faint cradle
Dear EA,
Even after the latest update, the game remains entirely automatic on defense. Players are not encouraged in any way to switch the cursor to defend; all you have to do is bring everyone back on defense - CAMs, LMs, RMs, and even attackers - and apply pressure with second-man press. It turns into a cluster of players in defense where the AI strongly tackles, blocks, intercepts, positions itself, limits your passing options, or tracks attackers’ runs.
AI defending was far less noticeable in FC25. I’ve never felt FC gameplay to be as tiring and exhausting as it is in FC26 due to the strong presence of AI marking, which makes you rack your brain to attack, while on defense all you have to do is hold containment with the second player and wait for the AI to get back the ball for you.