Gio's Starting XI
vs
Enigma's Starting XI
Gio's Tactics
TEAM
Our defence comprises one half of a potential all-time France XI in Manuel Bossis and Laurent Blanc. Pietro Vierchowod bolsters the defence and is a perfectly complementary partner for Blanc and both have substantial experience taming many of the great attackers of the 1980s and 1990s. On the right is Leandro who is arguably the most under-rated of all Brazilian full-backs, and who just gets better every time I watch him for Flamengo and the Selecao. Both Leandro and Bossis are well versed playing as width-providing full-backs in narrow systems, given their role for Brazil and France respectively. Indeed both were often the solitary sources of genuine width (with in-cutting Junior on the other flank; often the converted CB Battiston for France on the other side) in their distinctive national sides.
Our midfield trio blends craft, defensive steel and attacking thrust. Deputising for the crocked Masopust (again fecking sicknote), Gerson retains his spot to form a natural partnership with Tito Goncalves that should work in the same way as his successful tandem with Clodoaldo. Both were the premium South American midfielders of the 1960s with Goncalves all-conquering at club level for Penarol and Gerson on fire for Brazil in 1970. Both will naturally sit behind the ball enabling Steven Gerrard to drive on to capitalise on his significant goal threat. As well as providing dig and quality, he will relish the Alonso/Mascherano-esque platform in Gerson/Goncalves to bomb forward.
Ahead are the two 10s in Zinedine Zidane and Rivaldo. They are a '90s wet dream but crucially contrast in styles - Zidane floating and dancing around midfielders, Rivaldo more vertical and direct and packing punch. Both are two of the greatest big-match performers of all, Zidane deciding various finals and tournaments, Rivaldo a game-raiser of the highest order.
They will feed Luigi Riva who should be a smooth Serie A styled partner for Zidane. Similarly, Rivaldo struck an effective partnership with Kluivert and Riva has the presence and technical ability to bring similar qualities to the table. In the top strikers in the pool, Riva is perhaps best suited to playing in this formation by working across the line, stretching play and holding it up. Often he had to all of that and more for Cagliari in the late 1960s.
KEY POINTS
- An aerially strong back line well suited to dealing with Vieri (if he starts). Good in the air across the defence, but exceptionally so in the middle with Blanc and Vierchowod. Pietro's pace is the stuff of legend which should help to cover Robben's runs while Blanc's reading of the game ensured he boasted an impressive record against quick attackers such as Romario. The experience of Bossis playing centrally also helps to shut out space against this narrower formation.
- Attack-minded, high quality full-backs in Leandro and Bossis to make the formation sing. When Christmas Trees clash, having class on the ball in wide areas outside of the clustered centre can be vital.
- A midfield and attack that can shift wide on and off the ball. Gerrard is custom designed for this set-up with a dual central and right-sided role. Rivaldo enjoyed peeling left and unleashing that famous left peg and also worked hard off the ball.
Enigma's Tactics
Tactics:
Greaves leads the line in a classic counter attacking chrismas tree formation with a solid midfield unit consisting of Cerezo, Pirri and the new crown jewel - Redondo, whilst we also have a lot of pace to burn on the front foot.
Defence:
Two attacking full backs in Irwin and Jorginho, who support the attack and offer a lot going forward. Ferrara and Ruggeri is a solid base CB combo that is great in the air and also in Ferrara have a bit of soft touch and ability to play out from the back.
Midfield:
Redondo takes the conductor role in the deep zone. A midfield general that is able to run an entire midfield of his own, he can launch attack from deep and one of the best players to pull this role to perfection. Cerezo takes the box to box role in this game, something familiar to him and him and Falcao created the base in 1982 of one of the most exciting national teams ever. He is known for his range of passing and ability to get the ball back as well his big frame helping him impose his stature in the middle of the park. He's aided by Pirri - who has the same never say die attitude that should help us control the proceedings in the middle of the park. The midfield is set up in a very direct style and the creativity it oozes will help supply the quick and creative frontline with through balls and opportunities to break the opposition Christmas tree.
Attack:
Laudrup is the creative hub in the final third. He can go wide or cut in - something he's very suited for - stretching the opposition defence and splitting it with his vision and passing. Robben is the perfect guy for counter attacking football and finding space, or dribbling through the opponents. Greaves starts this one with his all round qualities - hold up play, ability to bring others into play, chase long balls and through balls and generally devastating finishing ability.
vs
Enigma's Starting XI
Gio's Tactics
TEAM
Our defence comprises one half of a potential all-time France XI in Manuel Bossis and Laurent Blanc. Pietro Vierchowod bolsters the defence and is a perfectly complementary partner for Blanc and both have substantial experience taming many of the great attackers of the 1980s and 1990s. On the right is Leandro who is arguably the most under-rated of all Brazilian full-backs, and who just gets better every time I watch him for Flamengo and the Selecao. Both Leandro and Bossis are well versed playing as width-providing full-backs in narrow systems, given their role for Brazil and France respectively. Indeed both were often the solitary sources of genuine width (with in-cutting Junior on the other flank; often the converted CB Battiston for France on the other side) in their distinctive national sides.
Our midfield trio blends craft, defensive steel and attacking thrust. Deputising for the crocked Masopust (again fecking sicknote), Gerson retains his spot to form a natural partnership with Tito Goncalves that should work in the same way as his successful tandem with Clodoaldo. Both were the premium South American midfielders of the 1960s with Goncalves all-conquering at club level for Penarol and Gerson on fire for Brazil in 1970. Both will naturally sit behind the ball enabling Steven Gerrard to drive on to capitalise on his significant goal threat. As well as providing dig and quality, he will relish the Alonso/Mascherano-esque platform in Gerson/Goncalves to bomb forward.
Ahead are the two 10s in Zinedine Zidane and Rivaldo. They are a '90s wet dream but crucially contrast in styles - Zidane floating and dancing around midfielders, Rivaldo more vertical and direct and packing punch. Both are two of the greatest big-match performers of all, Zidane deciding various finals and tournaments, Rivaldo a game-raiser of the highest order.
They will feed Luigi Riva who should be a smooth Serie A styled partner for Zidane. Similarly, Rivaldo struck an effective partnership with Kluivert and Riva has the presence and technical ability to bring similar qualities to the table. In the top strikers in the pool, Riva is perhaps best suited to playing in this formation by working across the line, stretching play and holding it up. Often he had to all of that and more for Cagliari in the late 1960s.
KEY POINTS
- An aerially strong back line well suited to dealing with Vieri (if he starts). Good in the air across the defence, but exceptionally so in the middle with Blanc and Vierchowod. Pietro's pace is the stuff of legend which should help to cover Robben's runs while Blanc's reading of the game ensured he boasted an impressive record against quick attackers such as Romario. The experience of Bossis playing centrally also helps to shut out space against this narrower formation.
- Attack-minded, high quality full-backs in Leandro and Bossis to make the formation sing. When Christmas Trees clash, having class on the ball in wide areas outside of the clustered centre can be vital.
- A midfield and attack that can shift wide on and off the ball. Gerrard is custom designed for this set-up with a dual central and right-sided role. Rivaldo enjoyed peeling left and unleashing that famous left peg and also worked hard off the ball.
Enigma's Tactics
Tactics:
Greaves leads the line in a classic counter attacking chrismas tree formation with a solid midfield unit consisting of Cerezo, Pirri and the new crown jewel - Redondo, whilst we also have a lot of pace to burn on the front foot.
Defence:
Two attacking full backs in Irwin and Jorginho, who support the attack and offer a lot going forward. Ferrara and Ruggeri is a solid base CB combo that is great in the air and also in Ferrara have a bit of soft touch and ability to play out from the back.
Midfield:
Redondo takes the conductor role in the deep zone. A midfield general that is able to run an entire midfield of his own, he can launch attack from deep and one of the best players to pull this role to perfection. Cerezo takes the box to box role in this game, something familiar to him and him and Falcao created the base in 1982 of one of the most exciting national teams ever. He is known for his range of passing and ability to get the ball back as well his big frame helping him impose his stature in the middle of the park. He's aided by Pirri - who has the same never say die attitude that should help us control the proceedings in the middle of the park. The midfield is set up in a very direct style and the creativity it oozes will help supply the quick and creative frontline with through balls and opportunities to break the opposition Christmas tree.
Attack:
Laudrup is the creative hub in the final third. He can go wide or cut in - something he's very suited for - stretching the opposition defence and splitting it with his vision and passing. Robben is the perfect guy for counter attacking football and finding space, or dribbling through the opponents. Greaves starts this one with his all round qualities - hold up play, ability to bring others into play, chase long balls and through balls and generally devastating finishing ability.
