Showdown
StevenSecond weekend of reviews and first weekend of promos to dive into this Saturday, with Manchester again at the forefront of the popularity charts. While the game remains in its infancy and many starter teams still consist of the wide array of cheap beasts, if you are dabbling in Rivals or Tournaments then chances are you are seeing those cheap beasts in a 4-2-1-3 or similar formation. The need for a chameleon-like CAM in those formations and the favorites list created the mixture of position and popularity that helped drive this review.
With the Cornerstones promo I would say that EA has essentially kept the early promise of a slower power curve. While I think that we could all do without the massive store packs that have already dropped, it is nice to see that these promo upgrades are within reason… Even Wendie Renard’s insane 27 Pace boost has really only brought the card into the usable category. For the majority of the promo, essentially receiving a +1 Inform upgrade along with a +1 Club Chemistry does not feel threatening to current Gold cards. Hopefully this trend continues for a while and some of the intriguing Gold cards can maintain their purpose for longer than normal.
Another card that received a sizable but “makes it usable” upgrade was Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes. The +8 Pace upgrade really was needed… but the +5 Defending upgrade now makes it flexible. Add in the psychological thresholds of 90 PASSING and 85 DRIBBLING (85 SHOOTING would have been a nice visual as well) and this +1 inform feels like a lot more.. Even beyond the upgrades and the Chemistry bonus it is the Roles that catch the eye with CAM: SHADOW STRIKER seeming like an early favorite in the community again. In the end I persisted with the 4-2-1-3 this weekend and due to a lack of CM positions it was a debut at CAM for Bruno… Applying a HUNTER Chemistry Style to further boost the Pace and in hopes of adding a few goals along the way. Finally, all was set to see if Bruno Fernandes could be the Cornerstone in my attack this weekend playing in the following squad:
Rating: 9/10
After Marmoush absolutely blew the doors off of the goals and assists totals last weekend it was important to temper expectations a little. Yet the games in FC26 remain high scoring affairs and even as a CAM I was hoping Bruno would have solid returns. Considering that divisions are becoming increasingly hard I would suggest that 11 goals and 12 assists was an unbelievable return. Bruno is certainly a facilitator more than a goal scorer, but in the right positions he will find the back of the net with efficiency as well.
Main Statistic - Passing
Passing Rating: 10/10
PlayStyles: Tiki Taka, Incisive, Long Ball, Inventive
Honestly there is not much changed here from Bruno’s NIF version and would be why his Gold card remains in a usable category. However, the small Pace nerf from last year has certainly had those same psychological statistical effects falling out of the 70s and making Gold Bruno a less popular early option. Yet across the board Bruno still offers a strong card and the Passing is at the root of that power. The TIKA TAKA & INCISIVE combination with 91 SHORT PASS is perfect for unlocking defenses and putting attackers into the best positions to finish off chances… Those looking to utilize Bruno as a CM will benefit more from the LONG BALL and 91 LONG PASS as well.
Value/Coins
Value/Coins: 4/5
The statistics are much improved, the Chemistry is a nice addition, the Roles are also great, but there is not quite enough to justify an over 700k card. If I am building a team right now where I am needing a win, then I am looking at Wirtz over Bruno as a CAM and Reijnders or De Jong as my CM… And those are just the cards that I have tried in the short time frame that the game has been out. The worst part being that as of this writing you could afford all three for the price of Bruno and that is ultimately where the biggest issue lies.
Good vs. Bad
Good vs Bad Rating: 4/5
In a weird way the pixelated version of Bruno was not far from the man himself, proving to be a versatile option that could contribute in a variety of ways…
+ The 11 goals were certainly a direct result of solid Shooting and unlike forward reviews there were no tap-ins adding to the total. Despite the 84 FINISHING and the lack of Shooting PlayStyles it really felt like Bruno had all of the finishes in his locker. The Finesse Shots were quite impressive and the 90 SHOT POWER was a definite bright spot. Still would like a 5 STAR WEAK FOOT, but he gets the job done.
+ The Physical performance from Bruno in the middle of the pitch was again impressive and adds a lot to what the Manchester captain can offer. RELENTLESS & 96 STAMINA are a nice addition and make worrying about fatigue a non-issue. Again for those considering a CM replacement it would be an even bigger benefit there. The 65 STRENGTH looks pretty awful, but all in all I did not remember Bruno being bullied at any point in the review.
In the end it is still Ultimate Team and Pace will always be a factor…
- Even with a HUNTER applied and the EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE, Bruno simply does not have the jets to compete with top tier cards. FC26 has done a much better job at keeping these cards usable and once they are up to speed it is still difficult to catch anyone in full flow (as it should be). But the 82 ACCELERATION really did have a trickle down effect of hurting the Dribbling and moments that should have been dangerous were quickly snuffed out.
Closing Words
Really liking the early promo concept, loving the slow power curve, and honestly really enjoyed another review. Bruno is a problem for defenders in that CAM pocket due to the ability to cut defenses apart with a pass, or simply find the space to finish himself. In the end it is simply the price tag causing the biggest issue for me as Bruno’s quality was impressive, but it was not twice the price of Wirtz impressive, and that is where I would caution going all in on the Portuguese superstar. Hoping you are well. Cheers for reading.
