eFootball Bugs continue to frustrate players in 2025, and the defensive AI is at the center of the debate. Despite Konami’s recent anniversary updates and gameplay improvements, many users argue that defenders behave in strange, unrealistic ways — abandoning their shape, misjudging runs, and leaving wide open gaps for attackers.
In this article, we’ll dive into what players are experiencing, how the community is reacting, and whether there are workarounds until Konami delivers a proper fix.
⚽ The Defensive AI Problem
One of the most common complaints in eFootball 2025 is that defenders:
- Break shape unnecessarily — center backs randomly chase strikers, leaving the midfield or wings wide open.
- Ignore the ball carrier — defenders lock onto a striker even when the opponent dribbler is unmarked and heading directly toward goal.
- React late — slow response times to through balls and skill moves often result in easy chances for the opposition.
- Mark too aggressively — sometimes defenders commit to marking even if it leaves massive gaps in the backline.
This has led to frustration across ranked matches and online competitions, where conceding soft goals due to AI errors feels unfair and unavoidable.
🗣️ Community Reactions
On forums like Reddit and Twitter/X, players are vocal about these defensive issues:
- Some say that “it feels like defenders are blind to the most dangerous player on the pitch.”
- Others argue that “no matter the formation, the AI overcommits and leaves easy passing lanes.”
- A few note that “manual defending can reduce the problem, but it’s impossible to control all defenders at once.”
This mix of frustration and resignation has created heated debates. Many fans believe the issue undermines competitive balance, especially in Dream Team and PvP ranked matches.
🛠️ Konami’s Response
Konami has made strides in gameplay improvements during the 30th Anniversary Update — introducing Link-Up Play mechanics, improving contracts, and refreshing the matchday experience.
However, defensive AI hasn’t received a significant fix. While patch notes often highlight “improved player positioning,” users insist that defensive logic remains broken.
The lack of clear communication from Konami has left fans uncertain whether the issue is a priority or something that will only be addressed in future seasonal updates.
🎮 Player Workarounds & Tips
Until Konami patches the AI, players are experimenting with tactics and instructions to minimize the impact:
- Manual Switching
- Switch early to defenders before the AI commits to a bad marking decision.
- Adjust Defensive Line
- A slightly deeper line reduces the space left behind when defenders abandon position.
- Use Balanced Instructions
- Avoid excessive “tight marking” or aggressive press tactics — these often trigger erratic AI movement.
- Choose Safer Formations
- Back four setups (like 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1) seem more stable than risky three-back systems.
- Smart Substitutions
- Fresh defenders with high defensive awareness stats can sometimes counteract late-game AI lapses.
While these adjustments don’t fully solve the problem, they can reduce the frequency of defensive collapses.
📊 Why This Matters for Competitive Play
Defensive stability is essential for fair PvP competition. When AI behavior is unpredictable, outcomes feel inconsistent — some players benefit from lucky defensive recoveries, while others suffer from inexplicable gaps.
Esports fans argue that unless Konami fixes defensive AI, the competitive integrity of official tournaments and online divisions could be compromised.
🔮 Looking Ahead
The eFootball 2025 Anniversary Update has brought exciting content — from Lamine Yamal’s ambassador debut to nostalgic PES legends. But many fans insist: “No matter how many new features you add, broken defense ruins the experience.”
As the community continues to share clips and demand fixes, Konami faces mounting pressure to improve defensive logic in future patches. Until then, players must rely on tactical adjustments, manual control, and patience.
✅ Conclusion
Defensive AI remains one of the biggest eFootball bugs in 2025. While the game has evolved with fresh mechanics and exciting campaigns, defenders breaking shape and ignoring obvious threats continue to frustrate players worldwide.
👉 What do you think? Have you noticed defenders abandoning their shape in your matches? Share your experiences in the comments below — and let’s hope Konami finally delivers the defensive fix eFootball desperately needs.
