The expectation is high ahead of FIFA 22, and some of the new features coming to the game look very promising.
There is a new tactical rewrite to get to grips with as laid out in EA's FIFA 22 Gameplay Pitch Notes, allowing you more control over your players.
With new ways to attack, you really can shape the team to suit your style.
Gameplay Deep Dive
EA has released the full details for the FIFA 22 gameplay alongside the official trailer.
Hypermotion Technology is the talk of the town, but there are loads of awesome new additions to the game too.
Take a look through the full FIFA 22 Gameplay Pitch Notes.
Stamp your mark
EA has placed an emphasis on attacking football in FIFA 22 with more ways to set up your attack.
"We are expanding tactic customization and instructions to enable more gameplay variety.
"For FIFA 22, one of the main differences is breaking down the Attacking Tactics into two sections; Build Up Play and Chance Creation.
"This separation can enable players to have more control over playstyles and team behaviors."
As mentioned in EA's official Gameplay Pitch Notes, the new attacking tactics are now split into two more in-depth sections, Build Up Play and Chance Creation.
The new tactics result in 16 unique settings that can take your performance to new heights in FIFA 22.
There will obviously be a meta tactic that becomes popular, but the most important thing will be to find what works for you.
Custom Build Up
The first section of attacking gameplay we will look at is the Build Up.
Whether you like to fly forward as soon as you get the ball to catch out your opponent, or take more time and retain possession, there is something for everyone this season.
Build Up Defaults
- Balanced: This tactic is used for a balanced team that maintains its formation while building up the attack. Players will support and make runs when they think it's the right time to do so.
- Slow Build Up: Players will support more in attacking build up play, rather than a direct approach with lots of forward runs. This tactic emphasizes a short passing game with a slower build up.
- Long Ball: The team will make runs for long balls played into space behind the opposing back line, or up to a target man for a direct attack that skips the midfield. Strikers who are fast with a good attacking positioning attribute are the best at this tactic.
- Fast Build Up: This tactic pushes players forward for a faster build up, but if you lose possession of the ball, you could find yourself open to a counter attack.
Much like in FIFA 21, we would look to avoid using Fast Build Up, opting for Long Ball instead and utilising forwards with more pace while leaving our defence and midfield less exposed.
Balanced is an often unfavoured setting, but it does what it says on the tin and offers a compromise between swift counterattacks and a more possession-based approach.
Risk it all
The second section of attacking gameplay falls into the Chance Creation category.
Once again there are four default tactics to choose from.
- Balanced: This tactic is used for a balanced team that maintains its formation while building up the attack. Players will offer support and make runs when they think it's the right time to do so.
- Possession: Players will provide more close support to the dribbler in the attacking zone, rather than going on forward runs. This tactic strengthens a short passing game to patiently wait for the chance to attack, but will rarely provide runs penetrating the opposing defensive line.
- Direct Passing: Once the team enters the attacking zone while in possession, players will create chances by making runs for passes into space behind the opposing back line. Strikers who are fast with a good attacking positioning attribute are usually well suited for this tactic.
- Forward Runs: This tactic pushes players forward deep into attacking areas, but if you lose possession of the ball you could find yourself open to a counter attack.
Similar to the Build Up Play section, we think Balanced and Direct Passing (Long Ball) look the two to use in FIFA 22.
Possession looks like it will be difficult to find a way to get in behind the opposition, while Forward Runs has a similar issue to Fast Build Up as it could leave you open to counter attacks.
Super Sliders & more
It is not just the tactics that have received an update.
You now have more control over your team's playing style with sliders ranging from 1-100, rather than the few bars we had in FIFA 21.
Other new additions include new individual player instructions for CDMs and your defenders.
Your CDM can now be set to Free Roam, creating a deeper-lying playmaker that will drop deep to receive the ball.
All defenders can now be set to step up to "mark opposing attackers tighter when they are free to receive a ball", which is the opposite to the Stick to Position setting.
The last new addition comes only when playing three or five at the back and is inspired by Chris Wilder's Sheffield United side.
Your wide CBs can now Overlap!
This setting will help create those overloads in midfield which will be especially useful if you like to retain possession.
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