If you’ve played EA FC 26 online recently, you’ve probably run into the same frustrating tactic: Opponents who sit in a deep block and manually control their CDM for 90 in-game minutes. It’s safe, it’s annoying, and it’s become the default defensive approach in Ultimate Team. But according to one viral Reddit post, there’s a surprisingly simple way to break it down, and it doesn’t require fancy skill moves or high-rated players.
The key to it is forcing the opposing player to switch off the defensive midfielder. And here’s how to do it.
Stretch Them Out
The method works by baiting a human-controlled defender into abandoning their comfortable midfield position. Start by stretching the pitch with wide players and attacking down the wings. You don’t need to over-dribble — just drive towards the byline and show the threat of a cutback or tap-in.
If your opponent refuses to switch from the CDM, you’ll have an easy pass across the box for a tap-in. But most players will panic and immediately switch to their fullback to try to cut the lane out. The second they do, recycle the ball backward — ideally to your fullback or a trailing midfielder — and hit the central pass into the space the CDM just vacated.
That one moment of indecision usually opens a clean line for a pass to your striker or CAM at the top of the box, setting up a near-post finish or a quick one-two across goal.
Small Mechanics That Help
The post also highlights a few tricks that make the setup even more dangerous:
- Shield and stop-start moves near the corner sell the cutback before recycling
- Third-man runs to slip a central runner once the CDM moves out of position
- Quick, decisive passing instead of over-dribbling in crowded areas
Why This Approach Works
The “CDM-only” meta relies on funneling you into predictable, low-percentage passes against a static back-four. By forcing a manual switch, you break the rhythm and open up central lanes that AI defenders can’t instantly cover.
It’s not pretty — even the Reddit author calls it “brain-dead, but effective.” But in a game where defense often feels scripted, it’s one of the few ways to reliably punish players who sit back and wait.
For the record, playing in a low block is a completely legitimate way to play football, and this is in no way me trying to shame anyone who takes a defense-first approach. But it is pretty meta right now, and counters have to be drawn up.
If you’re looking for any other pointers, check out our article on the best ways to attack in EA FC 26.
