Ok I may be wrong but from reading your OP I got the impression that the tactic would be for the modern tactical system, where you can change your defensive wingers to inside forwards and so on and use shouts. This tactic however is in Classic?
when worse teams play better teams they change tactics szo they have every1 behind the ball and counter attack... so try playing control or playing deeper and forcing them to come out and reduce the chance of a counter attack
Wow sorry none of the worked for you.
Just another suggestion you could try in team instructions putting team marking on man and closing down on press more, i found it gave the midfielders alot less time with the ball ultimately leaving the strikers with next to nothing the entire game.
Also...
I think the stopper cover combo sucks. I with the majority of my tactics play both CB's central defender defend, i think the fact that you have tight marking, zonal/man marking and stopper/cover is too much keep it simple.
Try both defend or 1 defend 1 cover and both set to man mark if your...