Alright lads, here's the lowdown on the only 4-4-1-1 custom tactics you'll need for this Weekend League. Let's get into it!
Tactics and Instructions
Diving in with the tactics, here's the setup you see on your screen.
- Build Up Play: Balanced. This is the best in my opinion. However, if you're struggling with calling players short using the bumpers, short passing is a good alternative. Practice using the bumpers, but if it's not natural, short passing will help you keep the ball. As you get better, switch back to balanced.
- Chance Creation: Balanced.
- Width: 40.
- Players in Box: 6.
- Corners: 2.
- Free Kicks: 2.
The depth is set to 61. I've been liking 712, but 61 is what I find most comfortable. If someone is sitting right on top of me the entire game, I'll change it to 71 to push out more from the back. If I'm comfortable, I'll leave it at 61.
Now, let's get into the player instructions.
- Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper. Use whatever your keeper has, like Goalkeeper Plus or Sweeper Plus.
- Fullbacks: Both on "Stay Back While Attacking." They won't scrunch in, and you can see on the heat map that they cover the wide areas fine. I prefer this because it keeps the back line solid and limits how fragile you are on the counterattack. I'd rather send my midfielders or wingers forward to create chances.
- Center Backs: Both on "Default." Defender plus plus on Martinez and Messer is on Defender plus. If you like Stopper or Ball Playing Defender, make sure both defenders have the same instruction. You want them in sync.
- Defensive Midfielders:
- Right CDM: "Stay Back While Attacking" and "Cover Center." This is your anchor in midfield.
- Left CDM: "Balanced." This guy is your box-to-box midfielder.
- Wingers:
- Left Winger: "Cut Inside" and "Balanced." He'll come inside and show for the ball.
- Right Winger: "Winger" and "Balanced." The winger will help you out more defensively.
- Shadow Striker: "Get in Behind" and "Balanced."
- Striker: "Get in Behind" and "Balanced."
Team Selection and Player Roles
This is the team I've been using.
- Center Backs: Martinez (Defender Plus Plus) and Messer (Defender Plus).
- Fullbacks: Kounde (Stay Back While Attacking) and Capdevila (Stay Back While Attacking).
- Center Midfielders:
- Right CDM: Guendouzi (Stay Back While Attacking, Cover Center).
- Left CDM: Mario (Balanced).
- CAM: Puscas.
- Wingers:
- Left Winger: Williams (Cut Inside, Balanced).
- Right Winger: Traore (Winger, Balanced).
- Striker: Parejo (Get in Behind, Balanced).
The CAM is probably the most important player. You need your best player there. They need to link everything up nicely. They need to be good at passing, shooting, and be good on the ball.
I like to have a left-footed player on the left and a right-footed player on the right.
For the striker, I recommend having bags of pace. Also, having Power Shot Plus or Finesse Shot Plus is very consistent for scoring.
Substitutions
Here's how I handle subs:
- Fullbacks: I sub out one or both fullbacks to cover the wide areas against the wingers.
- Center Midfielders: Depending on who's being more effective, I'll sub out one of my center mids.
- Wingers: I'll sub out one of my wingers.
- Striker: I'll bring on a different dynamic. I'll take off a Power Shot Plus player and bring on Aubameyang, who has Finesse Shot Plus.