Playing the 'big' teams

[JourneyEight]

I am playing with Liverpool and have a quick, high pressing, high possession attacking brand of football. This works fine at home and against the lesser teams, but I always come unstuck against the big teams, especially away games.
Usually I play a high defensive line, should I drop this deeper for these games? Do I need to switch my attacking mentality to counter? I love the way my team is playing so I don't want to fundamentally change the tactics. I can post pictures of current tactic this evening.

I am looking for some advice on how you may change your set up for these big games.

Many thanks.

 

[Dynamo_ZahnZee]

I am playing with Liverpool and have a quick, high pressing, high possession attacking brand of football. This works fine at home and against the lesser teams, but I always come unstuck against the big teams, especially away games.
Usually I play a high defensive line, should I drop this deeper for these games? Do I need to switch my attacking mentality to counter? I love the way my team is playing so I don't want to fundamentally change the tactics. I can post pictures of current tactic this evening.

I am looking for some advice on how you may change your set up for these big games.

Many thanks.

Figure out why you're getting unstuck and address that. How are they making you unstuck? Where are you being broken down, where are their attacks being initiated from, what are each player's job; not their roles, literally what do you want them to do and why are they there and not someone else

 

[Saintbizkits]

Avenida Dami

I had the same issue managing Spurs. I found out that setting your RB/LB to defensive duties makes heaps of a difference. Also, counter when away vs big teams helps alot.

 

[JourneyEight]

Saintbizkits, what about your defensive line? Usually I play ultra high but find better teams manage to exploit the space behind. Best to sit deep and play on the counter? Just don't want to lose my attacking mentality?!

 

[Bigpapa42]

A bigger club has better quality players, often world class, and that gives them more ways to use your pressing against you. Pressing becomes ineffective if you aren't pressuring the opposition players into mistakes or winning the ball back. If they remain composed, pass quickly, and always have passing options available, they will eventually pass around your press and exploit the gaps your pressing inevitably leaves. They can also exploit the high line with passes over the top, through balls, and sometimes even just run at your defenders if they have pace and dribbling. Not to say a big club will use all of those, but they are ways they can counter your pressing.

You can approach it multiple ways. Switching up the tactic to something more counter-based would likely work, but it depends on the players you have. You can analyze the opponent in depth and adjust your tactic based on how you think they may attack you. Or watch the match unfold and tweak based on how they are attacking you.

If the approach is working and you are scoring goals, even against the bigger teams, you can always stick with it and accept that giving up some goals over the top is just a consequence of the approach.