Tactics:
To put it simply, though both are great teams, Cutch's defence just won't be able to cope with my attack. My defence is far better equipped to nullify his attack.
The general mentality of the team will be to attack and it would be silly not with a quartet of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Platini and Puskas. With Puskas I have one of the best forwards in the draft and who better to finish the chances that Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Platini will provide. He will be fed by the ridiculously creative trio of Platini, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. All of that front 4 is capable of creating and scoring goals against any defence. In Ronaldinho and Platini I have 2 of the best creative players to have played the game and they will perfectly compliment the goal scoring machines of Ronaldo and Puskas.
Although the team has strengths in attacking, they are able to focus on this thanks to a top defence including the best defender of his generation in Nesta and another World Cup winner and ex Germany captain in Vogts.
In midfield I have gone for an all action, strong, mobile pairing of Edgar Davids and Scholes. Both proven at the highest level having league titles and Champions League medals.They provide the perfect balance of ball retention and defensive steel.
I also have a very interesting PLAN B which involves Lothar Matthaus from the bench, what better player to bring on to spur the team to victory.
Petr Cech
During Chelsea’s dominance from 2004-2006 he was the best in the world and a key reason for Chelsea’s tight defence in those years. There is no doubt that Chelsea were lucky to win the European cup in 2012 but Cech pulled off some of the best performances I have seen from a keeper in that run – notable performances against Barcelona and Bayern, in particularly the decisive spot kick save from Schweinsteiger.
Berti Vogts
Winner of the World Cup and European Championships with Germany. Also took over the captaincy from Beckenbauer in 1977 so at right back I have a solid player of proper quality.
Alessandro Nesta
Another World Cup winner and also the best centre half of his generation and the finest reader of the game I have seen. The timing of his tackling in his prime was a joy to watch.
Paul McGrath
Imperious centre back and another fine reader of the game. On his day there were few better. Notable performances include the opening game of the 1994 World Cup against Italy. McGrath’s performance in this match went down as one of the best defensive displays ever against Baggio and Signori. Franco Baresi, a frequent contender for the title of best ever central defender, could merely clap watching McGrath’s performance that day.
Jose Antonio Camacho
414 appearances for Real Madrid and a fixture at left back during their dominance of the Spanish League in the 70/80s with NINE league titles to his name.
Paul Scholes
Scholes is arguably the best midfielder of his generation. One of the best passers to play the game and will provide the front 4 with plenty of the ball.
Edgar Davids
All action midfielder, who will be asked to play a disciplined role in midfield alongside Toure. Champions League winner and iconic figure whilst I was growing up. He is full of energy, drive and class on the ball they provide a superb platform for Ronaldinho/Ronaldo/Platini/Puskas to attack.
Michel Platini
One of the best players in the draft. Arguably the greatest passer of the ball of all time and the perfect man to create and score from the advanced midfield position. Winner of the Ballon d'Or for THREE consecutive players, genius of a midfielder and big game player.
Ronaldinho
During his prime years is quite simply the best player I have ever seen. He was one of those players who could create something out of nothing and he did this against some of the tightest defences in recent history. Notably THAT goal against Chelsea but a personal favourite is this pass at 1:41 in a tight semi final vs a Milan side with one of the best defences out there: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52oP6RDpOhU . Just one more clip for Ronaldinho and this one I still regard as the best individual performance since my time of watching football, the 2005 El Classico http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjabWksidPs I hope you watch those 2 clips as they are well worth a watch.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Not much needs to be said about him, the best United player in recent times and has turned into a goal scoring freak since his move to Madrid. If it wasn’t for Lionel Messi I think we would be talking about Ronaldo being one of the best ever.
Ferenc Puskás
A machine of a striker up top, capable of scoring against any defence and with a goal record 508 goals in 521 appearances there are few better strikers in the draft, if any. Perfect man to lead the line and finish off chances that Ronaldo/Ronaldinho and Platini will provide
Subs:
Robin Van Persie
Great option to bring off the bench, in fact it feels ridiculous having him on the bench in the first place but the nationality rule has forced my hand. If we are talking about primes, there has been no striker better than him since 2011.
Didier Drogba
What a player to lead the line. Dragged Chelsea to the European Cup in 2012 with some immense performances in the knockout stages and final. In his prime I don’ think there is another striker who is more difficult to handle. In terms of "Big Game Players" he was also up there with the best and that surely helps when coming up against the quality of defenders in this draft?
Paul Gascoigne
People often talk about what could have been with Gascoigne but there is no doubt about his quality and ability on his day. The most talented and exciting English player I have ever seen. His flair, dribbling and unpredictability will pose a threat for any defender. Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest regret was not signing Gascoigne.
Claude Makelele
He has the defensive midfield position name after him. He was a key figure for the “Galacticos” of Real Madrid and although didn’t get as much recognition as Figo/Zidane/Ronaldo, he was just as important to their dominance. This continued to his time with Chelsea. Champions League winner, along with league titles in France, England and Spain.
Yaya Toure
Key player for both Barca and City, winning League Titles with both and a European Cup too. Equally effective in the holding midfield role and box-to-box or attacking role. Was an integral part of Barca's Champions League winning side at the start of the Guardiola era playing in the holding midfield role. Beast of a midfielder, arguably the best in the league and one City are extremely lucky to have.
Lothar Matthäus
Arguably the best midfielder of his generation. Box to box, with a winning mentality. Winner of the lot on both the international and club stage
Clarence Seedorf
A true great of his generation and with his engine and ball control will prove the perfect partner for Makelele. Winner of the Champions League with 3 different teams and also a league Champion in Holland, Spain and Italy. One of the best “box to box” midfielders in his prime and also scorer of one of my favourite goals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGQ6speL4Ww
Over 500 games for Madrid scoring over 100 goals. Remarkably at one time was Spains all time scorer with 29 in 89 games.
Equally adept in defense or midfield. Played in midfield until he was in his mid to late 20s with his standout season arguably in 1991-92 when he scored an amazing 26 goals.
Outstanding range of passing and an inspirational leader. His haul of trophies for Madrid included 5 La Ligas and 3 Champions Leagues.
Ah, Matthaus. Ok cheers. Was looking at his team then and thinking it looks the same as last time (apart from Scholes of course) Not having a back-up at right back is killing dan then. Matthaus on the bench. Ouch!
Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are going to eat the RB alive. Also don't like how far back Best is on the formation graphic.
That said, Davids/Scholes is mismatched against Hierro/Edwards. The latter is better balanced and I'll repeat for what seems like the hundredth time that David's is not a DM (atleast not at his best). Moreover, it should be a crime to have Matthaus on the bench. A midfielder you actually stand a chance of fielding in a reasonable line up would have been a far, far better option (wasn't Souness available? Huge mistake in not picking him if so).
Siding with Cutch so far for those reasons, he also has a great bench. Too soon to vote though.
Ronaldo and Ronaldinho are going to eat the RB alive. Also don't like how far back Best is on the formation graphic.
That said, Davids/Scholes is mismatched against Hierro/Edwards. The latter is better balanced and I'll repeat for what seems like the hundredth time that David's is not a DM (atleast not at his best). Moreover, it should be a crime to have Matthaus on the bench. A midfielder you actually stand a chance of fielding in a reasonable line up would have been a far, far better option (wasn't Souness available? Huge mistake in not picking him if so).
Siding with Cutch so far for those reasons, he also has a great bench. Too soon to vote though.
Maybe dont read too much into it. I just like to show left midfielders/wingers in that sort of starting position because any further up and it nearly implies they're hanging up top waiting on the ball to come to them.
Maybe dont read too much into it. I just like to show left midfielders/wingers in that sort of starting position because any further up and it nearly implies they're hanging up top waiting on the ball to come to them.
True, and he's not getting much help from Figo. Lot of pressure on Hierro to come across and help out. It's the only real weakness I can see in his team. Very nicely put together, Cutch.
I suspect Dan could have a serious clash of ego's going on. A volatile dutchman and Ronaldo/Ronaldinho each having a skills school showdown with each other. Then Platini feeling aggrieved the side isn't built around him.
Think my side will gel as a unit better given that many have played together, and consists of a lot more selfless and modest individuals (Di Stefano, Charles, Edwards etc).
True, and he's not getting much help from Figo. Lot of pressure on Hierro to come across and help out. It's the only real weakness I can see in his team. Very nicely put together, Cutch.
Cheers. Check out the wee graphic on my fullback who many won't know a lot about. Not gonna kid you all and pretend i do either but everything suggests that Eyzaguirre was an outstanding player of his time. Whether he can handle Ronaldinho is another story but not sure we can immediately dismiss him.
Cutch's team looks more balanced and the midfield is stronger. I don't understand why Matthäus is on the bench. He's simply the superior player to Davids.
True but RB is a glaring weakness in your team, and the one that needs most improving. Figo or Ronaldo won't be offering him much help at all but if coming up against Ronaldinho won't cause you to lose then I doubt you will up against whoever in the final.
Cutch's team looks more balanced and the midfield is stronger. I don't understand why Matthäus is on the bench. He's simply the superior player to Davids.
Because of Vogts. No one in thier right mind would pick David's over Mathaus because they think David's is the superior player.
Not sure who Dan could've picked from his last game but Mathhaus and RB if possible was surely the best option, I suspect that wasn't possible for other reasons too though, because it would be madness otherwise.
Won't be enough, the RB is much below the level of quality expected. You need a great DM and a great RB, not one or the other.
That raises a good point actually, Hierro is practically going to have to camp on that right side, making the midfield battle a lot more even.
True but RB is a glaring weakness in your team, and the one that needs most improving. Figo or Ronaldo won't be offering him much help at all but if coming up against Ronaldinho won't cause you to lose then I doubt you will up against whoever in the final.
I certainly wouldn't intend for Hierro to be dragged over to that side of the pitch and i would hope it would prove not to be the case. The key will be to keep the shape as well as possible to give a solid platform to control the game from the middle of the park.
I think you're possibly doing Eyzaguirre a disservice. He's not the most well known player but everything suggests he's more than competent to do a decent job against any player he faces. Obviously Ronaldinho is a special talent but the hope is to stop the ball getting to him by controlling the game as best we can and perhaps take advantage of his reluctance to work the opposite way. Dont want to bang on about a FIFA rest of the world friendly team, but for Eyzaguirre to have made that given the calibre of the rest of the players (pele, eusebio, di stefano and co), he's certainly no mug and is held in a very high esteem in South America.
They shouldn't. It's in the rules, you can't vote when the outcome of the game determines your next opponent. Only happens in the semis as prior to this we had random draws.
Familiarity
- 3 players (Di Stefano, Santos, Eyzaguirre) who played together to celebrate 100 years of football for the FIFA Rest of the World against England.
That's a bit desperate relative to some of the others you point out.
You should win this comfortably. Glad you didn't get a second keeper form a different nationality. Means Matthaus is out of bounds. I almost had a heart attack when I saw what Dan had done there... then saw Kahn
Knew you'd laugh at that one. It was more to try to help highlight the grouping of era's i've tried to get. Santos, Eyzaguirre, Di Stefano, Charles and Edwards were all pretty much around at the same time, with Best soon after, Baresi and Van Basten were together, and then Kahn, Figo, Hierro. It might be a bit irrelevant but you'd like to think a side like that would be more likely to gel.
You are still lightweight. Davids-Souness or Davids-Matthaus would have given you a chance.
Another option was Xavi and Montero on, or Matthaus and Montero and switching Camacho right. Yes, he was left-footed, but played quite a bit on the right (in fact, if you look at EDogen vs. Brwned he posted a Dzajic clip which is all about Dzajic vs. Camacho).
You are still lightweight. Davids-Souness or Davids-Matthaus would have given you a chance.
Another option was Xavi and Montero on, or Matthaus and Montero and switching Camacho right. Yes, he was left-footed, but played quite a bit on the right (in fact, if you look at EDogen vs. Brwned he posted a Dzajic clip which is all about Dzajic vs. Camacho).
I had planned to take Xavi but they are both spanish! I wanted someone who is more comfortable on the ball hence Scholes' pick. I consider his prime to be 2006-07 where he was amazing as a deep lying play maker.
I just think my defence is better equipped to stop Cutch. On the other hand, Cutch's defence, in particular the full backs, will struggle
Xavi in midfield and Montero taking Camacho's spot. The best option was Matthaus and Montero and switching Camacho to the right. Certainly better than having Yaya Toure there.
I wanted someone who is more comfortable on the ball hence Scholes' pick. I consider his prime to be 2006-07 where he was amazing as a deep lying play maker.
Your defence was better overall, but your midfield was letting you down massively. Now you are more competitive there but not enough to justify Toure facing George Best.
Ah, hence the Toure comments. Ooft Best would leave him with twisted blood. Hell I'd prefer Davids out there, even with his left-peg he's got a better skillset to do a competent job at full-back.
Fabulous team Cutch has assembled save for Eyzaguirre sticking out like a sore thumb (that may not stop him from winning this tournament as past tournaments have proven). Dan has not gotten the upgrades he needed so tough luck.
