Top tips for opposition instructions in FM 21:

[bassistuk]

• show to weaker foot on players who are "right only" or "left only" as well as players who have an incredible goal or assist record.
• Close down on players with relatively poor pass completion percentages or who get a lot of assists.
• Never closely mark players with relative speed compared to the players that would mark them
• Closely mark players who have high pass completion percentages (most often CMs) so they receive the ball less
• Hard tackle those with low bravery and secondarily aggression and anticipation
• Ease of tackles against high bravery nd secondarily aggression and anticipation

[FMunderachiever]

My adjustments that seem to work nicely for me are:

 

• If using an AML and AMR, use them to mark the opposition full backs/wing backs
• If you are using a DM, ask him to mark THE POSITION of the opposition AM. This works really nicely.
• I agree with you, if you have a slower defender up against a faster opponent, dont mark him tightly. give your defender a few yards
• shift opposition AMs onto their weaker foot. It reduces their potential to score from distance
• If you have a dangerous opponent on one of the wings, having a central midfielder on that side as a Carrilero helps out his full back quite nicely.

[Zemahh]

5 hours ago, FMunderachiever said:

shift opposition AMs onto their weaker foot. It reduces their potential to score from distance

Unless their "weaker" foot is still strong enough to hurt you, yes. Shove Onto Weaker Foot closes a player's stronger foot down completely, which in turn gives him time and space on his weaker one; if he's Left or Right-Only footed, that should shut him down nicely, but if his weaker foot is still Reasonable or above, you're risking a lot with allowing him to use that foot unobstructed.

[Hilly1979]

Why would you close down players with poor pass completions? Surely it would be the opposite? Why waste energy on someone who isn’t causing a threat?

If they’re giving you the ball anyway why work harder to get it?

 

Edited November 28, 2020 by Hilly1979