Enigma_87/MJJ
Squad summary and key points:
GK: Pat Jennings - "Good morning God," was how Arsenal's players greeted goalkeeper Pat Jennings during the great Irishman's reign as the teams undisputed number one in the 1970's and 1980's. He was the first goalkeeper to save with his feet consistently, his clearances got a good length and his goal kicks had a great distance. During his time he was one of the best in one-on-one situations which invariably saved Arsenal and Spurs a lot of the time. Incredibly agile just flung out of the goal mouth and pretty much caught anything.
RB: Manuel Amoros - Manuel Amoros was a versatile full-back which he was able to play both left and right-side without a significant different due to his great in both feet. He was an extraordinary wing-back in the world during 1980s with his fast, excellent movement, intelligent and skillful. He was really an excellent combo both defensively and offensively. Will be up against Iniesta. The combination of superior speed and excellent defence should match well.
CB: Franco Baresi - Not much to say that is not known - Possibly the best defender ever and certainly the best on the pitch. Ray Wilkins probably describes him best - "Franco was the best player I have ever played with. The guy was world class to his core. He had everything – pace, two feet, and he was a leader of men". He'll be the last stop for anyone of Zico/Iniesta/Greaves. With his phenomenal reading of the game he was always where the ball was and was extremely tough for any striker to get a sniff at, and he played with the best.
CB: Oscar Ruggeri - one of the most successful defenders in Argentina's football history. Center back who always gave his best, dominant in the air, committed and skillful, Ruggeri represented Argentina in three World Cups(winning one and 1 final). Argentina's defensive record at those 2 WC was impeccable - 9 goals conceded in 14 games. He was lord of the skies, scored a lot of goals from heading and, most important, in his defense box he ruled all the aerial balls.
LB: J.A. Camacho - One of the most complete left back ever and a Real Madrid legend. Cafu level of stamina and tirelessness he'll chase everyone down the pitch, Finney as well. A quote of Mario Kempes describes him best : "If you think he sweats a lot as a coach, imagine how much he sweated as a player. He was like a hunting dog; wherever you went on the pitch, he went. You knew that if you looked over your shoulder, he'd be there waiting for you. He didn't talk either, he just breathed in a very strange way - "Fsst, fsst, fsst, fsst"! A real nightmare."
MC: Gerson - Best midfielder and second only to Pele in Brazil's best 1970 team. Gerson completely dominated the midfield, including a class performance against Italy in the final. He was the midfield dictator oozing elegance, vision and excellent range of passing. Man of the match in the final scoring a wonderful goal as well. Most famous for his technical and cerebral quality, his defensive game is somewhat under-appreciated with an aggression and commitment to the tackle not typical of the archetypal deep-lying playmaker(description shamelessly stolen from Gio from previos drafts).
DM/MC: Steffan Effenberg - "The boss" is our leader in the middle of the park. One of football's hardman but also with great passing ability and range. A true leader and warior in the middle of the park.
LW: Ryan Giggs - United and world legend. Blistering pace will be up against Andrade who will not be playing at his main position. Giggs would play a key role in this game beating with pace and trickery his man most of the time. Giggs also contributes for both ends - defensively and offensively, like Figo, which really helps control the midfield and get the ball back.
In the hole/free role - Johan Cruyff - best player in Europe's history bar none. He could defend comfortably like a regular in defence even in the back lines of the field. The central piece of the total football in the Mechanic Orange - ultimate General on the pitch, organizing total football on the pitch. In '74WC almost every actions started end finished with a pass of Cruyff, he came back to help and defend in the midfield, he started to defend in the opposite half of the pitch sometimes near the penalty area too - his condition of fitness made him able to run all the time.
RW: Luis Figo - 2000's Ballon D'Or winner has a decent shout of being one of the top right wingers of all time. Playing on either wing, Figo’s dribbling, stepovers, through balls, free-kicks, passes and reading of the game made him into a true legend. Recently Messi passed him in the all time Primera assist table after 11 years at Barca. Figo did it in 10. Excellent team player that can control the midfield and contribute both offensively and defensively.
CF: Thierry Henry - Peak Henry was one of those strikers that were unstoppable. His assist and goals tally speak for itself. He'll be up against Chumpitaz and Nesta. Chumpitaz is really fast center back but not in the same league as Henry. Nesta is the better CB but a lot slower than peak Henry who will use that and his skills to put a MoTM performance.
Key points:
Midfield battle. Both midfields are quite similar. Defensive box to box player in Effenberg and Souness, a bit static and positionally very good central midfielders with the option of putting a shift both defensively and offensively (Gerson/Bozsik) and advanced/free role in Zico/Cruyff. The key here is Figo/Giggs/Cruyff all capable of putting a shift in midfield and getting the ball back, while Finney, Iniesta and Zico won't be able to do so to that extend putting most of the pressure on Bozsik and Souness.
Giggs/Figo on the flanks vs Gio's full backs: Gio has the best full back on the pitch, but Giggs on Andrade on the other flank is a mismatch. Andrade primaraly position is in the middle, and his pace is no match for prime Giggs.
Iniesta/Finney against Amoros/Camacho: we have 2 world class full backs who are a perfect match for Gio's wing options. I don't think both of them can get better of both our full backs.
Baresi/Ruggeri vs Zico/Greaves. Baresi in 94 WC put a masterclass against a striker who is better than Greaves(Romario) in both goalscoring and pace. Greaves was certainly a really fast player, but not on Henry's level or aforementioned Romario. Ruggeri is also maybe the best header on the pitch, no coincidence he's called the big headed one.
Nesta/Chumpitaz vs Cruyff/Henry. Nesta is an excellent defender one of the best certainly but Henry burnt him with pace on more than one occasion. Chumpitaz is quicker than Nesta, but again no match neither for Henry or Cruyff. It will be extremely hard for Gio's defence to handle BOTH Cruyff and Henry's pace and trickery. We simply have the better pair in CB and AM/SC options.
Having the two best players on the pitch. Gio's star players are Zico and Facchetti but in this case Cruyff and Baresi just take the nod.
Pace on counter: we have really excellent players to hit Gio on the counter. Giggs/Figo on the flanks and Cruyff/ Henry in the middle. Gerson is the best passer on the pitch and Effenberg also possesses excellent vision and passing rage. Both can find our wingers and forwards with a pinpoint accuracy.
Balance - our team has perfect balance all over the pitch. Gio might have problem with Iniesta creating width and Andrade being at RB against Giggs.
Enigma_87/MJJ
Gio
[/CODE]
Squad summary and key points:
GK: Pat Jennings - "Good morning God," was how Arsenal's players greeted goalkeeper Pat Jennings during the great Irishman's reign as the teams undisputed number one in the 1970's and 1980's. He was the first goalkeeper to save with his feet consistently, his clearances got a good length and his goal kicks had a great distance. During his time he was one of the best in one-on-one situations which invariably saved Arsenal and Spurs a lot of the time. Incredibly agile just flung out of the goal mouth and pretty much caught anything.
RB: Manuel Amoros - Manuel Amoros was a versatile full-back which he was able to play both left and right-side without a significant different due to his great in both feet. He was an extraordinary wing-back in the world during 1980s with his fast, excellent movement, intelligent and skillful. He was really an excellent combo both defensively and offensively. Will be up against Iniesta. The combination of superior speed and excellent defence should match well.
CB: Franco Baresi - Not much to say that is not known - Possibly the best defender ever and certainly the best on the pitch. Ray Wilkins probably describes him best - "Franco was the best player I have ever played with. The guy was world class to his core. He had everything – pace, two feet, and he was a leader of men". He'll be the last stop for anyone of Zico/Iniesta/Greaves. With his phenomenal reading of the game he was always where the ball was and was extremely tough for any striker to get a sniff at, and he played with the best.
CB: Oscar Ruggeri - one of the most successful defenders in Argentina's football history. Center back who always gave his best, dominant in the air, committed and skillful, Ruggeri represented Argentina in three World Cups(winning one and 1 final). Argentina's defensive record at those 2 WC was impeccable - 9 goals conceded in 14 games. He was lord of the skies, scored a lot of goals from heading and, most important, in his defense box he ruled all the aerial balls.
LB: J.A. Camacho - One of the most complete left back ever and a Real Madrid legend. Cafu level of stamina and tirelessness he'll chase everyone down the pitch, Finney as well. A quote of Mario Kempes describes him best : "If you think he sweats a lot as a coach, imagine how much he sweated as a player. He was like a hunting dog; wherever you went on the pitch, he went. You knew that if you looked over your shoulder, he'd be there waiting for you. He didn't talk either, he just breathed in a very strange way - "Fsst, fsst, fsst, fsst"! A real nightmare."
MC: Gerson - Best midfielder and second only to Pele in Brazil's best 1970 team. Gerson completely dominated the midfield, including a class performance against Italy in the final. He was the midfield dictator oozing elegance, vision and excellent range of passing. Man of the match in the final scoring a wonderful goal as well. Most famous for his technical and cerebral quality, his defensive game is somewhat under-appreciated with an aggression and commitment to the tackle not typical of the archetypal deep-lying playmaker(description shamelessly stolen from Gio from previos drafts).
DM/MC: Steffan Effenberg - "The boss" is our leader in the middle of the park. One of football's hardman but also with great passing ability and range. A true leader and warior in the middle of the park.
LW: Ryan Giggs - United and world legend. Blistering pace will be up against Andrade who will not be playing at his main position. Giggs would play a key role in this game beating with pace and trickery his man most of the time. Giggs also contributes for both ends - defensively and offensively, like Figo, which really helps control the midfield and get the ball back.
In the hole/free role - Johan Cruyff - best player in Europe's history bar none. He could defend comfortably like a regular in defence even in the back lines of the field. The central piece of the total football in the Mechanic Orange - ultimate General on the pitch, organizing total football on the pitch. In '74WC almost every actions started end finished with a pass of Cruyff, he came back to help and defend in the midfield, he started to defend in the opposite half of the pitch sometimes near the penalty area too - his condition of fitness made him able to run all the time.
RW: Luis Figo - 2000's Ballon D'Or winner has a decent shout of being one of the top right wingers of all time. Playing on either wing, Figo’s dribbling, stepovers, through balls, free-kicks, passes and reading of the game made him into a true legend. Recently Messi passed him in the all time Primera assist table after 11 years at Barca. Figo did it in 10. Excellent team player that can control the midfield and contribute both offensively and defensively.
CF: Thierry Henry - Peak Henry was one of those strikers that were unstoppable. His assist and goals tally speak for itself. He'll be up against Chumpitaz and Nesta. Chumpitaz is really fast center back but not in the same league as Henry. Nesta is the better CB but a lot slower than peak Henry who will use that and his skills to put a MoTM performance.
Key points:
Midfield battle. Both midfields are quite similar. Defensive box to box player in Effenberg and Souness, a bit static and positionally very good central midfielders with the option of putting a shift both defensively and offensively (Gerson/Bozsik) and advanced/free role in Zico/Cruyff. The key here is Figo/Giggs/Cruyff all capable of putting a shift in midfield and getting the ball back, while Finney, Iniesta and Zico won't be able to do so to that extend putting most of the pressure on Bozsik and Souness.
Giggs/Figo on the flanks vs Gio's full backs: Gio has the best full back on the pitch, but Giggs on Andrade on the other flank is a mismatch. Andrade primaraly position is in the middle, and his pace is no match for prime Giggs.
Iniesta/Finney against Amoros/Camacho: we have 2 world class full backs who are a perfect match for Gio's wing options. I don't think both of them can get better of both our full backs.
Baresi/Ruggeri vs Zico/Greaves. Baresi in 94 WC put a masterclass against a striker who is better than Greaves(Romario) in both goalscoring and pace. Greaves was certainly a really fast player, but not on Henry's level or aforementioned Romario. Ruggeri is also maybe the best header on the pitch, no coincidence he's called the big headed one.
Nesta/Chumpitaz vs Cruyff/Henry. Nesta is an excellent defender one of the best certainly but Henry burnt him with pace on more than one occasion. Chumpitaz is quicker than Nesta, but again no match neither for Henry or Cruyff. It will be extremely hard for Gio's defence to handle BOTH Cruyff and Henry's pace and trickery. We simply have the better pair in CB and AM/SC options.
Having the two best players on the pitch. Gio's star players are Zico and Facchetti but in this case Cruyff and Baresi just take the nod.
Pace on counter: we have really excellent players to hit Gio on the counter. Giggs/Figo on the flanks and Cruyff/ Henry in the middle. Gerson is the best passer on the pitch and Effenberg also possesses excellent vision and passing rage. Both can find our wingers and forwards with a pinpoint accuracy.
Balance - our team has perfect balance all over the pitch. Gio might have problem with Iniesta creating width and Andrade being at RB against Giggs.
Enigma_87/MJJ
Gio
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best of luck gio! Should be a good one.
