Set your first lineup
Pick a formation, fill valid positions, and save before kickoff.
Your lineup tells the match engine who starts and how the team should play. Open Squad, choose a formation, place players, and save. If you leave Squad before saving, your changes stay on this device: back on Squad, a strip offers to save or discard them.
What counts as ready
A lineup is ready when it has the required starters, no duplicates, no unavailable players, and a valid formation. Not sure where to start? Use Suggest XI for a sensible draft you can adjust.
Between matchdays
You don't need to save a lineup for every matchday. If you haven't saved one for the next match, your last saved lineup plays again: the same XI, captain, roles, and tactics, with any injured or banned player covered from your bench. Before your first lineup, a caretaker picks the team.
What can go wrong
A player who gets injured or banned after you save is replaced at kickoff, bench first. A stronger lineup helps but never guarantees a win.
Tactics basics
Tactics are broad intent: how aggressive the team is, how directly it attacks, how much risk it takes. They are not scripted play.