Match Orders Setup
The tactical document: roles, positions, and team management
1. The match orders form
This is the document where you decide which players will take the field and what their roles will be. Key points to master it:
- Standard setup: It is recommended to save a default lineup. This ensures that if you cannot log in one week, the team won't play with a random or empty lineup.
- Composition: You must choose 11 starters, substitutes, the set-piece taker, and the captain.
- The Captain: Choosing a captain with experience and leadership is vital to prevent the team from getting nervous or confused.
The Rule of 9
To avoid a walkover, you must start the match with at least 9 players.
Walkover Consequences:
Your players will gain no experience and you will lose all training for the week.
This is an invisible but fundamental rule: when you line up more than one player in a central position, they do not contribute at 100% of their capacity.
Logic
By playing in the same area, players get in each other's way or depend on one another.
Severity
The loss of contribution is greater with 3 players than with 2 in the central zone.
Impact
Inner midfielders suffer twice the penalty compared to central defenders.
Key fact: This loss affects all skills but is not reflected in player stars, only in the team's final ratings.
3. Individual Orders
You can change a player's natural behavior to adjust sector ratings:
Offensive
More attack/passing, less defense (e.g., inner midfielder).
Defensive
More protection, less attack (e.g., forward).
Towards Wing
Lateral movement to help out the wing ratings.
Towards Middle
Helps gain possession in the middle (e.g., wingers).
4. Substitutes and Match Orders Management
Automatic
If a starter gets injured, the system will bring on the assigned sub. If none is available, you will play with 10.
Conditional
Up to 5 orders (subs or behavior changes) based on minute, score, or cards. Maximum of 3 actual substitutions.
5. Stars vs. Ratings
Stars ⭐
Useful for comparing the individual performance of your players in a specific position.
Team Ratings 📊
This is what truly matters to win. Look at values like "solid (very high)" to compare yourself with the opponent.