Protecting full backs in a 4-5-1/4-3-3

[Yankee112DK]

Hello there, I am seeking some advice and debate over a particular problem. I am playing as Leverkusen (1st season) and have a relatively strong and complete side. I play a very direct style with Rigid and Zonal Marking.

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Throughout my friendlies (including a cup encounter at Halle) I have had very nice shots for/against ratios and very satisfying offensive performances. However, the opponent seem to be scoring quite too many goals from plays around my full backs. Therefore, their shot conversion is often extremely high.

In my season opener against FC Bayern this was further underlined. They play in a rather similar fashion with two fantastic wingers, and although I was playing a lot better overall, they won 1-3 with all goals coming from crosses or plays from Robben and Ribery.

So my question is - how do I protect my full backs better? I tried to make them FB instead of WB. This was not ideal, but did help in some situations. But still, my full backs were extremely isolated and often Bayern would outnumber me on the flanks. I have contemplated a couple of solutions, but am a little confused as how to implement them in-game:

1) The relevant DC should help out. I have Bender to cover their position, but how do I get the DC to move that far from his position when under attack?

2) The wingers could help out. Is this possible without risking my very fluid and productive offensive play?

3) The midfield trio is the strong part of my team and both Rolfes and Bender are very good defensively. Should they be more widely placed or set to mark opposition wingers?

4) Should I accept this weakness and employ more balanced wingers (i.e. a flat 4-5-1) when facing stronger sides?

Thanks in advance

[PeeKay]

Two questions:

1) What is strategy are you using?

2) What pressing are you using?

[vasilli07]

Try using your wingers to man-mark the opposition fullbacks.

[Yankee112DK]

Two questions:

1) What is strategy are you using?

2) What pressing are you using?

I'm playing Rigid/Attacking with Closing Down set to "More Often".

I have now set both full backs to FB/Support and that helped somewhat. I still had a very hard time against Dortmund, who also beat me at Bayarena, though.

[PeeKay]

I'm playing Rigid/Attacking with Closing Down set to "More Often".

I have now set both full backs to FB/Support and that helped somewhat. I still had a very hard time against Dortmund, who also beat me at Bayarena, though.

Fullbacks/Wingbacks that are on Automatic will be on:

- Attacking Duty on Attacking Strategy

- Defending Duty on Defensive Strategy

- Support Duty on Control, Balance and Counter (not sure about Counter)

Centrebacks on Defend duty will rarely move out of position and Anchor man role sit infront of the defence. You may want the DMC to be a Defensive Midfielder to close down the more, possibly closing down wingers or allowing other player to close down. A slighty risker option would be having the Centrebacks on Stopper duty and keep the Anchor Man but with out cover you could get exposed.

[Master420]

Try Rolfes on BWM(D), that should solve the problem and remember tactics is about balancing, you can't have both the most offensive and defensive tactic at once.