little niche
When tactical or advanced defending was introduced, the promise was clear: players who recklessly went into tackles would be punished more, holding down the defense button would be discouraged, and defending as a whole would rely more on skill. The goal was more control, cleaner challenges, and less automated intervention from the AI.
In practice, the system developed differently. In the games I’ve played recently — from Division 10 up to Division 3 — defending is almost always the same: players select a central midfielder, sprint straight at the ball carrier, and spam tackles. If a tackle misses, there are hardly any consequences; players recover almost instantly and continue applying pressure.
The outcome is that defending feels increasingly automated and less nuanced. Defenders are rarely intentionally controlled; instead, mass pressure and constant chasing dominate. This leaves little room for tactical positioning, precise timing, or rewarding challenges. The difference between lower and higher divisions is noticeably reduced: defending requires very little real skill, which diminishes the overall gameplay experience.
When the system was announced, I expected defending to be more challenging and nuanced. In reality, however, the mechanics are heavily standardized, making strategic approaches less effective and matches more prone to chaotic duels. Only in modes like Pro Clubs is there still a higher demand for coordinated defending.
This is not just a matter of balance; it also affects which style of play succeeds: aggressive, repeated chasing is rewarded, while thoughtful defending loses effectiveness. It feels like a departure from what defending used to be about — control, timing, and positional play.
Note: This does not mean I can’t handle this system — I can. I just believe that the older defending system was far more enjoyable, offered clearer rewards, and demanded more tactical skill.
rancid shard
polar bone