Xavi's 4-3-3 | Football Manager 2023 |

To make Xavi’s FC Barcelona tactic work, you need to have players capable of holding onto the ball. And pass it around at their own will. Obiously :).

The tactic is similar to Roberto De Zerbi’s one, but at a whole new level.

Xavi loves having possession of the ball. In his own philosophy, the ball moves faster than the man, so the ball is the most important element to his tactic.

The players you use for this tactic need to have very good ratings for Passing, Technique and Vision. Passing as they need to be able to pass the ball around. Technique as they need to be able to complete the most complex of passes. And Vision as they need to have perspective on their game.

Of course, role-related attributes are needed.

As said, I did try several different versions of this tactic to make it work and I have ended up with this one.

A 4-3-3 formation, designed to keep hold of possession and make the most of it.

Sweeper keeper on Attack duty in goal. No instructions for him.

Two Wing backs, one o support and one on attack duty. Both have stay wider as player instructions.

The left Wing back is on attack duty as he will go higher up the pitch. We will see in a moment why.

Two Ball playing defenders on defend duty. No player instructions for them, but they must be defenders capable of bringing the ball out of defence.

A Defensive midfielder on defend. He will screen the defence and become the third man when here when the team is attacking. No instructions for him.

Two Mezzale, one on support and one on attack duty. The Mezzala role is used here for both players as in Xavi’s tactic, these players are dynamic. They don’t have a fixed role. They can drift wide, inter-change positions with the wingers. They can go up in the oppositions box or even swap places with the striker if needed.

No instructions for them.

As Wingers, we have a Winger on support duty. This is Ousmane Dembele’s role. The trick here is that this player can use his left foot very well and has cut inside from the right wing as a player trait.

This way, he can either be a winger and drag the opposing defender onto him or can cut inside and surprise the defence, creating chaos.

No special instructions for him.

On the left side, the Inside forward on attack has roam from position as player instruction. This is crucial, as this position is occupied by Gavi in Xavi’s tactic.

This player changes position with the Mezzala on his side during attacks and this is what we try to recreate. This is why the wing back on his part must get further up the pitch, to become an extra player in attack.

In front, a Complete forward makes up the tactic. No instructions for the striker.

As mentality, we go with Positive mentality.

In possession, fairly wide, play out of defence, slightly shorter passing and slower tempo. Play for set pieces and be more expressive. You could use work ball into box, but I found it a bit too restrictive.

In transition, distribute quickly, to defence and roll it out. Xavi does not instruct his players to counter press or play on counter. But he wants them to do so when the moment arises. Thus, we will let the game decide when these instructions are fit to be used.

Out of possession, high press and a higher defensive line. Make sure to use pacey defenders with the higher defensive line. You could use a standard line, but this will create more space for the opposition for their build-up.

Press more often, prevent goalkeeper short distribution and get stuck in. We will instill the pressing game using these instructions.

Playing using this tactic reminded me a lot of Xavi as a player. This tactic resembles his style and it is not wonder it worked so well for FC Barcelona last season.

But I am interested to know how it worked for you. Let me know in the comments below.