Extremely poor defense

[Serial42]

Hi,

I play FM since 2018 but this year, I find that it's more difficult to defend good...

I tried many tactics (4321,4231,424) and I concede a lot... My defense is very permeable.

Can you see something wrong about my tactic please ?

[woolymuffler]

I am by no means an expert, but I am playing a similar 4-3-3 with good results (once the team learned the tactic).

I personally would not use a DM set to BWM in this formation; I find them to be too aggressive (giving away free kicks/penalties and getting carded) as well as not holding position in front of the two center backs due to their high pressing level. This means that attackers can run directly at the the DCs and force them to close down the ball (leaving their position). I use either a DM (Def) or for my very best DM, a DLP (Sup) with one of the CMs set more defensive to provide more cover. I just find a less aggressive DM does a better job at shielding the Center backs. If you had extremely attacking FB/WBs (not that you do), even an Anchorman or Halfback would be a decent idea, as they stay even more centered and cover for DCs being dragged out wide due to your WBs being upfield.

Mezzalas don't defend all that much, especially on attacking duty. DLPs also don't defend all that much (relatively speaking). In my 4-3-3 I have at least one CM (Support) as a more general all rounder and often have two of them (depending on the particular CMs I'm playing that match). If I do go with one attacking CM that I don't expect to defend as much, their partner is going to more defensive (I do sometimes put a BWM at this position to cover for a Mezzala or other attacking duty if I have a good one).

I also would be hesitant to have two BPDs; they are both going to take more risks and potentially run a bit with the ball and get caught in possession. I have one CD I trust as a BPD and the others are standard DCs, to the point of not having a BPD if that one good one isn't in the game.

Another thing I always do that seems to help with solidity is set the AML/R to mark the corresponding DB/WB (so the AML marks the opponents DR, etc.) I do it by position, not individual player so that substitutions don't mess it up; make sure to check the opposing formation in-game and change the marking to WBL/WBR if they run DM-tier Wingbacks. They aren't usually great defenders or anything, but they do seem to come back more and somewhat track the opposing fullbacks. The downside is that you won't counter as effectively if they are pulled back into defense more, and (assuming they actually follow instructions and track back) they get more tired, so it's good to have subs for both outside attackers on the bench. But I prefer to win 1-0 vs winning 4-3 and it seems pretty easy to find decent outside AMs to allow rotation.

As far as the team instructions, it really depends on how you are conceding. I wouldn't usually have a high-press and prevent GK distribution set without using a higher defensive line as that causes your team to be more stretched out and makes pressing more difficult as your players are farther apart. Based on the recent match analysis, I would guess that their attackers are receiving the ball in front of your defense and playing through them on the break or taking long shots just outside the area due to the team being stretched and not being closed down effectively, but obviously would have to watch a game and adjust accordingly.

I actually tend to start with Balanced mentality with Standard-line/Low-Block and see how it goes, but that's more of an attacking style thing so there is no reason Positive can't be defensively sound. I also set Drop Off More as I find this helps with balls over the top and long through balls. Not completely, nothing will stop them 100%,but better. The flip side of this is that DCs are less likely to contest headers and balls to feet of opposing strikers, but I usually find that okay as long as it's not in the penalty box.

If my normal Standard line Low-block has them running at my defense, getting dangerous through balls in the middle or getting off uncontested longer shots, I'll flip to a more pressing style to see if I can disrupt them and get possession higher up the field (higher def line, high press, increased pressing triggers and Prevent Short GK Distribution).

And if that doesn't work and I just can't seem to stop them getting central through balls, I'll actually drop to a lower def-line/low-block, increase pressing triggers, turn off Drop Off More and set Encourage Crosses (assuming that crosses haven't been the problem). The idea is to remove the space behind the defense for through balls, but not to drop back into the box immediately; rather to create a hard stop line on the edge of the penalty box with the increased closing down and closer defensive spacing given by allowing crosses. Just making it harder to play through the defense. This is a last resort, clinging to a lead sort of strategy, but it has worked if they are bombing forward and running high tempo direct attacking. If they are patiently passing the ball around outside your penalty box, I wouldn't recommend this.

Also, don't forgot to turn off Counter-Press if necessary, especially when defending a lead, and even use Regroup. If you don't need to score late in a game, there is no reason to have players far upfield trying to press. Late in games I will switch off Counter and even go to Hold Position, slow down tempo, turn up time-wasting, set Be More Disciplined and even set Play for Set pieces. It's not exciting, but there is a satisfaction to watching the last 10 minutes of the game drain off without any highlights at all other than occasional free-kicks and corners.

 

[Serial42]

Thank you for these tips and your complete answer!

In fact, I notice that I concede lot of goals with passes into space in the back of my CBs. These passes come from the axis most of the time.

And I don't know what's the best way to counter this...

Edited November 22, 2022 by Serial42

[woolymuffler]

I think the biggest issue (without having played your team in your save of course) is that you are trying to use a high press without a high defensive line

If your team is good (for your league) with relatively quick defenders then lean into pressing upfield, raise your defensive line and set them to "Drop Off More". That will help your current pressing settings be more effective and help them deal with through balls a bit better because they will turn and chase more often instead of trying for the interception or offisde trap and being caught flat footed.

if your team is middle of the pack or even relegation candidates I would stop trying to press upfield, switch to a Standard-line/Low-Block with "Drop Off More" and maybe "Encourage Crosses" and Trigger Press standard. This will compress your team vertically and horizontally, give less space for the other team to work in, reduce the space behind your defense for them to run onto and make the more limited pressing more effective.

[Serial42]

Hello,

Yes, "Drop off More" could be an option.

Before that, I switch some roles in my tactic :

1. One of my defenders on CB instead of BPD, especially RCB to cover the space left by my RB with his attack duty. So now, I have one BPD and one CB.
2. The role of my defensive midfielder switch to DM(D) instead of BMW(D). This avoids the holes left between my defense and my midfield left by the pressing of a BWM. What's more now, I have a player to bring solidity in front of my defense.
3. The role of my RCM switch to BWM(S) instead of DLP(S). This makes it possible to win higher balls, with more dangerous raises for the opponent.
4. The role of my LCM switch to AP(A) instead of MEZ(A). First, I found the Mezzala to step on each other with the inside forward AML (I noticed it in the match analysis reports). More, I lacked a real offensive fulcrum, allowing me to launch my attackers and lead the game in the middle.

I may be losing counter and raise power with these changes but I notice a lot less conceded goals. But I didn't do enough matches to certify it.

I'll do an other screenshot of my data hub at the end of the season to see the result.

Edited November 23, 2022 by Serial42

[woolymuffler]

Nice, I'm glad that your defense seems to have stiffened up a bit. Hopefully it doesn't reduce your attacking output too much.