Summary
Highlights
The new update emphasizes player ID and model in defending. Attributes like leg length, arm coverage, shoulder width, and torso collision significantly affect a player's defensive performance. Torso collision, in particular, is crucial for winning physical duels and maintaining balance, especially when using match-up, blocking runs, or defending inside the box. Players with good physical profiles feel more solid, irrespective of their stats. The eFootball Hub app can be used to check player IDs.
Defending starts from midfield, so midfielders must contribute defensively. While 100 in all stats isn't necessary, solid, balanced defensive stats (around 90+) are important. Key defensive stats include defensive awareness, defensive engagement, tackling, aggression, physical contact, speed, acceleration, stamina, balance, jump, and heading. Essential player skills for defenders are interception, man marking, blocker, sliding tackle, aerial superiority, heading, acrobatic clearance, and fighting spirit. Speed (85+) and acceleration (80+) are critical for defenders to recover quickly and track fast attackers, given the high defensive lines in the game. Midfielders, especially DMF and CMF, should have the 'track back' skill to support defense and close down spaces.
The new update makes defending more manual, highlighting the importance of cursor change settings. Semi-auto or manual cursor change is recommended. Semi-auto offers some automatic switching, while manual gives full control over player switching, requiring better timing and awareness. Manual control helps maintain defensive shape and control space, as assisted cursor change can lead to defenders being pulled out of position automatically.
A key strategy is to control space rather than chase the ball. Instead of running directly at the opponent with the ball, players should be manually moved to block passing lanes, anticipating where the opponent might pass. This forces opponents into making loose passes, which can be intercepted by players with high defensive awareness and skills like interception and blocker. Defensive awareness is crucial for reading the game and positioning players correctly for interceptions.
While normal pressure is less effective, the 'press to charge' technique is vital. This involves using pressure to quickly close down an opponent, then immediately switching to match-up to control and win the ball. This combination is effective when the opponent is slightly exposed or not fully in control. Recognizing the moment early and acting fast is key.
When an opponent carries the ball forward, avoid pulling center-backs out of position. Instead, stay on the DMF to track the run, allowing the defensive line to remain intact. Midfielders with the 'track back' skill should be used to apply pressure while defenders hold shape. Good defending involves defenders holding shape and midfielders doing the chasing.
Effective defending requires anticipating an opponent's next move. This involves thinking like the opponent, observing their player's body movement and positioning to predict passing directions or shots. Switching to the nearest defender to close space and using match-up to block shots are crucial. Anticipation is about thinking ahead, trusting instincts, and calculated risk-taking.
When using 'call for pressure', let the AI handle the press with one player while manually controlling another to cover space, focusing on likely passing lanes rather than chasing the ball directly. Baiting the opponent involves moving a player in one direction to create an illusion of open space, then quickly adjusting to intercept the pass when the opponent commits. This influences the opponent's decision-making and allows for proactive interceptions.