Preparations for a match in Football Manager 2019 Football Manager 2019 Guide and Tips

Last update: 20 November 2018

Before you enter an important league match in Football Manager 2019, you must do everything to ensure that your team is properly prepared. In this situation, you must use all available sources to approach the match with the conviction of a job well done. In this chapter you will find information and tips on how to prepare for a match.

• Scout report - an important source of information
• Set the right friendly fixture
• Submitting the entry of your team
• Team talk

Scout report - an important source of information

The first and very important source of information is the Scout report, which lands to your e-mail inbox. The analysis of the materials prepared by the Scout will allow you to familiarize yourself with your opponent's formation and tactics. You will also learn the starting eleven of the opponent so that you can assign appropriate roles to your players, such as covering a specific player from your opponent's team, who can cause the most problems to your team.

Set the right friendly fixture

After familiarizing yourself with the report, you can set up a friendly fixture, which will allow you to familiarize yourself with the play style of a team from a given region and introduce any corrections before the match.

Choosing the right team for your friendly fixture

When planning a friendly fixture before an important match, always try to select a team from the region in which your next opponent is playing. For example, if you play a cup match with a team from the Premier League, set up a friendly fixture with a team from that league. After playing such a match, you'll have important information about what kind of football the English team plays.

Submitting the entry of your team

When you manage to get to know your rival well enough, you will be able to choose the starting eleven for the upcoming match. At this point, you have the last chance to introduce any modifications to the tactics, lineup and reserve bench. When choosing the main line-up, it is worth paying attention to several factors.

Pay attention to the fitness of your players and their ability to play

Always pay attention to the stamina of the players you want to put in the first line-up. Equally important is the ability to play, because you want to have players who will correctly follow your instructions.

Select the appropriate positions for the players

When setting players on the field, try to position them in such a way that they are able to perform their specific role. Remember that some players can only play in one position, while others are flexible enough to cope with various tasks. Don't try to get the "green lights" at all cost. Position your players so that they can implement your tactics.

Instructions for players

After submitting the team, it will be time to assign instructions concerning the individual players of the opposing team. Remember to pay special attention only to the most dangerous of the opponent's players. Setting too many individual covering commands may adversely affect the implementation of your tactics.

Quick pick

If you are not sure how to best match the players with their positions, you can always use the quick pick option. In this case, your assistant will choose the most optimal line-up from the list of available players. The quick pick option is located at the top of the screen, on the right.

Team talk

Team talk is the last preparatory element before a match. The goal of a team talk is to raise morale and encourage your players to give their all on the field. An appropriate team talk can contribute to a better play of the whole team and certainly will have a positive influence on the outcome of the match.

Assigning tasks

If you don't want to conduct a team talk, you can delegate this task to your assistant. However, before you do this, make sure that the assistant has a highly-developed motivation.