Playing against two strikers keeps pulling our centre-backs apart

Against two strikers, the centre-backs need to defend the relationship between them rather than each taking one opponent everywhere. If one striker drops, first decide whether a midfielder can affect him. If a centre-back does step, the other centre-back must protect the depth and often move slightly across to cover the space that has opened. You should rarely end up with both centre-backs being pulled in opposite directions at the same time. Keep the line connected enough that one defender can cover the other's action. Communication helps, but the distances are even more important. A front two often tries to create exactly this problem: one player comes short to pull you out and the other attacks the gap. If following the first movement gives the second striker the most dangerous space, you probably need to pass the dropping player on rather than chase him.