Long time lurker, but this year is the most engaged I've been in creating my own tactics (rather than reverting other peoples' plug-and-play tactics after a few failed games) since I started playing FM (intermittently since CM2, I think 97/98), so I thought I would ask.
As a background:
Tl;dr - Why have I struggled in Europe despite performing well in the league? Why do my plays not attempt tackles?
Cheers
As a background:
- I've just finished my first season with Man Utd and did the treble of EPL, League Cup and Europa League. Sold Fellaini, loaned Rooney out for fee, brought in Leandro Paredes from Roma (for rotation with Carrick), Michael Keane (back-up, although one of the better performing CB), and Pedro Peirera from Sampdoria (back-up FB RL because all the youngsters are on loan). In January Young left on loan for game time and Blind was sold to Arsenal for lack of first team football and upsetting the dressing room.
- Formation I mostly play is a 4-1DM-2CM-3 CF + wide AM with normal tempo, expressive, roam from positions, pass into space, slightly higher and slightly wider, attacking and fluid (there are only a few individual instructions). I tweak to my opponent and sometimes drop down as far as standard, +/- some of the instructions and use retain possession and lower tempo, subs to kill the game if I'm worried in the last 10-15. Occasionally also used a 4-2-3-1 narrow w/ SS or wide without Pogba, or rarely a 5CWB-2-1-2 more reserved.
- I watch all games on extended highlights and make changes and required if there are any obvious issues.
- League took me right up until the second last game to win due to a slowish start but I did the double over Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool all comfortable; and won-drew with Spurs and City. Only 3 losses all season.
- Has any one else had issuess in CL/EL with regards to their tactics that are good in the league?
- I easily made it through the group stage against Steaua, Panathinaikos and Bratislava but laboured to aggregate 2-1 against Feyenoord, 4-4p against Inter, 4-3 against Ajax, 3-2 against Juventus (none of which were comfortable and mostly lucky goals).
- I did tweak to my opponent based on scouting reports and the previous games
- Does any one know why my players are averse to tackling? Is it the tactic or the set of players at United.
- They the tactic is usually closing down sometimes/more (depending on opponent) and neither get stuck in or stay on feet are selected.
- They often just approach player and stand and wait, even if who they are marking is not moving. This is incredibly frustrating on the edge of the box when numerous goals having been conceded with an assist to the penalty spot/across the 6 yard box despite the delivery coming from a player who is being marked tightly by two defenders, neither of whom attempt to tackle him despite him having the ball in the same position for about 10 seconds.
Tl;dr - Why have I struggled in Europe despite performing well in the league? Why do my plays not attempt tackles?
Cheers