There are hundreds of tactics available on YouTube, Twitter, Reddit and elsewhere, so choosing the right one can be difficult. These tactical reviews will feature the best Custom Tactics from the FIFA community, they will be comprehensively tested and explained. This will give you a sense of how competitive they are, how fun they are to play, and help you determine the best tactic for your game.
Auzio’s ‘Meta’ FIFA 23 41212 Narrow Tactics
4-1-2-1-2 (2), or "Narrow" as it's better known, is one of the most popular meta formations in FUT. There are many ways to use this tactic, but what is the best? This tactic from top FIFA player and YouTube content creator AuzioMF will help you play Narrow at the top levels of FUT competition.
Defensive Tactics
- Defensive Style: Balanced
- Width: 40
- Depth: 65
Attacking Tactics
- Build Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Direct Passing
- Width: 50
- Players In Box: 5
Auzio’s ‘Meta’ FIFA 23 41212 Narrow Instructions
Below are the player instructions, if a specific instruction is not specified, the instruction is set to its default.
- GK: All Default
- CBs: All Default
- RB: Stay Back While Attacking, Overlap
- LB: Stay Back While Attacking, Overlap
- CDM: Cut Passing Lanes, Stay Back While Attacking, Cover Center
- RCM: Stay Back While Attacking, Cover Center
- LCM: All Default
- CAM: Stay Forward
- RST: Get In Behind
- LST: Get In Behind
What are the best players for this 41212 narrow tactic?
Below is an 11 of ideal players for this setup at the time of writing, next to that you'll find a more budget option. Bear in mind these players are amongst the best option at the time of writing. It is worth noting that you can start your players in a different formation and then switch to this 41212 using "Gameplans". "Gameplans" can be setup within the "Custom Tactics" menu, which is accessible via "Squad Actions" (L2 or LT) when looking at your squad.
- GK: Highest Rated
- CB: Virgil van Dijk / Maxence Lacroix
- CB: Eder Militao / Ronald Araujo
- RB: Kyle Walker / Rulebreakers Thomas Meunier
- LB: Theo Hernandez / Alphonso Davies
- CDM: Federico Valverde / Franck Kessie
- RCM: Yaya Toure / Renato Sanches
- LCM: Kevin De Bruyne / Marcos Llorente
- CAM: Neymar / Memphis Depay
- RST: Kylian Mbappe / SBC Marko Arnautovic
- LST: Erling Haaland / TOTW Alexander Sorloth
Are these the best ‘Meta’ 41212 narrow tactics in FIFA 23?
Yes, a case could definitely be made for this being the best 4-1-2-1-2 (2) tactic for FIFA 23. This is a strong tactic for quick, short passes through the midfield. It also has the ability to play on the counter with the strikers running in behind.
The backline staying back along with two of the midfielders provides defensive cover to help stop counters. Having three attackers in narrow areas allows for easy combinations and one-twos between the forwards.
The tactic also allows the ability to instantly become more attacking by using the “Attacking Full Backs” D-Pad instruction in game. This control overrides the “Stay Back While Attacking” instruction on the full backs and allows you to easily toggle between a more attacking and a more defensive version of the same tactic.
It works well against formations with only two midfielders as you have four midfielders to play passes around the opponent.
Strong Against: 4-4-2, 4-2-2-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-2-4
What are the drawbacks of this 41212 narrow tactic?
With all of your attackers in the same narrow area, the midfield can get a bit crowded. You need to be accurate with your passing or it can be easy to give the ball away as the opponent’s defenders will be packed in around your attackers. The lack of width can also make it difficult to play out of a press as all of your “out-ball” options are in the same area of the pitch.
This tactic can also struggle against opponents that use their full backs in attack, as they will have 2v1 overloads in wide areas, or tactics with strong attacking width, such as 3 or 5 at the back tactics.
Weak Against: 3-5-2, 3-4-2-1, 5-1-2-2, 4-3-3 (2)
H00bear’s Verdict — FIFA 23's Ultimate Tactic?
Overall, this is a good tactic for those looking to play a narrow formation in a balanced way. There are other variations that utilize Press After Possession Loss and attacking fullbacks, but this version will provide a good balance for those looking to use the tactic in higher divisions and in Weekend League. It is versatile in the way that it can switch between more attacking and more defensive by using the Attacking Full Backs D-Pad tactic.
It provides a strong counter to an opponent using a formation with four attackers staying forward, such as a 4-2-2-2, as it provides a midfield overload and no one for the opponent’s fullbacks to mark. I prefer to press higher, so I would likely switch to Press After Possession Loss and slightly higher depth (72-75) to make this a more proactive tactic in defense.
I would prefer the tactic to be a bit more aggressive, both in attack and defense, but this is a strong tactic for those looking to play a meta narrow formation. It provides balance and a stable platform for a player of any level and is a good starting point for anyone looking to play a narrow tactic before making tweaks to fit your own game better.
Meta Rating: 9/10
Fun Rating: 5/10
Ultimate Tactic Score: 7/10
Be sure to check out Auzio’s video below for additional information, and for more gameplay advice and tactical breakdowns, keep an eye on fut.gg. If you have any questions, or thoughts on this tactic, then be sure to drop them below.