FIFA 20 Defending Tips [Top 10 Tips]

Updated:

03 Apr 2020

Defending is one the hardest things to do on FIFA 20, but with these tips you will be brilliant at it.

These tips will help you win more games on FIFA 20.

Defending has always been incredibly difficult on FIFA games and FIFA 20 is no different, with various custom tactics and strategies it is easy to get lost in the maze of how to defend effectively on FIFA 20. Hopefully, this list will solve that problem for you by showcasing 10 of the most effective tips for defending on FIFA 20.

10. Use High Pressure

High Pressure is a risky but rewarding defensive tactic on FIFA 20.

A common problem on FIFA 20 when it comes to defending is winning the ball back quickly enough so that you can have a chance to attack. The solution to this problem is to use high pressure.

Solution - High pressure is very difficult and that is the reason it doesn't take a higher spot on this list but if you can perfect using high pressure you can win the ball back quickly and high up the field. High pressure will push your entire team onto the opponent, not giving them time on the ball, which makes it easier to win the ball via a tackle or an opponent’s panicked mistake.

9. Use The Right CDMs

The right CDM can protect your defenders and your goal.

Sometimes when defending on FIFA 20 you can do everything right but your player will still not get the ball and the opponent will score. This can all be solved by getting the right players to defend with.

Solution - Choosing the right CDMs will mean you have the best chance at timing your tackle right or intercepting an opponent’s pass because these players are simply the best at it. Examples of top CDMs include N’Golo Kante and Axel Witsel.

8. Use The Right Formation

The right formation can be the difference between defeat and victory.

It is common sense that some formations will lead to better results defensively than others, but a common problem in the FIFA 20 community is not knowing which formations are the best defensively.

Solution - Obviously 5 at the back formations are great for defending because you have more defenders but one of the best defensive formations is actually the 4-1-2-1-2 (2), as this formation gives you 3 defenders and 4 central midfielders that will shift from side to side blocking any attacking avenues.

7. Cut Out Passing Lanes

If your opponent can't pass then they can't score.

Sometimes you will play a FIFA 20 player who likes to use a possession based-attacking system. These players are brilliant passers of the ball and sometimes even the best defenders just can’t get the ball off them.

Solution - Learn to cut out passing lanes the best you can. This involves dragging your players in front of an opponent’s runners instead of the person carrying the ball. This means you will intercept the pass when your opponent tries to make it. This tactic works great against every FIFA player, but it is especially useful against possession-based teams.

6. Use Drop Back

Drop Back is an unpopular but effective defensive tool on FIFA 20.

Often on FIFA 20, you will find yourself outnumbered defensively and conceding a goal as a result of this numerical disadvantage. This can be from a counter-attack by your opponent or just a quick attacking move but it really is a difficult thing to defend against.

Solution - Use drop back and set your defensive width and depth to 1 in the custom tactics menu. This tactic is widely hated in the FIFA community but that is mostly because of how well it works. Using drop back ensures you will have plenty of defenders so you are never outnumbered and it’s also great for counter-attacking yourself as your opponent will push more players up to try and find a way through.

5. Use Overload Ball Side

Overloading the ball side can be the difference between conceeding and keeping a clean sheet.

Sometimes we can do everything right defensively, but the opponent will have a numerical advantage and play a quick one-two to get a goal leaving us lost as to how we could have stopped this. A good example of this is an overlapping fullback and a winger attacking your defender, do you follow the run or try the tackle? It’s a 50/50 shot that will lead to you conceding at some point either way.

Solution - Using the tactic of overloading the ball slide drags your entire team to the wing that your opponent is attacking. Meaning you have the numerical advantage on your opponent, so you have more players ready to tackle and intercept.

4. Use Jockeying

Jockeying is key to defending on FIFA 20.

Sometimes it can be really difficult to follow an opponent who is dribbling with the ball, especially if they are using skill moves and it's very easy to sometimes just lose an opponent completely and see them score a goal leaving you wondering what on earth you could do to stop it.

Solution - Jockeying solves these problems wonderfully as by holding L2/LT you won’t have to actually move your player at all. The computer will do it for you, meaning you never lose track of an opponent which means they will find it impossible to dribble past you.

3. Use Hard Standing Tackle

Tackling has been improved on FIFA 20.

Sometimes you will find that you tackle an opponent but they keep the ball and then your defender is out of position so they run on goal and score. This is one of the most annoying things on FIFA 20 but it is also one of the most easily solved problems.

Solution - When performing a standing tackle, don't just tap O/B but hold the button to perform a hard standing tackle. This lunges your player forward in a more powerful manner and it should ensure that you win the ball more often than not. You do need to time your tackles well but once learnt this is a brilliant tactic that will win you games.

2. Don’t Chase From Behind

Always make sure to tackle with the right player.

Tackling from behind just rarely works on FIFA 20 and you will often give away a free-kick or even a penalty. Tackles from behind can also see you receive bookings.

Solution - Don’t bother chasing your opponent with a player from behind, instead always focus on using players in front of your opponent so you have a better chance at intercepting a passing or timing a tackle correctly.

1. Use The Right Defenders

The right players can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Sometimes you just can’t defend properly because you are using the wrong players. For example, you could be using a defender that has too low a pace rating to keep up with opposition attackers, but this problem is easily solved.

Solution - Choose the meta defenders that are known to be the very best at defending. Trust me, you will see a massive difference between a top meta defender and a random that you may have in your team. Focus on key stats like pace, height, and strength. Examples of meta defenders include Eder Militao and Raphael Varane.