Start with the tutorial, then play an Authentic Team match against the AI to practise passing, shooting and defending. When you want to sign players and shape your own squad, move on to Dream Team. You can switch between them; you are not committing to one forever.
Start with the tutorial, then play an Authentic Team match against the AI to practise passing, shooting and defending. When you want to sign players and shape your own squad, move on to Dream Team. You can switch between them; you are not committing to one forever.
The difference at a glance
| Authentic Team | Dream Team | |
|---|---|---|
| Your side | A ready-made club or national team provided by the game | A squad you assemble by signing players and managers |
| Best for | Getting straight into a match and learning controls | Building a squad and developing players over time |
| Before you play | Select a team and an available match type | Check your lineup, positions and manager’s tactics |
Konami lists AI Exhibition and online Friend Match under Authentic Team; Dream Team has its own matches. Available options, teams and events can differ by platform, region and update, so check what your game currently offers.
Play one match and practise two things
Choose a familiar Authentic Team and start an AI match. For the first game, pay attention to two situations: when you have the ball, can you see a nearby teammate for a short pass? When possession changes, has your selected defender left the space they were covering?
You do not need to rush forward every time. If a pass is intercepted, look for a closer teammate next time. If a defender is out of position, move back into the opponent’s likely path before deciding whether to challenge. Repeat the tutorial or play another match and work on the same action.
After signing, open Game Plan and register the player in the squad, then place them in a starting or substitute slot before entering a match; signing alone does not put them on the field. (source)
Build your own squad in Dream Team
- Open Dream Team and inspect the starting squad. Identify the position you most want to improve; there is no need to replace every player immediately.
- Open Contract and browse the player lists. Konami offers a Standard Player List with filters. Check the actual price and your available resources before signing anyone.
- In your game plan, check starting positions and the manager’s team playstyle. Choose a style you want to practise and look at the manager’s proficiency for it.
- Pick an available match and try the squad. Afterwards, decide which position needs help. Learn what your current players can do before spending resources; no particular card is required to start.
Return to Authentic Team when you simply want to practise passing. Use Dream Team when you want to test a lineup change. After the match, improve the position that actually caused trouble instead of spending across the whole squad at once.
Sources: Konami’s introduction, Dream Team overview.