Brwned
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Dan's Brazilian Army
TheReligion
Julio Cesar - Brazil's number 1 and over 200 caps for Inter. Won the treble with Inter in 2010 and was named UEFA Goalkeeper of the year
Cafu (c) - World cup winning captain - One of, if not the best right full back of his generation. Won 2 Copa America's, 2 World Cups along with a host of other club competitions; including the Champions League, 1 Club world cup, Serie A titles with Roma and AC.
Lucio - World cup winner and one of the best centre backs of the 2000s. On top of the Wolrd Cup, has won the lot at club level - also part of Inter's treble winning side in 2010.
Juan - Underrated, solid defender who has played with Lucio for Brazil. Juan is the 20th most capped Brazilian player of all time, anyone with that record for a team like Brazil has had an impressive career.
Sylvinho - Providing the width on the left is Sylvinho. Good servant for Arsenal, and part of Barcelona's 2006 and 2009 Champions League winning team. Also won a few La Liga titles and is capable of getting forward as well as putting in a defensive shift
Gilberto Silva - Solid, disciplined defensive midfielder who will keep things ticking and cover for Sylvinho and Cafu when they move forward. An integral part of both Brazil's World Cup 2002 winning team and Arsenal's "invincibles".
Edu - Another important player of Arsenal's unbeaten side in 2004. 2 Premiership medals and 2 FA Cups was followed by a successful stint at Valencia where he won the Copa del Rey in 2008. Another World Champion as he was part of the Cornithians side to pick of the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000
Juninho Paulista - Adding flair and creativity to the midfield is "Little" Juninho. World Cup winner in 2002.
Juninho Pernambucano - Will be remembered for his deadly freekicks. Very tidy on the ball and will link the midfield and attacking play well. Integral part of the dominant Lyon side who won 7 consecutive French titles between 2002-2008. Picked up 40 international caps for Brazil
Edmundo - had a reputation for being a bit of a nutter. But there was no doubting his talent. Scorer of one of the best goals I've seen scored against United Mundial FIFA 2000: Vasco 3 X 1 Manchester - Golaço de Edmundo - YouTube .10 goals in 39 caps for Brazil - the prospect of a Edmundo - Ronaldo partnership is exciting
Ronaldo - the best striker of his generation. A stunning 247 goals in 343 starts at club level, paired with 62 in 98 for Brazil. 2 time Ballon D'or winner, guided Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002.
Sub - Denilson - another World Cup winner. Famous for his trickery and step overs. If a bit of magic is needed from the bench, he is capable.
I have gone for a strong core to the team. Julio Cesar, Lucio, Gilberto Silva, Ronaldo - all top players who, in their prime, were amongst the best around.
The width will be provided by Cafu, arguably the best right back of his generation, and on the other side Sylvinho. When either of these 2 go forward I have a well disciplined, World Cup winning defensive midfielder in Gilberto to cover for them.
Attacking-wise, the creativity of the two Juninhos and Edmundo will be able to create chances, and then I have the best striker of this generation to score the goals for me in Ronaldo.
Flair is clearly not going to be lacking in a Brazilian team but this group of players also have the steel to go with that.
7 World Cup medals between them, along with a couple of Wolrd Club Championships and Champions Leagues. They also boast league titles from Greece, Brazil, England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.
TheReligion
I have opted for the following players on the team sheet:
Angelo Peruzzi
Mainstay of the successful Juventus team of the 90's. Honours during that period include 3 league titles, 2 Italian super cups, 1 champions league, 1 UEFA cup, 1 intercontinental cup. He also has 3 Italian goalkeeper of the year awards from this period. To go with his illustrious career at Juve, he also offers 192 appearances for Lazio, a Copa Italia title and was a World Cup Winner with Italy in 2006.
Serginho
Brilliant attacking fullback who worked in tandem with Cafu at AC Milan for many years. Known for his overlapping runs and superb engine, Serginho was comfortable at both fullback or left sided winger. He will help supply width on my left flank and cause issues with his movement on and off the ball.
Carlos Puyol
Comfortable anywhere across the back four, Puyol is better suited in the centre due to his commanding presence and commitment to the teams cause. His nickname is "The Wall" which speaks volumes. Strong, nimble and with perfect positioning he pretty much has it all. With 625 appearances for Barca he is some player with almost 100 caps for Spain coming at the nations most successful ever period. I would be still writing this tomorrow if I mentioned what he has won at team level, but personally he has been named UEFA defender of the year and featured in the UEFA team of the year in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was also named in the European Championship (2008) all star team, and the World Cup (2010) all star team.
Alessandro Nesta Captain
Considered by many as the best centre half to ever play the game...
Brilliant reader of the game with some of the best tactical knowledge ever seen from a centre half. Comfortable with the ball and dedicated to the cause. Nesta has won just about everything with AC Milan and Italy, including 2 Champions League's and a World Cup title. Personally Nesta has been crowned UEFA defender of the year and featured in its team of the year on 4 separate occasions. From 2000-2004 he was named Serie A defender of the year consecutively. A true great for both club and country.
Cosmin Contra
The less known of the back four, unless you are Romanian. Contra is one of those from the generation of Romanian players who became successful at the start of the 00's. A dedicated and talented wingback and when required defensive midfielder, Contra has a good engine with an eye for goal. He is attacking minded and loves to get forward. A mainstay in the national side for over 15 years he has had spells as part of the famous Alaves side which was beaten in the UEFA cup final by Liverpool, aswel as featuring for Athletico Madrid and AC Milan. More recently Contra has played in La Liga for Getafe. In 2001 Contra was named Romanian player of the year and was selected in UEFA's team of the year.
Mark van Bommel
Tough tackling captain of the Dutch national side, van Bommel is notorious for his no nonsense non compromising style on the pitch. With spells at PSV, Barcalona, Bayern Munich and now AC Milan, he has represented some of Europe's finest clubs, boasting 71 caps for his country. His experience is magnificent and his role in my side will be to disrupt and put his foot in whilst helping maintain a solid core to the side. van Bommel is a Champions League winner, a World Cup runner up and has been named twice as Dutch footballer of the year. Every club he has played for has won its respected domestic league title.
Massimo Ambrosini
Box to box with a fantastic engine and desire to win. Ambrosini is known for his tough tackling and aeriel prowess but also offers a tidy passing game to compliment these attributes. Playing alongside his team mate, van Bommel, Ambrosini will be instructed to bomb forward when possible making the most of his box to box style and powerful engine. Ambrosini is the current captain of AC Milan and is held in high regard amongst the clubs fans for his attitude and commitment. Another solid player in the middle of the park who simply does not let you down when it matters.
Ivan de la Pena
Perfect player to keep things ticking over in the middle of the park. Playing infront of the sitting Ambrosini and van Bommel, de la Pena is free to pass the ball bridging the gap between defence and attack perfectly. Known for his magnificent technical ability and accurate passing, it is fair to say he is the stereotypical product of the Barcalona school of football seen today by the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Thiago and Iniesta. Along with his fantastic passing skills, de la Pena was superb with the ball at his feet and capable of carrying the ball elegantly, ghosting past opposing players seamlessly. For those unfamiliar with de la Pena, please watch the below to get an idea.
Rui Costa
This man needs no introduction. Perfect passing and sublime technique, Rui Costa has been described as one of the best midfielders of his generation. A traditional "Playmaker" who rarely gave the ball away. A classic number 10 yet also competent in the centre of the park due to his ability to retain possession. Some say more devastating when playing higher up the pitch which is to be his role today along side Ortega. Champions League winner at AC Milan with over 100 caps for his country and 28 goals. Simply one of the very best to play the game.
Ariel Ortega
When his name is mentioned many people will think of a wasted talent but what they should be thinking here was how good was Ortega at his peek. The answer to that question would be pretty damn good. Capped by Argentina 87 times, scoring 17 goals, Ortega is still considered one of the best products from Argentinian football to date. Ortega was lightening quick and during his best years seen as the finest dribbler in the world. His trademarks were lobbed shots and clever Messi style feint's. A very tricky customer who would wreak havoc upon any defence he came across. For those unfamiliar with Ortega, please view the following video.
David Trezeguet
71 caps for France, 34 goals. 112 games for Monaco, 60 goals. 245 games for Juventus, 148 goals...
David Trezeguet scores goals wherever he plays but what is more interesting is the variety of ways in which he scores them. At 6ft 3 his physical power is enough to worry any centre half. As lethal inside the box as he is without, his powerful headed goals are as familiar as his net bursting volleys. Serie A top foreign footballer of the year, Serie A player of the year and Serie A top goalscorer in 2001-2002, as a centre forward Trezeguet really does have it all.
Substitute
Marcelo Salas
Won league titles at every club he played, left footed with blistering pace and a sublime techinique in front of goal. 71 caps for Chilie with 37 goals. In Europe he is best known for his time at Lazio. During his time in Italy Salas won the Serie A title on 3 occasions, the Italian Cup on 1 occasion and the Italian Super Cup on 3 occasions. He also won the UEFA cup and UEFA cup winners cup along with the FIFA World Cup bronze shoe in 1998.
Summary
I believe the side above offers top quality in all areas. Puyol and Nesta are two of the best centre halves in the draft. Faultless together and very difficult to beat.
Serginho and Contra deployed on either flank offer enough defensive nouce to get back and muck in and another attacking flair and engine to get forward and support the forward players. Serginho will offer the most width as he can also play as winger.
Ambrosini and van Bommel. Both able to mix it up in the middle of the park with van Bommel acting as destroyer and Ambrosini the box to box engine of the pair. Both have instructions to sit in and assist when Serginho/Contra move up the flanks, with Ambrosini roaming forward when possible to join attacks.
Rui Costa and de la Pena will be very difficult to get the ball off as both are two of the best passers in the draft. Creative and clever, play will be dictated by these gents with Costa roaming behind Trezeguet and de la Pena playing deeper.
Ortega in his favoured role as second striker can also roam in behind Trezeguet using his dribbling skills and pace to take him anywhere across the front line. Whilst Rui Costa and de la Pena give stability, look at Ortega as the livewire who can be equally devastating in a more flamboyant way.
Trezeguet up top alone is the perfect man for the job. Attacking support is not far away though with Rui Costa and Ariel Ortega to call on. He will be dished up plenty of tempting chances by the wealth of creativity behind him something which he rarely passes up on.
Salas shall be used later in the game if required as his blistering pace can be the pefect foil to form a partnership with the powerful Trezeguet.
