Match control

While your match is running you can change players and tactics. Every change takes effect at the next stoppage in play, not instantly.

Where the controls are

Only the managers of the two clubs in the match see the controls, and only while the match is live.

• On a computer — a block at the top of the right column. It stays in place while you scroll the commentary.
• On a phone — the "Control" bar above the bottom menu. It shows how many substitutions are left, how many presets are used and how many players are tired. Tap the bar to open the full panel.

Substitutions

The panel shows two groups of cards: who is on the pitch and who is on the bench. Each card shows the position, how many minutes the player has been on the pitch, his goals and fitness, and an "on a yellow" mark.

1. Pick the player who comes off.
2. Pick a player from the bench.
3. Press "Replace".

The limit is 3 substitutions in a cup match and 5 in a friendly; the "Subs left" counter sits above the cards. If a player gets injured, the game brings on a substitute by itself as long as there are players on the bench and the limit is not used up. Otherwise the team plays on a man down.

Who to take off. A player on a yellow card — his next foul may cost a sending-off. A player with fitness below 50% — he loses duels and gets injured more often; such players are highlighted separately (fitness).

Tactics presets

A preset is a quick change of the game plan for the rest of the match:

• Park the bus — deep line, minimum risk: hold on to the score.
• Push — more pressure without exposing the back line.
• Chase — higher line, faster tempo, more players forward.
• All-in — everyone forward; conceding on the break is an acceptable price.
• Reset — go back to the plan the team started the match with.

Pick a preset and the panel shows how many changes will be left after it. Confirm with "Apply". You can make up to 4 tactical changes per match, and "Reset" counts as a change too. Wait a few seconds between two changes.

When a change takes effect

After you confirm, you see "Accepted — applies at the next stoppage". The game does not stop for you: a substitution or a new plan applies from the first break in play — a throw-in, a foul, a goal. The commentary shows that the team is preparing a substitution.

How not to use everything up too early

• Do not change the plan after the first chance you concede: give the tactics a few minutes.
• Keep one or two substitutions for the end of the match — in case of an injury or a sending-off.
• Leading late on — "Park the bus". Trailing — "Chase", and save "All-in" for the final minutes.
• If no preset helps, the problem is probably in the main plan — change it on the tactics screen after the match.