DEFENCE

Hi i have developed a 4-5-1 tactic which works well against all teams except Italian teams. The tactic is flat back four, 2 DMC, 3 CM with forward arrows and a lone strker. I know this is quite defensive but thats what i want. I score most of my goals from counter attack and long shots. Can anyone give me some advice how to deal with Italian teams please.

Abramovic

Italian teams play a slower tempo, and from reading youre tactis description you play a defensive formation i will suggest the following.

Lower the closing down to invite them to attack and you'll be able to counter attack them but bear in mind if you back off too much there going to score more often from a long shots.

Hope this helps

DEFENCE

i have closing down set to own half only and do not really want to drop back any further because of long shots like you said. I do play counter attack but this does not work as well against italians as it does against english teams i think because they play a lower defensive line. Is there a particuler area Italian teams are weak in. would it be advisable to play a completely different tactic against italians.

Abramovic

If you're willing to alter youre tactic then close them down quickly to break their play up and play a higher tempo, other than that it would depend on the side you where playing against and their formation.

DEFENCE

my formation relies on the back 6 being set to ultra-defensive therefore never getting forward. Do you think that my front 4 could handle the responsability of closing down the opposition or would they just be bypassed and standed further up the pitch thus exposing my defense.

Abramovic

Well you could use a Target Man and tell him to hold the ball up until other players could join him but would require direct balls played to him

DEFENCE

My strikers are more pace than strength and i dont want one player just to play against italian teams. Do you think my forward 4 would get bypassed or do you think they could handle closing down the opposition.

Abramovic

They should be, if you have a technical fast striker you can set him as the target man as well but change the supply to feet and good luck

DEFENCE

cheers for the advice. I was just wondering if you stuggle against italian teams (or any other nationality) and what sort of tactic you play.

Abramovic

There is no particular team of course i find hard to beat teams of better quality then my side. I play mainly a 442 target man clicked and adjust mentality, tempo and defensive line during the situations in the game, although i would rarely advise somebody to do it as can go horribly wrong if you tweak the wrong thing.