Sometimes I sacrifice some possession to counter attack or press high, I won the most recent online game by doing so, respect to my opponents (the ones that want to have decent matches or tactical battles anyway).

• High press is risky but it is a calculated risk and when done with the right manager, team or players can be really effective, winning it quick and countering or being in transition can help you get in behind or find more space.

▪ Some teams are attack minded, but this is modern day football, and sometimes teams can be exposed on the break but no style of play or formation is flawless – when the right cogs are in place, you have a decent defensive midfielder and or shuttlers (ideally ones that can play a bit too), you have pace at the back, getting positioning right and play offside or drop back, then it can be a very effective system (and extremely tough to play against).

• Intensity levels are mainly down in football now, especially with no fans (there are in PES though), so sometimes rotating the ball or dropping back a bit is required – especially to vary the play or save energy in matches.

• It is thrilling to play like this, when well drilled and decisive, it can be really rewarding.

• It is easier to do with cheaper players, whilst also requiring less wages so to speak and less contracts need to be renewed or contract tickets aren’t needed and can be saved.

• A team with high spirit and tactical awareness, and managed in the right way, can play great football and win plenty or games.

▪ I can play out from the back with ease but there are times when I go longer, mixing it up a bit is useful, I try to get overloads and attack different sides of the opposition’s defence.

▪ I have a lot of flow in these performances, there sometimes a few pauses but not many, I trust the shape of team to press high and for it to stay together when having to be on the back foot at times.

▪ Raphinha in this team is giving it another dynamic.

▪ Having different options helps, and getting in behind defences out wide and having the likes of Jota, Raphinha, Neto etc – having tricky, able to dribble and link up as 3 can really help to provide pull backs to create high quality chances.

• I am continuing progresing my 3 at the back teams, I use them here and there, and have picked up plenty of decent wins with them – I think any system can be effective with the right players and when applied well, with togetherness, and tactical awareness and understanding of the system (and subtleties with in it, like how different combination of players function or how different runs are made.

▪ Games like these or against the computer or SIM matched can be really enjoyable, playing with intensity, speed and decisiveness.

▪ The new internatonal teams tour mode (SIM and against the computer) is a nice new feature, it is nice to improve teams whilst playing those modes, especially with a podcast or music on (likewise I find for online matches).

▪ It is interesting seeing the most recent possible XIs for international teams too.