Don't just use the default formation dropdown. Manually drag your players in the tactics screen to make your team as narrow and condensed as possible.
Here’s a straight answer based on years of community testing: cm 01 02 patch 3.9 68 best tactic
Three solid, pacey central defenders. No full-backs. Midfield: One DMC, two flat MCs, and one AMC. Attack: Three strikers (Left, Center, Right). Team Instructions Mentality: Attacking Passing: Direct or Short Tackling: Hard Pressing: Yes Offside Trap: Yes Why It Works Don't just use the default formation dropdown
Notable Variants