The best form of defence is….
We look at some easy defensive tips on FM24 to get your defence looking solid. It takes time to build an awesome defence, but we will give you tips to start.
There are two ways to progress on FM24 with your team. You can either score more or you can concede less goals, both have evidence that they are effective. When a team scores ten more goals than the previous season they will gain 2.4 more wins. When a team concedes 10 less goals than the season before they will gain 2.6 extra wins.
This will benefit you when progressing your team through the league, but also it will influence the players that you buy. Potentially it will also help you to design your tactics going into the next season.
In this guide, we’re sharing 5 tips to help you concede less goals. They include:
- Defensively solid formations
- Pitch size
- The low block
- Invite the cross
- Aerial Supremacy
Let’s dive in so you can build bulwark defence!
5 FM24 tips to concede less goals
This is a quick and straight forward list of tips on how to concede less goals on FM24. We all have trouble from time to in conceding too many goals and these tips could help you.
1. Defensively solid formations
The first place to start with a defensive strategy is the structure, what formations can we use? Recommended formations are 442, 532, 433 and 451.
The 442 is made up for two banks of four, compact and together as unit. This works well with the various relationships in the structure. Good examples are Atletico Madrid under Simeone and Stoke under Pulis.
532 is great for weaker teams with less skilled defenders. As you have probably heard the reason you have 3 DCs is normally because they aren’t good enough to go man to man. There is flexibility in game though, if you are up against one forward then one of your DCs can play Libero or sit in front of the defence as a half back.
Four at the back is the tradition, but defensive formations tend to focus on a three man midfield to frustrate and overwhelm the opposition midfield. Once you cut off their supply the strikers will struggle for chances.
2. Pitch Size
This is a random tip to throw out there, but on FM24 you can change your pitch size. If you choose a small pitch you will limit the space for the opposition both horizontally and vertically. It will stop fast players from getting away from your players and running into space.
Essentially you are limiting the space so teams struggle to get in behind you and teams struggle to pass through you. This benefits your team and helps you create a strength and identity to the way your team play. Couple this with set piece specialists and you will be nicking wins all over the place.
3. The low block
The low block is one of the most frustrating set ups you will face on FM24. This is designed to stop good footballing sides from passing through teams. It limits the space for through balls and runners in behind.
It is mainly used by weaker teams who cannot leave the space behind because their defence and sweeper keeper cannot cope. With a deep line your focus will be on good defenders who are better in the air than the pacey defenders.
4. Invite the cross
Defensive designed strategies tend to be made up from deep defensive lines. Deep defensive lines tend to be built around slow defenders who are great at defending in the air.
As a result you want to defend the middle and push the opposition out wide so they are forced to cross. This means they will be playing straight into your strength in the air.
5. Recruitment
When it comes to recruitment you want to focus on the mental attributes of your defenders as you are likely to be under pressure for long periods of the game. Mentally weaker players make a lot of mistakes under pressure and this will undo the best of game plans.
The main attributes I look for are Aggression, Bravery, Determination and Work Rate. Couple these with the traditional tacking, marking, positioning, heading and jumping and you will be recruiting solid defenders.
Start using these tips to concede less goals
So there we have a list of tips to create a water tight defence on FM24. It takes time for any strategy to develop, so even if it doesn’t work immediately give it some time to breathe, let it evolve.
Do not be concerned with high possession stats and shots, as defensively solid teams will not focus on these statistics. The main things you need to be concerned with are how goals you concede, how shots on target you allow and where the chance creation comes from.
Once you evolve your tactic towards these areas you will become a truly solid defence.
