With 31 Bundesliga titles since the competition's debut season back in 1963, no German team is more successful than Bayern Munich. Last season's triumph marked the club's tenth successive league title, with the side's departing number nine having been the division's top scorer in all but three seasons of the club's decade of dominance.
However, without a recognized number nine, Bayern now find themselves hurtling towards the unknown, making them an interesting proposition for FIFA 23 players. After all, the club is still home to plenty of great players, but finding the best formation to fully utilize their talents is going to be an important part of any success that FIFA 23 players may find.
The Best Formation for Bayern Munich in FIFA 23
With Robert Lewandowski now tearing it up in La Liga, Bayern don't really have a top-tier striker anymore, which can make finding a decent attacking formation a little difficult for players. Some may decide to opt for a more midfield-heavy false 9 system, but, with Mané able to play as a center forward in FIFA 23, the club's default 4-2-3-1 Wide formation is arguably the best option available.
The Best Starting 11 for Bayern Munich in FIFA 23
Due to his fantastic pace and finishing stats, playing Mané through the center is a bit of a no-brainer, as too is putting assist king Thomas Müller in just behind him. Playing Mané up top also solves another problem, as this frees up the left midfield position for one of Sané and Coman to step into. Given the latter's superior pace and dribbling skills and his higher overall rating, Coman is just about the better choice. The right midfield spot is a little easier to fill, with Gnabry being the only viable option save for playing Sané out of position.
Like Gnabry, it's difficult to see past Goretzka and Kimmich for the central positions, as both are among the best center midfielders in FIFA 23. Behind them, a center back pairing of De Ligt and Hernandez will be very difficult to breach, while Davies and Maraoui are the ideal choices for the full-back positions. Finally, Manuel Neuer's status as one of FIFA 23's best goalkeepers ensures that his spot in between the sticks remains safe for at least another year.
Tactics and Instructions
As far as tactics go, players will want to opt for a balanced defensive style and balanced build-up play, while chance creation should generally be built around direct passing. Given that Mané isn't as good in the air as some of FIFA 23's highest-rated strikers, players should limit the width of their attacks to around 60, as, in all likelihood, they're going to be cutting inside with their wide players anyway.
For instructions, Mané should stay central and operate as a false nine, allowing him to come a little deeper and drop in beside Müller from time to time. Speaking of Müller, he should be instructed to stay forward and allowed to roam freely so as to conserve his stamina and exploit any pockets of space that begin to form later on in the game. Coman and Gnabry should be instructed to cut inside, while the full-backs should be given permission to join in during attacks and overlap with the players in front of them whenever they do so.
FIFA 23 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.