Matching your orders to counter your opponents orders is more important than counter-formations.

At a point I noticed that my team was always struggling against teams that use defensive mentality so I played many friendlies to do research and I kept my 451v formation constant. I decided on two tactics that I considered best to counter defensive orders.

Today a faced a 2% weaker opponent in the Champions League and he scored me on the first minute then he went on to dominate the first 20mins of the game. That was when I confirmed he was certainly using defensive tactics, I didn't panic I just switched to my anti-defensive orders without changing formation and I scored from my first attack of the game. By the time he showed up in the second half the score was already 4-1. Match ended 5-1 I dominated all through.