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.
FUTWeeklyBen's FIFA 23 False 9 Tactics
4-3-3 (5) has been an under-the-radar tactic for a few seasons now. Despite its popularity in real life football, it hasn't seen as much success in FUT. However, it creates unique passing lanes and runs from midfield, allowing you to catch your opponent unaware.
Defensive Tactics
- Defensive Style: Pressure On Heavy Touch or Balanced
- Width: 30
- Depth: 72
Attacking Tactics
- Build Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Possession
- Width: 1 (use Hug Sidelines D-Pad tactic if the opponent is using a narrow formation)
- Players In Box: 5
FUTWeeklyBen's FIFA 23 433(5) False 9 Instructions
Below are the player instructions, if a specific instruction is not specified, the instruction is set to its default.
- GK: Sweeper Keeper, Comes For Crosses
- CBs: All Default
- RB: Inverted, Step Up, Stay Back While Attacking
- LB: Inverted, Step Up, Stay Back While Attacking
- CDM: Stay Back While Attacking, Cover Center, Deep Lying Playmaker
- RCM: Get Forward, Drift Wide
- LCM: Get Forward, Free Roam, Get Into Box for Crosses
- RW: Stay Forward, Stay Wide, Get In Behind, Aggressive Interceptions*
- LW: Stay Forward, Stay Wide, Get In Behind, Aggressive Interceptions*
- CF: Stay Central, False 9, Aggressive Interceptions*
NOTE: Instructions with Asterisks* are optional
What are the best players for this 433(5) False 9 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 options at the time of writing. It is worth noting that you can start your players in a different formation and then switch to this 4-3-3 (5) using "Gameplans". "Gameplans" can be set up within the "Custom Tactics" menu, which is accessible via "Squad Actions" (L2 or LT) when looking at your squad.
- GK: Highest Rated
- RCB: WC Phenoms Eder Militao/Gold Antonio Rudiger
- LCB: WC Phenoms Jules Kounde/WC Phenoms Thilo Kehrer
- RB: PTG Kyle Walker/Gold Kyle Walker
- LB: WC Hero Joan Capdevila/OOP Pervis Estupiñán
- CDM: WC Icon Patrick Vieira/Showdown Youssouf Fofana
- RCM: WC Stories Bruno Fernandes/WC Phenoms Pedri
- LCM: PTG Bernardo Silva/WC Stories Lovro Majer
- RW: IF Mohamed Salah/WC Phenoms Bukayo Saka**
- LW: WC Stories Marcus Rashford/PTG Christian Pulisic**
- CF: PTG Nkunku/PTG Sofiane Boufal
**Be sure to switch wings in-game via Custom Tactics to have a right footer on the right side and left footer on the left side
Are these the best ‘Meta’ 433(5) False 9 tactics in FIFA 23?
Yes, a case could definitely be made for this being the best 4-3-3 (5) tactic for FIFA 23. This is a strong tactic for having creative runs from attacking midfielders and creative passing options.
This formation allows you to attack with 5 players, with the front three and two CMs all contributing in attack, as well as the fullbacks if you wish to do so.
The tactic also allows the ability to instantly become more attacking by turning on 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. This feature can overwhelm your opponents when you send extra players surging forward in attack.
The CDM in this formation is also effective at eliminating your opponent's CAM when they are attacking, as the CDM will cut out his space. The CDM also remains unmarked against two-man midfields, such as the 4-4-2.
Strong Against: 4-1-2-1-2 (2), 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1
What are the drawbacks of this 433(5) False 9 tactic?
If you are committing players forward in attack, that can leave you vulnerable on the counter. Additionally, formations with two players in attacking midfield zones can overwhelm your CDM as he cannot mark both at the same time. Against tactics that can exploit this, you may need to leave both of your full backs staying back while attacking, in order to prevent the counter against an exposed and outnumbered backline. Against some tactics, you may find it difficult to play the ball into your CF, as he can be isolated and surrounded by defenders at times.
Weak Against: 4-2-2-2, 4-3-2-1
H00bear’s Verdict — FIFA 23's Ultimate Tactic?
Overall, this is a good tactic for those looking to play a false 9 system in FUT. There are other variations that utilize Press After Possession Loss or more aggressive styles, 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 creative and exciting attacking runs against opponents with two-man midfields, and can also be defensively strong against formations with a CAM. 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 creative style of attacking play.
Meta Rating: 8/10
Fun Rating: 9/10
Ultimate Tactic Score: 9/10
Be sure to check out FUTWeeklyBen and the FUT podcast he hosts, 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.