If you’ve just downloaded the game and feel overwhelmed by weird controls, unresponsive players, and opponents that seem to score every time they get near your box, you’re not alone. I spent my first three weeks with eFootball 2023 losing 90% of my matches, even against players with lower overall team ratings, before I figured out the small tweaks that make all the difference. This guide breaks down exactly how to play eFootball 2023 for total newbies and casual players who want to stop losing and start climbing the division ranks without sinking hundreds of hours into practice.
How to Play eFootball 2023: Master the Basic Controls First
One of the biggest misconceptions people have when learning how to play eFootball 2023 is that you need to master every advanced control to win, which is completely untrue. Most casual players do just fine sticking to a small set of core controls, and skipping the fancy skill moves and advanced inputs until they have the basics down pat. Classic controls are the best pick for new players coming from other football games, as the layout will feel familiar, and you won’t have to re-learn every button from scratch.
I made the mistake of starting with advanced controls because I read online they were better for competitive play, and I spent two weeks fumbling with passes that went nowhere and shots that flew over the bar every time. Switching back to classic cut my lost match rate in half within three days. Short passes are 3x more effective than long through balls in lower divisions, since most new defenders don’t know how to mark short, overlapping runs, and long passes are far more likely to get intercepted.
- Manual pass assist set to 2/4: This gives you enough control over pass direction without making every pass go way off target when you slightly misaim
- Double-tap shoot for low driven shots: These are far harder for keepers to save than high powered shots from inside the box
- Light press (X/A on console) instead of constant hard press: Hard pressing pulls your entire defense out of position and leaves gaps for through balls
I used to have pass assist maxed out for my first month, and I kept getting frustrated when the game would send a pass to the wrong player completely. Dropping it to 2 fixed that almost immediately, and I didn’t have to spend weeks learning perfect manual pass aim.
Build a Balanced Team Without Spending Real Money
If you’re just starting to learn how to play eFootball 2023, focus on getting 11 players that all match your manager’s playstyle before you worry about getting high rated superstars. Overall team rating is far less important than playstyle compatibility, and a team of 82-rated players that all fit your manager’s quick counter or possession play style will beat a team of 90-rated mismatched players 9 times out of 10.
Most new players stack their team with the highest rated attackers they can get, and ignore defense and midfield entirely. That’s a mistake I made early on: my first team had a 92 rated Mbappe up front, but my midfield was two 78 rated players, and I couldn’t keep possession for more than 2 passes. I swapped Mbappe for an 84 rated forward that fit my quick counter playstyle, upgraded my midfield to 82+ rated players with high stamina, and won 6 of my next 10 matches right away.
You don’t need to spend real money on coins to get a competitive team either. You can earn free high rated players from weekly login rewards and casual event challenges, and even the free base version of most popular players works perfectly for mid-tier division play. Always keep at least 2 fast full backs on your team, because most new players rely on wing runs to score, and fast full backs can shut those down easily before they get near your box.
In-Match Tactics That Beat 80% of Casual Opponents
When you’re first figuring out how to play eFootball 2023, it’s easy to fall into the trap of copying what you see pro players do on streams, but their tactics work because they have thousands of hours of practice. For casual players, simple, consistent tactics work far better than trying to pull off fancy, high-risk plays every time you get the ball.
First, don’t attack down the middle every time. Most new players park 3 center backs in the box, so wing play is way easier to pull off successfully. When you get to the byline, don’t cross immediately. Cut back to the edge of the box for a shot, or pass to a midfielder running into space, that has a 40% higher conversion rate than a random cross into a crowded box, based on my own match tracking over 100 ranked games.
You don’t need to score in the first 10 minutes. A lot of new players rush forward constantly, leave huge gaps at the back, and concede counter attack goals before they even get a good chance to shoot. I used to do this all the time, I’d be so focused on scoring that I’d forget to track runs from the opponent’s wingers, and I’d concede 2 goals before the half time mark. If you keep possession for the first 15 minutes, most opponents will get frustrated and start making reckless tackles and overcommitting on attacks, which leaves easy counter attack opportunities for you.
When you’re winning by 1 goal in the last 10 minutes, drop your defense line back to deep, and keep possession by passing around your midfield and defense. You don’t need to score more goals, just hold onto the lead. A lot of people get greedy and push for more goals, then concede a last minute equalizer, which is totally avoidable.
Fix Common Rookie Mistakes That Cost You Matches
Most people who are new to how to play eFootball 2023 make the same handful of mistakes over and over, even if they’ve played other football games before. The good news is these mistakes are super easy to fix once you notice them, and fixing just one or two can immediately boost your win rate.
First, stop spamming skill moves. Most new players watch pro players do fancy skill moves and try to copy them, but they end up losing the ball 9 times out of 10. You only need 1 or 2 simple skill moves, like a body feint or a step over, to beat defenders, you don’t need to do 5 skill moves in a row to show off. I rarely use skill moves at all, and I still regularly reach Division 4 in ranked play without any issues.
Second, stop switching players too much when defending. A lot of people switch to the defender closest to the ball every time, and they end up running past the attacker instead of marking them. Stick to 1 defender when you’re chasing an attacker, don’t switch constantly unless you need to cover a run from an unmarked opponent. I used to switch players 3 or 4 times per defensive sequence, and I’d constantly leave wingers wide open for crosses. Sticking to one defender per play cut my conceded goals from crosses by 60%.
Third, stop ignoring stamina. If you sprint all game, your players will be exhausted by the 70th minute, and they’ll be slower, make worse passes, and miss easy shots. Make sure you substitute players that have less than 30% stamina by the 60th minute, even if they’re your best player. I once kept a 91 rated Haaland on the pitch when he had 20% stamina, and he missed 2 open goals in the last 5 minutes that would have won me the match. I always substitute my forwards first now, even if they’re playing well, to keep fresh players on the pitch for the end of the game.
At the end of the day, you don’t need to be a pro gamer to have fun and win matches when you learn how to play eFootball 2023. The tips I’ve shared here took me months to figure out through trial and error, and I still use every single one of them when I play ranked matches on weekends. Start with the basic controls first, build a team that fits your playstyle instead of chasing high rated cards, and don’t get discouraged if you lose a few matches in a row. Even the best players have losing streaks, and every loss is just a chance to figure out what you need to adjust for your next game. If you stick to these basics, you’ll be climbing the division ranks faster than you think.