I'm suggesting you to use 3w-2-3w-1-1 maple leaf formation.

Also,use defending,mixed focus,mixed pass ,normal tackle,zonal marking,force counterattack and no offside trap.

Blue arrows for central DC and both DMCs,red arrow for MR and ML is optional,red arrow for ST.

I used this and only lost in a friendly match against a friend with 2 level above mine,just 1-0.

I don't know if Hard Defending will be good,but you can try. Tell me the result if you tried Hard Defending.