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Before the patch, manual defending was already effective for experienced players, while auto-defense helped less skilled players maintain defensive shape without overcommitting. The AI defense was solid, staying compact and covering zones, but it was still inferior to a human player who could be more proactive in winning the ball back.
After the patch, auto-defense was nerfed to the point where defenders became static and disorganized, requiring constant manual marking. The defensive line now endlessly backs up against attacking runs without proper man-marking or lane coverage. Pressing is ineffective because defenders don’t step up on attackers, and midfielders don’t contribute defensively, making it easy for opponents to play out of pressure.
Now, even well-executed defense can be easily broken down by a competent opponent since the AI fails to react properly. Attempting to press often just opens up spaces, which can be exploited with simple passes, making defending feel frustrating and ineffective.