Cydver

I've gotta ask here. I've spent ages tinkering with my formation.

Chelsea plays 4-4-2, with a diamond in the middle. Kaka in front, Cambiasso and Makelele at the sides, and Ballack in Defensive Midfield. I'm using Man Utd, 4-1-3-2, how could I stand a chance against Chelsea? I need help changing tactics and instructions. No Rio, but there's Heinze. Strikers preferbly Saha and Rooney, with Rooney as Supporting Striker. Ronaldo and Giggs are A-OK.

Anyone?

mikegilbert9

change your formation to 4-4-2 and have focus passing down the flanks to stretch chelsea

stani

Playing with Liverpool I beat them 3 times in a matter of weeks (CL semis and League) with 4 defenders, 3 central midfielders (one of whom I had covering the back), 2 attacking midfielders playing high up like Chelsea do and one striker.

Cydver

So, 4-5-1, right? I'll use Ronaldo and Giggs as the Attacking Wingers, Carrick, Scholes and O'Shea(Defensive Midfielder)in the 3 midfielders.

rashidi1

A strategy that I've found that works really well against Chelsea is to deny their players time on the ball. But you need to do this wisely. From the players in your squad determine who are the ones who are the fittest and the one's with the best anticipation. Then have those players ready to play in the ball winning positions.

There may be people who advocate taking a defensive stance against Chelsea, but inviting pressure is never always the best thing to do. Imposing pressure on them is always a better idea. If Chelsea are allowed to work the flanks then you will probably be faced with crosses you may not be able to handle.

In such a case I would advise high closing down for your strikers. Now if the front line is closing down hard, you need to assess what your wingers are like as well. If they are not adept at closing down hard then you will lose the midfield battle, try instead to place midfielders who have good manmarking skills and anticipation, then click tight marking with low closing down. This is what you should see happen: If the ball is in the chelsea half with their players, when your strikers close down fast, it forces the AI to make a hurried pass, because your wingers are tightmarking, the AI has to either a)pass to the nearest player or play a through ball.

Passing to the nearest player is a good thing, then it becomes a battle in midfield you can win, if it searches with a ttb then if your fullbacks have closing down of around 15..they will go for the throughball. In most cases if their anticipation is good, they will win.


If your fullbacks have try through ball and are on direct passing, then you will get the chance to launch a quick counterattack.

Against teams like Chelsea and Arsenal, the best defense is a great offense. You want them to attack you, but you need to set the conditions.

Good luck, once you figure it out yourself, beating Chelseas will become easier than Watford.

angola

Had some success with WHU, setting my forwards to man marking on their full backs, playing narrow and with lots of pressing in midfield.

The logic was to deny them any width and collect all the balls the centre backs ended up punting forwards.

Worked well but it does cut down your own attacking options.

Cydver

Nice! Thanks people. I'll try what Rashidi said, and from what angola said, deny them width.