A little before 10am, Friday: a crowd of curious masses on the huge stand Playstation at Paris Games Week. Among the video game fans gathered on the show, 16 will have the privilege of participating in a video game masterclass. For an hour, on the Playstation Academy space, Bruce Grannec, triple world champion of FIFA, the famous football game, and his acolyte Mahmoud "Brak" Gassama, gave their advice to amateur players. We took the opportunity to take some notes: here are the tips of the champions to become the best on FIFA 20.
1. Do not overwrite the settings
This is usually the stage that we zap a little (too) quickly when we install the last FIFA on his console: the settings. And yet, a lot of things are played here, assure in chorus Bruce and Brak. "We saw some players who were clever during the sessions, who did not listen during the set-up, and then, behind them, they suffered," gently tackles the second. The football game now allows you to customize from A to Z his gaming experience with multiple audiences to activate or deactivate according to his desire and his level of play.
Beyond the default settings, Bruce Grannec advises to remove synchronized shots, "a little too technical", but to keep the aids to the pass. "If you want to have control over your actions, opt for a manual player change, mastering the change of player is essential," he adds. For the rest, better keep the default support, "except for the centers, to better dose and direct them".
Bruce Grannec and Brak, a well-oiled duo
This is probably the best-known duo among FIFA specialists: it is now seven years since Bruce Grannec and Mahmoud "Brak" Gassama play and comment together on FIFA matches. Professional player from 2006 to 2015, with many titles to the key, Bruce Grannec launched his Youtube channel with his friend in 2012 with content around the game of football EA Sports. Very present at events such as Paris Games Week, the duo continues to work together on Twitch, site that allows them to watch them play and debate live.
2. Choose your team
Even among the best teams in the game, you have to know how to choose the right one, even leaving your club of heart. "There are some very interesting teams this year, especially Liverpool," said Brak. "It's a team where we can vary the styles of play and the strategies because the squad is very complete, with a lot of player profiles, this is the kind of team we have to take", he added. Also in England, Manchester City is attracted, as well as Borussia Dortmund. A list to which Bruce Grannec adds PSG, Real Madrid ("better in FIFA than real"), FC Barcelona ("Messi is finally the best player in the world in FIFA") and ... the team of France well sure.
3. Do not forget the pre-match
Once the team is chosen, take the time to prepare your match. "Tactics are very important," insists Bruce Grannec. First, the device. "The 4-2-3-1 is really the best option on FIFA 20. It is a system that allows you to take your time, to build," recommends the triple world champion. "If you like fast play, why not a 4-4-2, to combine with the two forwards?" On the other hand, escape the 4-3-3 .This is a device tantalizing in reality but, in FIFA 20, the wingmen are too eccentric, "says Bruce Grannec.
You can go one step further by choosing the style of play of your team in the defensive and offensive phase. "In defense, I advise the tactics" Reculée "or" Balanced ", which can limit the case if you're not comfortable behind," said Bruce Grannec. Brak abounds: "Defense is a key point of FIFA 20. Remember to manage the depth and width of your block, do not push the cursor too far otherwise your players will not play well together." In the offensive phase, Bruce Grannec recommends playing in "Possession" or "Balanced", to keep control of the ball.
4. Take your distance from reality
FIFA is a football game simulation and not a reproduction of reality. It may sound like a boat said like that, but it does matter. So do not necessarily stick to what happens on the field every weekend. Example: "With the PSG, the logic would like to put Icardi or Cavani in tip.But in FIFA, better put Mbappé.It is very fast, with a great finish.So the two others are a little heavier we can not play in depth with them ". Overall, to score, favor players with four or five stars on the wrong foot and a high score in finish. But do not stop at the overall rating!
5. Keep a cool head
A good FIFA player, explains Bruce Grannec, is already a player "who imposes his style of play". As in football, "you have to know how to adapt according to the opponent, the score and above all, do not crack mentally". "You go through all the emotions on FIFA, you have to control yourself, to keep your cool," said the man who was nicknamed "The Machine" when he was playing in competition. "It's important to keep your lucidity in order to do your actions and to surprise your opponent, for example, at the end of the match, it's useless to start the assault on the goal, keep building with passes." So much for the theory, now it's up to you to practice!