Guide to building tactics in Soccer Manager 2022

Soccer Manager 2022 provides a set of different pre-set (tactical) guidelines for each position in the form of a player role.

Each player is unique in their own way and needs to use different tactics in matches. The best way is to identify suitable roles as early as possible as players need time to adapt to them. This article will detail all the available roles and attributes best suited for players in Soccer Manager 2022.

Goalkeeper role

Goalie

The keeper role has only one purpose - to defend the goal as best as possible. This is basically the same as the traditional goalkeeper, acting as the last line of defense, making saves, collecting crosses, etc.

Despite having a simple focus, goalkeepers can still strive for long distributions depending on their individual attributes. However, they are not expected to do so and will often just choose the safer decision. This is the most common goalkeeper role in the game and usually doesn't need to be changed.

Sweep goalkeeper

Scanning goalkeepers also perform the same basics as regular goalkeepers, while being encouraged to take more risks. This role allows them to reach beyond the goal area.

Many teams choose to build their play from the back, and with the goalkeeper also joining the attack, the increased number of players makes this process much easier. The downside, of course, is that the role is more of a risk. A good choice for this role requires composure and concentration to deal with heightened pressure.

Defensive role

Defender

This is the default option and involves a combination of the other two roles. According to player mentality, the decisions defenders make can vary and they will usually adjust as the game progresses. For more control over decisions, the other two roles are much better.

central defender

The centre-back has only one focus, which is to stop attacks and get rid of the ball as soon as possible. When the ball is at his feet, the blocking centre-back often tries to make simple passes and, when under pressure, is quick to get away. This role is useful for shielding certain areas of the yard that may be left empty too much.

Football defender

This is the more common role seen in modern football. The ball-playing defender will obviously defend as usual, but act as a pole opposite the centre-back when on the ball.

Instead of playing it safe, gamers should use defenders to play the ball to create more opportunities when the player has the ball. They will try to push forward with long ball searches and split passes.

Since most teams these days are usually very well trained in defense, it is often difficult to find a way to break them. One of the popular ways to do so is through the fast paced transitions and the playing defender is a necessary role when playing Soccer Manager 2022.

Lesley Montoya

Update 08 March 2022