ajooba

As a football fan I love to watching high scoring matches but if I was a coach I would prefer 1-0 to 4-3. I like the idea that a man like Rafa Benitez has wich basic is hard work of all players when not having the ball. I know there isnt a single answer but I would like to have some tips because Im not that good at tactics

Should every have high closing down? Isnt it stupid for central defenders to have that?
How about the d-line? Even if you have fast defenders isnt it always a good idea to have a low d-line?
Man-marking is old fashion isnt it? Zonal marking with tight marking isnt that a good thing?
I honestly dont like tactics with sweepers or 5 defenders at the back. Defensive midfielders is good thing though

In your opinon what is the best way if you want to avoid goals going in?

Warrenwwr

while playing as real madrid, on my first meeting with barcelona in la liga action, i got thumped 3-0.

ok, so learning my lesson, in my approach for the away game later in the season,, i recalled that they use 3 forwards, with ronaldinho and messi on the wings and eto'o centre. each scored playing at the bernabeau.

so to counter this at nou camp, i set my dl and dr to mark both of their wingers, and my SW to mark off eto'o.

no tight marking. i defended deep and countered. i won 3-0.

but be careful when specific man marking. if their positions change, your defenderss will stray.

Assenuma

There are some general things you need to consider:

1 - you transfer policy should be focused on signing the right players. This means you need the best defenders you can get (especially the CBs). Your midfielders need to be able to play defense. DECO and the likes will not help you much in this department. You need to sign players like Essien and Lampard...

2 - Your tactics should be built around defense as well. Do not give much CF to your players, except probably one striker and a playmaker if you have one. It is nice to have one DMC with low CF FWR and mentality who will stop the opposition attacks. Also use counter attack or a slow tempo game depending on the situation.

heathxxx

A good alternative would be to not sign any goalkeepers who happen to feature the names "David" or "James"...

Assenuma

The names "Paul" and "Robinson" tend to have a similarly devastating effect

Amaroq

Ditto here; I play exactly that style. I'd recommend starting with a 4-5-1, w/DMC; you can control the midfield.

I think you'll find you want closing down in the midfield, and maybe a bit from the fullbacks. In that 4-5-1, I tend to have low closing down settings for central defenders, DM, and the central striker. The DC's, because otherwise they'll leave a man open in the box to close down the ball; the DM because I want him preventing long shots from the arc, and if I let him close down too much he'll range sideline to sideline; and the striker because being alone up front he, too, will run himself ragged challenging every single defender.

Depends who you're playing; if the opposition is slow, push up, if they're fast, stay deep.

Yeah, just about; I don't tend to do tight marking too much, just a couple players.

Some other things to consider:

1. Explicit instructions regarding your opposition's key players. Double-covering a standout winger (fullback and winger on explicit man-marking) or striker (central defender and DM) can really help take them out of the game; when I do this, its one "tight", one loose. Also putting people onto their week foot, Hard tackling, etc, can all disrupt playmakers.

2. When I'm truly overmatched, I'll bring out a second DM to really gun for a nil-nil draw.

3. Pay very close attention to your corner-kick, free kick, and throw-in instructions, both on offense and defense. Playing such a defensive style will make these situations more important than they are in a high-scoring match; they're you're best chance to snatch a goal, and the opposition's best chance to break you down.

4. Pay attention to your goalkeeper's distribution attributes; if he's wantonly giving the ball away time and again, its a real problem.

5. You'll want midfielders and fullbacks with jumping and heading skills; winning fifty-fifty aerial balls will dramatically help your possession stats and reduce pressure on your D.