This Football Manager guide will give you an insight into the carrilero player role and how to use it.
This Football Manager guide will give you an insight into the carrilero
player role and how to use it.
What is it?
A good carrilero has a habit of popping up wherever he’s needed in the
middle third of the pitch, defensively or attacking. I’ve found my carrilero
covering spaces left by attacking wide players, or offering a passing option
when they run into trouble.
Defensively, they’re the first to close down
opposition attackers on the flanks and again providing passing options for
defenders once they’ve recovered the ball. In my mind, they behave more like a
deep-lying playmaker than a box to box midfielder. Still, where a playmaker actively demands the ball and looks to dominate possession, a carrilero just
makes sure he’s available when needed before moving the ball on. Being less
ball-dominant makes the carrilero a crucial component in possession-heavy
football, no matter what tempo you play at.
What attributes are important?
READ ALSO: Player attributes explained on Football Manager
The in-game description of the carrilero states this is best used in a midfield
three or in a diamond. There are two reasons for this: he’s useless if there’s a
wide midfielder taking up his spaces on the flank, and he can leave gaps in the
centre of the pitch. A flat midfield four already has a midfielder in the wide
areas - the areas your carrilero wants to work in. While you want him to support
wide players, you definitely don’t want him to crowd them, as this limits both
players’ effectiveness. It’s fine if you’re using wide AMs, wing-backs, or
attacking full backs - as these all attack the space ahead of them - useless if
your wide players base position is on the same line as the centre
midfield.
What tactics does it suit?
In terms of leaving gaps, the carrilero has stay wider on as a player
instruction. So while he’s wide supporting your wingers, you need to be
careful there’s not a glaring hole in centre midfield. If you don’t watch out
for this, you’re allowing the opposition an easy way to attack the centre of
the pitch in transition. I like to play a DM behind a carrilero, to ensure
someone covers that space in the centre of the pitch and guards against the
counter-attack.
When used properly, you’ll see that a good carrilero is a crucial part of your midfield. Providing support all over the pitch, I hope this guide can help you to get the best out of your carrilero in future.
When used properly, you’ll see that a good carrilero is a crucial part of your midfield. Providing support all over the pitch, I hope this guide can help you to get the best out of your carrilero in future.