In FIFA 23, knowing how to play defense is just as important as knowing how to attack. You can score as many goals as you like in the game. But you will be wasting your time if you can't defend. Just like attacking, defending is a multi-faceted responsibility for players. If you want to ensure that you don't drop points whenever you have an off day on the attack, add these defense tips into your playstyle immediately!

Don't Always Use the AI

While AI handled most of the defensive responsibilities, remember that it is artificial intelligence, meaning it has patterns that can be exploited by both AI opponents and real players who know what they're doing. From managing passing lanes to playing on the ball, you'll generally succeed more if you manually defend. In other words, use AI sparingly.

Use Agile Defenders

If your player is not fast enough to keep up with an attack, they might as well not be on the pitch. Players like Leipzig center-back Lukas Klostermann(1100 FIFA 23 Coins) with 91 sprint speed and 82 stamina are must-haves on any team. They have both quality defending and pace ratings to ensure that your opponent will have a tough time on the offensive. If your defense can keep up with your opponent's offense, there's no way for them to get behind you for easy goals.

Jockeying

Jockeying (holding LT/L2) is probably the essential tool at your disposal. This allows you to keep track of your opponent by skillfully maneuvering yourself with their movements, giving you more control over your defender and allowing them to react quickly to a sudden change of direction. You will find Jockeying very effective in stopping attacks from the wings. Although it is not very useful against counterattacks, it's excellent against teams that like to pass or dribble their way through your defense.

Use Hard Tackle

Defending is difficult in FIFA 23 sometimes, but with a Hard Tackle, you can steadily increase the number of times you can recover the ball on defense. Using a hard standing tackle (holding down B/O) or a hard sliding tackle (holding down X/Square) can stop a striker sprinting towards your goal or deprive a midfielder who is trying to play keep-away with the ball. But you have to know when and how to hard tackle! Mistiming it can result in you picking up a costly foul or simply stumbling out of position. Make sure that whenever you use this tactic that you are in a position to get the ball first.

Choose the Right Defender

Sometimes, the defender you should control isn't the one closest to the dribbler. Instead of relying on AI, the best way to handle the more dangerous offensive threats is by doing it yourself. If you see a player about to streak past your backline down the right, it may be best to switch over (press LB/L1) to your right back and manually mark that runner. Don't stay in front of that player and keep them onside. Rather play the passing lane. That will allow you to defend any potential passes to that player.

That's about it for this FIFA 23 Defending Guide. Hopefully, as you apply these tips and tricks, you will start to limit the number of goals you concede. With time and our tips, you could become the next Msdossary!