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As I understand closing down, I want my central defenders to have a very low setting, so they aren't drawn away from the goal. But when the other team clears the ball toward midfield, my central defenders always let the opposing forwards receive the ball without a challenge. How can I make my central defenders challenge the forwards at midfield, but still stay in front of the goal when the other team has possession?
set closing down low for your center back and full back... but mean while... set it high for your midfield... especially your defensive midfield... if have...
and if you want more aggressive defence... set high tackling for your defesive midfield and full back... normal for others and low on forward... if youset high for center back, you could easily give out a penalty... and ur forward should focus on attack only...
i've been testing and examine other people's tactic since fm07... just to make my own tactic... so hope it helps...
or try this if you want... althought a don 100% aggree with him... but he do got some point with making tactic.. you can still give it a try... good luck... http://community.sigames.com/eve/for...9532047553/p/1
Thanks, I've read Cleon's discussion and found it very useful. My problem is that when I have the ball my midfielders move up the field, and my central defenders stay back at midfield with the opposing forwards. If the other team plays a long ball toward the middle of the field, the forwards run to receive it, and my defenders back off because their closing down is low. As I understand it, I want their closing down to be low, but I want them to challenge for these balls -- it seems like basic football to me, but I can't figure out how to do it in FM.
In my attacking formations at home, I usually have a high D-line (push up notch) playing offside trap, little CD. I win almost all aerial challenges in the middle when they lob it up there. My DC's are great at that but pretty slow, would move them back 3 notches against less direct teams.
When I'm playing more defensively (away typically) I keep the line back a little more, but I have a DMC (or an MC barrowed) covering that space and ONE of my DC's (the best aerial/tackler) set higher on CD. This works well against a lone striker or against two strikers that aren't that pacey. I end up with a good challenge and my MC harrasses them and scoops up the loose header.
Everything is dependent on your stats and tactic, so there's rarely one definitive answer.
Challenging for balls at midfield 
Linear Mode
