Are there improvements? Certainly. Do they make any real difference? Unfortunately, no.
That said, FIFA 06 feels like a step forward, but in fact it isn't.
Well, let's see how it is so. While FIFA games have ceased to be dribble fests with dozens of goals a game, attempts by EA Sports to encourage thoughtful approach play have been dodgy at best. True, through passes are now the way to go for goal instead of dribbling half the length of the pitch, but it doesn't help that the same passes, the same build-ups, almost always lead to shots on goal no matter who you are playing as or who you are playing against. FIFA's range of clubs and international teams maybe massive, but when every single team play the same way, you know you've got a problem.
You may ask, "What about the tactical options?" Hmm. They're there, but unfortunately they're only there for you but not the AI. Plus, the implementation (D-Pad or left analog stick to issue tactical commands) is beyond poor, as the tactics controls force you to abandon player movement controls. By the time you've told your team to counterattack, the AI may have already scored a goal. Even though the AI tactical settings didn't really make any difference in the past, removing them entirely is a rather stupid decision.
Not that putting those settings back in will help. The AI still cheats ruthlessly. The computer, unlike us poor human players, have perfect control of that pesky Off-The-Ball Control thingy. While computer teams no longer create goalscoring opportunities by lumping an 80-yard 'lobbed through pass', they now play cross-field passes like there's no tomorrow. AI players still have the tendency to run towards their own goal when in possession just to keep the ball (before launching inch-perfect long passes without even looking at the destination). WIth the newly-added controls like ball shielding and... whatever that happens when you press R2 with the ball at your feet, the AI is incredibly good at keeping possession. It gets worse when you notice that 90% of sliding tackles result in a foul, and usually a card along with it.
How to defend, then? Stab the 'soft tackle' button repeatedly when the AI is doing pointless moves in front of you.
When you're attacking (ignoring the fact that you'll be executing the same moves over and over again), things do get better. Passes may feel scripted, dribbling (without using the mad skill moves) may be crap, but the shooting feels quite right. Maybe a little too accurate to be realistic, but good nonetheless. You can almost feel the sting of the ball when you hit that 30-yard first-time volley into the stands. Set-pieces are all right, but nothing to write home about. At least EA ditched the incredibly silly 'scripted targets' set plays of the past few games.
The rest of FIFA 06 is pretty much the same as always. Good visuals, great presentation, perfect audio, a ton of modes. Oh, and terrible menus.
While the last few FIFA games have improved quite a lot, the unchanged core game is so bad that it holds back every single improvement thrown in. FIFA 06 is NOT a bad game. In fact, it still has no competition besides Winning Eleven 9.
But why play it when you can find a far better alternative?