With Karim Benzema a shoo-in for this year's prestigious Ballon d'Or award and his team starting the season as the reigning European champions, there are plenty of reasons to play as Real Madrid in FIFA 23. However, finding the right setup for the 14-time European Cup winners can be a little tricky, as there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to formation and starting eleven.
Despite what their recent dominance might suggest, Real are very much a team in transition, with Casemiro having recently departed and veteran midfield duo Toni Kroos and Luca Modric well into the twilight years of their careers. Though their replacements have already been signed, they're still a few years away from reaching their true potential, forcing FIFA 23 players into a somewhat difficult decision.
The Best Formation for Real Madrid in FIFA 23
Trying to find the best formation for Real Madrid in FIFA 23 is a little tricky. Granted, in Camavinga and Tchouaméni, Los Blancos have two of the most promising young players in world football, but until their potential is fully realized, starting them will lead to a big hit in the team's overall rating. As a result, most players will likely opt for the experience and composure of Modric and Kroos, which, in turn, means a lot less pace and mobility in the center of the pitch. Thankfully, the 4-3-3 Flat formation can make up for this for the most part, and so is the best option for those looking to stick with the aging duo.
The Best Starting 11 for Real Madrid in FIFA 23
Karim Benzema is the only serious candidate for the number nine position, while the experience and passing range of Modric and Kroos is hard to ignore in central midfield. Playing Valverde alongside them can make up for the duo's lack of mobility, adding some much-needed pace into the equation. On the wings, Vinícius Júnior is an easy pick on the left due to him being one of the fastest players in FIFA 23, while Rodrygo's pace helps him to edge out Asensio over on the opposite flank.
Thankfully, the defense is a lot more straightforward, with Mendy, Alaba, Rüdiger, and Carvajal being the obvious choices across the back four. Behind them, Thibaut Courtois will almost certainly be getting the nod between the sticks, with the big Belgian's 90 overall rating placing him ahead of Premier League duo Ederson and Alisson in the race for the title of FIFA 23's best goalkeeper.
Tactics and Instructions
To get the best out of this Real Madrid side, players will want to utilize the team's excellent passing range, so slow build-up play and possession-based chance creation is the way to go. At the other end of the pitch, a balanced defense should work best as trying to press too much will end up exerting stamina that some of the older players just don't have. With this in mind, players may even want to consider dropping deep and then using the pace of Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo to hit the opposition on the break.
As for instructions, players should have Vinícius Júnior stay forward, cut inside, and get in behind, while Rodrygo should be instructed to come back on defense and stay out wide. This is because he'll be the one whipping the ball into the box for Benzema, who should stay central and act as a target man. Modric and Kroos should stay back during attacks to preserve energy and allow Valverde to get forward without leaving gaps. Finally, the full-backs should join the attack, with Mendy overlapping and Carvajal cutting inside to provide space for Rodrygo out on the wing.
FIFA 23 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.