Many people ask how to use Opposition Instructions properly and it has always been one of the most obscure features of FM, with very few information online and extremely hard to test. So, I decided to share how I use it in FM26. This is just me sharing my experience, and I have no proof that this method is actually effective.
Personally, I apply OIs around the half time of matches, after I learn how the opponent's tactic work against mine, and only when I am not already dominating (no need to change what is working well). The key information for me is the pass map, where I can identify which opponent players are being activated more, either because they are the brain of the opponent tactic, or because my tactic is giving more space to those players. You can see who those players are by the size of their circle in the Pass Map. After I identify those players (usually the one or two biggest circles), I set OIs to mark those players tighter, so my players have a better chance to intercept balls in their direction or to disarm with tackles.
In the pictures below, you can see a practical example of how I use OIs. During the first half of the match, the opponent (yellow team) had much more momentum than me, and the pass map shows their number 7 was the most activated player (picture 1). I then set the OI to mark it tighter (picture 2), and you can clearly see the momentum shifting mostly to my side during the second half of the match (picture 3).
It is very hard to test if OIs were the cause for the shift in momentum, as it could have been team talks, players getting tired or substitutions. However, my momentum gets consistently better after I change OIs to mark tighter their key players, based on information of the pass map during half time.
I tried trigger press, tackling and show onto foot before, but could not notice any huge improvement since their efficiency depends on the type of opponent, but it might be worth investigating later in what situations each instruction is most effective.
Let me know how it works for you, or if you use opposition instructions in any other way!
Personally i only really use the opposition instructions to help with making a pressing trap. My favorite way to do it, is to show left sided defenders onto their right, and right sided defenders onto their left. Then i have tight marking on all the central midfielders, so the only real passing option is back the centre backs. This is how i set it up mostly.
Combining this with some man marking assignments it's impressive how much you can stifle the opponents build up.
juliius said: Personally i only really use the opposition instructions to help with making a pressing trap. My favorite way to do it, is to show left sided defenders onto their right, and right sided defenders onto their left. Then i have tight marking on all the central midfielders, so the only real passing option is back the centre backs. This is how i set it up mostly.
Combining this with some man marking assignments it's impressive how much you can stifle the opponents build up. Expand
It makes sense. When you block the outer side of flank players, you make easier for them to pass to the middle, which traps them into the tightly marked players. I will give it a try some time.
Many people ask how to use Opposition Instructions properly and it has always been one of the most obscure features of FM, with very few information online and extremely hard to test. So, I decided to share how I use it in FM26. This is just me sharing my experience, and I have no proof that this method is actually effective.
Personally, I apply OIs around the half time of matches, after I learn how the opponent's tactic work against mine, and only when I am not already dominating (no need to change what is working well). The key information for me is the pass map, where I can identify which opponent players are being activated more, either because they are the brain of the opponent tactic, or because my tactic is giving more space to those players. You can see who those players are by the size of their circle in the Pass Map. After I identify those players (usually the one or two biggest circles), I set OIs to mark those players tighter, so my players have a better chance to intercept balls in their direction or to disarm with tackles.
In the pictures below, you can see a practical example of how I use OIs. During the first half of the match, the opponent (yellow team) had much more momentum than me, and the pass map shows their number 7 was the most activated player (picture 1). I then set the OI to mark it tighter (picture 2), and you can clearly see the momentum shifting mostly to my side during the second half of the match (picture 3).
It is very hard to test if OIs were the cause for the shift in momentum, as it could have been team talks, players getting tired or substitutions. However, my momentum gets consistently better after I change OIs to mark tighter their key players, based on information of the pass map during half time.
I tried trigger press, tackling and show onto foot before, but could not notice any huge improvement since their efficiency depends on the type of opponent, but it might be worth investigating later in what situations each instruction is most effective.
Let me know how it works for you, or if you use opposition instructions in any other way!
I will try your method in my saveļ¼thanks ZaZ.
Personally i only really use the opposition instructions to help with making a pressing trap. My favorite way to do it, is to show left sided defenders onto their right, and right sided defenders onto their left. Then i have tight marking on all the central midfielders, so the only real passing option is back the centre backs.
This is how i set it up mostly.
Combining this with some man marking assignments it's impressive how much you can stifle the opponents build up.
juliius said: Personally i only really use the opposition instructions to help with making a pressing trap. My favorite way to do it, is to show left sided defenders onto their right, and right sided defenders onto their left. Then i have tight marking on all the central midfielders, so the only real passing option is back the centre backs.
This is how i set it up mostly.
Combining this with some man marking assignments it's impressive how much you can stifle the opponents build up.
It makes sense. When you block the outer side of flank players, you make easier for them to pass to the middle, which traps them into the tightly marked players. I will give it a try some time.