right. I got 5 Portuguese leagues and 3 UEFA Champions League in a row.

Take a look.

So, the success of this 442 I created it is very based in:

• 2 Full-Backs
  
• 2 Inverted-Wingers

Both in 'Support' functions.



Having 4 great players in these positions, you'll be able to play wide and more than 75% of your goals will arise from crossings.

(1) In Possession



(2) In Transition



(3) Out of Possession




Therefore, the basic fundamentals of this tactic are the following ones:

• Shorter pass.
  
• Play wide.
  
• Game style based in crossings (more than 75% of the goals).
  
• Extremely high pressuring when without ball.
  
• Low offside trap.

Attacking/Positive style
My first option is to play in attacking style in every match, even in those I'm the outsider. I played the last 2 UCL's finals in attacking style and worthed it. United was completely smashed (0:5). But sometimes take a look at the opposite team, mostly if the team is a PSG, City or Barcelona. Sometimes play in a positive style away and then turn the mindset to an attacking style at home is the "secret". At home in UCL, in knock-out matches, I only lost once at home with Barça (0:1). Real Madrid, Dortmund, Liverpool, and also Barça were all of them smashed in Dragão Stadium for 3 or more goals.

Therefore,
• At home: attacking
  
• Away: positive (sometimes, and only in CL matches)

It does not matter if a tactic is good if your players are not suitable to your game style.

To play this one, you'll need to be able to build a squad stronger and quicker than the others.

All of my players have at least 15 or 16 (the minimum) in both of these parameters and I'm always looking for players with these characteristics. Excepting for special cases (youngsters or good businesses for players under the market price), this is a rule I always applied in my FM's saves.

My current full-backs:








My current inverted-wingers:







Definitely, other fields such as 'Decisions' and 'Crossings' are also important in these positions/players.


Not least important, it's important you have midfielders able to do high pressing during the 90 minutes:






In front of your team, two top strikers that follow the "rules" applied to the previous ones (strength and acceleration) are essential. Both should play in "attack" as Complete Forward or Advanced Forward.

To start, in the Portuguese League, I achieved something like +than 170 matches invicted.

In the last 6 seasons:

• 2 losses in the Portuguese League (Famalicão and Benfica, both away)
  
• 4 years in a row without a single loss
  
• Always +than 100 goals scored (always the best attack)
  
• Always only 15-20 goals conceded (always the best defense)

Most importantly, in the last 3 seasons, I won 3 Champions League with no mercy.

Absolutely great campaigns in which this team (even with some essential players in lack due to serious injuries), this 442 always remained consistent and able to face any squad.

• PSG (0:0) *won in penaltis
  
• Tottenham (2:3)
  
• Manchester United (0:5)

Season 2025/26

• 9 wins
  
• 3 draws
  
• 1 loss

Season 2026/27

• 10 wins
  
• 0 draws
  
• 3 losses

Season 2027/28

• 7 wins
  
• 4 draws
  
• 2 losses

UCL last winners:




To look more in detail, take a look at the amount of crossings in my last UCL's final against Manchester United. Do not expect to play in tiki-taka football, but expect to play in a very aggressive game style when your team does not have the ball.





How many red/yellow cards per season?
Now you're asking. So, if this game style is very aggressive, how many red cards (or even yellow cards), my team got since I adopted this tactic? Surprise, surprise. (This detail was also tested by me). Usually, per season, I had no red cards, and, at maximum, 1. Also, in terms of yellow cards, I won for the second season in a row the "Fair-Play Prize" in the Portuguese League, so, I suppose this answer your question.

At first, I opted to activate the option "stay on feet" but after a while, I realise my team was very soft when the ball was not in our possession, and some goals were conceded because of this. That's why I changed my approach and in this tactic, I have disallowed both options in the "Tackling" section ('stay on feet' and 'get stuck in').

I really hope to receive your feedback and see if this demolishing 442 was suitable in your teams. Also, do not forget to create routines in your team/s. Do not expect to just implement a tactic and to start to win 20 or 30 matches in a row.

Good saves, FM mates!




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