WikiLine-up
The line-up decides who plays and in which position. It's the foundation your tactics are built on – and the most common place where managers give away strength for nothing. Here you'll learn how the match engine really rates your eleven.
The most important rule: the right position
Every player has an ideal position (some have a second). Only there do they bring their full strength. How strongly they take the field depends directly on how far you move them away from their position:
| Where you play him | Effective strength |
|---|---|
| Ideal position (1st or 2nd) | 100 % |
| Same line, different position (e.g. CB instead of RB) | 90 % |
| Wrong line (e.g. a striker in defence) | 50 % |
| Outfield player in goal / goalkeeper outfield | only 15 % |
A 90-rated striker at full-back brings only 45 effective strength – weaker than a 70-rated defender in his own position. Always play players as close to their position as possible. When in doubt, pick a weaker specialist over a strong player in the wrong role.
Formation & system
The formation determines how many defenders, midfielders and strikers you put on the pitch – and their exact arrangement. KoF offers many systems, roughly grouped by the back line:
| Back line | Examples | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Back three | 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 3-4-1-2, 3-1-4-2 | attack-minded, more players forward – more vulnerable at the back |
| Back four | 4-4-2 (diamond/flat/block), 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1, 4-4-1-1 | balanced – the all-purpose standard |
| Back five | 5-3-2, 4-5-1, defensive 4-3-3 variants | defensively solid, great for protecting a lead |
Add-ons like diamond, flat, wide, block, attacking, defensive change the width and focus of a system. Important: the formation sets the base distribution – the orientation then shifts strength between defence and attack during the match on top of that.
Pick the system that suits your best players in their ideal positions – not the other way round. Three top strikers? Play a back-three/back-four system with three up front. A rock-solid central defence but no wings? Then don't force a wide system.
Who counts where? Positions in the match
Not every position is involved in everything. The match engine distributes the scenes by position – this is how you deploy your players optimally:
| Position | Main job in the match |
|---|---|
| Striker (ST) | drives the attack and the finishing most of all – this is where your best finishers belong |
| Attacking midfield (AM) | second most important man for chances & finishing – the creative hub |
| Wide midfield (LM/RM) | creating chances down the flanks |
| Central midfield (CM) | the link – involved in build-up, attack and defence |
| Defensive midfield (DM) | winning the ball and shielding the defence |
| Defence (CB/SW/LB/RB) | defends the opponent's chances away |
| Goalkeeper (GK) | the last line; with the right abilities also build-up play (counters) |
The three lines don't work in isolation: a strong midfield lifts both defence and attack – it's the heart of the team. Lose the centre and you usually lose the match. And: special abilities count triple in the one-on-one duels – the right skill in the right position decides tight scenes.
Reading strength correctly: best 11 avg., best 15 avg. & strength comparison
On the line-up screen you see three figures – they help you judge the squad:
- Average of the best 11 – the average of your strongest starting eleven. The most important number for matchday.
- Average of the best 15 – thinking with the bench in mind: it shows how deep your squad is for busy weeks and rotation.
- Average strength – the average across the whole squad.
The strength comparison lets you set your values against those of the opponent. With Scout opponent you get extra statistics – use them to tune your formation and tactics specifically to the opponent.
The displayed strength isn't everything: in the match what counts is match strength including form. A slightly weaker but fresh and highly motivated player can beat a jaded star. Before busy weeks, rotation pays off.
Bench & absentees
You need 11 outfield players, otherwise the line-up can't be saved. The substitutes on the bench are ready for substitutions – plan them to fit the changes you intend to make. Suspended (cards) and injured players are not eligible and show up under "Absentees".
Captain & set-piece takers
Who you make captain and who takes the corners, free kicks and penalties is set on the team screen. Both have a real impact on the match: the captain gives the team a boost from the 80th minute on, and good set-piece takers convert more dead balls. When picking your line-up, make sure your captain is actually on the pitch right to the end.
How to line up well
- Position over strength: better every player in his ideal position than stars in foreign roles.
- System to suit the squad: pick the formation that places your best players in fitting positions.
- Best finishers up front: strongest finishers at ST/AM, best ball-winners at DM/CB, link-type players in CM.
- Don't neglect the midfield: it supports both other lines – skimping here costs you everywhere.
- Factor in the opponent: use the strength comparison and scouting, then adjust formation/tactics.
- Rotate: before congested fixture lists, put freshness over raw strength – tied in with your training.
Ideal position = 100 %, wrong line = 50 %, goal/field swapped = 15 % · 11 players mandatory · pick your system around your best players · best finishers at ST/AM, ball-winners at the back, CM as the link · best 11 avg./best 15 avg. & scouting for comparison · form can beat strength · captain & takers on the team screen.