What's up, guys, it's Ley here, and welcome to a brand new video on the Team K Channel where I'm going to explain everything you need to know about having a game plan in FC25. Having a game plan is really important, and I'm sure that after this video, you guys are going to be able to reach a higher rank than if you are not using a good game plan. So let's dive in!
The Importance of a Game Plan
First things first, you need to have at least three different game plans. Think of them as your tactical toolbox for different situations in a match.
- Balanced: This is your starting point, the foundation of your game.
- Defensive: When you're leading and want to protect your lead, especially in the last half-hour of the game.
- Attacking: When you're chasing a goal and need to throw everything forward.
Balanced Game Plan: The 4-4-2
My go-to balanced game plan is the 4-4-2. It's a solid, reliable formation in FC25.
- Formation: 4-4-2 Flat.
- Build Up Play: Unbalanced.
- Defensive Approach: Unbalanced.
- Depth: 59-60. This is a personal preference, but I find it provides a good balance. You can adjust it to your liking, but remember, it's about balance.
- Player Instructions:
- Goalkeeper: No changes.
- Fullbacks: No changes.
- Center Backs: No changes.
- Midfielders: No changes.
- Strikers: No changes.
This is just an example, and I'm always experimenting with tactics. The key takeaway here is that your balanced formation can be anything, but it needs to be balanced. A 4-3-3 is more attacking, and you should never use it as your balanced formation. A 4-2-3-1, or even a 5-2-1-2 or 5-4-1, can work as balanced formations, but the player roles need to be more attacking.
Defensive Game Plan: The 5-1-2-2
When I'm leading and need to shut down the game, I switch to a 5-1-2-2.
- Formation: 5-1-2-2.
- Build Up Play: Short Passing. I want to keep possession and waste time if needed.
- Defensive Approach: Deep. We're sitting back, not giving the opponent space in behind.
- Player Instructions:
- Goalkeeper: No changes.
- Right Back: Stay Back.
- Center Backs: Stay Back.
- Left Back: Stay Back.
- Center Midfielders: Deep Lying Playmaker. They'll sit in front of the defense.
- Right Midfielder: Wide Midfielder.
- Left Midfielder: Wide Midfielder.
- Striker: Target Forward.
This setup ensures everyone is back defending, minimizing runs forward. It's the safest option when you're leading. You switch to this game plan by pressing the D-pad down in-game and selecting the tactic.
Attacking Game Plan: The 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow)
When I'm chasing a game, I need to score, and I want to play quick, attacking counter football. That's why I select the 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow).
- Formation: 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow).
- Build Up Play: Counter.
- Defensive Approach: High. You can even put your depth to 100! I recommend at least 70. When you're trying to score, take risks. Don't play it on 50 or 60; it'll be too low.
- Player Instructions:
- Goalkeeper: No changes.
- Right Back: Attacking Wing Back.
- Left Back: Attacking Wing Back.
- Center Backs: Defend.
- CDM: Deep Lying Playmaker.
- Left and Right CMs: Playmaker. This will make them act like CAMs in-game.
- CAM: Shadow Striker. This will make my CAM act like a center forward.
- Strikers: Almost False Forward. They will make runs in behind.
The Power of Switching Game Plans
Having three distinct game plans is crucial. You saw in the clips, the difference between the 4-4-2, the 4-1-2-1-2, and the 5-1-2-2. You see a big difference about people going forward, runs having forward, or it's balanced 4-4-2 not too many runs going forward but enough passing options and for example in a 5-1-2-2 everyone just sits back. If I lose the ball, I will have at least seven players who are not going forward are there to stop the counterattack of my opponent.
A lot of you guys are probably underestimating how important this is. You guys just play one formation at all the time, then you when you give away a lead you're like how did I give this away? But maybe if you switch to a different formation more defensive one you would have solved the problem. And it's also the other way around, you're chasing a game if you just stay the same formation nothing is going to change basically. It's also something to distract your opponent, maybe he's playing a better game than you, he has you in his pocket, you change your information, you change the way of play and he's going to start to struggle. Not only you have advantage but your opponent will also have a disadvantage.
Switching formations can also throw your opponent off. If they're dominating you, changing your tactics can disrupt their rhythm and give you an advantage.