Alright lads, let's dive into the most meta formation in FC25: the 4-4-2. You see it every weekend, it's absolutely incredible. Let's get into it!
Tactics and Build-Up Play
First up, the tactics. For the build-up play, we're sticking with Balanced. I always say balanced is the best, especially when you're getting used to the game. It's all about the passing, and if you're struggling to find those passes, and you're not really using the bumpers, you might benefit from using Short Passing. This will automatically bring your players closer. The downside is they won't go on those runs as much. But while you're getting used to it, it's a good option.
For the Depth, we're at 61. It's right on the line between balanced and high. I find this is the sweet spot to get the right amount of pressure on your opponent's backline. They can't just have a field day passing out easily, and your backline and midfield aren't overcommitted. It's the perfect balance, but use whatever you're comfortable with.
Player Roles
Now, let's get into the roles.
- Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper. Use whatever role they've got a plus or plus plus in. If you're using Howard, use Goalkeeper. If you're using a Ter Stegen or a Courtois, use Super Keeper. I do like Super Keeper; I think it's my favorite out of the two.
- Fullbacks: Both on Fullback and Defend. We don't want them going forward. I've found recently that I'd rather create with the midfield instead, pushing my midfield further on than pushing on a fullback. Having a solid back four in this game, especially with the randomness, is one of the best ways to be more consistent with your defending. If you've got one going forward, the amount of times you get countered into that space is ridiculous this year. They'll attack as you can see, but they do cover those wide areas. They don't just scrunch in and leave a load of space out wide.
- Center Backs: Both on Center Back and Defend. It's the best, lads. It's the role they come in as default. Don't touch them. Having a left-footed center back on the left-hand side is a massive bonus. Ideally, you want them to have Defender Plus at a minimum. But I'm not overly sold on the plus and plus plus roles.
- Central Midfielders:
- One on Holding and Defend. This is Guimaraes for me. You want someone that is very strong on the defensive game. Someone like Guimaraes, probably not the best physically. If you're using someone like Soko, he's probably the most meta option in this position.
- The other CM is a more creative CM and is on Playmaker. You don't have to have this on Playmaker. You can change this to Box to Box if you're not comfortable with this player getting a bit further forward. They will help you out defensively still, but sometimes they will be out of position. They kind of play like a 10. I'm comfortable with defending with one defensive midfielder, but you can change this to box to box if you're struggling. You'll still get that kind of push forward from them, but they'll track back a bit more naturally for you, especially if you're going to be using a player with Box to Box Plus or plus plus.
- Wingers:
- Left Winger: Winger. The reason why he's on Winger is because on the balanced focus, it says the Winger will offer both defensive and attacking support, which is what we want. We want him to be helping out defensively, plus I'm pushing him further wide because I want him to open up and be able to use that left hook for the Power Shot. We did try him in Center CAM, but he wasn't really getting much space, so we moved him out to left mid, and the amount of space he gets on the wing is much better.
- Right Winger: Inside Forward. The right side of your midfield, so your right center mid and your right mid, have him right-footed so you can do the Travellas. That's optimal. And then left on the left, right on the right, so you can hit the Travellas and the cross-body shots.
- Strikers: Both on Advanced Forward as attack. We just want them to be out-and-out goalscorers. Again, I like a right-footer on the right-hand side and a left-footer on the left, mainly because I want to do the cross-body shot. But if you've got someone like Aubameyang, if you're using Son, then it's okay to have a right-footer on the left-hand side because you're going to be looking for those finesse shots. But if you're not going to be looking for the Finesse shot and you're doing power shots like me with Parejo, then left on the left, right on the right is the most optimal.
Team Selection and Substitutions
Let's talk about the team.
- Center Backs: I would be using lengthy center backs. You want to make sure they've got good defending playstyles like Intercept, Anticipate, and Jockey. They're probably the most important three out of all the playstyles.
- Fullbacks: I like to have one that's a bit more attacking and one that's more defensive.
- Substitutions: I do like to sub out my left back. Refreshing your fullbacks is a really underrated play, lads, because it's going to help you keep up with those fresh legs. If it wasn't for Teran being unreal, I would probably sub him out as well, to be honest. If I go into extra time, it is someone that I could look at subbing out because you get that additional sub.
- Central Midfielders: I don't really sub them out unless I'm really struggling with the physical side. If I am struggling, I'll bring in Mario for Guimaraes just to bring a more physical element into that midfield. But for the most part, I try and keep them in because they're very, very creative. You want someone that is an out-and-out box-to-box midfielder. If you are struggling with the attacking center mid, then you could always use a box-to-box like a Marchisio in this position, and it'll work just fine.
- Wingers: I do like to have replacements for these. I don't really need to sub out Nico because he's got Relentless. I do like to sub off at least one of the left mid or right mid, sometimes both if I'm struggling.
- Strikers: I do sub out one of the strikers and go for a different profile. I usually take out Parejo. I usually sub her out for Aubameyang. The reason why I do that is because it just changes the profile. So I've gone from using the power shots to finesse shots, and it keeps your opponents on their toes. Having a couple of different striker options on your bench is nice.