No, your best option isn’t always attacking: when it comes to defending in EA Sports FC 24, there are alternatives, as you’ll see
Now that the game is in the Cesarini area for day one (tomorrow, Friday 29 September), for sure you will be ready to score in EA Sports FC 24 but, alas, not everyone even thinks about how to defend your own half of the pitch. Rushing to score first because “they stay closed but / at the first opportunity / they immediately go up and throw it at us” doesn’t make much sense, precisely because “if you have no defense the others score / and then win”. In short, Hypermotion V aside, shooting and passing is a tough art to learn, but one for which you should already have received the smattering in the previous chapters; a good defense, for its part, always requires strategy. That’s what we’re here for!
General preamble | How to defend in EA Sports FC 24
In the six steps that we will define later, we will briefly explain how to defend effectively in EA Sports FC 24 in the main modes. Whether you are playing Ultimate Team, Career mode or with Clubs, knowing the method to prevent the opponent’s offensive will help you win games. As well as enjoying the experience more, but this is obvious. And yes, “the best defense is offense”… if only that were true. Of course, going straight to goal can give you advantages, but that’s not always the end of the game. Be ready to embrace your inner Pep Guardiola, because Nemanja Vidić-style tackling won’t automatically give you a cup to lift.
Custom Tactics | How to defend in EA Sports FC 24
It may seem simple, but the defense starts even before kick-off. They may confuse some, but the personalized tactics they can make your life a lot easier. Constant pressure on opponents will make your defense insecure, but it is a risk that potentially pays off. However, the players’ energy will be affected. Much better to come back (or “recoil”, as the jargon dictates), if you are in the middle of a 1-0 and have to make a fuss. Preferences are subjective, but to be on the safe side, choose the balanced style and stay on the defensive. Keep the central defenders at the back and the midfielders a little further forward and you should avoid risks even on the break. These are all tactics typical of 4-2-3-1, 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-3 formations. Keeping three players at the back of the field is a great way to make your life difficult.
Be patient | How to defend in EA Sports FC 24
“Sit long enough by the river, and you will see the corpse of the enemy pass by.” On the pitch you need patienceand giving in to the temptation to run on offense will work one time in a hundred. If you don’t have the ball, leave the defenders to the AI. Rather check i midfielders, with which to press and return whenever you want. This strategy will make your defenses more stable. The energy of the midfielders will suffer, but replacing them at the end of the game will help you manage everything. Furthermore, you can also withdraw attackers while defending your half of the pitch. Counterattacking options will be more limited, but against tougher opponents it can be worth it. Your better choicesin terms of defenders, they are Renard (Lyon), Leon (Barcelona), Van Dijk (Liverpool), Dias (Man City) and Marquinos (Paris Saint-Germain).
Contention | How to defend in EA Sports FC 24
Continuing, you can compete for the ball with the opponent and thus take advantage of one of your best defense tools. Using L2 on PlayStation and the left trigger on Xbox, you can aim your footballer towards the opponent, making his attack more difficult. By doing so, you will have to expose yourself less to the risk of traditional tackles and, therefore, possible fouls. If facing the defender, it is better to give space to the opponents to better react to their moves without committing fouls. It goes without saying that if they are nervous, it will be those on the other team who make mistakes. Using the contest button in tandem with sprinting allows you to steal the ball from your opponent, but like high pressing it carries risks. With proper practice, however, this will transform from a source of lactic acid into one of your best tactics.
Slip, the last resort | How to defend in EA Sports FC 24
As intriguing as the idea is, avoid making contrasts without thinking. At best you could get away with a missed shot, at worst you get a yellow card. If you want an ace up your sleeve, try one slipped. Emphasis on “ace in the hole”, because in general the other options described so far are also the most effective. Since it is a spectacular alternative to tackling, the slide should be saved for special occasions. An example above all? The opponent on the home stretch at your goal. Sure, you could drill his calves and get a red card. But isn’t it a small price to pay compared to a more painful goal?
Counterattack strategies | How to defend in EA Sports FC 24
If there’s ever an occasion where your patience will be put to the test, this is for sure counterattack. Imagine, two-thirds of the way through the match, wanting to secure the lead and finding yourself up against Mbappe and Haaland. Now, attacking blindly doesn’t make much sense, but keeping attackers in the center of the pitch can be of enormous help. In other words, it’s the best way to prevent your attacker from finding himself alone in the wolf’s den. This might seem counterintuitive to you, given the space it will give to the opponent’s offensive, but it could also give them doubts with which to postpone any attack initiative. Be ready with as many options as possible when defending. Outsmarting your opponent is vital, especially in Ultimate Team.
Exchange
Last but not least, in the Cesarini area, we have the exchange of players. You know the basics: LB on Xbox, or L1 on PlayStation. By doing this you will (usually) switch from the player you are controlling to the one closest to the ball (above). However, the method is not always effective. You must also use the right analog stick to open up (and simplify) your range of defensive options. Picking a specific team member at the right time can disorientate your opponent just enough to give you that extra bit of an edge. The art of defense is a challenge for everyone, especially while adapting to new gameplay. However, by following these tips you should maintain the advantage for a few months.
Now it’s up to you to tell us your opinion: are you ready to defend the fort? Let us know below, and as always don’t forget to stay on techgameworld.com for all the most important news for gamers and beyond. For your purely gaming needs, you can instead find the best discounts in digital format on Instant Gaming.