Cm 01 02 Patch 3.9 68 Best Tactic

This is a specific request for Championship Manager 01/02 (often called CM 01/02), using the March 2023 update (Patch 3.9.68) — the most famous modern database update for the game.

In this patch, the match engine is the same as original 3.9.68, but player attributes are rebalanced (many players are stronger/weaker than original). However, the most successful tactics remain largely the same as the original game's "god tactics," with minor tweaks for the updated player pool.

Here is the single best tactic for CM 01/02 Patch 3.9.68, based on community testing (CM0102 forum, The Dugout, etc.): cm 01 02 patch 3.9 68 best tactic

Alternative: The "2-4-3-1 Winger Bomb" (Even more extreme)

If you want even higher scoring (but weaker defense), use:

        SW
    DC       DC
DML               DMR
    MC       MC
AML               AMR
        SC
  • Mentality: Gung-ho
  • Pressing: Yes
  • Offside: No
  • Forward runs: Everyone except DCs and SW

This regularly wins 6–3, 7–2. Use only if your team is much stronger. This is a specific request for Championship Manager

The Contenders for "Best Tactic"

After simulating over 50 seasons across multiple saves (using teams from Man United to Leyton Orient), the community has settled on three dominant tactical archetypes. But one stands above the rest.

1. Tactical Formation & Instructions

Formation: 4-1-3-2 (Asymmetric Narrow)

  • GK – Goalkeeper
  • DR – Defender Right
  • DL – Defender Left
  • DC – Defender Center (Right side)
  • DC – Defender Center (Left side)
  • DMC – Defensive Midfielder (Center)
  • MC – Midfielder Center (Right)
  • MC – Midfielder Center (Center)
  • MC – Midfielder Center (Left)
  • FC – Forward Center (Right)
  • FC – Forward Center (Left)

Team Instructions (Critical – Do not deviate):

  • Mentality: Attacking
  • Passing: Mixed
  • Tackling: Hard
  • Pressing: Yes
  • Offside Trap: Yes
  • Pass to feet / to space: Mixed (or space if you have pace)
  • Counter Attack: Yes
  • Men Behind Ball: No

Why this works in 3.9.68: The engine struggles to defend against 3 central midfielders pushing forward while the DMC sweeps up opposition counters. The narrow shape forces the AI to go wide, but the fullbacks (DR/DL) are set to Normal mentality, not attacking, so they don't get caught upfield. Alternative: The "2-4-3-1 Winger Bomb" (Even more extreme)

4. The "Jagged Edge" 4-4-2 (The "Legit" Alternative)

If you want a review of a tactic that feels like real football rather than exploiting a glitch, players often turn to the Jagged Edge or a flat 4-4-2.

  • Effectiveness: 8/10. You can still win, but you need better players.
  • Realism: 10/10. You actually use wingers. Your full-backs overlap.
  • Why it works: The 3.9.68 engine treats "Direct passing" + "Through balls" very kindly. If you set your wingers to run with the ball and cross from the byline, you will get goals, but it requires more tactical tweaking than the "Plug & Play" Diablo tactics.

Why this works in 3.9.68 Patch

  1. AMC "Diablo" run – The central AMC with forward runs + run with ball will dribble straight through the defense 5–10 times per match. High dribbling/flair = goals.
  2. Hard tackling – Wins the midfield battle. Expect many yellow cards, but the match engine favors aggression.
  3. No offside trap – 3.9.68 punishes high defensive lines. Flat back four + DMC is safer.
  4. Counter attack – Works beautifully with pacey strikers.

Roles & Player Instructions

  • GK — Goalkeeper (Defend)
    • Distribute Short, slower pace distribution.
  • RB — Wing Back (Support)
    • Overlap on attack; Cross More; Stay wider when attacking.
  • LB — Wing Back (Support)
    • Same as RB; if weaker stamina, switch to Full Back (Support).
  • CBs — Two Central Defenders (Defend)
    • One can be Ball Playing Defender if you have a defender with decent passing.
  • DM/CM x2:
    • DM (Defend) — Ball Winner / Anchor (screen back four, break play).
    • CM (Support) — Box-to-Box/Deep-Lying Playmaker (link defence to attack).
  • AMC — Attacking Midfielder (Attack) — Advanced Playmaker
    • Given freedom to roam slightly; take more risks, shoot from distance.
  • AML/AMR — Inside Forwards (Support/Attack depending on player)
    • Cut inside to create space for overlapping wing-backs; get into scoring positions.
  • ST — Advanced Forward (Attack) or Poacher depending on striker profile
    • Primary focus: pace + finishing; make runs behind defence.