Pochettino In PES 2021: Tactics, Formation & Management Tips

Oct 31, 2025 by Jhon Lennon 61 views

Hey guys! Are you a fan of Mauricio Pochettino's tactical genius and want to implement his style in PES 2021? You've come to the right place! This guide will dive deep into how you can emulate Pochettino's tactics, formations, and management philosophies within the game. Let's get started!

Understanding Pochettino's Tactical Philosophy

Before we jump into PES 2021 specifics, let's break down what makes Pochettino's approach so unique. Pochettino is known for his high-pressing, possession-based football, emphasizing quick transitions and a strong team ethic. His teams are characterized by their relentless energy, tactical flexibility, and commitment to developing young players. To successfully replicate this in PES 2021, you need to understand these core principles and how they translate into in-game strategies.

High Pressing: Pochettino's teams win the ball back as high up the pitch as possible. This involves intense pressing from the forwards and midfielders, forcing the opposition into mistakes in their own half.
Possession-Based Football: Keeping the ball is crucial. Pochettino emphasizes short, quick passes to maintain control and patiently build attacks. This requires players with good passing accuracy and composure.
Quick Transitions: When possession is won, the attack must be swift and decisive. Players need to make intelligent runs and be ready to exploit any gaps in the opposition's defense.
Team Ethic: Pochettino fosters a strong team spirit and work rate. Every player must be committed to pressing, tracking back, and supporting their teammates.
Developing Young Players: Giving opportunities to young talents and nurturing their potential is a key part of Pochettino's management style. In PES 2021, this means identifying promising youngsters and giving them regular game time to develop.

Implementing these principles in PES 2021 requires careful planning and player selection. You need players with the right attributes and a formation that supports your tactical approach. Let's look at formations next.

Choosing the Right Formation in PES 2021

Formation is the cornerstone of any tactical setup in PES 2021, and selecting the right one is crucial for emulating Pochettino's style. While he has used various formations throughout his career, some common choices include the 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, and 3-4-2-1. Each of these formations offers different strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose one that suits your players and tactical preferences.

4-2-3-1: This is a versatile formation that provides a good balance between attack and defense. It features two holding midfielders to protect the back four, three attacking midfielders to support the striker, and a lone striker who can hold up the ball and bring others into play. This formation is ideal for possession-based football and quick transitions.
4-3-3: This formation is more attacking, with three forwards providing plenty of firepower. The midfield three need to be energetic and disciplined, capable of both winning the ball back and supporting the attack. This formation is great for high pressing and overwhelming the opposition's defense.
3-4-2-1: This formation is more defensively solid, with three center-backs providing extra cover. The wing-backs need to be athletic and capable of covering a lot of ground, while the two attacking midfielders support the striker and create chances. This formation is good for soaking up pressure and hitting teams on the counter-attack.

When choosing a formation, consider the strengths and weaknesses of your players. Do you have fast wingers who can exploit space down the flanks? Or do you have a dominant striker who excels in the air? Tailor your formation to maximize your players' abilities and create a cohesive team unit. Experiment with different formations and find one that feels comfortable and effective. Don't be afraid to adjust your formation during the game if things aren't working out.

Player Selection and Attributes

Selecting the right players with the appropriate attributes is crucial for implementing Pochettino's tactics in PES 2021. You need players who are not only technically gifted but also possess the physical and mental attributes required for his high-intensity style of play. Here are some key attributes to look for when scouting and signing players:

Passing: Accurate and efficient passing is essential for maintaining possession and building attacks. Look for players with high passing stats and the ability to play both short and long passes.
Dribbling: Good dribbling skills are important for beating defenders and creating space. Look for players with high dribbling stats and the ability to turn quickly and change direction.
Pace: Pace is crucial for high pressing and quick transitions. Look for players with high speed and acceleration, especially in attacking positions.
Stamina: Stamina is essential for maintaining high intensity throughout the game. Look for players with high stamina stats who can run and press for the full 90 minutes.
Defensive Awareness: Defensive awareness is important for winning the ball back and preventing opposition attacks. Look for players with high defensive awareness stats, especially in midfield and defense.
Aggression: Aggression is needed for winning tackles and challenging for the ball. Look for players with high aggression stats, but be careful not to overdo it, as this can lead to fouls and suspensions.
Teamwork: Teamwork is crucial for Pochettino's style of play, as it emphasizes collective effort and understanding. Look for players with high teamwork stats and a willingness to work for the team.

Consider your budget and the availability of players when making your selections. Focus on signing players who fit your tactical system and have the potential to develop and improve over time. Don't be afraid to take a chance on young players with high potential, as they can become key players for your team in the future.

Implementing High Pressing in PES 2021

High pressing is a fundamental aspect of Pochettino's tactical approach, and successfully implementing it in PES 2021 can disrupt the opposition's play and create scoring opportunities. Here's how to set up your team to press high up the pitch:

Team Pressing: Set your team's attacking instructions to "frontline pressure" or "tight marking" to encourage your players to press high up the pitch. This will cause your forwards and midfielders to close down the opposition players in their own half.
Individual Instructions: Use individual instructions to assign specific pressing duties to certain players. For example, you can instruct your striker to press the opposition center-backs or your wingers to press the full-backs.
Defensive Line: Set your defensive line to a higher position to squeeze the space between your defense and midfield. This will make it more difficult for the opposition to play through the middle and force them to play long balls.
Aggression: Increase your team's aggression level to encourage them to win tackles and challenge for the ball. Be careful not to overdo it, as this can lead to fouls and suspensions.
Stamina Management: High pressing requires a lot of energy, so it's important to manage your players' stamina effectively. Use substitutions to bring on fresh legs and rotate your players to prevent fatigue.

Practicing your pressing game in training is essential for improving your team's coordination and understanding. Work on pressing triggers, such as when the opposition player receives the ball with their back to goal or when they make a poor pass. Encourage your players to press as a unit and support each other in winning the ball back.

Possession-Based Football in PES 2021

Maintaining possession is key to controlling the game and creating scoring opportunities. Pochettino's teams are known for their ability to keep the ball and patiently build attacks. Here's how to implement a possession-based style of play in PES 2021:

Passing Style: Choose a passing style that emphasizes short, quick passes. "Tiki-taka" or "short passing" are good options for this. This will encourage your players to keep the ball on the ground and pass it to their teammates.
Passing Range: Set your passing range to a shorter distance to encourage your players to pass to nearby teammates. This will help you maintain possession and prevent turnovers.
Support Range: Set your support range to a medium or high level to encourage your players to move into space and offer passing options. This will make it easier to keep the ball and build attacks.
Player Positioning: Encourage your players to maintain good positioning and create passing triangles. This will give you multiple passing options and make it more difficult for the opposition to win the ball back.
Patience: Be patient and don't force the issue. Wait for the right opportunity to attack and avoid making risky passes in dangerous areas.

Training your players to improve their passing accuracy and decision-making is crucial for implementing a possession-based style of play. Work on passing drills, rondos, and small-sided games to improve your team's ability to keep the ball and create chances.

Quick Transitions and Attacking Play

Pochettino's teams are known for their ability to transition quickly from defense to attack. When they win the ball back, they look to exploit any gaps in the opposition's defense with swift and decisive attacks. Here's how to implement quick transitions and attacking play in PES 2021:

Counter-Attacking: Set your team's attacking instructions to "counter-attack" to encourage your players to break quickly when they win the ball back. This will cause your forwards and midfielders to make runs into space and exploit any defensive weaknesses.
Attacking Runs: Encourage your players to make intelligent runs and create space for each other. This will make it more difficult for the opposition to defend and create scoring opportunities.
Through Balls: Use through balls to exploit the opposition's high defensive line and get your attackers in behind. This requires good timing and accuracy, so practice your through ball technique in training.
Crossing: Use crosses to create scoring opportunities for your strikers. This is especially effective if you have a tall and physical striker who is good in the air.
Finishing: Train your players to improve their finishing skills. Work on shooting drills and finishing techniques to increase your team's goal-scoring ability.

Analyzing the opposition's defensive weaknesses and exploiting them with quick transitions and incisive attacks is key to scoring goals in PES 2021. Be adaptable and willing to change your attacking strategy depending on the opponent.

Developing Young Players in PES 2021

Developing young players is a key part of Pochettino's management style. He is known for giving opportunities to young talents and nurturing their potential. Here's how to develop young players in PES 2021:

Scout Regularly: Scout regularly to identify promising young players with high potential. Look for players with good base stats and the potential to improve significantly over time.
Give Them Game Time: Give young players regular game time to develop their skills and gain experience. Start them in easier matches or bring them on as substitutes in more challenging games.
Training: Focus on training the specific skills that young players need to improve. Use individual training to target specific attributes and help them reach their full potential.
Mentoring: Pair young players with experienced players who can mentor them and provide guidance. This can help them develop their skills and improve their teamwork.
Patience: Be patient and don't expect young players to perform at their best right away. It takes time for them to develop and adapt to the demands of professional football.

Investing in youth development can pay dividends in the long run, as young players can become key players for your team and generate significant transfer revenue. Be patient and committed to developing young talents, and you will reap the rewards.

By following these tips and strategies, you can successfully emulate Pochettino's tactical philosophy in PES 2021. Remember to be adaptable and willing to adjust your tactics based on the opponent and the situation. Good luck, and have fun! #PES2021 #Pochettino #Tactics #Formations #Management #Football #Gaming