Out of all the Tactics found and used in Football Manager, one of the best and most unique ones used is called Gegenpressing. In order to successful perform Gegenpressing as a tactic, you actually need a lot in place. However, if done properly, Gegenpressing can be one of the most difficult tactics for an opposing team to overcome.
Here is everything you will need in order to perform the Gegenpressing Tactic:
1) Formation
You must have Players in advanced position in order to perform Gegenpressing. As such, aside from your striker, you will need 1-3 AM Positions so you can place them as close as possible to the opposing team to apply pressure. Because of this, 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-2-1 would be an ideal formation; however, 4-4-1-1, 4-1-4-1 or 4-4-2 can also work if the wide midfielders have the duty of pushing them further up the pitch.
2) Team
Having a "higher" or "slightly higher" Defensive Line is important, as you need to be close to the opposition, and playing an "offside trap" is also a must. Naturally, you need to be "more" or "much more" when Closing Down as an entire team. Finally, you must have an aggressive mentality of either "attacking", "control" or "counter", as well as have "fluid" or "very fluid" Team Shape. Playing at a higher tempo is also helpful.
3) Player
Have all of your Wide and Central Midfielders, as well as all of your AMs and Strikers, set with having their Closing Down set to the maximum. Also, your attacking minded Wide Midfielders, AMs and Strikers need to be set to "mark tightly" to immediately apply pressure to the opposition once they lose possession.
4) Opposition
Not much is needed her, but one thing you can always do is create pressing traps by pressing key positions in order to isolate the ball.
5) Technical Attributes
Players must have good passing, first touch and technique attributes in order for all of this to come together. They also must not have terrible tackling skills.
6) Mental Attributes
The mental attributes of work rate, teamwork and determination are all the more important to have with your Players, even more so than the technical attributes.
7) Physical Attributes
Acceleration, pace and stamina are aslo key when it comes to your Players, since you will be running a higher tempo with higher amounts of running.
8) Training
Always mix in fitness training during preseason, winter breaks and international fixture breaks.
9) Staff
Your coaching Staff must believe in closing down aggressively, especially when relying on your assistant manager during matches.
10) Club
Picking a team that has these types of Players and coaches are a must, but you also need to pick a squad that don't have the philosophies that contradict the ones listed here, like playing defensively.