Quote Originally Posted by InvincibleGinger FC View Post
Hi all,

Whenever I play defensive, low press against a similar quality team, their MC scores at least once from near center of field. How do I stop this?
The formation i last played was 4-1-3W-1-1 and he was 3W-1-3W-2-1 with very good striker. I won 3-2 but both scores were from his lone MC from near center field and shot over the heads of the defense.

Thanks in advance
4-1-3W-1-1 vs 3W-1-3W-2-1

Honestly, that you could win 3-2 is just a very minor miscalculation from opposition and you have quite some luck on your side. If only your opposition played 3 defenders in 3n to nullify all central ST space then the result would have been totally different.

Tactically, his 2AMs outnumber your 1 DMC, 3 midfielders matching each other, and your 1 ST vs his 2 DCs, your DMC area is definitely outnumbered when your DC would need to move out of his position to mark his extra AMC or your MC move back a lot to cover the unmarked 2nd AMC. While the former situation is barely manageable when your DC could mark his ST 1v1, the latter situation will mean his MC runs forward freely with no man closing down and inevitably lead to long shot opportunities. That would easily explain why your side conceded with his MC scoring.

In real life comparison, Gerrard and Lampard did this countless times when they just wait to pounce on these shooting chances with their forward teammates pulled away all defenders and defensive midfielders into the box.

Therefore, your formation should be more effective if it is 3N-2-3W-2AM (mixed via central - win by counter via middle with outnumbering), 3F-2-4W-1 (mixed via both flanks with 2v1 in both flanks) or 3N-2-3W-2ST (long via middle - win by bypassing DMC line).

Hope this may help in your choice of formation if you still need to play him again in the league return leg.