FIFA 23is a game that emphasizes player skill when trying to defeat opponents, which often means that tactics and formations matter a bit less when compared to other games likeFootball Manager. However, there are still many players who try to emulate the tactics of their favorite teams, like Liverpool’s Gegenpress or Real Madrid’s quick and lethal counterattacking in various game modes. For players looking to dominateFIFA 23by maintaining possession and breaking down defenses using quick one-touch passes, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona is the perfect team to emulate.
Considered to be one of the greatest teams in the history of the sport, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona had a simple philosophy: keep the ball moving when in possession, stay patient while attacking, and win the ball back quickly after conceding possession. This created the play style known as Tiki-Taka that Barcelona used to create an era of dominance where most teams found it hard to even get a few shots on goal. Thanks toFIFA 23’s tactics and player instructions, fans can emulate this dominant style of play in the game, giving them a chance to keep the ball from the opponent and frustrate them by scoring brilliant team goals.
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What Made Barcelona’s Tiki-Taka Style So Formidable
Barcelona’s Tiki-Taka tactics were not only dominant because of the manager, but also because of the players that put it into action. From the goalkeeper to the forwards, every player knew exactly what they needed to do in order to succeed and thanks to the quality on the pitch, at times they made it look easy. With the likes ofLionel Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol, and many more, it is easy to see why the team was feared by so many, and respected by practically every person who followed the sport at the time.
In addition to the quality on the pitch, Barcelona’s excellent coaching staff, headed by Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola, crafted multiple scenarios based on the opponents they faced. By giving each player on the team a particular task, and having at least two players available for passes at all times, Barcelona was able to dominate possession, often ending games with well over 70 percent of ball possession, something thatwill be useful inFIFA 23. This, along with the skill the team possessed at short passes and finding space, allowed Barcelona to carve their way through any defense in their path.
Tiki-Taka Formation & Team Tactics
Barcelona’s Tiki-Taka style of play requires a very particular formation that has now become extremely popular for anyFIFA 23team without an out-and-out striker, the False 9. This is a 4-3-3 formation where the striker sits further back than the two wingers and often falls back to receive the ball and support the midfield, giving the wingers a lot more freedom in making runs behind the defense. However, for players with a good finisher or tall striker, using a regular4-3-3 inFIFAwill also work. When in possession, players using this style need to remain patient and use the spaces and gaps that form to maintain possession by passing around opponents, rather than dribbling past them.
InFIFA 23, players will need to tweak the tactics for both defensive and offensive play to ensure that the AI will create passing options and attempt to win the ball quickly, through interceptions or high-pressure tackles. For defense, players should set the defensive style to “Press After Possession Loss” and maintain a neutral width, between 45-55, with a high depth, between 65-75, allowing the high press to immediately take place after losing possession. For attack, a “Slow Build Up” style, selecting “Possession” for chance creation, and allowing only a few players to get in the box for crosses or set pieces will give the team more opportunity to pass the ball around to theirFIFA 23defenders.
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Tiki-Taka Individual Player Tactics
For a successful Tiki-Taka style of play inFIFA 23, players will need to give certain positions on the team specific instructions. The most important players areFIFA 23’s central midfielders, so the CMs should support the attack by “Getting Forward” and leaving the other instructions as default, while the CDM should “Cut Passing Lanes,” stay back during attacks, and maintain a “Deep Lying Playmaker” style. The fullbacks’ attacking runs should be set to “Join The Attack,” and the run type to “Overlap” to allow them to get forward and support the player on the ball. However, if using a regular 4-3-3 with a tall striker, keep the run type as default.
Up front, the wingers should have their chance creation set to “Cut Inside” and the support on crosses set to “Get Into The Box For Cross,” while letting them intercept aggressively.TheFIFAteam’s striker’s supporting runsshould be set to “Stay Central,” the attacking runs set to “False 9,” and the defensive support set to “Stay Forward,” but when using a tall target man, keep the attacking runs to default. The goalkeeper and center-backs will maintain their default settings; players will want to ensure that the goalkeeper is good with their feet, as they will be playing out of the back.
Using the Tiki-Taka play style inFIFA 23is not only about getting the tactics and formation right. Players will also need to practice patience and constantly look out for gaps in the defense. Having a good set of players in the team that are comfortable with the ball at their feet and can pass the ball accurately is also very important. WhileFIFA 23’s emphasis on fast-paced actionmay suit counterattacking teams better, controlling possession and not allowing the opponent any time on the ball can frustrate many players and makes it easy to dictate the tone of the game when playing offline game modes like Career Mode.
FIFA 23is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
