kissofdeath2120

I have a question as to how some of you set up your tactics for a big match against the top teams in your league when you are also in good form and a title fight.

My situation is thus, playing as Dortmund in 2018, we've won the title two seasons ago and finished 3rd last season. We are playing well and top of the league unbeaten through 15 or so games. I play a diamond 4-4-2 occasionally with a targetman, mostly without. Our passing is short/mixed with a slight deep def. line.

I figure since we are the favorites in most games, the short passing will benefit us. We then came up against Schalke (2nd) and I adjusted to be slightly longer and quicker, but we got hammered 3-0.

We bounced back against other teams, but then came up against HSV (3rd) and I thought i had learned from my mistakes and kept a short game. We got hammered again, 3-0 at the half. I switched to a longer game, but still no luck.

The question I pose is, how do you change your tactics to face the other league contenders? I feel that I've figured out how to dominate those teams below me, but I cannot seem to beat the big teams with my title challengers.

cheers!

retired_slayerbing

I find that if you are a big team playing against a=nother big team there is no reason why you shouldn't play an aggressive attacking game.
Quite often if you respect them to much, drop your D/line and play a more conservative game then big sides will take that as an invitation to destroy you.

Looking at the scout report and identifying their key player helps if you then go and neutralize him.

kissofdeath2120

thanks dayle, that's likely what my problem has been. I will try and take the game to them next time and see how it goes.

would you recommend pushing the d-line up some, or keeping it normal?

retired_slayerbing

well how have you been playing with it so far? What is your strongest tactic you have been having success with at home?

I'd try that. I play with several teams at once in my game.

With Man U whenver I travel to Stamford Bridge or Emirates I take the game to them because they have far to much firepower to sit back and try to defend against. I often win 5-3 4-2 - scorelines like that.
It's exciting football and I know I am going to concede goals in those games but there is a good chance I can out score them.

There isn't really a surefire answer to beating them 3-0 all the time. If you wanna beat sides like that you have to be prepared to take risks in my opinion.

The alternative is to park a bus in front of your goal and hope they never score. But who wants to play like that?

Last thing: Do you make any changes when they change to a 4-2-4?

kissofdeath2120

my usual home tactic has a d-line at 7 or 8 unless they are a slow strike force and I'll push it up to 10.

I have my own 4-2-4 that I like to use when they do the same and it seems to work pretty well. I haven't had the luxury of using it this season against the bigger sides as they have already finished the game off and don't pressure me to find a winner towards the end of the game.

I have Munchen away in my next match after the winter break, so it will be a good test. I will try and apply some pressure and see if it pays off.

retired_slayerbing

good luck mate.

kissofdeath2120

well I played a wide, direct, wide attacking formation and lost 1-0, without ever challenging. I switched to a short narrow slow style but kept the high d-line for the last 30 minutes and seemed to do better, but didn't really create anything serious.

still lost, back to the drawing board

retired_rjw13838

That can work utterly succesful, though I would rephrase it.

I wouldnt call it parking the bus, rather just being very organised in defence giving no space away. I also wouldnt call it "hoping" they never score, rather being comfortable how they just cant get through.

Meanwhile you hit them on the counter because you've got acres of space and you win 3-0 away to Man U :p

Will fall flat on its ass of course if your players have got a bad day, or theirs have an excellent day. Otherwise it can be quite comfortable

retired_e_fores

I think you should play more short and slow with possession in mind. Playing direct will give more possession to the opponent and top teams will take advantage. Attacking, short, slow and narrow.