Covering Role

DefenceStill being reviewed

In one sentence

In two of the computer's defensive pick routines his distance is counted 2–3 m shorter, so he is chosen ahead of nearby team-mates; several other defending checks read the style too. No stat effect.

Who does this affect?

Only while the computer controls him (a computer-run team-mate or an opponent). Found on: Compatible positions in the code: CB, LB, RB, DMF, CMF. No card in the card data we have carries it yet (the game marks it as released).

How it works

The game's description says this player covers for team-mates who are man-marking. In the code, two routines that pick a defender for a job within 18 m treat his distance as 2 m shorter (3 m when the other player is in one particular action), so he wins close calls against team-mates. In another defending check two weights are raised by 50 percentage points (to at most 100 %), and several more checks look up a team-mate for him or exclude him in one case. What each of those jobs looks like on the pitch was not traced.

When it applies

Only when deployed at CB, LB, RB, DMF or CMF. Anywhere else the style is off.
While his team is defending, when the computer picks a defender for a job within 18 m.

Without it

A defender without the style is ranked by his real distance in those routines and gets no weight increase.

Common questions

Does Covering Role make him cover for a man-marking team-mate?

Short answerPartly

He is preferred in two defensive pick routines and several checks look up a team-mate for him; the exact covering positions were not traced.

Does the style improve his defensive stats?

Short answerNo

No check changes a stat.

The maths

ConditionOnly at CB, LB, RB, DMF or CMF.

StepPick routines (two): his distance counts 2 m shorter, 3 m when the other player is in one specific action.

StepDefending adjustment: the two weights that pull his target towards a second point stored with his assigned job (along and across the pitch) get +50 percentage points, capped at 100 %; the pull grows as the ball moves 10–20 m past a team line.

DetailIn three further checks he is allowed one more step in a count (2 instead of 1) and is handled separately; in one check he is excluded in a case. These were not traced to what they do on the pitch.

DetailNot used by this style: Defensive Awareness, Speed and Stamina are not read by the style's checks.; No stat is raised by the style.