Yeah.. the AI managers generally use their 1st Pref formations even though they have 4 to choose from. So even if they have 4-4-2 as a second pref they will just use 5-3-2 even if they play against an underdog like in the pic above.
This is how it looks like. I am playing in Italy Serie C. Bari is a team that is clearly underperforming and their manager sticks to his pref formation no matter what ( 4-3-3 ). He is utilizing his second ( 4-2-3-1 ) just 16% of the time.
This is just one example... But this is to reinforce the main idea since a main Headline was how the AI managers can make better use of the formations at their disposal...
Yes, i agree, especially 5-2-2-1 DM AM is a bit too easy to win against. The 2 Attacking midfielders stay too close one to each other. They should act like winger hybrids when in possesion
I feel the AI managers are still too dependent on their 1st pref formation.
Lets say the AI manager has 4-2-3-1 as his 1st pref and 4-3-3 as his 2nd pref. Even if he is under pressure and the results are bad with 4-2-3-1 he will never use as a STARTING formation 4-3-3. He will stick to 4231 no matter what. He will only use 433 during the second half after 60 minutes.
In fact i have never seen an AI manager using his second pref formation as a starting lineup which is odd
I feel the AI should be able to use his 2nd pref formation as a starting formation more often, especially if things are going bad.
This is easy to replicate in game.
I feel some of the formations that were removed for the AI in the game should be re-added. 4-4-1-1, 4-1-4-1... 5-4-1. I mean these formations are standard in today's football.
I mean all formations without a DM have been removed except for 4-4-2 which is a bit too much...