You've set your team up to just have the ball in a very congested area of the pitch (the middle). You have two IF (which is not wrong) a BBM pushing forward, and an AP going forward so you have 4 (5 at times as the CF will drop deep) players trying to occupy the same space, add to the fact you're using the "play narrower", "Push higher up" (which is unnecessary due to you having a high line anyway with control) "Retain possession" and "Exploit the Middle". It leaves you passing the ball with no real intent. All it takes is for you to come up against a well organised defence with some pace out wide and you'll be countered consistently every match.
You use attacking full backs yet your play is funneled through the middle, why? Using exploit the middle, imo, is an in game instruction which should be used when you see a weakness in the middle, not every game. When you do have it instructed, your wingers and midfielders mentality will reduce and they will look to pass to the midfielders all the time and it severely limits their influence. So you are basically playing very narrow, slow, tedious football which offers little to no penetration. I'd even consider dropping to balanced due to your specialist roles.
Also, in addition to EXTM you use look for overlap, which will lower your midfielders and wingers mentality and make them hold the ball up for the full backs, although their mentality is reduced and are looking to pass to the midfielders due to EXTM. It is just a mess really. You have players looking to pass to each other with low mentalities so there is little attacking movement from them. I'd even question the use of LFO seen as both full backs are very attacking anyway.
I know you like possession, but sometimes you need to go against your beliefs on football and try to create chances instead of keeping the ball. 4 shots on target from 12 shots is pitiful imo. You need to analyse that game again, look at the shots that have been taken in the analysis tab and see where they've come from. I think your players are just getting frustrated because of the stubborn and deep AI defence and they're taking silly potshots.
You need width, you need penetration and most importantly
****e to win football matches, right now you don't have any of those. Two IF can work (and it is indeed deadly when it does work) but you need a striker to drop pretty deep for them to run into space left by the striker. A DLF, F9 and to some extent, a CF-S can work perfectly with two IF coming inside, it also allows your BBM to run beyond your striker. a CF-A is taking up the space your IF are looking to run into which again, leads to predictable, congested play. If you use two IF, then it is imperative you get width from your full backs. With those roles, they will get forward, but they won't unless you remove exploit the middle.
I would recommend something like this:
Control - Balanced
GK
CWB CD CD WB-S
DLP-D (excellent role in this formation)
BBM AP-A
IF-S IF-A
DLF-S/F9-CF-S (depending on your preferences)
Shorter passing
Work ball into box
You do not need much more than that. If you want to press, use PI on attacking players to get them to close down more instead of having everyone pressing all over the pitch leaving you exposed. Then use other shouts depending on opponent or what you see in the match.
With this you have width and unpredictability on the flanks. On your current tactic you have an IF-A and a CWB on the same side and an IF-S and WB-S on the other. Meaning it's easy to defend your left flank as it's lacking movement and easy to defend your right as your players will often run into each other and occupy the same space, meaning it's very predictable.
Now with my version, your IF moves inside but allows space for the BBM to run into, while the CWB runs up the pitch and provides a passing option, scoring option and crossing option. He is a great outlet for the IF. On the other side the WB will get forward, not as much as the CWB but will offer an outlet as your IF goes inside and attacks the space. Meaning you have movement all over the pitch which moves the AI's defence around and finding it hard to pick up your FB, IF and CM's as they all move into different space.
Of course, it's not perfect but imo, it's more logical than what you have now. It still has your preference for possession football, but with movement and more chances to thread through balls to players. Which again, is the most important thing about football. Ignore this advice, take it, do whatever. But I hope you learn something from mine and the post above to help you in the future.
