I started to slowly dial up the problem in Squad Battles

For example, I said previously that I elected for a 4-4-2 formation with Madden 21 coins two holding midfielders, but I'd often let my enemies pass them through ; once I started really using them to block away passing lanes and induce them to go out wide, I stopped getting carved up so easily. Make no mistake, I had been still conceding a lot of goals even against the computer, but I was able to retain my defensive lineup better and at least see some improvements.

I started to slowly dial up the problem in Squad Battles to World Class, and I was beginning to get clean sheets. I discovered how to shield one-on-one scenarios, by forcing forward outside and in least limit them to low percentage shots at the near post. These were all skills that I knew I'd have to use online, in which the standard of play is usually much higher. I was able to find a 0-0 against an 88-rated squad with adequate chemistry on World Class difficulty, and I understood this was a breakthrough.

Of course, while a 0-0 against a group comprising Mbappe and Messi is all well and good, I wasn't scoring at the opposite end of this field. By neutralising teams, I knew I had improved defensively, but I was basically not able to score. At this point, I understood personnel was a problem, and that I would need to overhaul my whole team. I had been getting to the point where I was feeling more confident about my ability to compete online, but with the best of respect, I understood Redmond wasn't going to cut it.

I'd made a fair few Coins and Packs by simply playing the game at this point, but I had not been messing about with the Transfer Market too much. I knew I was likely to need to sell players in order to buy better ones, and to my surprise I was able to buy Mut 21 coins build a fairly good team without much money in any way. Obviously, I had been purchasing basic Gold cards rather than unfathomably expensive FUT Icons, however, things began to come together.