In EA SPORTS FC 27, many players concede more goals than before and feel their defenders "do nothing". EA has reworked defending in depth: in Competitive gameplay, the AI tackles far less on your behalf and the defender you control has to do the work. EA itself acknowledges that manual defending has a learning curve. This guide explains what changed, based on EA's official notes, and how to adapt the way you defend.
Problem
- Your AI-controlled defenders hardly tackle anymore.
- The opposing attacker gets past easily when you contain him.
- Your teammates stay far from the ball carrier.
- Team pressing seems to have no effect near your box.
- Through balls get in behind your back line.
What to know before acting
- Changes depend on the gameplay type: EA specifies that the reduction in AI auto-tackles applies to Competitive gameplay. Authentic gameplay (Career, Kick Off) has its own settings.
- The AI still defends, but differently: according to EA, AI defenders position themselves to support you and can still win a loose ball or a dribbler who runs into them.
- EA is following the topic: in its October 2026 updates, EA says manual defending difficulty is among the most discussed topics and that it is monitoring the situation, without promising a specific change.
- Action names: the official sources read are in English (jockey, stand tackle, Teammate Contain, Team Press). Exact labels and buttons can be checked in the game's controls list on your platform.
Step 1: defend with the player you control
When to use it: you wait for the AI to win the ball back for you.
Suggested solution
- Switch player often to control the defender closest to the ball carrier.
- EA states that the interception reach of AI defenders has been reduced, while a manually controlled defender reaches further for the ball.
- EA also states that manual jockey speed and manual stand tackle range have increased compared to FC 26.
- Contain the ball carrier with the jockey, then tackle at the right moment rather than repeatedly pressing the button.
Expected result: you win more balls with the defender you control.
When to stop: if you keep losing duels by tackling early, go back to jockeying and wait for the attacker to push the ball.
Step 2: use teammate support carefully
When to use it: you rely on Teammate Contain to apply pressure.
Suggested solution
- EA states that Teammate Contain now marks the ball carrier from a slightly longer distance than before.
- To apply real pressure, switch player and press the ball carrier yourself.
- Keep Teammate Contain for closing a passing lane, not for winning the ball for you.
Expected result: the opposing ball carrier has less time and space.
Step 3: win shoulder challenges
When to use it: your shoulder challenges fail or slow your defender down.
Suggested solution
- According to EA's update after the closed beta, Shoulder Challenges work best side by side rather than coming from behind.
- EA specifies that spamming the button makes the defender stick an arm out, which makes him lose speed.
- Get level with the attacker before triggering the challenge, once.
Expected result: your defender keeps his speed and wins more duels.
Step 4: adjust your defensive tactics
When to use it: your defensive block gets caught in behind or pressing does not work.
Suggested solution
- EA states that Team Press has no effect when the ball is in your defensive third.
- Higher up the pitch, defenders press less than midfielders and forwards, and become vulnerable to balls in behind.
- EA states that a low Defensive Depth is now better respected, but the line still adapts to situations.
- If you are often beaten in behind, try a lower Defensive Depth and avoid pushing your defenders up to press.
Expected result: fewer balls in behind and a more compact block.
Rollback: if your team drops too deep and is under constant pressure, raise the Defensive Depth gradually.
Step 5: read the opponent's passes and movement
When to use it: you cannot cut out passes.
Suggested solution
- EA states that through passes strictly follow the direction aimed by the opponent: a well-placed, manually controlled defender can read them.
- EA also specifies that when the opponent uses Player Lock to control another player, the ball carrier keeps moving in the same direction without avoiding defenders. That is a good moment to press.
- For your own passes, see our topic Intercepted or too weak passes in EA SPORTS FC 27.
Expected result: you cut out more through passes.
Special cases
| Situation | What EA says |
|---|---|
| Career or Kick Off (Authentic gameplay) | Update 1.0.1 moderately increased the default values of the Jockey and Sprint Jockey speed sliders. |
| Player with the Jockey PlayStyle | Sprint jockey accelerates more for players without this PlayStyle. The boost when exiting the jockey is reduced for Jockey and Jockey+. |
| Fullbacks dropping too deep | EA says it is investigating this point, with no change announced so far. |
| Challenges with the Bruiser+ PlayStyle | The benefit has been slightly reduced. |
Final check
- ☐ You control the defender closest to the ball carrier yourself.
- ☐ You contain with the jockey before tackling.
- ☐ Your shoulder challenges are side by side, without spamming the button.
- ☐ Your Defensive Depth and pressing suit your style.
- ☐ You have read EA's latest gameplay notes, as settings may change.
Sources
- EA article: Pitch Notes FC 27 Gameplay Deep Dive (07/29/2026: auto-tackles reduced in Competitive, AI interception, manual jockey and stand tackle, Teammate Contain, Jockey and Intercept PlayStyles, through passes)
- EA announcement on Steam: closed beta feedback update (09/03/2026: shoulder challenges, Bruiser+, Team Press, Defensive Depth, Player Lock)
- EA announcement on Steam: update 1.0.1 notes (09/23/2026: jockey sliders in Authentic gameplay)
- EA article: Gameplay developer launch update (09/30/2026: adapting to manual defending, fullbacks)
- EA article: Launch feedback update (10/13/2026: manual defending among the most discussed topics)
- EA article: Update v1.1 Pitch Notes (10/26/2026: no gameplay balance changes in this update)
- EA page: FC 27 player feedback
Still having the problem?
Reply with your platform (PC, PS5, Xbox Series…), the mode concerned (Ultimate Team, Clubs, Career, Kick Off…), your Defensive Depth and the type of goal you concede most often. Never post your email address, your EA ID or your password.