eSports

Precision play

Following the launch of EA SPORTS FC 24, eChampions League winner and king of the controller Emre Yilmaz tells us how to become a goal machine in the new game

INTERVIEW Aaryan Parasnis

Whether in the heat of battle on the sticks, or on a video call reliving one of his biggest successes, last season’s eChampions League winner Emre Yilmaz’s calm demeanour remains unshaken. “I’m really excited for the new game and the new season,” the Dutchman says. “And, of course, I’m especially excited for the eChampions League, more than anything. It’s a really nice feeling knowing I’m going to be trying to retain my title.”

While there’s more pressure on him following his triumph in Istanbul last June, Yilmaz is raring to go on EA Sports’ big new release. EA SPORTS FC 24 builds on the immensely successful franchise with a new identity, and there is lots to look forward to.

“Men’s and women’s players can play in the same team, which is quite a big talking point,” Yilmaz says. “And the new weekend league reward system is a very good update. I saw a new skill move: the fake shot cancel, which you can do near the keeper. I think it’s going to be my new favourite skill in the game. There are also newer, much deeper tactics. Graphics-wise, it looks more realistic than ever. You can see the kits flow in the wind and in general the players’ actions and situations like one-on-one defending look so much more realistic.”

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

“Learn the second-man press when defending. Use R1 on the PlayStation: a green arrow will appear above the player, which will automatically apply extra pressure to the player with the ball and help in winning it back. Use the partial team press [R1 + R1 Press and Hold on PlayStation], which will make sure your players mark the opposition players while they are carrying the ball to block their passing options.”

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

Read the full story

Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

“I’m especially excited for the eChampions league. It’s a really nice feeling knowing I’m going to be trying to retain my title”

Practise your stepovers!

“Flick the right analogue stick forward and then to the left or the right, relative to the way you are facing. Done correctly, it’ll give you a sharp boost to evade your man too.”

Drag-back turn

“The drag-back turn cancel could be a very efficient skill move this year. Hold L2/LT and hold the right stick in the opposite direction to where you’re facing to do a simple drag-back and then press L2/LT or R2/RT at the same time while in the middle of it to cancel the move. This will take a fair bit of practice to time correctly and make sure you exit properly with the ball.”

Dribble like Messi

“R1/RB dribbling is a great way of progressing the ball at speed while keeping close control of it. Dribble the way you normally would using the left stick, but hold R1 down the whole time to get a controlled sprint with the ball. Very efficient!”

Talking tactics

“Set all your tactics on Balanced to mask your flaws. If you go a goal down, you can always switch it up. Use the pacy players because it’s so easy to unlock defences with them. The best formation to begin with is the 4-4-2, then experiment as you go along.”

Build your Ultimate Team

“Complete as many Squad Building Challenges as you can. You might get good rewards, and it’s a great way of using players at your club that you don’t need. Grind your way through Squad Battles, Moments, Division Rivals and the Weekend League for rewards and to get a good feel of how the game plays. Don’t quick-sell any players, items or consumables that you get in packs – make sure you sell everything to maximise profit. And play the UT Draft in the beginning as much as you can, not just for the rewards but also to try out a bunch of different players and see what kind of items suit you best.”

eSports

Cream of the crop

Emre Yilmaz’s pick of the best in-game players

1 - Kylian Mbappé

I think No1 will be Kylian Mbappé. For me, he’s even better than Ronaldo Nazário (R9). Another crazy player is Vinícius Júnior because of his pace and because he is much higher rated this year.

2 - Ronaldo

Second, I would have to go with R9: five-star skill moves, five-star weak foot – just one of the best players you can have, in my opinion.

3 - Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit, with his all-round stats. Every year, he’s one of the best players to play with offensively and defensively.

4 - Erling Haaland

There will be emphasis on replicating Haaland very well after his amazing season. His strength will be a really, really big advantage as well. I saw his stats and they’re crazy.

5 - Rúben Dias

Maybe I’ll go with Rúben Dias as a defender. Great centre-back and has a body type that really suits the game. The defensive stats are really well rounded and he’s good to have on attacking corners too.

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eSports

Precision play

Following the launch of EA SPORTS FC 24, eChampions League winner and king of the controller Emre Yilmaz tells us how to become a goal machine in the new game

INTERVIEW Aaryan Parasnis

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

Read the full story

Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

“I’m especially excited for the eChampions league. It’s a really nice feeling knowing I’m going to be trying to retain my title”

Practise your stepovers!

“Flick the right analogue stick forward and then to the left or the right, relative to the way you are facing. Done correctly, it’ll give you a sharp boost to evade your man too.”

Drag-back turn

Dribble like Messi

Talking tactics

Build your Ultimate Team

eSports

Cream of the crop

Emre Yilmaz’s pick of the best in-game players

1 - Kylian Mbappé

I think No1 will be Kylian Mbappé. For me, he’s even better than Ronaldo Nazário (R9). Another crazy player is Vinícius Júnior because of his pace and because he is much higher rated this year.

2 - Ronaldo

Second, I would have to go with R9: five-star skill moves, five-star weak foot – just one of the best players you can have, in my opinion.

3 - Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit, with his all-round stats. Every year, he’s one of the best players to play with offensively and defensively.

4 - Erling Haaland

There will be emphasis on replicating Haaland very well after his amazing season. His strength will be a really, really big advantage as well. I saw his stats and they’re crazy.

5 - Rúben Dias

eSports

Precision play

Following the launch of EA SPORTS FC 24, eChampions League winner and king of the controller Emre Yilmaz tells us how to become a goal machine in the new game

INTERVIEW Aaryan Parasnis

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

Read the full story

Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

And that’s just for starters… Here, the reigning eCL champ gives us the lowdown on how to get the best out of the new game.

Master the press

“I’m especially excited for the eChampions league. It’s a really nice feeling knowing I’m going to be trying to retain my title”

Practise your stepovers!

“Flick the right analogue stick forward and then to the left or the right, relative to the way you are facing. Done correctly, it’ll give you a sharp boost to evade your man too.”

Drag-back turn

Dribble like Messi

Talking tactics

Build your Ultimate Team

eSports

Cream of the crop

Emre Yilmaz’s pick of the best in-game players

1 - Kylian Mbappé

I think No1 will be Kylian Mbappé. For me, he’s even better than Ronaldo Nazário (R9). Another crazy player is Vinícius Júnior because of his pace and because he is much higher rated this year.

2 - Ronaldo

Second, I would have to go with R9: five-star skill moves, five-star weak foot – just one of the best players you can have, in my opinion.

3 - Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit, with his all-round stats. Every year, he’s one of the best players to play with offensively and defensively.

4 - Erling Haaland

There will be emphasis on replicating Haaland very well after his amazing season. His strength will be a really, really big advantage as well. I saw his stats and they’re crazy.

5 - Rúben Dias

eSports

Cream of the crop

Emre Yilmaz’s pick of the best in-game players

1 - Kylian Mbappé

I think No1 will be Kylian Mbappé. For me, he’s even better than Ronaldo Nazário (R9). Another crazy player is Vinícius Júnior because of his pace and because he is much higher rated this year.

2 - Ronaldo

Second, I would have to go with R9: five-star skill moves, five-star weak foot – just one of the best players you can have, in my opinion.

3 - Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit, with his all-round stats. Every year, he’s one of the best players to play with offensively and defensively.

4 - Erling Haaland

There will be emphasis on replicating Haaland very well after his amazing season. His strength will be a really, really big advantage as well. I saw his stats and they’re crazy.