Watch the game, at full game mode, and even if you don't know anything about football, you will notice some things.
Attacking issues:
Your attack is breaking down because of inacurate passes:
Lower tempo, so your players do not rush with passing. Check what player has lowest pass percentage, and have him do short passing in player instructions. Or you can play short passing style in team instructions, if that suits your style. If already playing short passing and lower tempo, increase width, so your players create and exploit more space, giving you more passing options.
Your attack is breaking down because of oponnents intercepting the ball:
Uncheck pass into space.
Your attackers are wasting balls by shooting instead of passing it:
If playing a low tempo style, have your players hold up the ball. Also, perhaps order them to work ball into box.
You have few chances and are not taking them:
Check shoot on sight in team options, perhaps shoot more in player instructions. Also, uncheck hold up ball in player instructions.
Your players are losing the ball when running with it:
Dribble less, uncheck run at defence
Your crosses aren't working:
Introduce tall players into your game, or focus the game more centrally, instead of through wings/overlaps, reducing the reliance on crosses.
Your opponent is parking the bus and blocking shots with wall of bodies:
Drop your defensive line and perhaps lower strategy, to invite them further up the pitch and exploit space behind them. Works well with increased tempo, more direct passing or going route one
You are not scoring:
If you have plenty shots on target, but not scoring, increase width. If you have plenty of shots but not on target, perhaps reduce tempo and work ball into box. If you are not shooting at all, increase strategy or tempo or both.
Defensive issues:
Your opponent has to much possession:
Hassle them, increase defensive line, tacke harder
Your opponent has you pinned:
If they are managing to brake down your defence, increase strategy, push defensive line up. If you have good defensive players, that can endure the pressing, choose a counter or defensive strategy, and hit them on the counter attack.
Your opponent is scoring from edge of area:
Introduce a DM into your formation.
You are allowing them freekicks:
Order your players to tackle easier
Other tips:
Offside trap is risky, and should only be used if playing with a high defensive line, with two central defenders on defend duty. It is important both defenders have the same role, and that they are long time teammates with good communiciation
If not using a player in DM position, you should play a stopper-cover combo or stopper-cover-stopper combo.
If your players are hoofing balls, it means you probably ordered them short passing and gave them to little creativity, so they don't have passing options and are hoofing the ball upward. If using play out of defence, you should make sure your team moves up the pitch as one, or they will hoof the ball.
If your attacking players are making to many longshots even with work ball into box instruction, it means they had no other choice. Increase width and give them a player to pass the ball to, and perhaps lower your strategy.
Attacking issues:
Your attack is breaking down because of inacurate passes:
Lower tempo, so your players do not rush with passing. Check what player has lowest pass percentage, and have him do short passing in player instructions. Or you can play short passing style in team instructions, if that suits your style. If already playing short passing and lower tempo, increase width, so your players create and exploit more space, giving you more passing options.
Your attack is breaking down because of oponnents intercepting the ball:
Uncheck pass into space.
Your attackers are wasting balls by shooting instead of passing it:
If playing a low tempo style, have your players hold up the ball. Also, perhaps order them to work ball into box.
You have few chances and are not taking them:
Check shoot on sight in team options, perhaps shoot more in player instructions. Also, uncheck hold up ball in player instructions.
Your players are losing the ball when running with it:
Dribble less, uncheck run at defence
Your crosses aren't working:
Introduce tall players into your game, or focus the game more centrally, instead of through wings/overlaps, reducing the reliance on crosses.
Your opponent is parking the bus and blocking shots with wall of bodies:
Drop your defensive line and perhaps lower strategy, to invite them further up the pitch and exploit space behind them. Works well with increased tempo, more direct passing or going route one
You are not scoring:
If you have plenty shots on target, but not scoring, increase width. If you have plenty of shots but not on target, perhaps reduce tempo and work ball into box. If you are not shooting at all, increase strategy or tempo or both.
Defensive issues:
Your opponent has to much possession:
Hassle them, increase defensive line, tacke harder
Your opponent has you pinned:
If they are managing to brake down your defence, increase strategy, push defensive line up. If you have good defensive players, that can endure the pressing, choose a counter or defensive strategy, and hit them on the counter attack.
Your opponent is scoring from edge of area:
Introduce a DM into your formation.
You are allowing them freekicks:
Order your players to tackle easier
Other tips:
Offside trap is risky, and should only be used if playing with a high defensive line, with two central defenders on defend duty. It is important both defenders have the same role, and that they are long time teammates with good communiciation
If not using a player in DM position, you should play a stopper-cover combo or stopper-cover-stopper combo.
If your players are hoofing balls, it means you probably ordered them short passing and gave them to little creativity, so they don't have passing options and are hoofing the ball upward. If using play out of defence, you should make sure your team moves up the pitch as one, or they will hoof the ball.
If your attacking players are making to many longshots even with work ball into box instruction, it means they had no other choice. Increase width and give them a player to pass the ball to, and perhaps lower your strategy.
