Alright, so I just hit my first ever Rank 1 in FC25 this past weekend! The servers were actually pretty responsive, and the gameplay felt good. But honestly, this ratty 4-4-2 tactics setup just did most of the work for me during this unbeaten run. Let's dive into the details, yeah?
Formation and Tactics Overview
We're talking about the 4-4-2, specifically the flat version with two central midfielders. For the build-up play, I've been switching between Counter and Balanced, but this weekend I ran all 15 games on Counter, so we'll stick with that. Defensively, we're going with a Balanced approach, with a depth of 50. I know, I know, 70 and 95 have their own power, but let's stick to the meta. A lot of defending in this game is AI-dependent, and with a balanced line height like 50, you get those auto-rack backs, a low block defense with a congested 18-yard box, and a ton of auto-blocks. Against those sweaty opponents, a balanced setup is the best you can do.
Player Roles and Instructions
Let's break down the player roles and instructions, yeah?
- Strikers: I've been running a double Advanced Forward setup up top, and it's been magic.
- One striker, preferably the one with a shooting PlayStyle Plus, is on Attack Focus.
- The other striker has the Support Focus. This is my favorite new addition to the FC IQ. I always had this issue where the False 9 instruction would leave my striker just standing there in midfield. But with Advanced Forward Support, the player moves back just enough for those broken meta first-time through balls and then instantly runs forward like a true striker. It's a game-changer, especially in a two-striker partnership.
- Wingers: We're going for a dynamic duo here.
- On one side, we have a super fast and skillful player on Inside Forward and Balanced. This is your ball carrier, your chance creator, the one who pushes the opponent's defense back.
- On the other side, we have a goal-scoring winger, someone with serious shooting capability. This winger is also on Inside Forward, but with the Attack focus. This winger tracks back less often, ensuring you always have a three-man attacking force ready for counterattacks.
- Central Midfielders:
- For the CM partnership, I have Incisive Pass Plus on one side and Power Shot Plus on the other.
- For the passing midfielder, you can go with Box to Box, Deep Line Playmaker, or Holding. For me, Box to Box just gives the best movement out of the three options. But the Power Shot Plus midfielder, if you have someone like that and you want them to be in the perfect spot for long shots, they have to be on Playmaker and Attack. With this combination, you attack with six players, which should be more than enough to score goals, and you defend with eight. Considering our line height of 50, it's going to be really tough to break them down.
- Defenders:
- Both fullbacks are on Stay Back While Attacking and Defend.
- Both center backs are on Default and Defend.
- Goalkeeper: As always, on whatever roll Plus or plus plus they might have. I have mine on Super Keeper and Build Up.
Gameplay and Key Strategies
The first thing you'll notice with this 4-4-2 is how brilliant it is at pressure play, even though the depth is on 50. Having both of your central midfielders on attacking instructions means your team will always be in a constant transition phase, which is amazing because stationary players are much easier to go through than moving players. That's why I usually don't run a Holding Center Mid when I just have two midfielders in the center. The amount of times I lose the position, get it back on the transition, and score an easy goal with this setup is something I'm just not willing to give up on.