mike29

After 4 seasons building Juventus into a world beater, I'm still struggling to be defensively sound even with Hubschmann/Davies partnership which I consider to be world-class.

I know away games are much tougher but 3-4 bad away games is understandable, this time, I'm either drawing/losing most away games even against opposition like Siena. I've tried going through every aspects of it but I can't seem to find an antidote to my leaky defense.

I concede from long balls played over my defense, crosses not getting closed down and the inevitable magic runs from opposition strikers.

Also, has anyone notice that indirect freekicks, the wide players are not closed down and they have the time/space to get a cross? Anyone know how to counter that?

Training wise there is no problem, everyone's improving. Morale is superb. Here's my team line-up and their instructions.

Team Instructions

GK:Buffon
Instructions

DL:Evra
Instructions

DR:Abenzoar Instructions, similar to Evra.

DC:Hubschmann
Instructions

DC:Davies Instructions, similar to Hubschmann.

ML/MR Farrowed to AML/AMR positions:
Gasbarroni
Modric
Instructions

MC[d]: Zanetti
Instructions

MC[a]: Cahill
Instructions

FC: Okaka
Instructions

FC[Targetman]: Klose
Instructions

Please tell me if I've set something wrong somewhere, hope I've been as detailed as possible.

Thanks in advance.

mike29

Anyone?

retired_slayerbing

give your centrebacks mixed 'try through balls' for a start. that should assist in the counter attacks.
Thats all I've looked at so far...

retired_slayerbing

Team instruction changes: might also want to narrow your width to get your men closer together.
mixed timewasting.
D/line up a couple of notches.
Also tick counter attack.

retired_slayerbing

if you are not using your target man at least get your wingers and fullbacks to cross to where he is (farpost/nearpost). And if you click on target man get them to cross to target man and set crosses to his head. (Klose)

retired_slayerbing

Give your DMC higher closing down and make him tackle harder. If he gets a yellow at any stage drop his tackling accordingly.

ALSO very important: look at your players attributes to determine the following:

Long shots, crossing. run with ball. Make sure they are at least 15 for those or don't let them have often for these.

mike29

Thanks mate for the reply. I'll look to make changes to the team instructions. I was wondering, why counter attack when you're favourites to win?

Also, I was wondering, does changing shape in a game be much better than having variants in like defensive/attacking/close up shop?

At the moment, I'm just using a single tactic and sometimes I don't quite do much tweaking in-game.

Thanks again.

mike29

Also, Klose/Okaka starting to dry up in goals. The most common problem is that they gets tackled easily and sometimes, my team is giving to ball away too much.

retired_slayerbing

If you are playing away the other side will likely attack you more... Counter attacking ticked means when opportunities present themselves your side will try to make the most of them. It doesn't matter if you are favorate to win or not.

When you are at home the other side will stay back more so counter attackin will not be as effective... therefore it is best used away.

I personally have the same formation but different varients for it depending on the situation: home, away and shutting up shop which is what I use when they change to 4-2-4.
I also have my own 4-2-4 which I use if I'm in the last 10 minutes and are trailing by a goal.

retired_chua kim nio

Your D-Line is too low imo, you're inviting them onto you with it that deep. You've got fast defenders so you can afford to push it up higher.