FC 27 Pressing Guide: Team Press and Second Man Press

This FC 27 pressing guide starts with the basics: close down with your controlled player, hold R1/RB to send a teammate to press, and press D-pad Up then Left for Team Press. In FC 27, though, Team Press has no effect while the ball is in your defensive third.

What is pressing and why does it matter in FC 27?

Pressing means squeezing the space around the ball carrier to force a mistake and win the ball. It matters even more in FC 27 because, according to EA's Gameplay Deep Dive, AI defenders in Competitive gameplay no longer tackle automatically. They hold position and cut passing lanes, so the pressure and the tackle have to come from you. Teammate Contain also closes down from slightly further away; EA says you need to switch to a defender yourself to press effectively.

FC 27 pressing controls

From FIFPlay's FC 27 controls list (default Classic layout):

FC 27 pressing guide: step by step

1. Cut the passing lane first. Put your controlled player between the ball carrier and their most dangerous pass. Forcing them wide or backwards is the first step to winning the ball.
2. Send the second man. Holding R1/RB sends a teammate to press. In FC 27 that pressure is applied from further away, so it rarely wins the ball alone; it slows the attacker and buys you time.
3. Close down, then slow down. Don't sprint into the dribbler. Close the gap and switch to jockey with L2/LT. EA increased jockey speed and stand tackle range for manually controlled defenders.
4. Tackle at the right moment. Go in with Circle/B after a heavy touch or when the attacker turns into you. Don't spam the shoulder challenge from behind; EA's beta update says repeated presses slow your defender.
5. Switch early. Select the player who will press before the ball reaches their man. Right stick switching lets you pick players that L1/LB skips.

How to use Team Press

Team Press is a quick tactic that pushes your whole team to hunt the ball for a short spell. FIFPlay lists it as D-pad Up, then Left. EA's closed beta update from September 3 set two important limits this year:

• No effect in your defensive third: Team Press does nothing while the ball is in your own third.
• Defenders press less: they can still step towards marked players further up, but apply less pressure than midfielders and forwards and are more exposed to balls in behind.

Use Team Press in the opponent's half, when you are chasing the game and want the ball back quickly. It is risky against fast forwards.

Pressing through tactics: line height and game plan

• Defensive Approach: in the Red Bull guide with Tekkz and RedLac, the pros use High at 61-65. A high line makes pressing further up easier but needs quick centre backs.
• High Pressing in Career Mode: per Dexerto, the High Pressing Tactical Vision aims to win the ball high up and create quick chances, but it is high risk and not recommended for lower-tier teams.
• Pressing with a deep line: EA says lower Defensive Depth makes defenders retreat sooner. Don't combine a high press with a deep line, or a gap opens between midfield and defence.

Why isn't my team pressing in FC 27?

The usual reasons:

1. The ball is in your own third: Team Press doesn't work there.
2. Waiting for the AI to tackle: FC 27 AI defenders no longer go for the ball on their own; you have to make the challenge.
3. Relying only on R1/RB: second man pressure is applied from distance; switch to the presser to win the ball.
4. A deep defensive line: with a low line, players drop off instead of stepping up.

We covered older pressing tactics in our FIFA 22 pressing guide; Team Press works differently in FC 27.

Sources: EA - FC 27 closed beta update, FIFPlay - FC 27 controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you turn on Team Press in FC 27?

Press D-pad Up, then Left, on both PlayStation and Xbox. It has no effect while the ball is in your defensive third.

What button is second man press in FC 27?

Hold R1 on PlayStation or RB on Xbox. A teammate will close down the ball carrier.

Why is Team Press not working?

According to EA's beta update, Team Press has no effect while the ball is in your defensive third. Use it in the opponent's half.

What defensive line is best for pressing in FC 27?

Pros use High at 61-65. If your centre backs lack pace, go lower and press high less often.