It’s the dying seconds of an important EA Sports FC 25 game, and deep in the final third, you’re struggling to piece together something, anything, with defenders breathing down your neck. You shoot wildly, and over the bar, it flies.
The frustration nearly made you chuck your pad, I can attest to that feeling, I have been there, too.
What if I told you that dominating in the final third is not just about raw talent or luck but rather a strategy and timing-knowing the right tip to do at the right time?
Playing EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Team can feel like building a very big and intricate puzzle; each tactic, move, and strategy leads to an ultimate picture.
While certain areas may daunt you, attacking is arguably the most fundamental block of your foundation, and missing it will ultimately get you losing matches that you shouldn’t be losing.
But fear not.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have the skills to turn nail-biting moments into highlight-reel goals.
1. Master the L1 Speedboost
Let’s get things started with one of the most overpowered moves in EAFC 25, the L1 Speedboost.
Early in the life cycle of this game, it was borderline broken and forced an update from EA to nerf it. If you know how to use this move right, it is still a powerful tool even after the update.
It goes like this: you start off slow to fake the defender, then quickly accelerate and leave them behind. To execute it, press and hold the L1/LB button, face the direction you want to accelerate into, release L1/LB, and then immediately press R2/RT while releasing L2/LT. That sudden burst of speed makes defenders sweat.
Now here’s the catch: not all players can do this. The move works best with quick players who have high dribbling stats and specific PlayStyles like ‘Quick Step’ or ‘Rapid.’ Think Vinícius Júnior-a nightmare for any defense.
So, know your players’ strengths before attempting this. It is not all about pace; it is all about how the stats complement this move.
How To Tweak FC 25 Controller Settings For Optimal Performance
2. Make Good Use of L1/LB and R1/RB
If you’re not using the L1/LB and R1/RB buttons strategically, then you’re leaving goals on the table. These can completely change how you attack.
- L1/LB: This calls a teammate closer to you. It’s perfect to create new passing options and break down stubborn defences.
- R1/RB: This makes a teammate sprint into space. Pair this with the L1 Speedboost, and you’ve got yourself a deadly combination.
These buttons open up so many possibilities for you when used well.
Sometimes, the AI doesn’t naturally move into the right spaces, so you’ve got to give them a nudge. Whether it’s pulling a player closer for a short pass or sending them on a run to stretch the defence, these small actions can make a huge difference.
3. Don’t Sleep on Set-Pieces
Set pieces in EAFC 25 are the hidden gems; most players don’t use them, yet they can be game-changers if done right. Take a cue from Arsenal’s Nicolas Jover, arguably one of the best set-piece coaches in modern football.
- Free Kicks – Use the left stick for aiming and the right amount of power input. Knuckleballs or curling shots, whatever you want, can be mastered with practice to catch your opponent off guard.
- Corners: Similar principles apply. Aim wisely and time your power for pinpoint accuracy.
With set pieces, it’s all about patience and repetition, but when mastered, this adds a whole new dimension to your game. You will no longer fear free kicks or corners but view them as goal-scoring opportunities.
4. Perfect Timed Finishing
Timed finishing is an advanced technique that can elevate your game to a new level.
It’s all about pressing the shoot button twice: once to start the shot and a second time to “green time” it just before the player strikes the ball. Nail this timing, and you’ll increase your shot power by up to 150%.
Now, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Press the button too early, and you’ll red-time your shot, losing both power and accuracy. But if you’re late, you’ll at least get a regular shot off with no negative effects.
The trick is to practice this in various scenarios-one-on-ones, tight angles, you name it.
Pro Tip: Hone this ability in the practice arena or in less important matches. Try to use various types of shots, such as chips, finesse shots, and volleys, to be ready for any situation.
5. Improve Decision-Making
The final third is all about making the right decisions at the right time. Sure, launching a rocket from 30 yards out is tempting, if we are being honest: it rarely works. Instead, focus on finding the best passing option or waiting for the perfect shooting opportunity.
This ties directly into your custom tactics. A balanced formation with multiple options in the final third is crucial. For example:
- Overlap with the wingers, and use width to stretch out defences.
- Play a target man up front and hold up when receiving the ball.
- Play imaginative midfielders to open tight defences.
Patience is the game here. Better to wait on the right pass and not hurry a pass in such a way to give away an attack. Master that, and the attacking game gets so much better.
6. Use Skill Moves to Create Space
Skill moves aren’t about showing off, either. They’re practical tools that give you ways to outmanoeuvre defenders and work goal-scoring opportunities. And the best part is you don’t need five-star skillers to do effective moves.
Here are a few must-learn moves:
- Drag Back: Press R1/RB while pulling the left stick backwards. This move is fantastic for quickly creating space.
- Fake Shot: Tap shoot, then the pass button to cancel out into a fake shot. Great to wrong-foot defenders.
- Ball Roll: Hold R1/RB and then move the right stick left or right. It is simple but does wonders when it comes to changing direction.
Spend some time in practice in these moves with the training arena or offline modes. The more comfortable you get using them, the easier they’ll become once trying them under pressure.
7. Invest in ‘Meta’ Players
Your team matters. Even if you are the best player, you’re only going to go so far with bad players. You need meta players, those with the best stats and PlayStyles for the current game mechanics, to have any hope of competing consistently.
When building your squad, prioritize forwards with blistering pace, excellent finishing, and smart positioning.
Affordable options like Marcus Rashford, Lois Openda, or Iñaki Williams can do wonders without breaking the bank. If you’ve got more coins to spend, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé are no-brainers.
Keep an eye out for special cards released during the season that could give a stat boost to turn an already good player into an unstoppable monster.
You Might Also Want To Read This
- 10 Players With The Most Titles In La Liga History
- 10 Players With The Most Ligue 1 Titles In History
- 10 Players With The Most Bundesliga Titles In History
- 10 Players With The Most Serie A Titles In History
- 10 Players With The Most Premier League Titles In History
- 10 Managers With The Most UCL Titles In History
- Top 10 Best Strikers (Centre-Forward) In The World 2024
- Top 10 Goalkeepers In The World 2024
- Top 10 Right Wingers In The World 2024
- Top 10 Best Left Back In The World 2024
