6 Essential Rematch Tips You Need to Know Before Playing

12 Sep 6 Essential Rematch Tips You Need to Know Before Playing

Learn the basics of Rematch:
Rematch is generating a lot of buzz—and for good reason. It’s the first sports game from Sifu developer Sloclap, and it plays like a mix of Rocket League, EA FC 25 Rush, and the classic Be A Pro modes from FIFA and NHL. Matches can be 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5, with all players controlled by humans and very little assistance.

Adjusting your positioning in matches (yes, use the radar!) takes time to settle into muscle memory. Everyone will have to go in goal at some point, and that’s when you’ll score goals. Shooting comes down to timing, accuracy, and composure. Some early issues, like the ball randomly morphing, can be annoying, but it’s the freshest sports experience since College Football 25.

Goalkeepers and sweepers get unlimited stamina:
Anyone who grew up playing futsal remembers the joy and chaos of reckless goalkeepers. For those who don’t know, this means goalkeepers can join the field at any time, often sprinting up the pitch and leaving their goal wide open, but they can only touch the ball with their hands once they’re back in the box. Rematch embraces this spirit in an orderly way with two features. First, when a keeper leaves the box, their gloves disappear and they immediately become a sweeper. Second, both roles have unlimited stamina.

An on-screen meter shows your stamina at all times, and you can add an extra burst to your runs by holding the sprint button. Every time you sprint in the field, the meter drains—unless you’re the last man back, acting as keeper (in the box) or sweeper (just outside it). This is great for balance, as it ensures the defense always has a small chance to recover during fast counterattacks. Remember, only the last man gets this buff, so positioning is still key.

Passing the ball is okay:
Much like in FC 25 Rush matches, many players in Rematch develop hero complexes—especially when their team is down by a goal—attempting endless dribbles or shooting from ridiculous angles. Rematch may feel arcade-like, but it imitates real soccer in many ways, and one of them is that accurate passes pay off. They also give you XP, speeding up your progress toward in-game unlockables.

Passing is especially important in and around the box. Opponents often close down the ball for fear of a shot, which usually leaves at least one teammate unmarked near goal. Instead of firing from a tough angle, pass the ball to that better-positioned teammate and, as a team, you’ll have a much higher chance of scoring. Simple. Effective. Of course, everyone knows you’ll ignore this advice completely.

Use the walls to build attacks:
The “Rematch Alley Oop” achievement requires you to assist a teammate with a rebound goal, and it’s a technique worth practicing long after you’ve unlocked it. If you’re not convinced about passing across the box, deliberately shoot high or wide. Often the opposing keeper will have already committed to diving at your first shot, leaving the goal open for a teammate to smash in. (Ranked matches—unlocked once you reach level 5 EXP—feature plenty of bicycle-kick finishes using this exact tactic.)

Walls can also be used to send passes around opponents, literally at the feet of teammates in better positions. Again, the radar at the bottom of the screen is your ally. Face midfield, wait for a defender to close in, turn 45 degrees, and play the ball off the wall to create an overload. It’s another clever way Rematch mirrors small-sided real-life football.

Don’t punt with the keeper, unless…
Rematch is still in its early days, but one community complaint is that many goalkeepers just boot the ball upfield instead of building from the back. It’s a fair criticism—most of the time, this simply gives away possession, so a short pass to a nearby teammate is almost always better.

There’s one exception, especially in 3v3 matches. As mentioned earlier, some keepers will push forward into attack, leaving their net completely unguarded. If you get the ball as goalkeeper and see an empty goal at the other end, shoot immediately with R2/RT. Score, and you’ll be a hero—at least for a few seconds. For more goalkeeper tips, check out our Rematch Goalkeeping Guide.

Some store items cost real money:
Sloclap has rightfully earned praise for creating a genuine alternative to FC 25. However, it has followed its big rival in one area: microtransactions. Just like FC 25’s Premium Pass, the Rematch Captain’s Pass lets you unlock premium items like a space stadium, along with a variety of kits, hairstyles, and other gear. You can check all free and paid rewards—and how the currency system works—in our Rematch Unlockables Guide.

Real-life players are another way Sloclap teases your wallet. Ronaldinho is the first to launch and comes with two Joga Bonito vanity items. The only way to get him is by purchasing 1000 coins, which costs around $9.99 / £7.99. The same goes for Marc-André ter Stegen and Kobbie Mainoo. So, if you’re thinking of buying Rematch just to play as real footballers in a casual setting, remember this will require an extra cost beyond the base game.