In eFootball, open-play goals often grab the spotlight, but set-pieces—free kicks, corners, and throw-ins—are silent game-winners. A single well-rehearsed routine can unlock even the toughest defenses and decide matches at the highest level. If you learn how to master set-piece routines in eFootball, you’ll gain a huge advantage over opponents who underestimate them.
Set-pieces don’t just rely on luck. They require precision, tactical awareness, and practice. Once mastered, they transform your Dream Team into a side that punishes every foul and every corner conceded.
🎯 The Fundamentals of Set-Pieces
Every set-piece situation in eFootball involves three key decisions:
- Delivery Type – Driven, floated, or short.
- Target Selection – Aerial striker, late-arriving midfielder, or cutback option.
- Timing – Coordinating runners with the delivery.
Understanding these fundamentals is essential before building routines.
🏹 Free Kick Routines
Direct Free Kicks
- Use specialists like Beckham, Pirlo, or Messi.
- Adjust angle and power depending on distance.
- Master curved shots for close range and knuckle shots for long range.
Indirect Free Kicks
- Short passes to an AMF for a disguised shot.
- Dummy runners to confuse the defense.
- Quick layoffs to a midfielder outside the box for long-range strikes.
Pro Tip
Vary between shooting and passing. Predictability is the enemy of set-piece efficiency.
🏗️ Corner Kick Routines
Standard Cross
- Target tall strikers like Haaland, Drogba, Ronaldo.
- Use looping deliveries for aerial dominance.
Short Corner
- Play a short pass to pull defenders out.
- Combine with overlapping fullback for better crossing angles.
Edge of the Box Setup
- Deliver the ball to a midfielder (like Gerrard or Matthäus) waiting at the edge.
- Perfect for powerful long shots.
Pro Tip
Mix deliveries—near post, far post, cutbacks—to keep defenses guessing.
🔄 Throw-In Routines
Often overlooked, but throw-ins can create dangerous opportunities:
- Quick Throws to restart play before opponents set up.
- Target Man Approach—throw to a strong CF who can shield and lay off.
- Rotational Runs—use midfielders to swap positions and drag defenders.
Throw-ins may not be flashy, but smart managers turn them into mini set-pieces.
🧠 Advanced Set-Piece Strategies
- Overloads: Stack multiple players on one side to overwhelm defenders.
- Screens & Blocks: Use one player to block a defender, freeing a striker.
- Decoy Runners: Send a player on a fake run to open space for the real target.
- Mix Heights: Alternate between targeting tall strikers and late midfield arrivals.
These strategies work especially well in competitive play, where opponents expect predictable routines.
👥 Best Player Roles for Set-Pieces
- Free Kick Specialists: Beckham, Juninho, Pirlo, Messi.
- Target Men: Haaland, Lewandowski, Drogba, Ronaldo.
- Box-to-Box Midfielders: Vieira, Matthäus, Kessié for late runs.
- Playmakers: Xavi, Iniesta, De Bruyne for creative passes.
Building your squad with at least one free kick taker and one aerial target ensures consistent danger from set-pieces.
🛡️ Defending Set-Pieces
To master set-pieces, you must also defend them effectively:
- Always assign a tall defender to the opposition’s main aerial threat.
- Use zonal + man-mark hybrid systems for balance.
- Keep one fast winger forward to stretch counterattacks.
- Anticipate short routines and press quickly.
Smart defending reduces set-piece goals conceded dramatically.
🎮 Pro Tips from eFootball Esports
- Practice knuckleball free kicks in training mode until consistent.
- Assign multiple corner takers (left-footed and right-footed) for variety.
- Use advanced instructions like Attacking Fullbacks to create overloads after short corners.
- Always change your routine after scoring once—never repeat the same play twice in a row.
🎯 Conclusion
Mastering set-piece routines in eFootball is one of the fastest ways to gain an advantage. Free kicks, corners, and throw-ins aren’t random events—they’re opportunities waiting to be exploited. With the right specialists, tactical creativity, and constant practice, you can score crucial goals when others rely only on open play.
Remember: every foul, every corner, and every throw-in is a chance to punish your opponent. Learn the routines, rehearse them, and dominate from dead-ball situations.
