Ah, Football Manager. A game where tactics, strategy, and a little bit of luck can make all the difference between winning and losing. As a seasoned player, you already know the importance of building a strong team, training your players, and devising the perfect game plan for every match. But have you considered the power of crosses in your tactics?
Crosses are one of the most effective ways to score goals in Football Manager 2023. Whether you prefer whipped crosses that swerve and dip past defenders, floated crosses that give your target man a chance to use his height advantage, or low crosses that skid along the ground and confuse defenders, mastering the art of crosses can take your team to the next level.
But how do you know which type of cross to use in different situations? How can you train your players to deliver perfect crosses every time? And what are the key attributes to look for in players who will be delivering crosses for your team?
In this ultimate guide to crosses in Football Manager 2023, we'll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cross, give you tips for selecting the right type of cross for your team and tactics, and share real-life examples of teams and players who excel at different types of crosses. Get ready to score more goals and break down even the toughest defences. It's time to master the art of crosses in Football Manager 2023.
The Three Types of Crosses in Football Manager 2023
In Football Manager 2023, there are three main types of crosses you can use to break down a defence and score more goals: floated crosses, whipped crosses, and low crosses. Each type of cross has its advantages and disadvantages, and the key is to choose the right one for your team and tactics.
Floated Crosses
Floated crosses are high, arcing crosses that give your target man a chance to use his height advantage and head the ball into the net. These crosses are ideal for slow, strong players with good jumping reach and excellent heading ability. They can also benefit players making runs into the box if they benefit from rebounds or a knockdown from your striker.
Whipped Crosses
Whipped crosses are fast, swerving crosses that make it difficult for defenders to deal with. They are ideal for situations where the defence has packed the box and it's hard to find a way through with other types of crosses. These crosses are great for players with good movement and acceleration, as they can get to the ball quickly and head it home before the defenders can react. They can also lead to the opposition defence making a mess of clearing the ball, giving your strikers a chance to benefit from a botched clearance and slot the ball home.
Low Crosses
Low crosses are crosses that travel close to the ground and are ideal for players who lack height but are quick and agile. They are great for teams that play a tiki-taka style of football with small, technical players who can lose their defenders in a small area of space. These crosses shift the advantage to players with good acceleration and movement, as they will time and time again get to the ball first before the opposition’s defence can react. Low crosses are particularly effective when delivered to the near post.
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cross is the key to using them effectively in Football Manager 2023. With the right tactics and player attributes, you can master the art of crosses and score more goals than ever before.
The Pros and Cons of Using Different Types of Crosses in FM23
As we've learned, there are three main types of crosses in Football Manager 2023: floated, whipped, and low. Each type of cross has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the key to success is knowing when and how to use them.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Floated Crosses
Floated crosses are great for tall, strong players with good heading ability. The height and arc of the cross give these players a chance to use their height advantage and outjump the opposition's defence. However, floated crosses can be easy to defend against if the opposition knows they are coming, and they are not effective for players who lack height and strength.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Whipped Crosses
Whipped crosses are fast and difficult for defenders to deal with, making them ideal for situations where the opposition's defence has packed the box. They are great for players with good movement and acceleration, and can lead to quick goals if the defenders are caught off-guard. However, whipped crosses can be difficult to control and are not suitable for tall, strong players who are better suited to floated crosses.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Low Crosses
Low crosses are ideal for small, agile players who lack height but are quick and technical. They are great for teams that play a tiki-taka style of football and can be delivered to the near post for quick goals. However, low crosses are not suitable for tall, strong players who are better suited to floated crosses, and they can be intercepted by defenders if the delivery is not accurate.
Understanding the pros and cons of each type of cross is the key to using them effectively in Football Manager 2023. By choosing the right type of cross for your team and tactics, you can create more opportunities to score and break down even the toughest defences.
Tips for Selecting the Right Type of Cross in FM23
Now that we know the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cross, let's look at some tips for selecting the right type of cross for your team and tactics.
Know Your Players' Attributes
The first step is to know your players' attributes and identify who will be delivering crosses for your team. Look for players with high crossing ability, good technique, and the right physical attributes for the type of cross you want to use. For floated crosses, you'll want tall, strong players with good heading ability. For whipped crosses, look for players with good movement and acceleration. And for low crosses, focus on players with good agility and technique.
Analyse Your Opponent
Before each match, analyze your opponent's strengths and weaknesses to identify which type of cross is most likely to be effective. If the defence is tall and strong, you may want to avoid floated crosses and focus on low crosses that can be delivered to the near post. If the defence is fast and agile, whipped crosses may be more effective.
Adapt Your Tactics
Finally, be prepared to adapt your tactics based on the situation. If one type of cross is not working, try another. And don't be afraid to change your tactics mid-game if you're not getting the desired results.
By knowing your players' attributes, analyzing your opponent, and adapting your tactics, you can select the right type of cross for your team and tactics in Football Manager 2023. With practice and patience, you can master the art of crosses and score more goals than ever before.
Real-Life Examples of Teams Who Excel at Different Types of Crosses
To better understand the effectiveness of different types of crosses, let's take a look at some real-life examples of teams who excel at using them.
Floated Crosses: Teams with tall strikers
Floated crosses are ideal for teams that have tall strikers who are good at heading the ball. When delivered correctly, floated crosses give the striker a chance to outjump the opposition's defence and head the ball into the net. Teams that play this way often have their full-backs and wingers focus on delivering high, arcing crosses into the box.
Whipped Crosses: Teams with quick and agile forwards
Whipped crosses are ideal for teams that have quick and agile forwards who are good at making runs into the box. When delivered correctly, whipped crosses are difficult for defenders to deal with, giving the forwards a chance to get on the end of them and score goals. Teams that play this way often have their full-backs deliver fast, swerving crosses into the box.
Low Crosses: Possession-based teams
Low crosses are ideal for possession-based teams that have technical and agile midfielders who are good at delivering accurate passes into the box. When delivered correctly, low crosses are difficult for defenders to deal with, giving the forwards a chance to get on the end of them and score goals. Teams that play this way often have their midfielders focus on delivering low, accurate crosses into the box.
By studying these real-life examples, we can see how different types of crosses can be used effectively in different styles of play. By applying these lessons to Football Manager 2023, we can create more opportunities to score and lead our teams to victory.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, crosses are an effective way to break down a stubborn defence and create scoring opportunities in Football Manager 2023. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different types of crosses, and selecting the right type of cross for your team and tactics, you can create more opportunities to score and lead your team to victory.
We've seen how floated crosses can benefit teams with tall strikers, how whipped crosses can benefit teams with quick and agile forwards, and how low crosses can benefit possession-based teams with technical midfielders. By studying these real-life examples, we can see how different types of crosses can be used effectively in different styles of play.
Remember, selecting the right type of cross is just one part of building a successful team in Football Manager 2023. If you're looking for more ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out our AI-Powered Save Idea Generator for FM23, which provides unique team suggestions and challenges to help you take your game to the next level.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you found this guide useful in improving your crosses and leading your team to glory.
