Not only are Manchester City the reigning Premier League champions, but, following the signing of the unstoppable striker Erling Haaland this past summer, Pep Guardiola's side are now also the favorites for this season's Champions League trophy. With these things in mind, it's no wonder that Manchester City are one of the most popular sides in FIFA 23.
Unlike some of the other clubs in FIFA 23, players don't really need to do much to get City playing at their very best, with a few tweaks and changes to the formation and the instructions given to certain players all that's needed to turn them from a great team into an unstoppable one. Here's how.
The Best Formation for Manchester City in FIFA 23
Much like their cross-city rivals Manchester United, City don't really have too many attacking players who utilize the full width of the pitch. With this in mind, players should consider going with a 4-2-3-1 Narrow formation, as this will allow them to play to the strengths of players like Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, both of whom are better suited to the CAM position than they are playing out on the wings.
The Best Starting 11 for Manchester City in FIFA 23
For the most part, City's first 11 practically picks itself, with Haaland, De Bruyne, Silva, Rodri, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, and Ederson all pretty much impossible to drop. With this in mind, the only real decision players will have to make is which two of Foden, Gundogan, Grealish, and Mahrez get to take up the other remaining starting spots on the team sheet.
While Mahrez boasts the highest rating of the four players and is arguably the closest thing that the club has to an out-and-out winger, Silva occupies his best position, making it difficult to squeeze him in. Foden just about edges out Jack Grealish over on the other side, while Gundogan is the only one of the quartet who is suited to a spot in front of the defense, making him the ideal player to slot in alongside Rodri.
Tactics and Instructions
When it comes to tactics, players should stick with press after possession loss, slow build up play, and possession-based chance creation, as these are the best options for utilizing both the formation and the players in the starting 11. Those whose play style isn't overly reliant on pace may want to change the former to constant pressure, though this isn't advised for anyone who likes to run in behind the opposition's back line.
As for instructions, players should set Foden and Silva to free roam positioning to allow them to exploit empty space, while Haaland should be instructed to stay central and aim to get in behind when making runs. Rodri can be set to cut passing lines and make aggressive interceptions and both he and Gundogan should be set to stay back while the team is attacking. Conversely, City's two highly-rated full-backs should be told to join the attack.
FIFA 23 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.