vs
Team Gio
STRENGTH IN DEFENCE
- The core of the defence is formed by the World Cup winning Argentinian trio of Fillol, Passarella and Ruggeri. Given the strength of Prolifik's attack, it is fortunate I have such high-calibre defenders. Both Passarella and Ruggeri have the physicality and aerial ability to match up to Marco, with Passarella providing the requisite insurance to sweep away any threats in behind. Out wide top-shelf full-backs in Nilton Santos and Carlos Alberto complete the back line, oozing class on the ball, also excelling in defending central areas (Nilton Team of the Tournament in '54 as an LCB in a 3 / Carlos Alberto experienced in the middle), which should reduce the threat posed by Pro's Muller and Mbappe from cutting in to central areas. Both are as good as I could ask for in defending against that threat.
- The game plan of the midfield will be to position goalside of Schuster and De Bruyne, using Dunga's tigerish energy to hassle whichever of the three he is closest to, with Clodoaldo securing the 6 space to shut down space in front of the defence. Off-the-ball it is a robust midfield where Clodoaldo and Dunga will be hard to break down and mirror the Dunga/Silva partnership of WC '94. Veron will assume the creative mantle in the midfield three and will smoothly link defence and attack as he did so well for Parma, Lazio and Argentina in the late 90s. Positionally it is slightly more reserved than in the previous game, but it is what is necessary to minimise the threat coming from the opposition midfield. On the ball it is progressive and should provide a healthy supply to the two Rs just ahead.
- We will transition quickly and counter sharply. This will be aided by the elite passing ability and range of Passarella and Carlos Alberto, alongside Veron in midfield, to find the front three early and in space. Ronaldinho is reunited with Rivaldo and, together with Spencer, should form a fluid and penetrating attack built in the same shape as Brazil's all-conquering front trio from the 2002 World Cup. Spencer's horizontal and vertical movement will stretch the opposition defence and create gaps that the ruthless Rivaldo and mesmerising Ronaldinho can exploit. He will also peel Henry-style wide then look to stand up Carvajal / Junior 1v1 and use his pace to surge towards goal. Similarly, he has the ideal attributes to breach a high line with his pace and finishing. Both Rivaldo and Ronaldinho will float in the inside-left and inside-right spaces where they can ask questions of the opposition midfield and defence (do we drop / do we step up?). Together the attack feels complementary.
Team Prolifik
The objective here is to leverage our speed and athleticism to deny the opposition space when we don't have the ball, and to strike quickly and directly when we do. Our back line will play high up the pitch, anchored by the central pairing of Van Dijk (the perfect high line defender) and Mozer, who has the combination of pace and intelligence to thrive in this system, and backed up by an elite sweeper-keeper in Ter Stegen. We've revamped the midfield with the additions of Rodri and KDB, who are both well versed in the pressing game from their time together at Man City, as well as Cambiasso's combination of tenacity and technical ability. KDB in particular is a master of turning defence into attack with his precision passing both short and long.
In attack, we sub in Amancio, who provides another lethal goal threat cutting in from wide areas, with some dribbling wizardry to boot. Our front three's movement will be unpredictable with Van Basten sometimes running the channels to create space for the wide forwards to drift infield. The threat of Van Basten, Amancio, or Mbappé being played in by a defence-splitting KDB through ball or a long diagonal from Van Dijk should somewhat temper the attacking forays of Gio's full-backs as well as Passarella's jaunts forward from the libero position.
. I've rated him as a player but his 90s version did seem a tad bit boring and predictable. Not the 80s one though.
