Which would you do?

[Tartime]

"Opposition like to play possession football, look to get the ball down and play it. Use deep defensive line as they have quick forwards"

Now in this situation would you:

a. Use a high D-Line with press more, maybe be more aggressive depending on the ref to counter "Opposition like to play possession football, look to get the ball down and play it"

or

b. play deep and stand off to counter "Use deep defensive line as they have quick forwards"

[jim morrow]

First, compare pace and acceleration of your DCs with pace and acceleration of his forwards...

[lucatonix]

It would depend on the team. If they have lots of creative players, who like to sit back in the tactical set up then I would push up.

If they have lots of fast players who like to break forward and normally one player who sits deep and recycles possession, I would sit deep but have an AMC specifically man mark the deep player.

[Marsupian]

There is nothing wrong with playing on the counter against a team that plays possession football. You don't have to pressure teams that play a more controlling strategy. On the other hand you can also play a high d-line against fast strikers if you think you can take the risk or have something to deal with the striker. You can also make a gameplan based on your own squads strengths instead of your opponents strengths.