Getting the Best National Teams Right in PES 2017
PES 2017 comes with licensed national teams, but not all of them are created equal. Some feel completely different once you start playing with them. The difference isn't just in the ratings—it's in how certain squads handle passing patterns, physical matchups, and set pieces. I spent way too long tweaking my national team setup back in 2017. Let me save you some of that time.
Top National Teams In Pes 2017 Dominate The Game With Precision And Power
The German squad is probably the most complete one in the game. They have pace on the wings, a physically dominant center forward, and a midfield that can pin you back. Not every player hits elite stats, but the combination works because the game gives them intelligent off-ball runs. Müller especially drifts into spaces you won't expect until it's too late. Argentina at that time was built around Messi's playmaking and Dybala's creativity. The issue was their pace on the flanks could be exposed by any team that got forward quickly. If you're someone who likes to control the center and play through midfield, this one feels smooth. If you get hit on the break, you'll feel it immediately. France from that era is honestly underrated by most people who skip it. They have Griezmann, Pogba, Mbappé if you've updated the roster. The physicality in that midfield is something a lot of players overlook. Pogba's long passing range lets you switch play faster than most defenses can shift. I found myself using him as the pivot more often than the wingers.
Spain's tiki-taka passing model is baked into their chemistry. Players like Busquets, Koke, and Cesc keep the ball moving in triangles that are genuinely hard to press against if you know how to read the timing. The problem is if you don't commit to short, quick passes, they lose momentum and look soft going forward. They lack pace behind the defensive line, which means high balls over the top will punish you regularly. Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo on the left side and Quaresma or Nani on the right is about as physical as you get up front. The crossing mechanics in this game favor wide players with high crossing stats, and Portugal's wingers hit the zone well. Set pieces are where they become dangerous. Their height advantage in the box turns corners and free kicks into legitimate scoring opportunities about one in every four attempts.
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What Actually Makes These Teams Feel Different In-Game
It isn't just the overall rating numbers. You need to look at three things that the game tracks underneath: teamwork, positioning, and the individual skill moves available to each player. Teamwork affects how well the squad links together without the ball. Teams with higher teamwork values make runs that are sharper and stay in better shape defensively. Positioning is about whether players naturally occupy the right spaces during build-up. A team with good positioning doesn't need to be fast to create chances—it just creates them more consistently. I had a specific problem with the German team where Klose's heading accuracy felt unreliable during set pieces. It wasn't his stats that were the issue; it was my timing on the lofted cross. The workaround was switching to a driven cross instead and using the left winger to beat his man one-on-one before delivering. That changed the outcome of set pieces for me completely.
Player Formation Adjustments That Actually Help
Don't just run default tactics. Germany plays best in a 4-2-3-1 where you push the CAM slightly advanced and use the CMs to shield the defense. Argentina benefits from a 4-3-3 narrow setup where Messi plays centrally and cuts inside onto his stronger foot. France's 4-3-3 with Pogba as the holding midfielder gives you that balance between attack and transition. Set piece routines matter more than people realize. I customized Germany's corner routine to target the near post for a flick-on situation rather than the usual far post cross. This caught opponents off guard in ranked matches because the default AI rarely anticipates the near-post option.
Known Limitations To Keep In Mind
None of these teams are flawless. Spain struggles in physical duels and aerial situations. Argentina's wide areas are a liability if you face a counter-attacking team with fast wingers. Portugal's midfield can be too direct and loses possession if the first pass is closed down. Germany's defensive line can be caught by pace if your fullbacks push too high. If you want something more balanced overall, Brazil's 4-3-3 is solid and the roster updates usually add the players you'd want by 2018. It's less specialized but more forgiving in unfamiliar matchups.
Download Options And Where They Stand
The official PES 2017 roster updates from Konami addressed several national team kits and player names over the years. You can find archived versions on community sites like PESLeague or ModDB. The most relevant update for national team play is the January 2018 roster patch since it captured Euro 2016 aftermath and most transfers before the 2018 World Cup. Third-party mods exist that fix kit issues or add deleted teams, but these require editing save data and sometimes conflict with online play. If you're playing offline only, the Jan 2018 roster plus a complete database editor like PES Editor is the cleanest route. I usually recommend the Jan 2018 roster update paired with a clean squad file. It gives you the best balance of realistic rosters and game performance without introducing bugs from overly aggressive mod packs.
