FM22: MÁRIO ZAGALLO — TACTICAL MASTER

Zagallo built the best Seleção XI of all time in 1970, here is my interpretation of it for Football Manager.

7 min readMay 12, 2022

BRAZIL 1970: THE FIVE 10s

The principle underpinning both approaches was of a structured unit in which the best players could thrive and succeed.

“Individual talent would always excel, as long as it was supported by order and teamwork.”

No matter who those players were to be, Zagallo’s teams had a number of very definite features. A back line of four was constant, with full-backs pushed forward to attack almost as wingers. The attacking midfielders in front of them moved from out to in, seeking goal scoring positions.

The principle of pass and move was at the heart of everything. No player was allowed to stand still. Every player was expected to constantly look for positions in which they could be a passing option for the ball-carrier. When they received the ball, their job was to look immediately for a teammate before once again moving to support. It was a simple premise that became the central pillar of Zagallo’s two Brazil teams.

Before Zagallo’s reign Brazil were playing a 4–2–4, Zagallo was already of the opinion that if they went to the World Cup with that system, they wouldn’t achieve anything.

Zagallo changed the players, and more. He knew that with Piazza, a defender, he had space for a more technical midfielder like Clodoaldo.

He picked Rivellino and adapted him to play in a front three, striking a better balance in midfield and relayed the message that if they lost possession they’d need to drop deep to reduce the space for their opponents.

These personnel changes meant that the Seleção had five number 10s playing with fluidity in-front of the structured defensive unit.

Goleiro (Goalkeeper) — Felix

Lateral esquerdo (left-back) — Everaldo

Everaldo was quite cautious considering how the rest of the side was set up. He still offered something going forward but not as much as you’d expect, he was quite reserved at times especially compared to the right side.

Quarto-zagueiro (left-sided centre-back) — Piazza

Wilson Piazza was actually a midfielder who turned into a defender. I guess at the time he was what now call a ball playing defender. He was comfy with the ball at his feet and was more than capable of starting attacks.

Zagueiro central (right-sided centre-back) — Brito

Brito was a beast, he was the classic big, tall and provided lots of aerial presence type of defender. He was more of a no-nonsense type of defender compared to the rest of the side who offered more physical presence rather than flair.

Lateral direito (right-back) — Carlos Alberto

Carlos Alberto was immense, he was relentless going forward and this tactic provided plenty of opportunity for Carlos to get forward. Even though he was attack minded he still did his fair share of defending too.

Médio-volante (defensive midfielder) — Clodoaldo

Clodoaldo was the ball winning midfielder who would offer the defence extra protection. He never stopped moving around and was full of energy.

Meia-armador (midfield playmaker) — Gerson

Although Gerson played as a holding midfielder, he was an early example of a more creative interpreter of this role, who focused more on ball retention and passing rather than solely looking to win back possession.

He was known for his ability to retain possession and dictate the tempo of his team’s play in midfield with his precise passing, and was also capable of switching from defence to attack by playing sudden, accurate long balls to meet his teammates runs.

He also possessed an excellent positional sense, and a powerful shot with his left foot, which earned him the nickname Canhotinha de Ouro (Golden left-foot).

Ponta-esquerda (left winger) — Rivelino

Rivelino was played out of position on the left and inadvertently solved a defensive weakness down the left flank by sitting narrow and deep and only went wide once he had the ball. This helped plug the gap between midfield and defence. Rivelino was an attacking midfielder for his club and was known for his left foot, many to this day still think he had one of the best left foots any player has ever had. He sat narrow and deep and only went wide once he had the ball

Ponta-direita (right winger) — Jairzinho

Jairzinho had been nicknamed ‘Furacao’ (meaning ‘Hurricane’) for a reason, his explosive pace and acceleration. He was almost like an out-and-out striker at times due to how far up the pitch he was. Again at club level he was another creator but was more than capable of running at defenders and giving them all kind of headaches.

Centroavante (centre forward) — Tostão

Tostão was a very intelligent footballer who had an eye for goal yet he sacrificed a bit of his game for the national side at times. He would drop deep in search of the ball and dropping off the defence to create space for his strike partner.

Ponta de lança (literally “spearhead”) — Pelé

Pelé has also been known for connecting the phrase “The Beautiful Game” with football. He was a true number 10 and a prolific goal scorer. He was known for his ability to anticipate opponents in the area and finish off chances with an accurate and powerful shot with either foot.

Pelé was also a hard-working team player, and a complete forward, with exceptional vision and intelligence, who was recognised for his precise passing and ability to link up with teammates and provide them with assists.

Pelé can’t be considered a pure forward, because, despite constantly entering the box to shoot at goal, he used to retreat back to defence with a much higher frequency than current footballers from that role

FM22 RECREATION

KEY ROLES

Referring to my good friends (@fm_throwing) blog surrounding role values and squad management it would be rude of me to not incorporate his well branded model into my save with Betis.

#3 Quarto-zagueiro

This role demands a left-footed player as this will ensure that our team is well balanced. The individual must have good composure to help the team maintain possession as this role plays an important part in opening up the left-side of the pitch and access to the Roaming Playmaker.

Note how all players down the left are on support duty, this is where we would expect to see the majority of our build-up play.

#4 Lateral direito — the complete wing back aims to overlap down the flank to provide wide support for attacks, run at his man and get crosses in from the byline.

The role holds a significant value to the tactic as it will provide much needed attacking width and ideally produce an overload down the right-flank, doubling up with the Inside Forward.

#8 Meia-armador

The Roaming Playmaker is the heartbeat of the team, driving forward with the ball to spearhead attacks as well as tracking back to cover defensively. The role is the link between defence and attack, the individual always offering a passing option to teammates, the Roaming Playmaker must have the physical attributes to maintain a high intensity as well as the technical attributes to stamp his authority on the game.

#10 Ponta de lança

The Shadow Striker operates as one of the team’s main goal-scoring threats. Usually coupled with another forward in support (F9), the Shadow Striker aggressively pushes up into goal-scoring positions as the ball moves into the final third and looks to close down opposing defenders when out of possession.