FC 27 Future Stars Team 1 Leaks | New Live Promo and UT Duplication Bug

Posted: Oct 08, 2026

FC 27 Future Stars Team 1 will be released on Friday, October 9. This may come as a surprise to many players, as this promo usually starts in late January or early February in previous years.

However, as usual, the Future Stars Team 1 lineup has already been leaked. There are 15 players in the current leak, although it is still unclear whether this is the complete lineup. Let's take a look at the leaked information.

FC 27 Future Stars Team 1 Leaks

The Future Stars promo does not focus on the young players with the highest current ability. Instead, it features young stars with the greatest potential. They represent the future of football and are likely to become key players for their teams within the next one or two years.

Here is the leaked player list. The ratings and stats are not confirmed and are based on the leaker's predictions, but the players included in the promo are expected to be accurate:

90 OVR Vicky López RW
89 OVR Rio Ngumoha LM
88 OVR Myles Lewis-Skelly LB
88 OVR Mika Godts LW
87 OVR Jacobo Ramón CB
87 OVR Gilberto Mora CAM
87 OVR Yoan Bonny ST
86 OVR Tom Bischof CM
86 OVR Lily Yohannes CM
86 OVR Lewis Hall LB
85 OVR Laura Blindkilde Brown CDM
85 OVR Robin Risser GK
85 OVR Josh King CAM
85 OVR Julian Hall ST
85 OVR Jon Martín CB

Unlike previous years, FIFA 27 Future Stars is a Live Promo, meaning selected players can receive upgrades based on their real-life performances.

The currently leaked upgrade system is roughly as follows:

Midfielders, excluding CDMs, and forwards

4 starts: +1 OVR, up to 86
8 starts: +1 OVR, up to 87
7 goals and assists: Gain one PlayStyle+ (maximum of one) and +1 base PS
10 goals/assists: Gain 5-Star Weak Foot. If the player already has 5-Star Weak Foot, it will instead become 5-Star Skill Moves.

Goalkeepers, CBs, and CDMs

4 starts: +1 OVR, up to 86
8 starts: +1 OVR, up to 87
4 clean sheets: Gain one PlayStyle+ (maximum of one) and +1 base PS
7 clean sheets: Gain 5-Star Weak Foot. If the player already has 5-Star Weak Foot, it will instead become 5-Star Skill Moves.

Some players will have lower upgrade requirements, and the upgrades are expected to officially take effect in February 2026. At that point, cards that meet the requirements will automatically receive the corresponding stat upgrades.

FC 27 Future Stars Team 1 Leaks

Why Was Future Stars Promo Moved Forward?

Before FC 27 was released, the official team clearly stated that it would slow down the rate of player-card power inflation to prevent cards from becoming too powerful too quickly.

Around five weeks of smaller promos were removed to reduce the oversaturation of card types. The official team plans to focus resources on major events, such as extending the cycle of major promos like Future Stars and giving each season a clear central theme.

As early as August 2026, leaks suggested that the promo schedule would be adjusted. The first four promos were reportedly planned as follows:

Season 1: Future Stars
Season 2: Ultimate Scream and FUT Hall of Fame
Season 3: Winter Wildcards
Season 4: Team of the Year (TOTY)

This leak now appears highly likely to be accurate, as the official team has indeed restructured the seasonal schedule. Traditionally, Future Stars is released after TOTY in February. This year, however, it has been moved forward and made the headline promo of Season 1, launching on October 9.

The Impact Of FUT Duplication Bug

Recently, players reported on the official forums that they encountered unexpected duplicate cards in Ultimate Team.

Some PC players discovered additional cards in their item storage after relisting expired items. These cards had First Owner status, even though they were actually players that had previously been acquired by the players.

One reporter claimed to have found at least 20 suspected duplicate cards, and these cards could be seen in the game, Web App, and Companion App.

The bug has reportedly existed for several days. Cards placed on the Transfer List can be returned every hour, and even cards that have already been sold can come back.

These returned cards can be traded and are also marked as First Owner, but they do not count toward First Owner status in FUT Gallery. In effect, selling one card could generate FIFA 27 coins twice.

This is undoubtedly a very serious bug, and many players may trigger it intentionally or unintentionally, especially since the exact cause of the issue is still unknown.

The official team has not yet provided a specific fix date, and the issue may remain unresolved until Future Stars Team 1 is released.

The bug has caused rare cards to flood the market, with large numbers of First Owner cards entering circulation. Supply has exceeded demand, pushing card values down. Many high-value cards could be affected.

This could hurt both Transfer List traders and Weekend League squad builders. Ahead of Future Stars Team 1, many players have already been selling off their squads to raise coins because they want to target top cards such as Vicky López.

The game's Terms and Conditions state that intentionally exploiting game bugs may result in a ban. Many players are now acquiring hundreds of cards and placing them on the Transfer List in hopes of benefiting from the exploit. This could not only disrupt the market, but the official team may also take action against these players.

It is still unclear how severe the bans will be. If the official team chooses to issue bans on a large scale, it could hurt player engagement. However, if enforcement is too lenient, players who have already benefited from the exploit could gain a significant advantage over legitimate players.

Future Stars Team 1 will be released on Friday, and some players may consider using the exploit to stockpile coins, but this is a risky move. Investing in fodder cards or using Champions League-related investments can also generate a large number of coins.

Which of the Many FC 27 Skill Moves Should You Prioritize Mastering? Right Stick, Fake Shot and More

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FC 27 Destined For Glory Team 2 Is Live! The Haaland Era Continues with Bigger Rewards and New Challenges

FIFA 27 Destined For Glory Team 2 officially launched on October 2, 2026 at 6 PM BST. This roster update brings together many world football superstars, led by Haaland, and introduces a new batch of players with enhanced stats for Ultimate Team mode.

Of course, the new squad is just the beginning; the launch of Destined For Glory Team 2 also introduces brand-new Objectives, the first-ever Ultimate Gauntlet, the latest Player of the Month SBCs, and much more. Ready? Let's take a look!

FC 27 Destined For Glory Team 2 Is Live! The Haaland Era Continues with Bigger Rewards and New Challenges

Destined For Glory Team 2 Squad

Destined For Glory Team 2 lineup features a powerful mix of attackers, midfielders, and defenders. Many of these player cards stand out thanks to upgraded stats, new PlayStyles, and versatile positional flexibility.

The full Team 2 roster is as follows:

91 OVR ST Haaland
89 OVR CB Upamecano
88 OVR RM Diani
88 OVR LB Cucurella
87 OVR CAM Nico Paz
87 OVR LW Caicedo
86 OVR ST Lookman
86 OVR LW Gordon
86 OVR RM Mbeumo
86 OVR CB Kiwior
85 OVR CAM Mateus Fernandes
85 OVR CAM Maza
85 OVR CB Cresswell
85 OVR CM McKennie
85 OVR LB Gosens

Compared to their standard versions, many of these cards feature significantly boosted stats and ratings, making Team 2 lineup highly attractive for players looking to upgrade their Ultimate Team squads.

91-Rated Erling Haaland Leads Team 2

The standout star of FC 27 Destined For Glory Team 2 lineup is undoubtedly Erling Haaland, boasting a 91 overall rating. His player card combines outstanding pace, shooting, and physical attributes, and is equipped with several powerful PlayStyles, including:

Quick Step+
Finesse Shot
Chip Shot
Power Shot
Precision Header
Low Driven Shot
Gamechanger
Enforcer

Haaland not only possesses exceptional physicality and potent finishing ability, but his upgraded dribbling stats also make him a more well-rounded player than his standard version.

If you want to boost his passing and dribbling while maintaining his overall attacking threat, Engine Chemistry Style is a particularly useful choice.

With his size, strength, finishing, and upgraded technical attributes, Haaland is undoubtedly the most sought-after star player card in Destined For Glory Team 2 lineup.

Diani, Lookman, and Other Top Attackers

Kadidiatou Diani is another major highlight of Team 2 squad.

Her card boasts excellent pace and dribbling, along with PlayStyles such as Low Driven Shot+, Finesse Shot, Gamechanger, and Technical, making her a highly dangerous attacking option.

Her versatility is also a huge asset; she can adapt to the right-wing attacking position, offering greater flexibility when building your squad.

Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman and Anthony Gordon provide additional options for players seeking fast wingers.

Moisés Caicedo and Marc Cucurella Stand Out in Defense

Of course, Destined For Glory update isn't limited to attackers; the defensive players are equally impressive.

Moisés Caicedo possesses a well-rounded midfield skillset, combining pace, passing, dribbling, shooting, and defensive attributes. His PlayStyles include Technical+, Finesse Shot, Chip Shot, Low Driven Shot, Inventive, First Touch, and Quick Step.

Marc Cucurella is another defender in Team 2 worth noting. Beyond his boosted pace, he offers excellent defensive capabilities, solid passing, strong physicality, and good dribbling skills. Additionally, he possesses PlayStyles such as Jockey+, Block, Press Proven, and Relentless, making him a highly attractive option for players seeking a defensive full-back.

Ultimate Gauntlet Arrives

In addition to brand-new players, the arrival of Destined For Glory Team 2 also brings the first Ultimate Gauntlet event in FUT 27.

Ultimate Gauntlet event consists of two rounds, giving you 10 attempts per day to enter the challenge. Complete objectives—such as winning matches—to earn rewards ranging from Skill Points and packs to Cosmetic Evolutions. Notably, the headline reward for Destined For Glory promo is Gonçalo Ramos player card, providing players with a strong incentive to participate in and complete Ultimate Gauntlet.

Currently, FC 27 Ultimate Gauntlet 1 features a total of 10 objectives, detailed in the table below:

Task	Rewards
Score at least 1 goal in 14 separate matches in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1	80+ Gold Players Pack x7
Score at least 1 goal in 10 separate matches in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1	80+ Gold Players Pack x7
Win both matches in a single Ultimate Gauntlet 1 round, three times	84+ Gold Players Pack x3
Win both matches in a single Ultimate Gauntlet 1 round, twice	82+ Gold Players Pack x5
Win both matches in a single Ultimate Gauntlet 1 round	81+ Gold Players Pack x7
Win 5 matches in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1	77+ Gold Players Pack x7
Win 3 matches in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1	75+ Gold Players Pack x7
Win 1 match in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1	100 SP
Score at least 1 goal in 4 separate matches in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1	Backline Conductor Evolution
Score 1 goal in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1	Score 1 goal in the Ultimate Gauntlet 1

One notable detail is that players only need to complete eight of the available objectives. This offers flexibility, meaning you don't have to fulfill every single specific requirement.

Gonçalo Ramos Objective Card

Gonçalo Ramos player card serves as the main player reward for this Ultimate Gauntlet 1 event.

His card attributes are as follows:

Pace: 82
Shooting: 85
Passing: 70
Dribbling: 82
Defending: 55
Physical: 83
4-Star Weak Foot

Additionally, he possesses PlayStyles such as Finesse Shot, Precision Header, Aerial Fortress, and Press Proven. While these may not be as spectacular as the stats on some of the top-tier Team 2 cards, his 84 overall rating makes him a free option worth considering for players willing to complete Ultimate Gauntlet.

FC 27 Gonçalo Ramos Objective Card

New Player of the Month SBCs

Next up is our favorite segment: Player of the Month SBCs. With Raphinha announced as La Liga's Player of the Month for September, he takes center stage in this series of SBCs.

Raphinha boasts not only 4-star Skill Moves and Weak Foot but also a variety of attacking PlayStyles—such as Quick Step, Rapid, Relentless, and Power Shot. Combined with his positional versatility, he is undoubtedly a rare, multi-faceted asset for your squad.

However, the main issue is the cost.

Completing Raphinha Player of the Month SBC requires approximately 1.3 million gems—translating to an investment of nearly 1.2 million FC 27 coins. Given that this card is available for a limited time only, this is undeniably a steep price to pay.

Saving up 1.3 million gems is no easy feat for players. Furthermore, completing this SBC offers virtually no packs or other substantial rewards in return. While these streamlined SBCs are fun and generally beneficial for team building, I feel this Raphinha card simply isn't worth such a massive investment.

The high price tag is particularly hard to justify when compared to his tradeable Gold and special versions, which offer comparable overall stats.

FC 27 Raphinha Player of the Month SBC

Final Thoughts

FC 27 Destined For Glory Team 2 release offers far more than just a new lineup of players.

Headlined by the 91-rated superstar Erling Haaland, the event is a major draw, while players like Upamecano, Cucurella, and Caicedo provide a wealth of high-quality options across various positions.

Additionally, the brand-new Ultimate Gauntlet gives players another way to earn rewards and acquire Gonçalo Ramos. Meanwhile, the latest SBC lineup is diverse, featuring everything from the high-value Player of the Month Raphinha to a range of much more affordable player cards.

Overall, FIFA 27 Destined For Glory Team 2 introduces a host of exciting new player cards worth chasing, with powerful options spanning every position—from elite attackers to versatile midfielders and defenders. Don't wait—add them to your squad now and give your team's overall strength a major boost!

FC 27 Meta Is Already Dividing Players: Fidget Spinning, CDM Defending, and AI Changes Behind It

Thanks to many players opting for early access, the conversation within the community has already shifted from simply discussing whether the new mechanics are fun to delving into the meta game, even though FIFA 27 has been officially live for less than five days.

In the context of FUT 27, the meta refers to the competitive gameplay strategies, specifically the offensive and defensive mechanics and control schemes, that rely on AI player behavior and the current version's gameplay design.

Interestingly, the current mechanics of FIFA 27 have given rise to two distinct styles of meta. We will introduce both styles and analyze the specific changes that led to this phenomenon.

The current FIFA 27 meta

The competitive playstyle in FIFA 27, centered around Ultimate Team, is generally diverging into two distinct directions.

One meta style relies heavily on fidget spinning or close-quarters dribbling with the ball carrier, forcing opposing defenders out of position by constantly shifting body orientation.

The other approach is more conservative; it requires you to control a CDM or CM to maintain defensive shape, delegating more defensive duties to AI while waiting for the opponent to make a mistake before launching a counterattack.

These two vastly different playstyles have pushed FC 27 toward two extremes. This situation is likely driven by gameplay design changes that reduced the impact of AI-controlled auto-tackling while increasing the importance of manual defending.

At the same time, FUT 27 has redesigned key systems such as passing, attacking movement, corner kicks, and dribbling. In short, the debate surrounding the current meta stems largely from changes made to several core gameplay systems.

AI no longer initiates tackles

Of all the gameplay changes in FUT 27, the most significant is that AI players no longer proactively attempt tackles; the role of AI defenders has been reduced, placing more defensive responsibility directly in your hands.

In previous titles, if a player carrying the ball came within a certain range, an opposing AI defender might automatically attempt a tackle.

FC 27 has changed this logic. Currently, the primary role of AI defenders is to hold their position or provide support. Their interception range has been reduced, whereas the defender you control manually boasts a wider interception radius.

This change aims to emphasize player agency and manual control during defense, moving away from relying on clumsy AI for inconsistent results, which is a positive intention.

However, a tricky issue has emerged in actual gameplay: since you can only control one player at a time, the ability of the remaining ten AI teammates to coordinate effectively with you becomes crucial.

If AI teammates fail to cover, block, or track runners in time, the pressure on the ball carrier drops, allowing them to exploit the controversial fidget spinning tactic to break through your defensive line more easily.

What is the issue with fidget spinning?

Fidget spinning isn't an official Playstyle; rather, it is a strategy devised by FC players that utilizes ball control and rapid changes in body orientation to constantly probe for defensive weaknesses and find a way through.

If a defender commits to a tackle, you can instantly move in the opposite direction; if they hold their ground, you can continue moving laterally until a gap opens up in the defensive line.

The attention fidget spinning has garnered in FUT 27 is linked to the aforementioned nerf to AI defending.

Since AI defenders no longer automatically execute frequent tackles, you must manually intervene to apply pressure on the opponent.

However, some players argue that while FC 27 places greater emphasis on manual defending, rapid lateral changes of direction in attack have become overly prevalent. This imbalance has led to a split in the game's meta environment.

Why do some players only control CDM?

Fundamentally, the developers emphasized manual defending hoping players would take direct control of their center-backs; yet, most players remain accustomed to controlling CDM and maintaining the defensive line's shape.

In reality, the two approaches aren't mutually exclusive; if you manually rush a center-back out of position, AI-controlled defenders may be forced to cover significantly more space. If that center-back gets beaten by an opponent, a glaring gap opens up in your defensive line.

Therefore, controlling CDM allows you to avoid dragging your last line of defense out of position; it lets AI defenders hold their ground, minimizing any manual disruption to the defensive structure.

Some players view this strategy as sound space management, while others argue it undermines the goal of emphasizing manual defense, as it reverts the playstyle to the low-risk defensive patterns of the past.

The impact of passing on the fidget-spinning meta

Beyond defense, changes to the passing system in FUT 27 are a major factor shaping the current meta. Adjustments to ground and aerial through-balls mean passes no longer auto-correct their trajectory; instead, they rely heavily on the direction you actually aim.

We speculate that this change was designed to raise the skill ceiling for passing in FIFA 27, adding both challenge and depth to the gameplay.

However, the issue arises when reduced passing forgiveness meets the high creative potential of individual dribbling; the meta inevitably tilts toward a style driven by solo breakthroughs.

The future of FIFA 27 meta

Since FIFA 27 has only recently launched, it is too early to definitively label its meta. Nevertheless, certain trends are already emerging, specifically the growing importance of solo dribbling and manual defense.

Moving forward, the development team should aim to strike a balance between these elements. The most effective approach would be to foster more reliable team-based attacking options, giving you diverse ways to create scoring chances through passing and off-the-ball movement.

Regardless of how the meta evolves, one of the best ways to secure more victories is to buy FC 27 coins, then redeem and open more packs to bolster your club's squad!

A deeper player roster gives you the flexibility to adjust your lineup to suit the requirements of different game modes, ultimately boosting your performance on the pitch!
FC 27 Gallery Level 10 on a Low Budget: Bronze Packs, SBC Cycling & Smart Transfer Market Moves

To reach Level 10 in EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Team Gallery, you need to accumulate a total score of 3,000,000. While this figure seems daunting, you can significantly reduce costs by strategically utilizing First Owner cards, subcategory boosts, and low-rated squads.

The key isn't simply stacking high-OVR player cards; it's about maximizing Gallery points contributed in FC 27 by every completable squad.

The Value of First Owner Cards

First Owner cards are central to this strategy.

Many players overlook them, yet they can unlock immense value from low-OVR Bronze and Silver cards.

You receive different bonuses based on the number of First Owner cards in a squad: 5–9 items yield a 150% bonus, 10–19 items yield 300%, and 20 items yield 500%.

Of course, not every squad can accommodate 20 First Owner cards, so determine your completion limit before deciding how many resources to invest in FIFA 27.

Low-rated squads can often reach S-tier status using Bronze and Silver First Owner cards, without needing expensive Gold cards.

Leveraging Subcategory Boosts

Each squad features various subcategories that allow for stacking percentage bonuses.

Common conditions include Midfield Control, Defensive Wall, Same Nation, Different Nation, and so on.

The Auto-Fill function simply ranks players by rating (highest to lowest) without optimizing for Gallery bonuses. You will need to manually swap players to meet the specific thresholds - such as counts for the same league, nationality, club, or First Owner status - required to unlock these extra boosts.

Even if a specific position's rating drops, the squad's total score can still increase if the resulting bonuses are substantial enough.

For instance, swapping a non-First Owner defender for a First Owner version might simultaneously boost the multipliers for both All out Attack and First Owner categories.

Don't Just Chase S-Tier Teams

Players should realize that S-tier teams aren't always the best choice. While different teams yield varying total scores for Gallery, some lower-rated teams are actually easier to complete and can contribute a significant amount of points.

Teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid, and Barcelona show marked differences in point yields across different rating tiers; therefore, you should carefully compare the difficulty of completion against the potential point rewards.

You should simply skip teams that are impossible to complete - like Granada CF - to avoid wasting time and energy. Instead, focus on teams that are achievable, offer plenty of First Owner card sources, and allow for easy stacking of sub-categories.

Start with Lower-Rated Teams and Major Leagues

Major leagues like Premier League can provide a massive boost to your Gallery score in FUT 27, while lower-rated teams are excellent for accumulating First Owner cards.

To do this, select a specific team and use the Auto-fill function to populate the squad with cards from your club, sorting from highest to lowest rating. Then, check for criteria such as First Owner, Midfield Control, and Defensive Wall.

You can decide which positions to fill based on your current roster, but prioritize categories that are close to hitting the next bonus tier. For instance, if you are just a few players shy of triggering a 10-player or 15-player bonus, the payoff will be much more significant.

Repeat this process league by league and team by team, and your Gallery score will steadily climb.

How to get First Owner cards?

If you are short on First Owner cards, the cheapest sources in FIFA 27 are Bronze Packs and SBCs.

Use the coins earned from matches to acquire Bronze Packs, then complete Bronze Upgrade SBC. This gives you a chance to pull First Owner Silver cards; these Silver cards can then be used in higher-level upgrades, potentially yielding First Owner Gold cards.

You earn approximately 3,000 FC 27 coins per match in Division 5 and above, while a Bronze Pack costs only around 500 coins. This means the earnings from a single match can fund the acquire of multiple Bronze Packs.

While this method of cycling cards requires patience, it significantly lowers the cost of acquiring First Owner cards.

Filling Out Your Squad

Once a low-rated squad already has five First Owner players, you can acquire the remaining players directly from Transfer Market to fill the empty slots.

After you have filled the roster and met the rating requirements, you can immediately sell the unneeded cards back to the market to recoup most of your coins.

However, if you have an abundance of coins in FUT 27, you might consider using Team of the Week Holographic cards to help complete squads with high rating requirements.

Just be sure to prioritize meeting First Owner and sub-category bonus thresholds first; otherwise, a high individual card rating won't necessarily yield the highest total score.

Additional Tips

Completing Objectives, Season Pass, SBCs, and Milestones can also provide you with more First Owner players and rewards.

You can find Gallery Foundations under Milestones section; completing these tasks gives you the chance to earn Gallery Tokens, FC 27 coins, and Bronze, Silver, and Gold packs.

As you progress through FC 27 Gallery, more First Owner players and tokens will unlock, making the process increasingly smoother.

When executing this strategy, make sure to build up your squad gradually and in the right order to trigger bonuses, while sourcing suitable players from Transfer Market whenever necessary.

By repeating this process, reaching your target score and hitting Level 10 in EA FC 27 Gallery will be well within your reach!
EA FC 27 Ones to Watch Challenge Guide | How to Defeat Legendary AI with Counterattacks?

EA FC 27 Ones to Watch challenge is quite demanding, especially because the AI opponents are extremely difficult to deal with this year. Their passing is remarkably strong, and they only need a small opening to break through your defensive line.

For players whose squads are not strong enough yet, defeating this AI team on Legendary difficulty can be extremely difficult. However, you are not completely without options. One of the most effective approaches is actually to absorb the pressure and then hit them on the counterattack.

Formation and Player Setup

Any formation that gives you a CAM and two strikers can work well, so simply choose the formation you are most comfortable with.

CB

For the first line of defense, you need a very tall center-back. Once the AI wins a corner, it has a very high chance of scoring with a header. If you can regain possession from the corner, you can often create a 3 vs 2 or 4 vs 2 counterattack, which is basically a guaranteed goal.

You can use 84 OVR Ibrahima Konaté, who stands at 6 feet 4 inches and also has Bruiser PlayStyle. If you have enough FUT coins, you can also consider 87 OVR Nico Schlotterbeck.

CM

For your CMs, the priority is having one or two players with Incisive Pass. There are plenty of options, such as 86 OVR Florian Wirtz and Bruno Guimarães Moura. Bruno has a significant weakness, so if you do not want to use him, you can instead choose a player with First Touch or Technical.

Your CMs should ideally be tall players who can handle pressure. 88 OVR Declan Rice stands at 6 feet 2 inches, has strong defensive and physical attributes, and also has Relentless+. You can control him to track back and help defend.

CAM

CAM position is extremely important. Incisive Pass+ is almost essential. Having 4-star or 5-star Weak Foot would make things even better. Against the AI, more than nine times out of ten, you will rely on precise passing to put the ball directly into your striker's path.

ST

For your strikers, pace is everything, although any striker with enough pace can be quite valuable. Pay attention to player chemistry, as some strikers can reach strong sprint speeds when equipped with Hunter Chemistry Style.

How to Beat the Legendary AI?

First, you need to set your Depth to 1. This is extremely important. If you push your defensive line too high, the AI will use extremely dangerous through balls to tear through your defense.

Against the AI, the harder you try to force your way forward, the more likely you are to make a mistake. If you constantly force forward passes, you will find yourself under a lot of pressure. You need to spend plenty of time circulating the ball in the defensive third while waiting for space to open up in the midfield third.

After losing possession, control a midfielder and have him track back instead of switching to a defender. Do not try to rush out with your defenders, and do not switch defenders too casually. One wrong decision can be immediately punished by the AI.

Once you regain possession, give the ball to a player with Incisive Pass or Incisive Pass+, then play a through ball immediately. This will be the source of most of your goals. You regain possession, play a penetrating pass to your striker, and from there, it becomes a matter of pace.

If you take the lead, such as going 2-0 up, you can become more passive and allow the AI to have possession or even win corners, although this still carries some risk. As long as you regain possession, continue to counterattack.

Do not constantly recycle the ball all the way back to your own defensive area, but controlled possession and running down the clock are necessary tools for dealing with the AI.

When the AI starts pushing forward aggressively, you will feel completely suffocated. At that point, a simple one-two can be enough to break the defensive line, allowing you to run directly at goal. A low Depth keeps your midfield line deeper, while your strikers will have more room to make forward runs after you win possession.

Corners and Set Pieces

The AI is extremely dangerous from corners. Its ability to connect with headers is very strong, but corners can also create opportunities because they almost guarantee that one side will get a chance to score. If you can regain possession, you will usually have a 3 vs 2 or 4 vs 2 counterattack, which should almost always result in a goal. Once you are ahead, you can play more passively, allow them to cross the ball, and then use your taller players to clear it.

Managing a Lead

Once you are ahead, possession becomes extremely important. You can pass the ball back to your goalkeeper and allow the AI to push forward. The risk is that the goalkeeper could be dispossessed and concede. However, you can simply wait, as the AI will eventually push forward.

Once they truly start pressing and you feel suffocated, use a one-two to break through their line, then move the ball to the other side of the pitch and continue controlling possession.

If the timing is right, you may not even need to attempt another goal. Of course, scoring another one is always welcome. The key is to make the match as difficult and as long as possible, preventing the AI from attacking comfortably.

There is no cheating involved, nor are there any settings changes that allow you to stay permanently onside. This is simply a legitimate way to defeat the AI on Legendary difficulty. If you can master this approach in the PvE Live Event, returning to Squad Battles should feel noticeably easier because the AI there is weaker.