I'll use my Arsenal save as an example and hopefully this helps, I have won everything over 4 seasons with this team and tactic, slight tweaks to playing staff over the years, this is my first season starting XI and tactics.
GK - Cech - Distribute to fullbacks (Individual Instruction)
RB - Bellerin - attack (no specific instructions)
CB - Jose Gimenez - stopper (no specific instructions)
BPD - Koscielny - defend (no specific instructions)
LB - Gibbs - attack (no specific instructions)
BWM (infront of defence) - defend Cocquelin (no specific instructions)
DLP - Ramsey - support (no specific instructions)
AP - Ozil - attack (roam and get further forward, also trained him to play this role because it is not his usual one behind the striker)
Inside Left F - Sanchez - support (get further forward)
RW - Walcott - support (no specific instructions)
CF - Vincent Aboubakar - attack (no specific instructions)
Team Instructions:
Flexible & Control
Play out of Defence
Be More Expressive (team you expect to beat)
Balanced Width
Closing Down max
Tempo High
Mixed passing style
Retain Possession
Stay on Feet (otherwise Cocquelin gets alot of reds and yellows)
Hit early crosses (type of crosses depends on opposition and weather/pitch condition)
Training:
50/50 between match and general
Balanced (Very high during pre season & average during season)
Coaches need to have styles that match your philosophy, no point having an attacking coach who likes to play direct when your style is shorter passing for example.
I also reviewed corners and free kicks and made sure I was not vulnerable on the counter, I find having 2 players located outside the box and 3 in defence helps while also retaining possession when the ball is cleared, scored a few from it too.
Hope this helps, but like real life, you have to pick a formula and stick to it, if you have a budget to replace players to fit your formula then happy days.