Fundamental: What is an Activated Playstyle?
First, the essential: a Player Playstyle is only activated when the player is fielded in their designated position on the tactical map. A "Goal Poacher" played as an LMF will not have their playstyle activated and will behave generically. Understanding this is the first step to building a coherent team.
Offensive Synergies: The Goal Machine
The attack is where combinations of Playstyles produce the most visible results. The goal is to create different types of threats simultaneously to overwhelm the opposing defense.
Combination 1: Double Threat Infiltration: Goal Poacher CF + Hole Player AMF
This is perhaps the deadliest offensive synergy in the game. The Goal Poacher pins the defensive line with constant runs in behind, forcing them to drop deep. It's in the space created between the defenders and midfielders that the Hole Player aggressively makes runs, becoming a second striker. The defense is left with an impossible choice: track the run or cover the infiltration.
Combination 2: Box Occupation (Fox in the Box + Prolific Wingers)
Perfect for those who play down the wings. The Fox in the Box positions himself inside the penalty area, being a constant target for crosses and finishes. Meanwhile, the Prolific Wingers cut inside, bringing the full-backs with them and creating chaos. The presence of the Fox in the Box prevents the defense from focusing entirely on the winger, creating space for a shot.
And yes, when you're losing 2-1 in the last minute, and you reach the byline with your left winger to cross for your 1.95m Fox in the Box who is free in the area, the ball will magically go straight to your 1.65m right winger who is marked by two defenders. One of the few fundamentals that remain true, regardless of the eFootball year.
Combination 3: Overloading the Flanks: Offensive Full-back + Prolific Winger
The secret here is space creation and occupation. The Prolific Winger, especially when played on the opposite side of their strong foot (e.g., a left-footer on the right wing), has a natural tendency to cut inside towards the goal. In doing so, they pull the opposing full-back's marking with them, completely emptying the flank. It is at this exact moment that the AI of the Offensive Full-back is activated. They notice the empty space ahead, creating a 2-on-1 situation against the opposing defender. This generates a numerical overload on the flank, resulting in multiple options: the full-back's cross, the winger's shot, or a one-two between them.
The Heart of the Team: Midfield Synergies
A balanced midfield is the foundation of everything. This is where you define whether your team will be reactive or proactive.
Essential Combination: The Engine (Destroyer + Orchestrator)
The most classic and functional DMF/CMF pairing. The Destroyer has an aggressive AI, hunting down the ball carrier to tackle. It is important to note that if you are a beginner or have not yet mastered marking, the Destroyer should give way to an Anchor Man. After recovery, the Orchestrator, who positions himself deeper and more securely, receives the first pass to calmly and precisely initiate the transition to attack. One recovers, the other builds.
The Wall: Defensive Synergies
Defense is about stability and coverage, and Playstyle is fundamental to avoiding empty spaces.
The Center-Back Pairing: The "Build Up" as an Anchor
The foundation of almost every competitive defense. The Build Up defender has a cautious AI, preferring to hold the defensive line rather than stepping out to tackle. The safest combination is to use two center-backs with this style, creating an extremely solid defensive line that is difficult to beat with through balls.
Conclusion: Your Team, Your System
Forget the quest for the highest Overall player. Mastery in eFootball comes from understanding how AIs interact. Start thinking of your team not as a collection of 11 individuals, but as a system of synergies. Watch the behavior of players off the ball, and you will see that a well-assembled team will easily outperform a star-studded squad without technical criteria. Victory lies in engineering.