defending on a large pitch

[Varus]

Hello all, i am playing a relegation candidate team in the german third league, and i am looking for a good tactic to defend away on a large pitch. When i set the defending starting strategy my team is playing very narrow, giving too much space for the enemy wingers - but when i increase the width there is too much space for the enemy in the centre where the penalty area begins. I am always easily outplayed when playing a defending strategy on a large pitch, but at home on a small one it is working very well, resulting in wins for my side in almost all games. I am playing with four defenders, 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wingers and 2 strikers. Any advice is highly appreciated!

 

[Roymo]

I was somewhat similar, but I chose my field to be as big as possible.

What's been generally working for I is a normal to high defense, pretty pacey defenders and dropped one of the strikers into the hole as an AMC. Depending on who we're against, L/RBs or WBs.
However, I utilise 2 CMs rather than DMs, one more defensively minded than the other. Considering the wingers, one dude needs to cover them.

I went from a nigh-on standard team nominated to finish 15th in Serie C/2C to champs, and now cutting up C1/B after some dominate free trading with parent team and junior releases.

 

[mccollio09]

Might not necessarily be a need to change your tactics (although some members might advise you to play counter attack away from home). You said the danger always comes from 'enemy' wingers? Set opposition instructions on closing down the wingers, put them on the wrong foot. If their technique is very high then tight mark rather than close down and if their bravery is pretty low (10 or less) then hard tackle them.

 

[atomkins04]

You got to mix up the tactics... what I do is this....

First select strategy as defensive. There will be a default defensive line shown in the tactics screen. Tick it and keep the line there.
Next change strategy as counter. There will be a default team width shown in the tactics screen. Tick it and keep the width there.
Next change strategy as standard with short passing. Tick the tempo and time wasting.
Choose a target man and leave it to mixed.
Tick counter attack.
And do not play offside trap.

Opponent instructions:

Close down all wingers and central mid fielders.

For your full backs - marking zonal, tick tight marking yes
For your CB - marking man, tick tight marking no

For your wingers - mark opponent full backs.

I play a 4-5-1 and the above settings work all the time in a 105 X 70 m pitch.