u/No_Alternative6360

What have people done with Argentina to get the most out of Messi?

Just got through group stages with 9 points, Messi scored in all three games (off the bench v Jordan for last 30) but the team is not as fluid as I'd like, and I get Spain in the round of 32.

Going to play round of 32 match later tonight, probably between real life round of 16 games... any thoughts or tips on how to get the most out of Messi?

For me, I play on positive or balanced, really short passing and low tempo. Messi behind Lautaro with Fernandez, McAllister behind them. On the right i can have De Paul tucking in, or players a bit more adventerous like Buendia or Paz, with an overlapping fullback. On the left, either Alvarez as a wide forward or Nico Gonzales as a winger.

Right now, I alternate messi as a free role if the other team is expected to sit low, or Messi as an advanced playmaker if I think it's going to be a relatively even game. Out of possession we sit in a mid block and wait. It's a 4-4-2 but Messi is an outlet forward. Even though he's not fast, we generate chacnes through him on the counter fairly frequently.

THANKFULLY, I GET TO REPLAY

Here's the deal: the game is having a bug where my long-throw settings are replaced by the wrost taking players in teh XI. Today, I even fixed it again at halftime...

Then at 2-0 up with all setting to max time wasting and in injury time, my team takes two long throws (from the weakest players taking them) and gets countered 2x.

Makes no sense and I get to replay the game, because it did the opposite of what i asked it to both pre-game and with my halfitme chekc ot make sure it's good.

But what an FM-ing

5th year of Leeds project and pretty fun. Put a lot of time and effort into the youth setup and across the U21 age players, I have 6-8 who I will be comfortable having in the 25 player squad, but none I saw as world class/45+ game a year starters.

Until this year.

We got 15ish on the intake but only one that looks to have the potential to contribute to our quest for CL glory. But he's almost ready to play this spring. What a find.

Would you rather have an intake with 3-4 solid squad players or one with a player like this?

https://preview.redd.it/vcrxvib7jt9h1.png?width=3022&format=png&auto=webp&s=00f0daed20e0efbada8a8a58512a25c10907234b