If you want to rack up the most victories in FIFA 21, you need to think carefully about how to approach the game. MeinMMO asked two FIFA professionals: What tips would they give to players?
These are the pros: In the interview, we spoke with FIFA pros Benny Ratzlaff and Marcel “DonChap” Deutscher. Both are contracted with the agency L4K eSports and currently play for clubs in the VBL (Virtual Bundesliga).
- Marcel Deutscher has been a professional player for several years and recently also works as a coach at Hannover 96.
- Benny Ratzlaff is starting his first professional season at Holstein Kiel.
Both pros had enough time since the release to thoroughly engage with the gameplay. Here you can find their tips on how to score more goals, concede fewer goals, and ultimately achieve more victories.
1. What things are important in FIFA 21?
Point 1 – Pace: In FIFA 21, there are many ways to the opponent’s goal – some are more effective than others. The fastest way, appropriately, is through pace: “It all runs through speed, through through balls, and counterattacks,” explains Marcel Deutscher. The pace ratings of the players are once again extremely important, so it can be crucial to include fast sprinters in your team.
Point 2 – The Defense: Conversely, this means: You also have to be prepared for quick counterattacks: “I would recommend focusing on the defense,” explains Deutscher: “That you are compact at the back and have two or three fast players upfront to send.” This creates spaces where you can exploit the fast offense.
Benny Ratzlaff also emphasizes that a hard-to-overcome defense is a crucial point. If you’re having problems in this area, you should draw on reinforcements from other parts of the team: “You should sit deep and run the paths with the midfielders,” says Ratzlaff. Also, the full-backs stay back with him. Are there still gaps? “Then you can also pull the midfielders back.”
Another point in defense is the goalkeeper’s play. In FIFA 20, it was very effective to position the keeper manually using the right analog stick. A technique that both pros assess as weaker this year. “You have to play with the keeper. You have to try to get into the opponent’s head,” explains Ratzlaff.
For example, a quick step out in a 1v1 and suddenly returning to the goal can help. The opponent shouldn’t know whether you’re fully committing the keeper or allowing him to stay on the line.
One player used his keeper mainly to humiliate his opponents.
As the strongest defensive tactic, both have identified team pressing this year: “You need two button presses to activate team pressing, and it’s really brutal,” says Deutscher. With team pressing activated, your players storm the opponent and put him under pressure. This can only last for a limited time but is very effective.
The tricky part: With team pressing, your team is left more open at the back and is vulnerable to counterattacks. A long ball to fast players can already crack the defense, explains Ratzlaff – especially when top players like Ronaldo are involved.
Finally, blocking shots in the penalty area is very strong, explains Deutscher. Therefore, it’s worth positioning as many players around your own goal as possible.
Point 3 – Skills: “When you are in front of the goal, do a handstand/flic flac and then the ball is in,” explains Marcel Deutscher jokingly – but there is truth in it. The skill moves are extremely strong this year: “Last year the 5-star weak foot was important, but I believe that this year 5-star skills are more important,” explains Benny Ratzlaff.
Deutscher also emphasizes: Those who have some time for training should go to the training arena and master two or three skill moves that you can then perform almost effortlessly.
2. 3 tricks that everyone should know in FIFA 21
We asked the pros: What skill moves can you recommend that are not too difficult but effective? They recommend these three tricks:
- The Elastico: Since the patch it is a bit slower but still extremely strong. It’s perfect for slipping past an opponent in tight spaces. Describe a semicircle against your direction with the right stick.
- Body feint/direction change: You execute this trick by flicking the right stick against your running direction twice. Then your player performs a body feint and abruptly changes direction. Ideal for catching the opponent off guard.
- The step over: With this trick, you can confuse your opponent and get a small speed boost to slip past defenders. Flick the right stick against your running direction and then 45 degrees in the direction you want to go.
3. Powerful new feature: Player Lock and Creative Runs
Both pros emphasize that you should also take a closer look at the new features Player Lock and Creative Runs. “This is like FIFA graduate school,” says Deutscher, “but if you practice it well, you can create good spaces for yourself.” Ratzlaff also explains: “Particularly when you master them in tight spaces, they are strong.”
This works like this: To trigger Player Lock, press both sticks. Now your ball-carrying player is designated. You continue to control him even after you have passed the ball. Now you can run free and request a pass or a cross.
In contrast, you trigger Creative Runs by sending other players than the one carrying the ball. Briefly press L1 to send the next player. At the same time, you must define with the right stick in which direction he should run. Now you can send him into spaces – and position him perfectly for a pass.
Tips for formations in FIFA 21 can be found here.
What else is important?
To conclude, we also asked the pros for general tips. One topic was which player cards are worth it in FUT. The tips:
- For a small budget, the pros recommend players like Klostermann, Mbabu and Zakaria.
- With a bit more budget, Rodrigo, Coman or Richarlison are worth it.
- For a larger budget, you should go for Rashford, Martial or Adama Traoré – they are also among the most popular players in the game.
- The best cards are Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Mbappé – but they are also incredibly expensive.
From a gameplay perspective, one should not neglect set pieces, says Deutscher: “Try to be dangerous through set pieces,” says the pro: “You always have 3 or 4 corners per game, always a few promising free kick situations.” It’s essential to take advantage of them.
In the end, everyone must look out for themselves, explains Benny: “It’s important to find your own tactic. You should find your variant that works best for you.” And finally, it’s crucial to remain calm when playing – even if the connection isn’t great: “This game stands and falls with the servers,” says Deutscher.
Are you looking for reinforcements for your Ultimate Team? Then you can find strong players for a Bundesliga team here.
