3 At The Back - Defending Crosses

[Overmars]

I am testing out some new formations and tactics. I usually use 4 defender formations and find I can defend against most opponents equally well. But now that I am trying more formations with 3 at the back, I am realizing that my opponents cross me to death. They attempt 30  or more crosses per game and complete >15% of them. So my question to you is how have you tried to mitigate this crossing weakness when using 3 at the back?

My current formation:

• 3-5-2 / Counter / Flexible / Retain Possession / Work Ball Into Box / Play Out Of Defence
• SK(d)
• CD(x) - CD(c) - CD(x)
• CWB(s) - CWB(s)
• BBM(s) - RPM(S)
• EG(A)
• DLF(s) - AF(a)

I am considering dropping my wingbacks back to make it a true 5-3-2, but that feels a bit negative. I have tried playing my two central midfielders in the DM strata, but that doesn't produce a noticeable change. I am aiming for ~55% possession, greater efficiency with shots/scoring chances, and conceding about 1 goal per game or less. My central defenders are all excellent, with jumping, heading, marking, tackling, and positioning of 15+, and my goalkeeper is excellent in the air.

[Phelix]

Have you tried cutting down the source of the crosses? Perhaps your wing-backs can be asked to mark more tightly, or show the opposition wide player onto their inside foot more often. This will force the wide player back inside into the more congested central area.

[GunmaN1905]

That's just how it is even in real life.
Ever watched Juventus or Italy?
Opposition can cross all they want but they won't get much done.

Then we come to the fact that this is not real life, but a game where crosses are still overpowered.
I personally tried using 3-5-2 in every version but I never had real success.

[wwxxyyzz]

If you are playing against a 433 or 4231 it's possible that your opponents have two players (a winger and a full back) up against your one player. So it's easier to get crosses in

 

On the plus side, with 3 centre backs it should be easier to defend the crosses once they have been made

[scott MUFC]

I have found that a Left and Right backs actually cut out a lot of balls to players ready to cross, so if you got wing backs, try those, otherwise try and get your defenders to clear the danger.

[RocheBag]

I can't speak to 17 because I haven't got it yet. But in every other version I've found pushing the wingbacks up to defensive winger in the ml/mr spots and asking them to man mark the opposition wingers makes them defend much better.

[cynathor]

I would try deploying the back 3 as CD-D, CD-C and CD-D instead of stopper roles. Probably the players rushing forward to close down is creating gaps for wide players (especially wide players in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1) to move into when a midfielder comes ahead with the ball. 

[ReMeDy]

Yea, back in FM16 I had this issue a lot, TC. What's worse, having one of my three defenders clear the danger would expose my interior, as a guy is now out of position due to being forced to cover from outside of his spot.

If you look at the vast majority of tactics, they seem to favor four defenders, and I can see why. Crosses are very good in FM.

[tmason122]

5 hours ago, RocheBag said:

I can't speak to 17 because I haven't got it yet. But in every other version I've found pushing the wingbacks up to defensive winger in the ml/mr spots and asking them to man mark the opposition wingers makes them defend much better.

I can recommend this too. I've had success with WBs with a 3 man defence on previous FMs, but on FM16 I really struggled to make this work. However, I did have much more success with a 3 man defence and then a flat 4 or 5 in midfield. I found in those situations the wingers would track back real well (thoguh required good work rate) and often tackle the ball off the opposition player before he was in a dangerous position to cross. 

[cregan]

Another vote for dropping the Stoppers to regular CD(d). Let them sit in the middle to deal with balls into the box, rather than having them hare out of position, potentially leaving the cover CD exposed. Caveat: I've only briefly noodled around with a three-man defence in FM17, so this advice is based largely on a few seasons playing 3-4-1-2 in FM16. 

[Overmars]

I have followed advice from this thread and revised the initial tactic to:

• 3-4-1-2 / Control / Fluid / Retain Possession / Work Ball Into Box / Play Out Of Defence / Close Down More / Offside Trap
• SK(d)
• CD(d) - CD(d) - CD(d)
• DW(s) - RPM(s) - CM(d) - DW(s)
• AP(a)
• AF(a) - DLF(s)

I have also set opposition instructions to always close down DL/DR and ML/MR.

The results were much improved. My opponents are trying fewer crosses and connecting on a much lower percentage. Perhaps just as importantly, my players are scoring more themselves.

I have a more conservative variant now where I slide the DW players back to the defender strata as wingbacks (and sometimes the AMC back to CM). It has been helpful in limiting the number of chances conceded to help preserve 2 or 3 goal margins.

[nasipepes]

3 hours ago, Overmars said:

I have followed advice from this thread and revised the initial tactic to:

• 3-4-1-2 / Control / Fluid / Retain Possession / Work Ball Into Box / Play Out Of Defence / Close Down More / Offside Trap
• SK(d)
• CD(d) - CD(d) - CD(d)
• DW(s) - RPM(s) - CM(d) - DW(s)
• AP(a)
• AF(a) - DLF(s)

I have also set opposition instructions to always close down DL/DR and ML/MR.

The results were much improved. My opponents are trying fewer crosses and connecting on a much lower percentage. Perhaps just as importantly, my players are scoring more themselves.

I have a more conservative variant now where I slide the DW players back to the defender strata as wingbacks (and sometimes the AMC back to CM). It has been helpful in limiting the number of chances conceded to help preserve 2 or 3 goal margins.

instead of using 2 CD(d) at the right and left position, i suggest you to use covering central defender / CD(c) instead. this will help you in chasing out loose balls out wide and in turn reducing crosses against you.

also if you're short of reliable fast centrebacks (like thiago silva ), try the "guardiola approach"; employing your fullbacks in the outer centreback positions. fullbacks (or any defensive players) with good acceleration, anticipation, and positioning coupled with decent marking and tackling, in general, would do just fine at getting out of their makeshift centreback role to anticipate threats out wide. pep tried this approach while he's still managing bayern, i would say he has done a really good job there with the trick.