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    EA FC 25 - The Best 5-4-1 Custom Tactics

    by Team Gullit·Apr 4, 2025
    Formation

    5-4-1

    Build-up Style

    Balanced

    Defensive Approach

    Aggressive

    Line Height
    95
    GK·Goalkeeper
    RB·Wingback
    CB·Defender
    CB·Defender
    CB·Defender
    LB·Attacking Wingback
    RM·Inside Forward
    CM·Box-to-Box
    CM·Box-to-Box
    LM·Inside Forward
    ST·Advanced Forward

    Alright, what's up guys? It's Leafy here, and welcome to a brand new video on the team channel! Today, we're diving into a new formation and tactics video, and we're talking about the 5-4-1 in FC25. Now, a 5-back attacking formation might not be what you'd expect, but I'm going to show you how I make this a seriously attacking setup. Of course, we'll also cover the defensive strengths. So, stick around until the end, and you'll know everything you need to know about the 5-4-1 in FC25. Let's get into it!

    Formation and Tactics Breakdown

    First things first, let's get into the tactics. The formation is a flat 5-4-1, meaning we've got three center backs, a left back, a right back, two center mids (no CDMs or CAMs), a left mid, a right mid, and a striker up top.

    • Build Up Play: Balanced. This is the most common approach, and it gives us a good foundation.
    • Defensive Approach: Aggressive. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Five defenders, aggressive? Leafy, are you crazy?" But trust me, we're making this an attacking formation. We're going to push that defensive line as high as possible – almost as high as it goes, at 95. This still allows us to press effectively, even with five defenders and four midfielders. I'll show you plenty of clips of both defending and attacking, so you'll see how it all works and why I've set it up this way.

    Player Roles and Instructions

    Now, let's talk player roles. This is where the magic happens.

    • Goalkeeper: Default, Defend. Keep it simple here.
    • Right Back: Wing Back, Balanced.
    • Left Back: Attacking Wing Back. This is key! This turns our fullbacks into wingers. That's why I use players like Davies, who can basically play as a winger anyway. They'll be ahead of the left and right mids in attack, constantly making runs. Every attack starts through our fullbacks. You'll see them bombing up the pitch, covering their respective flanks.
    • Center Backs (3): Defend, Defend. Don't mess with your center backs. Keep them on defend.
    • Center Mids (2): Box to Box. We only have one striker, so we need support. Box-to-box midfielders will get forward and also track back, which is crucial in this formation. They need to do a lot of work.
    • Striker: Advanced Forward. Cantona plays a massive part in this formation.

    Gameplay and Attacking Strategy

    Now, let's jump into some clips to see how it all comes together. The key is the build-up style, which is based on the ticky-taka and incisive playstyles. This means the striker can play those first-time triangle passes to the fullbacks who are constantly making runs.

    • Fullback Runs: Every attack goes through the fullbacks. You'll see Davies making runs, and I'll trigger him to start those runs. Then, I look to get the ball to the striker, who can then play the run on the wing.
    • Incisive Passing: It's all about the right timing. Trigger your players, find the right spaces, and play that incisive pass.
    • Triggering Players: Remember, to trigger a player, either point at them and click L1 or play an L1X pass.

    Let's look at some examples:

    • Example 1: Davies to Raar, trigger Davies, pass to Kuna, then to Cantona, wait for Davies to run past the defensive line, and then play the incisive pass.
    • Example 2: Klet to Cantona, trigger him, then to Kuna, and then it's an easy finish.
    • Kickoff Example: Wing play with Salah and Kafu, creating a 2v1 situation, then a cutback to Cantona, and then a pass to Klet for a one-touch pass and a driven finish.

    Defensive Solidity

    Even though we're attacking, the 5-4-1 is still solid defensively.

    • High Defensive Line: The 95 depth makes the defensive line step up high, creating a compact block in the middle of the pitch.
    • Center Back Coverage: Even if a mistake is made, there are still two center backs to compensate.
    • Counterattack Defense: Even if the fullbacks are triggered, there are still four defenders to defend the counterattack.

    Final Thoughts

    This isn't the formation I use in pro games, but it's a fun, offensive 5-back. It's not a drop-back, boring five-back. Remember to trigger your players, and you'll be scoring goals in no time!