FUT Birthday Christian Günter Review

Team 2. Round 2. Following the trend of playing left backs and right backs in the center back position, we thought we would take one of the new and shiny FUT Birthday cards for a spin in the center of our own defense.  Christian Günter appears to be a normal defender on the surface and was truly a hidden gem amidst the mountainous options that dropped in this meta stacked Team 2.  With an 85 rating, it is easy to simply overlook Günter as yet another afterthought defender.  However, if you follow me on Twitter: @MaeNine_ or on YouTube: MaeNine then you will know that I trusted this card well beyond the 20 match review and into my final 10 matches in the push for Elite 3.  With really only three useable current options, the arrival of Günter was also perfect for any Bundesliga squad builders, providing another potential addition in a well used league.  With pace to burn it was clear that defensive boosts would be needed and so I went with the quite popular SENTINEL chemistry style as Günter slotted into the CB position of my 4-3-1-2.  With a need to build a more solid defence moving forward, Günter was the German engineering all weekend long in the following squad:     


Starting Formation:

Overall

Rating: 9/10
Pace Rating: 9.5/10
Dribbling Rating: 8/10
Shooting Rating: N/A
Passing Rating: 9/10
Physical Rating: 10/10
Defending Rating: 10/10

It was only three weekends ago that I finally caved and tried RB FFS Reece James at CB and it was then I realized how foolish I have been to avoid this trend.  I think it is my constant need to be bucking the meta trends that seals a lot of my fate in this game, but this is one that I think I will be using a lot moving forward.  With Günter playing in the CB position he contributed beautifully to the cause and was a key component of the defensive stability I was able to create all weekend. There is a funny saying in football when analysts and pundits talk about players “loving to defend” and honestly I think the same cliche idea fits perfectly with this card.  Truthfully, I think in a more forward role, such as in the actual LB position, that Günter would actually struggle to be more attacking and makes the new meta perfect for this card playing as a CB.    

Main Attribute – Pace

Pace Rating: 9.5/10

It makes sense.  The whole idea around the shift to left backs and right backs playing at center back is an attempt to counter the through ball meta that was amplified after the last patch.  The hit and pray style can only really be countered in one of three ways.  1. You can drop back to one depth drop back style and understand that your own family members would disown you if they truly knew what you have become. 2. You can go heavy pressure in your opponent's half and continue to cut out passing lanes while remaining on the front foot for the majority of the match. While this is a solid strategy, it also means that at least once or twice a match those through balls will sneak through and you will give up a ton of breakaway chances per weekend.  3. You can adopt a fast paced backline (primarily with the LB/RB at CB method) and challenge your opponent's strikers to a foot race match in and match out.  With the 89 ACCELERATION & 99 SPRINT SPEED, Günter was able to make option 3 a reality all weekend and with surprisingly effective results.  

Main Attribute – Height

Height: 185 cm | 6’1
Defending Rating: 10/10
Physical Rating: 10/10
Dribbling Rating: 8/10

The best part about this experience for me was how closely Günter resembles a genuine center back on the pitch.  Standing at 185cm | 6’1 Günter appears massive and benefits significantly from the build of his pixelated player.  The lunges for blocked shots and the 92 STANDING TACKLES have that extra reach, you can feel every inch of the 95 STRENGTH in challenges and when shielding the ball, and good luck to your opponents winning a header against his 75 JUMPING.  Yet, with all of these height related benefits… due to the nature of the left back statistics, Günter was still quite capable on the ball with his 80 AGILITY & 80 BALANCE.  However, I would say that these slightly low numbers on such a tall player did again make me question if he would be worth much on the wings when movement and ball retention is so key.  For me, an out and out center back and nothing else.

Value/Coins & Good vs. Bad 

Value/Coins Rating: 5/5
Good vs Bad Rating: 5/5

100k for this card is something out of a comedy movie.  In the case of this weekend, it was a romantic comedy as Günter won the hearts of the Dynamo Parkland fans with his amazing performances.  I honestly don’t think that you can get much better for the 100k in this game and Günter was a solid addition to the squad, one that I intend to keep for a few weekends moving forward for sure.

With 81 SHORT PASSING & 75 LONG PASSING, it is good to know and feel like your passes out of the back will generally hit their target.  In the case of Günter, it was about as steady eddy across the board as he found quality passes out of the box but never blew me away with anything he pulled off throughout the weekend.  In the end, this card was a fantastic experience and like I say, one that I intend to continue for at least a few weekends.  However, if I could have the perfect world I would ask for two improvements with Günter.  The first is the fact that he did not score a goal off of a corner the entire weekend.  With the height, jumping, and even 85 HEADING ACCURACY I just felt like a goal or two would be on the cards.  Instead, it was an empty statistics box after the complete 30 match Weekend League.  The second… if this card could somehow keep the incredible defensive and physical boosts, while receiving an agility boost, it just might be the perfect defending card available.

Closing Words

For 100k I just can not get over everything you are getting if you decide to purchase this card.  I do feel that Günter added another dimension to my squad this weekend, and I am serious in saying that it will be another weekend with the German in my squad this coming Weekend League.  With the pace and power in this card, he can be a nightmare to get by, and certainly a big reason why I enjoyed this card to the extent that I did this weekend.  For me, this card is hands down one of the best value cards in the game and I can’t recommend him as a centre back enough.  Hoping all is well with each of you. Cheers for reading.

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