hey Fidel,
Alright a few updated views on the new 2.1. Played a game 3-4 times same teams to get a feel for it. Twice in snow and twice in rain.
So basically, the responsiveness is definitely there! I don't feel like the players are taking too long to respond. The AI sometimes passes back, but at least it tried to retain the ball much better in their side of the field when its close to goal, rather than kick it out of bounds. Good job on that.
I did see a foul off the ball as my runner was going to a through ball, it was even in the square which gave me a penalty, so excellent. Generally I saw yellows cards and plenty of tackles aplenty.
Now as for protecting the ball, i'm not still not 100% sure what dictates that, or what gives a player a better ability to protect it, so for example while running with the ball a CB Subotich is able to hold the ball much better than Reus. The PC still has this uncanny ability to just run around you and intercept, it also still has an amazing ability to do almost perfect tackles. On one of my games, i had 10 tackles as did the PC, my tackles where standing ones, the PC's, i believe all 7-8 where sliding tackles that unerringly took the ball from my feet, often even as i protecting it. Just feel like protecting the ball mechanism needs just a bit faster response.
Also, I still feel like it is harder to get the PC off of the ball than it is for it to get me off of it. So if I have two players double teaming someone, we'll strike the ball as they attack, but somehow they keep hold of it. Also, I find my players fall over much more than the PC's players, again a VERY strange response. It might be the fact that i play world class, but i'm not sure.
ALSO, for everyone out there that loves to Sprint, ONLY do so to get ahead in space, try your best NOT to use it for defense, and only be smart when you use it for defense. In defense, when I use it, don't ask me why but it feels like the PC will up the tempo, and my reaction time vs. PC reaction time... we know who will win this one EVERY time. Also, tackles don't seem to do as well when sprinting. Also in attack, if you find a space between players you are probably better served to either walk the ball in without sprint, while occasionally protecting if you can, OR, use a quick sprint button press, and release, press and release.
Overall, thus far I feel its an improvement over 2.0 but I will continue to test.