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What can i say, R. Carlos is a man of "firsts" for me. Like for many, he is my first icon in F20.
He blew me away so much in just a handful of games that made me write this review - which is also a first to me - so please be kind.
As most of you probably i struggled immensly on what kind of icons select from Swap (chapeau EA: this is great as no one wants to see all the same opponent squads throughout WL).
For me was always clear to take a defender and it came down to waiting for Zanetti or taking R.Carlos (and Nesta). To make sure, i got him first on transfer and than directly afterwards decided to get him from swaps (so you may not have to do this anymore after this review hopefully and save yourself the tax).
I played Carlos in three different positions and formations. As LB in a 4-2-3-1, LM in 3-5-2 and as LAM.
R. Carlos does what he was known for. He is incredible fast, is able to get back to everyone - even the likes of lacazette etc. But he is not only fast but his strong physic helps to make short process of everyone. In this Fifa he fits the meta for backs and i felt like my left side was safe having him back there. Nevertheless the true strength is the offence - next to his strong balance and agility (which just feels amazing) his pinpoint passing and acceleration make him a true weapon which is why he will not play very often in his original position for me. I am really in love with 3-5-2 this year and since there have been many great options for the the RM (scream Navas is my first choice here) - i was directly having R. Carlos as coutnerpart in mind. And he does it just perfectly. Wherever I need him - offence or defence - he is there.The funny thing is that somehow you dont see him often, but when i needed him (like twice in last 10 Min in WL), he is there to provide the last pass or finish himself - and that so clinically. His leftfood is just a hammer. I know many will be offset with his 2*WF and 3*SM, but this is no dealbreaker for me at all - even at CAM. While i personally rely not much on dribbling skills (and find it quite annoying sometimes), the weak foot is not really noticeable and similar with last years robben, i even believe that it make the playing experience with RC better and realistic. With his overall package he is just pure joy to play and dribble. He reminds me a little of last years Birthday-Salah and the TOTS-Dybala from 2018 - moving him in the midfield (especially as CAM) is so precise and especially when you like to quickly outpass your opponent and move from the side to the center he is pure gold.
Freekicks: Ok, never would have though that i would ever specifially mention FKs. But i guess writting about R. Carlos and not mentioning Freekicks would be weird. What can i say - again a first. Directly in my first freekick he nailed it directly in the corner. Needless to say: also the first time i scored a direct FK. In all honesty, RC just opened up for me taking direct FKs at all - normally i wouldnt have even looked at the stats as i find the system this year just awful. But RC is just amazing. I dont know if it is just so fantastic in my head because i like to recreate old plays and love the idea to score FKs with RC (btw, any chances for a juninho icon EA?), but since i have RC i scored two more direct FKs and hit at least 3 times the crossbar. I feel a little like in 2018 where after being in a good position i was confident that this could lead to a real chance.
Summary: RC has it all. He is the most solid Defender you possibly could get for LB - but could literally play every other position except GK. His speed, precise dribbling and shot power make him a great package, and an amazing CAM option as well. Not only did he open FKs as an option for me but gives me real joy - it is just real fun to play him. So on many accounts a first for me and i know I will enjoy him for a long time. As you may see, the stats are not so impressive. These are from the swap version and only from this WL. So if you are still doubting on which icon to take. I fullheartedly can recommend him, and you still have the opportunity to take another icon as well.
- Defence: He is a pain for every attacker whether they are fast or strong
- Agility and dribbling: Both offence and defensiv, he just wiggles though anyone and just feels so direct and responsive
- Pace: He gets the ball - and is gone. Wheter in the center field or outside one long ball or double pass and wooosh
- Clutch af: if he gets the ball on his left foot close to ball, decide which kind of celebration you want to do (or just quickly skip it - no one likes a boaster)
- Phyicality: Hight is this year (for now) not necessary for a back and in all other physical aspects RC is just a beast. When playing in defence he is just a monster with his physicality and speed. I had it so often that he so easily muscled out attackers after rushing down half of the field that it almost felt unfair.
- Freekick!! see above
- 3*Skill moves: In my opinion he is still one of the best CAM options you have at this point of the game. If you love to use skill moves he is not your first choice.
- 2*Weak foot: So far i havent seen many letdowns here. He has a rocket as left foot, so if you make sure you use it adequately RC will never let you down. In my opinion the way you will use him this is no downer as you will come in shooting positings with him either after coutnerattack where he has enough space to score in box or with distance shot where you will make sure to use his strong food anyways.
- Hair? I am serious guys, I try to be as tough as i can on him. This would be the only real let-down here. An RC with afro just doesnt give you the right feels :P
This guy is exceptional. like i said he is everywhere, he controls the left side of the pitch running back and forth all by himself. One second you attack with him next second he is back in defense making a tackle. you probably wouldn't even need a LM or LW. He is super fast with the ball at his feet that players cant touch him. But one thing stood aside from the rest of the pros about him, his Free Kicks. We all know how difficult it can be to score free kicks in this game but this guy makes it look easy. If placed right Roberto Carlos will probably score every single free kick. Any way i would HIGHLY recommend doing him in icon swaps.
Work Rates
Free Kicks
Speed Dribbling
2 Star Weak Foot
When ICON Swaps were released and I was going through the challanges I definitly wanted to go for Butragueno because of its pace, shooting and 5* weak foot. BUT then I changed my mind and was going for R.Carlos and Nesta to get a solid defensive line. To me it was clear to first aim for R.Carlos because back in the days I loved to see him play and his left foot was not from this planet (I'm a left foot player as well :D). But now let's talk about his abilitys.
I play him in a 4-1-2-1-2 (2) formation as LB with Militao, Lenglet and Walker on defense. I was pretty hyped about his pace and he didn't disappointed me at all. For most LBs like Robertson, Angelino and Roussillion it's nearly impossible to get after a fast RW when you don't have a perfect positioning. But R.Carlos is fast as hell and he doesn't get only after the attacker he gets the ball as well so easiely. I really love his tackling style and how he runs. The only thing I could complain about him is his high rated attacking work rate. Sometimes when you go forward R.Carlos runs down the line like he is a LW (I always use player instructions to let my LB and RB "Stay back while attacking").
In fact you only need 11 ICON Swaps itmes R.Carlos is really worth the effort and you should aim for him if you wanna upgrade your defense. I really think he is the first player I will set in my starting 11 for the rest of FIFA 20.
fast as hell
gets after attackers
great tackling style
left hammer
attacking work rate
Lowest Bin
LowestBin
