[Top 10] FIFA 19 Best Tactics That Win Games!

Updated:

09 Nov 2022

With the new 2022/2023 season beginning with a bang, EA sports brings the players the latest squad update to FIFA 19 along with the release of their brand new edition to the FIFA collection: FIFA 23. Although FIFA 19 was released well over four years ago, players still enjoy the well known game delightly.

The original patch of game introduces new tournaments in classic matches such as UEFA Europa League and several national tournaments including UEFA Supercup along with improving the tactics customization. FIFA 19 also provides more tactical control than its predecessors, which implies the player can personalise their team to suit their playing technique. So what are the top 10 tactics?

The game allows players to choose from seven crucial sections and forty-nine formations that can be utilised to gain control over the teams. The seven sections include: Offensive Style, Offensive Width, Players in Box, Corners, and Free Kicks Defensive Style, Defensive Width, Defensive Depth.These sections each have levels that can increase and decrease implying players can personalise their levels to the extent they see fit. But here are the top 10 best well known tactics that have helped players win games.

10 ) 5-4-1 Flat

The 5-4-1 formation is a particularly defensive formation with isolated forwards and tight defence. A lone striker usually tries to receive the ball from the midfield to score in a counterattack.

It is certainly not the easiest formation to create chances, as the players are too defensive instead of focusing on the offence. The defence first acquires the ball of the opponent to pass it on to the midfield in order to create chances for the striker. The striker would have to be gifted in acceleration and agility to move past the defence to score in the counterattack.
If you are planning to set up your team as part of a "defensive" or "ultra-defensive" game plan, the 5-4-1 flat is a great way to reduce conceding goals from the opponent team. Like many other tactics, it has its pros and cons.

Pros:

Firm Defence, enabling more passes from the defence towards the midfield.
Less goals Conceded.

Cons:

Utilises a solo striker, disallowing regular chances to be created from the midfields as it prioritises defence rather than offence.
Requires strikers with impeccable acceleration.

See the tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnnDzjunkm0&ab_channel=Adapt

9 ) 4-4-2 Holding

4-4-2 is a traditional defensive formation utilised in several fifa games by players. Unlike the previous 5-4-1 tactic, it is counterattack based, allowing the players to utilise both defence and offence.

This formation has a higher rate to create offensive chances. It is an adequate tactic for newcomers to FIFA because of its traditional balanced approach and defensive stance. The most important aspect of this brilliant formation are the wide and defensive midfielders.

The CDM’s will support the defence by falling back if the opponent attacks. However, during the counterattack, the defensive midfielders would provide the fall to the wide midfielders, thus creating chances for the strikers. It requires pace and skill to function as a primary offensive tool.

Pros:

Strong defence base that supports counterattack on a major aspect.
Suits balanced playstyles.

Cons:

Requires skilled and speedy wide players and strikers.
If dispossessed by the opponent, it requires time to get possession of the ball.

See tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBCXzi_pUZ8&ab_channel=STORYOFFOOTBALL

8 ) 5-2-3

This defensive formation is similar to 5-4-1 but with increased counterattack. It is an entertaining formation to employ as players can pass around often. It is best to utilise against countering an attacking team allowing the players to create more chances for the forwards.

This formation is a variation of 5-2-1-2 with more attackers. The top three players are problems of the opponent's defence itself. Moreover, when the full-backs join the counterattack, the wingers can flow in and break through the back line, thus creating a flow of passes throughout the opposition’s side of the pitch creating myriad chances for the team to put the ball behind the net.

However if the team loses possession to the opponent, the LWB and the RWB will need to fall back along with the fullbacks thus requiring pace and acceleration. The two midfielders are required to move horizontally across the pitch pressuring the opponents forwards.

Pros:

Great defensive playstyle with improved attack from the wingers and the forwards.
Substantial amounts of chances can be created.

Cons:

Defensive wingers would need a crucial amount of pace and strength thus resulting in them being tired out fast.
Chances to lose possession in the midfield due to less amount of midfielders.

See tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PtAjtX4Dtg

7 ) 4-2-4 Attacking

New to FIFA 19, 4-2-4 has already proven to be one of the most popular tactics in the game. Predominantly this is an attacking formation with four players up top and in defence along with two midfielders.

This dominating formation is best used towards the final moments of the game as it allows more goals to be created by the four players up top. The two winger’s would support the forwards with their pace and skill. Ideal players to choose as wingers are Leonel Messi and Neymar Jr.With so many attacking players forward, the wingers would have to pass it on to the strikers for the finish, the striker would have to be strong in the air with great finishing like Christiano Ronaldo or Luis Suarez.

However, with two midfielders at best, players have a high chance of losing possession. They would require a substantial amount of stamina stat as they go back and forth between midfield and attack.

Pros:

Perfect for attacking teams.
Great for highly skilled FIFA players.

Cons:

Minimal support in defence from the midfields.
Requires superlative midfielders.

See tactic in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alq1ghupUgg&ab_channel=Ovvy-BestFIFA23TutorialsTricks%26Skills

6 ) 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow

The 4-1-2-1-2 formation has both narrow and wide playing styles. This tactic is suitable for games where the player wants to win the game, hitting teams through the middle against vulnerable midfields, a lack of pace and reducing the number of goals conceded.

Much more common than the Wide version, the 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow can be used to control the game. The biggest advantage is in the midfield, with the formation consisting of four central midfielders with attacking and defensive variations. It has the ability to punch through the middle of opponents teams with four central midfielders and two forwards makes it a serious threat to their defences.

Moreover, during the attack, the left backs and the right backs can support from the wide areas from the pitch while the centre backs stay back in order to defend if the possession has been lost. Since the formation does not utilise wide midfielders or wingers, it is pivotal to employ players with high defensive ability and excellent stamina to suppress the opponent's attacks.

Pros:

Extraordinary depth in midfield.
CDM’s can support the attack and the defence.

Cons:

Lack of players in the wide area of the pitch.
Requires talented and remarkable players in the midfield.

See the tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXvNNL1KGS4&ab_channel=Y5K

5 ) 3-4-3 Flat

The 3-4-3 Flat is an attacking tactic that solves some issues in the wide area of the pitch in contrast to 4-1-2-1-2 Narrow. This is suitable for games where the player wants to focus on attacking and scoring in addition not wanting to concede goals.

The midfield is the key part of this tactic as it contains four players: two wide and central midfielders. The midfield would receive the ball from the wide area or the defence then build up their attack. Consisting of only three defenders implies that if the opposing team breaks through the midfield, they are more likely to score. In order to terminate the opponent’s attack, the wide midfielders would have to fall back in line to aid the fullbacks.

The two central midfielders would be required to have high stamina when switching between defence and attack, and must be paired with one player as creator and one as holder. When in possession of the ball, with three forwards players can concentrate on attacking.

Pros:

Great for attack and dominating midfield.
Myriad of chances can be created.

Cons:

Defence can be easily beaten without the aid from the midfielders.
Requires players with acceleration and durability.

See the tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1B57Rc6Bps

4 ) 3-5-2

The 3-5-2 is one of the versatile, effective, and used tactics in FIFA for attacking and possession playstyle. It is a balanced tactic for players who enjoy both offensive and defensive playstyle. It is adequate for games where you want to focus on attacking and scoring while losing little or no possession.

This tactic holds three centre backs along with 4 wide and central midfielders as well as two forwards. This tactic relies heavily on wide midfielders to add width to the team. The two wide players can be played as wing-back allowing them to move up and down the pitch. It's their duty to utilise crosses in the entire length of the field, supporting both defence and attack.

Pace and durability in defence is a key aspect as the wide midfielders also need to be able to defend while attacking. It’s also crucial to equip talented players in the CDM and CAM positions, otherwise the possession of the passes will not be effective during a counterattack.

Pros:

Eloquent defensive formation.
Excellent for dominating midfields.

Cons:

Needs a wide midfielder with durability and pace.
Wide opponent players can break through the defence.

See the tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj_cvfzyN_U&t=103s

3 ) 4-5-1 Flat (Attack)

The 4-5-1 Attack is best utilised for safe attacks and possession playstyle. Instead of three central midfielders, two move into the attacking midfield, providing plenty of support for the striker.

The wider defensive players adds width across the flat to the game, with the CM serving as the main playmaker, allowing the two CAMs to team up with the ST to provide plenty of space to create many scoring chances.

The defence is also eloquent as the midfield will not have to aid them like the other tactics covered. The full backs can also assist the midfields as well as making long loft passes to the CAM’s and the Striker.

Pros:

Excellent in possession playstyle with myriad of scoring chances
Great defence with the wing-backs supporting both attack and defence

Cons:

The CM’s can sometimes get out of position and act as defensive or an attacking player.

See tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j8flf4m7g8

2 ) 4-3-3 Attack

Although the holding tactic was more effective in earlier fifa games, my personal favourite the attack variant of the infamous 4-3-3 tactic has been proven to be effective in FIFA 19. This tactic is best utilised when attack is the primary focus of the player.

Alternatively, the CDM from the holding variant converts into a CAM providing more support to the attack. This would require the CAM to consist of impeccable pace, agility and skills to cut through the opponents defence. The 4-3-3 attack should be used by players who like to run with the ball and dribble eloquently. An ideal example is Leonel Messi or Neymar Jr.

However, the downside for this tactic is its attacking aspect. The central midfielders will be required to aid the full backs in cutting out the opponent’s attack. With a personalised playstyle, this tactic plays really well defensively and offensively.

Pros:

Excellent width during attacking.
CAM provides great support to the wingers and the strikers.

Cons:

Defence can be weak in some areas if the gamer plays in superlative attacking playstyle.

See the tactic in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4SIpU6QO1o

1 ) 4-2-3-1 Narrow

The 4-2-3-1 is the most used tactic in FIFA 19. It has great moments from the players and is amusing. This formation looks defensive, but it's a pretty flexible formation. It is suitable for quick interplay across the midfield onto the lone striker thus creating chances on the offence.

During an attack, the wide and central defenders can support it with the defensive midfielders being behind the attacking section of the formation. This will allow them to create passes and increase defence from the midfields if possession is lost. However, with the correct possession play, the astounding trio of attacking midfielders can make runs to support the lone striker up top to create scoring chances. This formation can also be utilised to play “tiki-taka'' a short passing and movement playstyle used by Football Club Barcelona.

The 4-2-3-1 provides excellent layers of defensive presence towards the mid and low block, making penetration difficult especially in the central area. It also offers a variety of passing lines and angles for playing from behind. This astounding formation has been utilised in the 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 seasons by the world class manager Pep Guardiola to win the English Premier League titles with Manchester City.

Pros: