How to combat 'park the bus'

[ryandormer]

I'm really struggling to break down, or even to create any sort of chances, against teams who appear to be parking the bus, specifically teams playing three centre backs, defensive wing backs, and generally a defensive-minded midfield in front of them. Teams that essentially have five defenders parked in the box, with a row of four in front of them. I know they are supposed to be hard to break down, but I'm finding those teams incredibly tough in this version. Any tips?

[Zemahh]

Hard to say why you're struggling without seeing your tactic, but a few general pointers:

• Lower your tempo: no point in rushing the play when opposition isn't coming out of their half anyway (probe for chances patiently)
• Increase your attacking width: defensive teams will usually pack the middle, which denies you easy chances (stretch their defence to create pockets of space your team can expose)
• Create overloads: sometimes you have no other option but to commit more men forward and take extra risk in order to create numerical advantage in their half (increased amount of Support/Attack duties)
• Allow opposition to come out of their own half: maxing out your press will often pin weaker sides back, which denies you any counter-attacking opportunities that may otherwise occur (use middle block)
• Dribble more: Instructions like Run At Defence/Dribble More can force yellow/red cards (force opposition defenders to commit into tackles)
• Stay on top of your set pieces: chances will be few and far between, so if all else fails, you can always hope for a set piece to break the deadlock (be vary of opposition counter-attacks though)

Hope that gives you some ideas.

[ryandormer]

1 hour ago, Zemahh said:

Hard to say why you're struggling without seeing your tactic, but a few general pointers:

• Lower your tempo: no point in rushing the play when opposition isn't coming out of their half anyway (probe for chances patiently)
• Increase your attacking width: defensive teams will usually pack the middle, which denies you easy chances (stretch their defence to create pockets of space your team can expose)
• Create overloads: sometimes you have no other option but to commit more men forward and take extra risk in order to create numerical advantage in their half (increased amount of Support/Attack duties)
• Allow opposition to come out of their own half: maxing out your press will often pin weaker sides back, which denies you any counter-attacking opportunities that may otherwise occur (use middle block)
• Dribble more: Instructions like Run At Defence/Dribble More can force yellow/red cards (force opposition defenders to commit into tackles)
• Stay on top of your set pieces: chances will be few and far between, so if all else fails, you can always hope for a set piece to break the deadlock (be vary of opposition counter-attacks though)

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Makes a lot of sense. I set up the roles like this:

Ignore the instructions, because I've changed those since.

I was using something very close to the 'Control Possession' pre-set. So I already had a low tempo, and I have quite a few support and attack duties. I tried expanding the width, but it didn't do a great deal. I don't think I tried running at the defence, so maybe I'll give that a go next time. And control possession sets a high line and line of engagement, so maybe dropping those could have helped. Thanks for the advice.

Do you have any decent set-piece routines you could share? 

[Zemahh]

The tactic itself looks okay, although I'd keep an eye on your right flank (no cover for attacking WB).

I would increase your risk-taking, however. Using a Balanced Mentality in combination with Shorter Passing and Standard Tempo could leave you a bit toothless up-front; against defensive opposition, I'd want my players to build-up patiently, but take their chances without much thinking when a breakthrough does occur. A team of Arsenal's quality should be able to afford some of that, especially with the conservative formation you're using.

These are the changes I'd make:

• Positve (increased risk-taking)
• Shorter Passing + Higher Tempo (keep possession with sharp incisive passing)
• Higher Defensive Line (players, especially wide defenders, positioned slightly higher up the pitch for more involvement in attacking play + increased compactness in the middle of the pitch)

Also, if your aim is to play patient football, AP-At might not be the optimal choice (best suited for fast attacking systems, due to it's Mentality and Dribble More instruction).

8 hours ago, ryandormer said:

Do you have any decent set-piece routines you could share? 

I haven't fiddled with the FM21 set pieces too much yet, but I usually like to keep it simple:

• CBs attacking near and far post (good Jumping Reach, Heading)
• 3 players staying back (good Acceleration, Positioning)
• 2 players lurking outside the box to recycle possession

The rest I position based on their attributes (good jumpers inside the box, bad jumpers outside the box).

[RTHerringbone]

Also watch to see who moves where when you're attacking and have the ball in the final third. It looks very "central" to me so your only width is the wingbacks. There also don't appear to be many layers to your attack because everyone in midfield barring the DM will move upfield fairly quickly, so there's a risk you have a load of central congestion but with no deep outlet to recycle the ball and start a second phase attack.

Instinctive changes if any of that holds true, would be to lose an IF and consider changing a CM role. Perhaps the BBM to a modified CM(S) with a few tweaks to have him holding his runs a bit but having some creative options.

[ryandormer]

2 hours ago, Zemahh said:

The tactic itself looks okay, although I'd keep an eye on your right flank (no cover for attacking WB).

I would increase your risk-taking, however. Using a Balanced Mentality in combination with Shorter Passing and Standard Tempo could leave you a bit toothless up-front; against defensive opposition, I'd want my players to build-up patiently, but take their chances without much thinking when a breakthrough does occur. A team of Arsenal's quality should be able to afford some of that, especially with the conservative formation you're using.

These are the changes I'd make:

• Positve (increased risk-taking)
• Shorter Passing + Higher Tempo (keep possession with sharp incisive passing)
• Higher Defensive Line (players, especially wide defenders, positioned slightly higher up the pitch for more involvement in attacking play + increased compactness in the middle of the pitch)

Also, if your aim is to play patient football, AP-At might not be the optimal choice (best suited for fast attacking systems, due to it's Mentality and Dribble More instruction).

Thanks, I'll give these a shot. The logic behind the right flank was to sacrifice a bit of defensive stability in favour of creating an overload on that side, ideally to release the IF(a) on the other. It works every now and then, but not as often as I'd like.

 

2 hours ago, Zemahh said:

haven't fiddled with the FM21 set pieces too much yet, but I usually like to keep it simple:

• CBs attacking near and far post (good Jumping Reach, Heading)
• 3 players staying back (good Acceleration, Positioning)
• 2 players lurking outside the box to recycle possession

The rest I position based on their attributes (good jumpers inside the box, bad jumpers outside the box).

I have my CBs attacking the posts, but I only ever keep one person outside the box, and two players staying back. I might change that for your approach and see if that helps.

 

2 hours ago, RTHerringbone said:

Also watch to see who moves where when you're attacking and have the ball in the final third. It looks very "central" to me so your only width is the wingbacks. There also don't appear to be many layers to your attack because everyone in midfield barring the DM will move upfield fairly quickly, so there's a risk you have a load of central congestion but with no deep outlet to recycle the ball and start a second phase attack.

Instinctive changes if any of that holds true, would be to lose an IF and consider changing a CM role. Perhaps the BBM to a modified CM(S) with a few tweaks to have him holding his runs a bit but having some creative options.

Good points, I think I'll do that. I chose BBM because I used to love that role, and Arsenal haven't had somebody who can play that role probably since Diaby (when he wasn't injured), until Partey came along. But logically you are right, it'd probably be better as a CM(s) to hold some midfield shape.

I was tempted to use Pepe as a W(s), due to his trait to run down the right flank, but it just didn't seem right for a left-footer to play as a right winger. I tried it in pre-season and it didn't work. I might give it another go, though.

Thanks for the advice, really appreciate it.

[Rashidi]

Ok team instructions have changed slightly in FM21 compared to FM20. It's now easier to create overloads. Your system is in need of an overload. Currently its attempting to do this with roles and duties which is what we used to do last season. They all make strong suggestions. (ie @RTHerringbone@Zemahh) which you should also consider.

Mentality has been suggested to you, well you can stay on balanced. You can still generate some chances. Raising mentality is an option but lets study the rest of the instructions first:
 

Short passing/ standard width, is fine but by the time you get the ball up you could be playing a stacked defence, the roles in the main are fine. The right flank has set up a role focused overload - essentially you have a playmaker and an IW working together to create chances. You can do more.

Against a very defensive side you have several options:
 

1. Go wider stretch the defence, lower tempo, work ball into box. 

This stretches the team and does give more time to your side to build up and try and create chances, however you still only have one route to goal, maybe two if the AP has traits that tell him to arrive late

2. Focus play right. 

This is where your overload is, by adding focus the AP will shift closer to the IW, this can be a strong option because here you can also release the WB behind with an overlap. This creates a bigger problem for the AI because a heavy overload is happening. When the AP/IW draw the opposition there, the overlap encourages the WB to break down the lines. When this happens it can draw away the fullback. Chances are with so much support the WB can always pass back since you have so many in close support. Now you have more than one option creating goals with an overload

Other options:

Cross aim far post on the WB on the right flank. 

The wingback on the right flank can simply be told to cross aim far post. You are pinging crosses towards the IF(A). If the WB is intelligent enough he can do this early, now you have a camping overload and you have an early cross option with the WB.

[ryandormer]

@RashidiThanks for the suggestions, I'll give those a go. Adding the focus down right might be a good idea to exaggerate the overload.