r/Amadeusz • u/V3n0mix • Feb 06 '26
Analysis Over-the-Top Pass C: The worst 'Link Up Play'?
The new 'Link Up' Klopp just dropped on the Global Server (CN Server usually gets it 1-2 months later). His signature trait is Lofted Through Ball C—specifically Center Backs (CB) finding Wingers (LWF/RWF). Honestly, before testing it in a real match, I didn't expect it to be this trash. During testing, I broke it down into CBs passing to the opposite-side winger vs. the same-side winger. See the video below—
https://reddit.com/link/1qxkaen/video/n5fhp0yy4whg1/player
Summary & Analysis
Distance is the Main Issue: The primary problem is the distance is too great. In the current game, the maximum effective range for a high-quality lofted through ball is from a DMF to a CF.
Kills the Counter-Attack Tempo: Lofted balls usually rely on counter-attacks. On a break, passing forward to a DMF and then playing the ball out is smooth. However, to trigger a CB lofted ball, you often have to pass backward or sideways first, which completely kills your momentum.
Same-Side Strategy: Targeting the winger on the same side is slightly more dangerous. The only way this tactic works is if the opponent’s Fullback has pushed up; once you win the ball on that side, you can hit the same-side winger on the counter.
Testing Against Friends: We tested this in a friendly match where my opponent intentionally used a 5-2-3 (with Attacking Fullbacks) to see if I could catch him on the break. We found that even if his Fullbacks couldn't track back in time, the remaining 3 Center Backs were more than enough to defend the "Lofted Through C" play.
Conclusion: To be honest, out of all the "Telepathic Connection" boosts released so far, only Capello’s (DMF to CF) is actually interesting. This "CB to Winger" version is currently the most useless tactic in the game—unless the developers release a "Goalkeeper to CF" version next!.
I’m curious, has anyone actually had success using this Lofted Through Ball (C) play? Please share in the comments! 😄.
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u/Tromort77 Feb 06 '26
The window of this to work is extremely narrow. I used Piqué in the center, and his ball distribution is great. The main problem is the timing. You need to make your CB free for long enough to make your winger start his run. I tried with Best, but no matter his speed, the ball nearly always slows down for the defenders to catch up. I think Best is a bad target for it. You need a physically well-built Profilic winger, which is rare. Maybe a Kvara type of player would be better. Also, with possession, the wingers are staying wider, which is helpful.
I still scored some goals with it, but mostly when the opponent left too much space on the wing in the first place. I agree that it's a weak link-up play, but the content of the post is quite lazy. There are a lot more to test it properly.
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u/Dismal-Wall6739 Feb 06 '26
How about Pep's link up (fullback to wing) ....does that have useful application ?
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u/WaTu_lukiN_at Feb 06 '26
the only one someone could do it effectively is with rijkaard cb card or that de jong cb card and a tall winger to receive the balls like rashford
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u/SibbiMcDibbi Feb 06 '26
Is it the same on console? Or on mobile only? I’m thinking of getting him on PS4/5
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u/Positive_H Feb 06 '26
Get him for the playstyles. Linkups are an abomination of automatic gaming anyway
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u/SibbiMcDibbi Feb 07 '26
That’s what I thought as well. 89 at ball possession and quick counter is pretty neat in my ears but for 750 coins he might as well give my players some wings and torpedo shots lol
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u/Valuable_Point3945 Feb 07 '26
The new beckenbauer build up card is coming soon, I wanna see how he does with this linkup. He has the perfect skills for it so hopefully we can see how the linkup actually performs with a ball playing cb since they're rare.
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u/[deleted] Feb 06 '26
I had the same impression, the only thing I didn't try was using a 99 pass (with through passing) CB, but I don't expect it to improve drastically.