FM 22: Play as Galatasaray with the Domenec Torrent Tactic

Galatasaray's new manager Domenec Torrent took charge of his first match against Hatayspor and left the pitch with a 4-2 defeat. Between the turmoil inside the club, the departure of a figure like Fatih Terim, and some communication mistakes on the part of Burak Elmas and the board, Galatasaray, which had been laying out project and future plans, was suddenly dragged into chaos.

Despite this troubled situation inside the club, fans were curious about the Hatayspor match and about Domenec Torrent. The fact that the manager is a former assistant of Guardiola, and was introduced with labels like tactical genius and set-piece mastermind, managed to create at least a bit of excitement. Especially in the first half of the match, Galatasaray didn't look all that different from Fatih Terim's team in terms of playing style, but despite missing a penalty, they closed out the first half 2-1 up thanks to Kerem's incredible free kick. Even though the first half ended with them ahead, because of the chances they conceded and the problems they had going forward, we started to see small touches of Torrent early in the second half. In the first half, while the team tried to build play from the back with a two centre-back, one defensive midfielder (2+1) setup and pushed the full-backs wide, Hatayspor's press with three players on the centre-backs and the defensive midfielder in the front zone stopped them from building play, and their transitions into attack suffered a lot. In the second half, we saw them build a more compact shape and build play better, with Patrick Van Aanholt playing closer to the centre-backs, positioning himself closer to the centre, and the three-man midfield also helping out defensively.

The second turning point after the missed penalty was Aytaç Kara coming on for Halil Dervişoğlu and playing in a central centre-back role. Considering how few players even at the top level play that role, it would be unfair to put the blame on Aytaç Kara. Even if that substitution was going to be made, having Taylan move into that area instead of Aytaç might have been the more sensible option. Setting aside the players and the mistakes made, when we focus on what Torrent is trying to do, we can comfortably say he needs a technically composed number 6 who can dictate the build-up, and a goalkeeper who's comfortable with the ball at his feet. One of the shapes the team is likely to play going forward looks like a 2-4-4 in attack and something like a 3-3-2-2 in defence. These shapes will of course change a lot during matches. In particular, I'd say Cicaladu's contribution to the attacking press will increase in upcoming matches, and that he'll press the front zone alongside the striker.

How Can I Set Up the Tactic Galatasaray Will Play Under Torrent in Football Manager 2022?

In this article, where we'll assess Torrent's football specifically for FM 22, we'll focus on the shape and mentality from the second half of the Hatayspor match rather than the first-half performance.

FM 22 Domenec Torrent Tactic: Galatasaray Formation, Tiki-Taka

Given that Dominic Torrent comes from the Guardiola school of coaching, you don't need to be a genius to know he'll use a Tiki-Taka template. The difference between Vertical Tiki-Taka and regular Tiki-Taka is that Torrent wants his two wingers to hug the touchline and stretch play as attacks develop. Because of this, instead of playing directly, he'll want to switch the ball around and attack down whichever flank the opponent is weaker on.

FM 22 Domenec Torrent Tactic: Galatasaray Formation In Possession

While in possession, the team will look to build from the back with short passes and wait for the opponent to leave a gap. You can try either the Fairly Narrow or Standard option for attacking width. The Dribble Less and Be More Expressive instructions will be the right choices here.

FM 22 Domenec Torrent Tactic: Galatasaray Formation In Transition

Counter-press is essential to this tactic, and since we keep numbers behind the ball, starting the build-up from the centre-back is the right choice. For how you play the ball out, you can use any of the remaining three options as long as you don't set it to play it long from the goalkeeper's feet.

FM 22 Domenec Torrent Tactic: Galatasaray Formation Out of Possession

I wouldn't expect a manager who likes to press this high up the pitch to sit his defensive line deep. Managers who press high up front usually like to keep their defensive width at Standard, but Torrent seems to prefer a setup that lets the opponent come through the flanks. We saw that the biggest factor behind Ömer Erdoğan's win with Hatayspor was dominant attacks down the wings. Will seeing this make Domenec Torrent change his approach, or will he develop a different strategy against opponents who try this? Time will tell.

FM 22 Domenec Torrent Tactic: Galatasaray Formation

When you look at how the team lines up on the pitch, get ready now, because you'll see a very different picture from what you're used to! What he wants to do with Aytaç at the centre of defence, under normal circumstances, he'll want to do with a good libero/defensive-midfielder type player, and that player will be the first man in the build-up; it's a critical role because once the team moves into the second phase, he'll support midfield and create a passing option. It's also worth picking a goalkeeper with sweeper-keeper attributes. If all three of your centre-backs have good passing attributes, you can set the other two as ball-playing centre-backs as well. If one has passing attributes and the other has more of a stopper profile, you can set one as a ball-playing centre-back and the other as a standard centre-back.

You should use one of your full-backs as an inverted full-back (in a scenario where the winger ahead of him hugs the touchline). This is the same logic behind what I mentioned about Van Aanholt supporting midfield in the last match. Having the left-back support midfield will help increase passing options and make it easier to build play. The player you use as the inverted full-back needs high passing ability and vision. Turn your other full-back (the right-back in the graphic) into an attacking wing-back so he overlaps and makes runs down the flank. Make sure the winger ahead of him is someone who cuts inside. The gaps created by the winger cutting inside will be exploited by your attacking wing-back.

Pick one of your central midfielders to play as a box-to-box midfielder, having him shuttle back and forth in both attack and defence and become the opponent's worst nightmare in midfield. The reason we set this player as a box-to-box midfielder is so that, while supporting the attack, instead of entering the opponent's box himself he becomes a passing option to switch the ball out to the flanks. This player's passing ability shouldn't be low, and make sure his stamina and natural fitness are at a high level.

Have your attacking playmaker be the one delivering killer passes on the attacking side, while also supporting the striker in the first press towards the centre.

Have your striker play as a complete forward, so he can score goals or provide assists going forward.

Give the tactic a try and let us know your thoughts in the comments ;)

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