Playing with Lazio - need help

[vexvexius]

First of all, english is not my native language, so be kind

1 - Tactical setup

Setup 1 - when I play against weaker opponents - most of the time this is my starting setup
View attachment 172966

Setup 2 - when I play against stronger opponents
View attachment 172965

Setup 3 - when my team is leading I usually employ this setup - usually in 80th minute of the match
View attachment 172964


There is no Player Instructions in these setups.
When my player gets booked (yellow card) I turn on the "ease off tackles" PI.

2 - I'm managing Lazio in Serie A. Also managing Newcastle in England and Rijeka in Croatian First league - but that's not important right now.

3 - I predict to be 3rd-6th place in Serie A (now I'm 17th).

4 - my vision/plan

I don't have my vision really worked out. I want to be 3rd in league (or better). I would like to have 2 strikers in my first 11, but I don't have suitable players to do that, so I'm satisfied with formation right now.
Three midfielders should bring the ball up to wingers, or directly to striker. I expect Klose will be my primary goal scorer alongside Felipe Anderson and Candreva, but striker should be first, then wingers. Main assistants will be my wingers and they would cross the ball to the striker.
I would like to defend deep with closing down dangerous players (strikers, wingers), and I would like to tackle easy so i don't get too many cards.

5 - My issue

I have problem of losing games in late minutes of the match. For example, last match against Steaua (ECC) i was leading 1-0 and made 3 substitutes (first double sub (62nd min) and then one sub (70th min)). I made subs because my players were exhausted, and i subd AMR, MC and DR. Then in 87 minute i got goal and it was 1-1. In 90+1 minute i got another goal and it was 1-2. Second goal was disaster because their AMR crossed early ball (no-one in box), and it got away from him (don't sure how to say that) so he practically shot at goal. My keeper deflected it, and only their striker went into the box and scored. It's like my defence was sleeping.
My main problem is losing a game that i already won. My team stars leading 2-0 and in second half they vanish so match end in 2-3 for opponent.
My defence likes to sleep at the end of the match, and then i lose game. I try to keep everyone fresh before the match, at the end of the match i like to sub exhausted players in defence or midfield so they can handle pressure, and i use contain strategy (setup 3) in last 10 minutes of the match.

Please help! I don't mind changing anything.

 

[Gillex]

2-0 is the most dangerous lead.

You have basically highlighted the problem yourself. When you lead with two goals, you will expect the opponent to focus on their attacking formation, forcing their people forward. The same argument can be made when you have a one goal lead in the closing minutes.

The are different approaches to this part of the game. I tend to go for a 4-1-4-1 (DM) short-passing, retain possession, wasting time, deep, narrow, tight marking, disciplined, stick to position tactic. Make use of you CM's - allow for them to play the ball still (use player instructions). I use a AP(S) and a DLP(S) (potentially a B-2-B) as my two CM's. Your DM needs to be static and fill the space between the midfielders and the defenders. You still have three central midfielders, which in most cases are enough to play short passes (most of the time, you need at least as many midfielders as your opponent to use short passes).

Also, use the opponent statistics (or watch the game!) and man-mark their creative forces. If their creative forces are in one of the side, try to play the ball to the other side. You should be able to mark him out of the game. Make sure that your wingers are used efficiently in the defensive positioning. If not, force them to mark a specific player or play narrower.

I hope this was helpful - best of luck with your game. Lazio is an interesting team, I am sure you will find quite fun to play with.

 

[WJ]

Your normal tactic is very attacking. Not that there's anything wrong with that, mind. It seems to be working for you in the first half of matches. When you have possession, only 2 of your players will stay back (defend duties) so if the opposition wants to push men forward, you can be exposed. If you have a safe lead, maybe dial it down a notch or switch to a safer tactic.

For the 2nd tactic, how do you want to play? From the looks of it, you want to play on the counter. If that's the case, remember this: How you set up your TIs etc will determine how you play when a counter isn't on. When there is a counter, automatically you'll be attacking and direct. If there isn't the default is to play it safe. Counter is already deeper than Standard etc, so there may be absolutely no need for most of your PIs.

Same with the 3rd tactic. You don't necessarily have to drop deeper. Contain has an extremely deep D-Line already with very little closing down. It steps up as you choose a riskier mentality. There are defaults, so just be aware of them. What you may be doing here is inviting far too much pressure.

 

[vexvexius]

I used WJs advice on tactics and my ranking improved. I had 5 wins in a row, and then one defeat, but generaly its grat result.
I have another question...
What role should i choose or PI if i want my midfielder to make easy foul just to stop opposition counter attack? If my midfielders could make those easy fouls around centre it would make my tactic even more successful.

 

[loklokno123]

WJ has already gave you some advice about tactics
so i just wanna tell you that Patric ,Kishna and keita are very good(despite i sold keita later)