Here's my formation and I have never had trouble beating any particular teams:
-------------CB----------Sweeper------------------------------
----------------------------------------------LB--------------
----WB---------DM---------------------------------------------
--------------------------CM----------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
------RW-----------------------------------LW-----------------
---------------CF----------ST---------------------------------
I then set Pressing to max, Backline-moveup to max, Counterattack to least, and offside trap to medium. I could easily concede goals when the CPU counterattacks, but chances are most of the time I have possession, it's very much like the Dutch system in the 70's.
My LW I use Rooney and get him to push inside, so he can shoot with his right foot. I use Neeskens for my CM, he can join in the attack really well and score some goals from just outside the box.
For sweeper, I use Baresi, he comes forward really often and scores some goals as well.
I would make sure you have a big man for CF (someone like Van Nistelrooy or van Basten or Bastistuta, etc) and a fast man for ST (someone like Eusebio or Henry).