Basic formation strategy vs different % quality opponents

To make it simple, we all want to win more against superior opponents (5%+ to. 20%), fare very well (75%+ wins, plus rest as draws) against same-quality opponent (5%+ to 5%-), win nearly all against slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-) and outscore very heavily against inferior opponents (20%- or more).

Wins against 20%+ far superior opponents require perfect counter formation & orders, on-form attackers & GK and lots of luck.

Assume most managers understand that they could improve ‘real’ team quality by keeping well-trained young players for lots of seasons (ie. most greys gradually drop to 0% with more seasons, hence face-value player quality would underestimate real whites’ quality).

A) Basic strategy on formation vs far superior 20%+ opponents:

8/9-men behind ball. 4-1-3 or 4-1-4 is the basis. 4-1-3-AML/C/R-1, with AM & ST pulled back to cover as much space as possible and front-2 placed in a way to create a linked zone where they would have some territorial advantage. Opponent plays DMC then we play flank; if no DMC then we play AMC. 4-1-4-1 is similar with opponent DMC on where we plays our ST/AMC. Can also play 4-1-3-2AM with both pulled-back when our best 2 players are ST/AMC & AM.

Very likely to be a high-scoring 1-goal win when both of our attackers are on form.

B) vs superior opponents (5%+ to 20%)

Similar with far superior, except that AM & ST can be played further forward to actively exploit available space where opponents are too aggressive and left certain flank’s empty with too many pushed-up defenders. Midfielders positioning can be a bit more adventurous as long as defensive shape is good.

Could win by up to 5 goals on a very good day. 3-goal win is very possible with attackers taking chances as usual (40-45% on target; 35%-45% conversion rate).

C) vs same-quality opponents (5%+ to 5%-)

Basic concept is +1 defender & +1 midfielder. Could slot in an extra DMC as +1.5 each depending on situation. The rest to place 1 attacker in empty space, with the rest to stop opponents recovering that space. Should look to overload certain opponent areas with own defence shape taken into account.

Eg. A) Opponent plays 4-4-2
Solution 1) 3-4-1-2. High-scoring win and very likely to concede. AMC area wins the match with attack bonus. STs score most goals
Solution 2) 3-1-4-1-1. 2-3 goal win and 50/50 with clean sheets. AMC area wins the match with defence bonus. AMC scores most goals
Solution 3) 3-5-2. 1-2 goal win, high % with clean sheets and better possession. MC area wins match with possession bonus. Scorers random.

Eg. B) Opponent plays 4-5v-1
Solution 1) 4-3-2W-1. Wingers to win via outscore via both flanks. MC area wins match via possession & attack bonus
Solution 2) 4-1-3-AML/R-ST. Solid defensive display to win via counter & 1-flank. Winger & ST-combo for goals & assists

2/3-goals win should be standard. Interchange with formation solutions in-game plus subs to handle off-form attackers and occasionally defenders in poor form

D) vs slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-)

Basic concept is playing matching number of defenders vs attackers & midfielders vs midfielders, DMC to act as extra 0.5 cover for both defence and midfield, so attackers numbers is -1 against opponent - can easily outnumber defence by overloading flanks (with wide fullbacks, wide midfielders & winger forwards on both flanks), 1-flank (DL, ML, AML + ST moved closer to flank) or via middle (AMC vs no-DMC). Should play +1 midfielder vs very aggressive formations.

Engine calculation often skews towards inferior side if slightly superior side is defensive, hence needs to be aggressive yet not over-committed.

Eg. C) Opponent plays 4-2M-2W-2
Solution 1) 4-1-2-1-2. High-scoring win usually. Win via AMC area & counter.
Solution 2) 4-1-3-1-1. Low-scoring win with higher chance of clean sheet. Win via AMC area with build-up.

Eg. D) Opponent plays 4-1-4-1
Solution 1) 3W-4-3W. Overloading both flanks to outscore. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3W-5F-2(1 wide forward + 1 ST positioned widest). Overloading flanks to win with midfield possession. Lower-score win with higher clean sheet %.

E) vs far inferior opponents (20%- or more)

Basic concept is formulating a formation with flank overload/AMC area overload/AML+C+R area overload/DC area overload with own players +1 in that space & with 20%+ quality advantage on hard attacking plus long/mixed passing (in-game passing success rate 85%+ then switch from mixed to long to increase shooting aggression). Main DC & MC are ideally 30% better than opponents’ ST & MC to dominate each area with matching number of players, so as to release all available players into attacking position for highest scoring opportunities.

Eg. E) Opponent plays 4-3M-3W
Solution 1) 3W-4M(D)-3W. Diamond midfield squeezed central (DMC & MC pushed-up, ML & MR pulled central). Opponent loses whole midfield + AMC + DMC area. All players have quality advantage. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3W-4M(D)-1-2. AMC pushed forward. STs will score most goals.

A few things to avoid:
1) Play the exact formation of opponents - match result will become a lottery, depending on the engine assigning the side with main scorers’ RNG
2) Keep the exact formation and players after 30 mins of no goals as a far superior side - correct counter must at least score 1 by half-time. Should at least change formation and/or subs every 20-mins interval (30th & 50th). Still nil-nil then should totally revamp on 70th min the whole formation, orders and arrows to be irrelevant to starting setup - say 3-4-1-2 via middle & mixed should turn into a 3-2M-3-2 via flanks & long with at least 2 subs of attackers to force engine to recalculate again and again until our team gets that 1 goal. Should try normal with mixed instead of only hard attacking with long for 20 mins from 50th to 70th with high number of MCs & DMCs to max chances of counter-attackers triggered (sometimes engine just would not ‘allow’ any direct goals to be scored)
3) Let the same FK/CK taker keeps taking even when he fails - 2 failed attempts then should change (not many matches would have more than 3 FKs/CKs chances) - it is a good idea to set up our team with backup FK & CKs in mind

Hope this basic guide in formation would help new managers in finding their ways to their favourite squad building and formations, and also get more unlikely wins against superior opponents with limited players and resources.

Gracias genio!!! Excelente!

Great and detailed post, thanks a lot.

Great treat, it really has help me on alot of games againts stronger teams

Very good post... But are you reading to much into it? Does it really matter how forward/back in the players zone you place them? Is there really a difference if you put your striker on the penalty spot compared to putting them on the 18???

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Try and you see it that difference placement of players make them move differently.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tomu741

Try and you see it that difference placement of players make them move differently.

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I tried it.... Didn't seem to change anything at all ... If anyone else has a different experience let me know

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There are very detailed video about this on youtube. Title - Football Positions And Its Importance - In Top Eleven by charlie's diary.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HeavensAAA

To make it simple, we all want to win more against superior opponents (5%+ to. 20%), fare very well (75%+ wins, plus rest as draws) against same-quality opponent (5%+ to 5%-), win nearly all against slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-) and outscore very heavily against inferior opponents (20%- or more).

Wins against 20%+ far superior opponents require perfect counter formation & orders, on-form attackers & GK and lots of luck.

Assume most managers understand that they could improve ‘real’ team quality by keeping well-trained young players for lots of seasons (ie. most greys gradually drop to 0% with more seasons, hence face-value player quality would underestimate real whites’ quality).

A) Basic strategy on formation vs far superior 20%+ opponents:

8/9-men behind ball. 4-1-3 or 4-1-4 is the basis. 4-1-3-AML/C/R-1, with AM & ST pulled back to cover as much space as possible and front-2 placed in a way to create a linked zone where they would have some territorial advantage. Opponent plays DMC then we play flank; if no DMC then we play AMC. 4-1-4-1 is similar with opponent DMC on where we plays our ST/AMC. Can also play 4-1-3-2AM with both pulled-back when our best 2 players are ST/AMC & AM.

Very likely to be a high-scoring 1-goal win when both of our attackers are on form.

B) vs superior opponents (5%+ to 20%)

Similar with far superior, except that AM & ST can be played further forward to actively exploit available space where opponents are too aggressive and left certain flank’s empty with too many pushed-up defenders. Midfielders positioning can be a bit more adventurous as long as defensive shape is good.

Could win by up to 5 goals on a very good day. 3-goal win is very possible with attackers taking chances as usual (40-45% on target; 35%-45% conversion rate).

C) vs same-quality opponents (5%+ to 5%-)

Basic concept is +1 defender & +1 midfielder. Could slot in an extra DMC as +1.5 each depending on situation. The rest to place 1 attacker in empty space, with the rest to stop opponents recovering that space. Should look to overload certain opponent areas with own defence shape taken into account.

Eg. A) Opponent plays 4-4-2
Solution 1) 3-4-1-2. High-scoring win and very likely to concede. AMC area wins the match with attack bonus. STs score most goals
Solution 2) 3-1-4-1-1. 2-3 goal win and 50/50 with clean sheets. AMC area wins the match with defence bonus. AMC scores most goals
Solution 3) 3-5-2. 1-2 goal win, high % with clean sheets and better possession. MC area wins match with possession bonus. Scorers random.

Eg. B) Opponent plays 4-5v-1
Solution 1) 4-3-2W-1. Wingers to win via outscore via both flanks. MC area wins match via possession & attack bonus
Solution 2) 4-1-3-AML/R-ST. Solid defensive display to win via counter & 1-flank. Winger & ST-combo for goals & assists

2/3-goals win should be standard. Interchange with formation solutions in-game plus subs to handle off-form attackers and occasionally defenders in poor form

D) vs slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-)

Basic concept is playing matching number of defenders vs attackers & midfielders vs midfielders, DMC to act as extra 0.5 cover for both defence and midfield, so attackers numbers is -1 against opponent - can easily outnumber defence by overloading flanks (with wide fullbacks, wide midfielders & winger forwards on both flanks), 1-flank (DL, ML, AML + ST moved closer to flank) or via middle (AMC vs no-DMC). Should play +1 midfielder vs very aggressive formations.

Engine calculation often skews towards inferior side if slightly superior side is defensive, hence needs to be aggressive yet not over-committed.

Eg. C) Opponent plays 4-2M-2W-2
Solution 1) 4-1-2-1-2. High-scoring win usually. Win via AMC area & counter.
Solution 2) 4-1-3-1-1. Low-scoring win with higher chance of clean sheet. Win via AMC area with build-up.

Eg. D) Opponent plays 4-1-4-1
Solution 1) 3W-4-3W. Overloading both flanks to outscore. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3W-5F-2(1 wide forward + 1 ST positioned widest). Overloading flanks to win with midfield possession. Lower-score win with higher clean sheet %.

E) vs far inferior opponents (20%- or more)

Basic concept is formulating a formation with flank overload/AMC area overload/AML+C+R area overload/DC area overload with own players +1 in that space & with 20%+ quality advantage on hard attacking plus long/mixed passing (in-game passing success rate 85%+ then switch from mixed to long to increase shooting aggression). Main DC & MC are ideally 30% better than opponents’ ST & MC to dominate each area with matching number of players, so as to release all available players into attacking position for highest scoring opportunities.

Eg. E) Opponent plays 4-3M-3W
Solution 1) 3W-4M(D)-3W. Diamond midfield squeezed central (DMC & MC pushed-up, ML & MR pulled central). Opponent loses whole midfield + AMC + DMC area. All players have quality advantage. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3W-4M(D)-1-2. AMC pushed forward. STs will score most goals.

A few things to avoid:
1) Play the exact formation of opponents - match result will become a lottery, depending on the engine assigning the side with main scorers’ RNG
2) Keep the exact formation and players after 30 mins of no goals as a far superior side - correct counter must at least score 1 by half-time. Should at least change formation and/or subs every 20-mins interval (30th & 50th). Still nil-nil then should totally revamp on 70th min the whole formation, orders and arrows to be irrelevant to starting setup - say 3-4-1-2 via middle & mixed should turn into a 3-2M-3-2 via flanks & long with at least 2 subs of attackers to force engine to recalculate again and again until our team gets that 1 goal. Should try normal with mixed instead of only hard attacking with long for 20 mins from 50th to 70th with high number of MCs & DMCs to max chances of counter-attackers triggered (sometimes engine just would not ‘allow’ any direct goals to be scored)
3) Let the same FK/CK taker keeps taking even when he fails - 2 failed attempts then should change (not many matches would have more than 3 FKs/CKs chances) - it is a good idea to set up our team with backup FK & CKs in mind

Hope this basic guide in formation would help new managers in finding their ways to their favourite squad building and formations, and also get more unlikely wins against superior opponents with limited players and resources.

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Hey so I just played a team 15 percent better than me. He played 3dc-4w-1-2. I played a 3-1-3w-2-1 hard defending. Was doing terrible at the beginning.

I switched to 3-1-2w-1-3 (amr/ pushed all the way up) hard attacking and I did a little better but still got beat 5-1.

Can anyone please help me explain what I did wrong? How should I have countered and with what tactics?

My league is all players better than me and need to know how to counter correctly.


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Just bumping post as very informative

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HeavensAAA

To make it simple, we all want to win more against superior opponents (5%+ to. 20%), fare very well (75%+ wins, plus rest as draws) against same-quality opponent (5%+ to 5%-), win nearly all against slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-) and outscore very heavily against inferior opponents (20%- or more).

Wins against 20%+ far superior opponents require perfect counter formation & orders, on-form attackers & GK and lots of luck.

Assume most managers understand that they could improve ‘real’ team quality by keeping well-trained young players for lots of seasons (ie. most greys gradually drop to 0% with more seasons, hence face-value player quality would underestimate real whites’ quality).

A) Basic strategy on formation vs far superior 20%+ opponents:

8/9-men behind ball. 4-1-3 or 4-1-4 is the basis. 4-1-3-AML/C/R-1, with AM & ST pulled back to cover as much space as possible and front-2 placed in a way to create a linked zone where they would have some territorial advantage. Opponent plays DMC then we play flank; if no DMC then we play AMC. 4-1-4-1 is similar with opponent DMC on where we plays our ST/AMC. Can also play 4-1-3-2AM with both pulled-back when our best 2 players are ST/AMC & AM.

Very likely to be a high-scoring 1-goal win when both of our attackers are on form.

B) vs superior opponents (5%+ to 20%)

Similar with far superior, except that AM & ST can be played further forward to actively exploit available space where opponents are too aggressive and left certain flank’s empty with too many pushed-up defenders. Midfielders positioning can be a bit more adventurous as long as defensive shape is good.

Could win by up to 5 goals on a very good day. 3-goal win is very possible with attackers taking chances as usual (40-45% on target; 35%-45% conversion rate).

C) vs same-quality opponents (5%+ to 5%-)

Basic concept is +1 defender & +1 midfielder. Could slot in an extra DMC as +1.5 each depending on situation. The rest to place 1 attacker in empty space, with the rest to stop opponents recovering that space. Should look to overload certain opponent areas with own defence shape taken into account.

Eg. A) Opponent plays 4-4-2
Solution 1) 3-4-1-2. High-scoring win and very likely to concede. AMC area wins the match with attack bonus. STs score most goals
Solution 2) 3-1-4-1-1. 2-3 goal win and 50/50 with clean sheets. AMC area wins the match with defence bonus. AMC scores most goals
Solution 3) 3-5-2. 1-2 goal win, high % with clean sheets and better possession. MC area wins match with possession bonus. Scorers random.

Eg. B) Opponent plays 4-5v-1
Solution 1) 4-3-2W-1. Wingers to win via outscore via both flanks. MC area wins match via possession & attack bonus
Solution 2) 4-1-3-AML/R-ST. Solid defensive display to win via counter & 1-flank. Winger & ST-combo for goals & assists

2/3-goals win should be standard. Interchange with formation solutions in-game plus subs to handle off-form attackers and occasionally defenders in poor form

D) vs slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-)

Basic concept is playing matching number of defenders vs attackers & midfielders vs midfielders, DMC to act as extra 0.5 cover for both defence and midfield, so attackers numbers is -1 against opponent - can easily outnumber defence by overloading flanks (with wide fullbacks, wide midfielders & winger forwards on both flanks), 1-flank (DL, ML, AML + ST moved closer to flank) or via middle (AMC vs no-DMC). Should play +1 midfielder vs very aggressive formations.

Engine calculation often skews towards inferior side if slightly superior side is defensive, hence needs to be aggressive yet not over-committed.

Eg. C) Opponent plays 4-2M-2W-2
Solution 1) 4-1-2-1-2. High-scoring win usually. Win via AMC area & counter.
Solution 2) 4-1-3-1-1. Low-scoring win with higher chance of clean sheet. Win via AMC area with build-up.

Eg. D) Opponent plays 4-1-4-1
Solution 1) 3W-4-3W. Overloading both flanks to outscore. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3W-5F-2(1 wide forward + 1 ST positioned widest). Overloading flanks to win with midfield possession. Lower-score win with higher clean sheet %.

E) vs far inferior opponents (20%- or more)

Basic concept is formulating a formation with flank overload/AMC area overload/AML+C+R area overload/DC area overload with own players +1 in that space & with 20%+ quality advantage on hard attacking plus long/mixed passing (in-game passing success rate 85%+ then switch from mixed to long to increase shooting aggression). Main DC & MC are ideally 30% better than opponents’ ST & MC to dominate each area with matching number of players, so as to release all available players into attacking position for highest scoring opportunities.

Eg. E) Opponent plays 4-3M-3W
Solution 1) 3W-4M(D)-3W. Diamond midfield squeezed central (DMC & MC pushed-up, ML & MR pulled central). Opponent loses whole midfield + AMC + DMC area. All players have quality advantage. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3W-4M(D)-1-2. AMC pushed forward. STs will score most goals.

A few things to avoid:
1) Play the exact formation of opponents - match result will become a lottery, depending on the engine assigning the side with main scorers’ RNG
2) Keep the exact formation and players after 30 mins of no goals as a far superior side - correct counter must at least score 1 by half-time. Should at least change formation and/or subs every 20-mins interval (30th & 50th). Still nil-nil then should totally revamp on 70th min the whole formation, orders and arrows to be irrelevant to starting setup - say 3-4-1-2 via middle & mixed should turn into a 3-2M-3-2 via flanks & long with at least 2 subs of attackers to force engine to recalculate again and again until our team gets that 1 goal. Should try normal with mixed instead of only hard attacking with long for 20 mins from 50th to 70th with high number of MCs & DMCs to max chances of counter-attackers triggered (sometimes engine just would not ‘allow’ any direct goals to be scored)
3) Let the same FK/CK taker keeps taking even when he fails - 2 failed attempts then should change (not many matches would have more than 3 FKs/CKs chances) - it is a good idea to set up our team with backup FK & CKs in mind

Hope this basic guide in formation would help new managers in finding their ways to their favourite squad building and formations, and also get more unlikely wins against superior opponents with limited players and resources.

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by heavensaaa

to make it simple, we all want to win more against superior opponents (5%+ to. 20%), fare very well (75%+ wins, plus rest as draws) against same-quality opponent (5%+ to 5%-), win nearly all against slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-) and outscore very heavily against inferior opponents (20%- or more).

Wins against 20%+ far superior opponents require perfect counter formation & orders, on-form attackers & gk and lots of luck.

Assume most managers understand that they could improve ‘real’ team quality by keeping well-trained young players for lots of seasons (ie. Most greys gradually drop to 0% with more seasons, hence face-value player quality would underestimate real whites’ quality).

A) basic strategy on formation vs far superior 20%+ opponents:

8/9-men behind ball. 4-1-3 or 4-1-4 is the basis. 4-1-3-aml/c/r-1, with am & st pulled back to cover as much space as possible and front-2 placed in a way to create a linked zone where they would have some territorial advantage. Opponent plays dmc then we play flank; if no dmc then we play amc. 4-1-4-1 is similar with opponent dmc on where we plays our st/amc. Can also play 4-1-3-2am with both pulled-back when our best 2 players are st/amc & am.

Very likely to be a high-scoring 1-goal win when both of our attackers are on form.

B) vs superior opponents (5%+ to 20%)

similar with far superior, except that am & st can be played further forward to actively exploit available space where opponents are too aggressive and left certain flank’s empty with too many pushed-up defenders. Midfielders positioning can be a bit more adventurous as long as defensive shape is good.

Could win by up to 5 goals on a very good day. 3-goal win is very possible with attackers taking chances as usual (40-45% on target; 35%-45% conversion rate).

C) vs same-quality opponents (5%+ to 5%-)

basic concept is +1 defender & +1 midfielder. Could slot in an extra dmc as +1.5 each depending on situation. The rest to place 1 attacker in empty space, with the rest to stop opponents recovering that space. Should look to overload certain opponent areas with own defence shape taken into account.

Eg. A) opponent plays 4-4-2
solution 1) 3-4-1-2. High-scoring win and very likely to concede. Amc area wins the match with attack bonus. Sts score most goals
solution 2) 3-1-4-1-1. 2-3 goal win and 50/50 with clean sheets. Amc area wins the match with defence bonus. Amc scores most goals
solution 3) 3-5-2. 1-2 goal win, high % with clean sheets and better possession. Mc area wins match with possession bonus. Scorers random.

Eg. B) opponent plays 4-5v-1
solution 1) 4-3-2w-1. Wingers to win via outscore via both flanks. Mc area wins match via possession & attack bonus
solution 2) 4-1-3-aml/r-st. Solid defensive display to win via counter & 1-flank. Winger & st-combo for goals & assists

2/3-goals win should be standard. Interchange with formation solutions in-game plus subs to handle off-form attackers and occasionally defenders in poor form

d) vs slightly inferior opponents (5%- to 20%-)

basic concept is playing matching number of defenders vs attackers & midfielders vs midfielders, dmc to act as extra 0.5 cover for both defence and midfield, so attackers numbers is -1 against opponent - can easily outnumber defence by overloading flanks (with wide fullbacks, wide midfielders & winger forwards on both flanks), 1-flank (dl, ml, aml + st moved closer to flank) or via middle (amc vs no-dmc). Should play +1 midfielder vs very aggressive formations.

Engine calculation often skews towards inferior side if slightly superior side is defensive, hence needs to be aggressive yet not over-committed.

Eg. C) opponent plays 4-2m-2w-2
solution 1) 4-1-2-1-2. High-scoring win usually. Win via amc area & counter.
Solution 2) 4-1-3-1-1. Low-scoring win with higher chance of clean sheet. Win via amc area with build-up.

Eg. D) opponent plays 4-1-4-1
solution 1) 3w-4-3w. Overloading both flanks to outscore. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3w-5f-2(1 wide forward + 1 st positioned widest). Overloading flanks to win with midfield possession. Lower-score win with higher clean sheet %.

E) vs far inferior opponents (20%- or more)

basic concept is formulating a formation with flank overload/amc area overload/aml+c+r area overload/dc area overload with own players +1 in that space & with 20%+ quality advantage on hard attacking plus long/mixed passing (in-game passing success rate 85%+ then switch from mixed to long to increase shooting aggression). Main dc & mc are ideally 30% better than opponents’ st & mc to dominate each area with matching number of players, so as to release all available players into attacking position for highest scoring opportunities.

Eg. E) opponent plays 4-3m-3w
solution 1) 3w-4m(d)-3w. Diamond midfield squeezed central (dmc & mc pushed-up, ml & mr pulled central). Opponent loses whole midfield + amc + dmc area. All players have quality advantage. Wide forwards score most goals.
Solution 2) 3w-4m(d)-1-2. Amc pushed forward. Sts will score most goals.

A few things to avoid:
1) play the exact formation of opponents - match result will become a lottery, depending on the engine assigning the side with main scorers’ rng
2) keep the exact formation and players after 30 mins of no goals as a far superior side - correct counter must at least score 1 by half-time. Should at least change formation and/or subs every 20-mins interval (30th & 50th). Still nil-nil then should totally revamp on 70th min the whole formation, orders and arrows to be irrelevant to starting setup - say 3-4-1-2 via middle & mixed should turn into a 3-2m-3-2 via flanks & long with at least 2 subs of attackers to force engine to recalculate again and again until our team gets that 1 goal. Should try normal with mixed instead of only hard attacking with long for 20 mins from 50th to 70th with high number of mcs & dmcs to max chances of counter-attackers triggered (sometimes engine just would not ‘allow’ any direct goals to be scored)
3) let the same fk/ck taker keeps taking even when he fails - 2 failed attempts then should change (not many matches would have more than 3 fks/cks chances) - it is a good idea to set up our team with backup fk & cks in mind

hope this basic guide in formation would help new managers in finding their ways to their favourite squad building and formations, and also get more unlikely wins against superior opponents with limited players and resources.

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all this means absolutely nothing, there are no magic formations and tactics, no superb preparation and training, out of 100 mathces against an opponent 15 to 20% plus stronger there is absolutely nothing you can do, 99% of the time you will lose and lose badly. You may eak out a draw form time to time, that's the best you can do with such a great differential in quality. If you all are still hanging on to the hope that any of these gimmicks work or can work, the faster you stop believing it the better off you will be and you will just accept your fate. You will lose 99% of the games, period! I spent inordinate amounts of time, wasted really, to try to find the right formation, strategy, tactics, and preparation, study the adversary, tyr this and that and still lose 99% of the games. In the end according to tope eleven when you confront them about such disparity of results no matter what you try and do, it's always your fault, there is always something you can do do improve and win. Sure, there is, it's spend more money in this game, make a stronger team, and maybe then you may increase your chances to win against a stronger opponent. This game defies all real football reality because weaker teams on paper win a lot more against stronger opponents in real life than in this game and they do not often lose 5-0 or more either. This game is so far removed from reality it is not even funny. The only thing that it reflects of reality is that if you spend more you will have a better team that can compete, the more you spend the greater the chance to do well, if not resign yourself, it's 6th place and under every season.