Criteria Draft SF - Pythagoras vs Prolifik

[Fenômeno]

Team Pythagoras

VS

Team Prolifik

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Pythagoras Tactics

Tactical reinforcements:

My ideal front three has now materialised through the acquisition of Hristo Stoichkov. The Dagger's explosive pace, positional flexibility and creativity will be utilised to torment Marcelo. Blokhin and Stoichkov's technical brilliance, aggression and ability to play in various positions will be a formidable attacking force, supported by the overlapping Dani Alves and Ashley Cole. Under Johan Cruyff's very own management at Barcelona, Stoichkov thrived as a second striker or wing-forward, showcasing his adaptability and skill. All three attackers are a goal threat and able to create scoring opportunities for each other. Johan Cruyff will look to draw stoppers Cannavaro and McGrath out of position, creating space for both Blokhin and Stoichkov to exploit when they cut in. Prolifik's fullbacks are integral in giving his narrow-shaped team width, but through Blokhin and Stoichkov's power, pace in behind and tenacious press, we will aim to keep Gerets and Marcelo on the back foot, slowing down their runs on the wing.

In Alisson Becker we now possess a true sweeper keeper, who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, dominant in one-versus-scenarios, possessing the ability to distribute the ball effectively and launch counter attacks. Alisson's speed and elite timing when rushing off his line makes him a great fit for our initial high-press strategy. Alternatively, our ability to build from the back with short passes, combined with our strong defensive platform, will lure in Prolifik’s team, creating opportunities to make direct vertical attacks with accuracy and pace.

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Prolifik Tactics
We continue with the 4-4-2 diamond setup, but with a couple of key enhancements. Firstly, we’ve drafted in one of the GOAT attacking full-backs in Marcelo, whose combination with Ronaldinho down the left flank should be lethal. Secondly, we upgrade on the box-to-box role with Vieira, who has the technical quality to fit in with our possession game, but also adds plenty of drive, athleticism, tactical awareness, and leadership to our midfield.

The diamond is now pretty much bulletproof with Busquets directing operations at the base, Modrić and Vieira offering their contrasting and complementary skills on either side, and Platini working his magic in the #10 role. The attack remains as explosive as ever with Lewandowski as the spearhead and the Platini-Ronaldinho double act providing both creativity and goal threat. With Modrić scheming from deep and Gerets/Marcelo bombing down the flanks, we have plenty of avenues to create chances.

Our recent additions of Busquets and Vieira should serve us well against Cruyff and Matthäus, with Busquets using his keen tactical awareness and positioning to cover the space between the lines where Cruyff likes to roam, and Vieira able to go toe-to-toe with Matthäus in terms of both quality and physicality.

 

[Fenômeno]

Good luck @Pythagoras @prolifik

 

[Jim Beam]

Shame you couldn't pick Rodri @Pythagoras. Would be perfect for that midfield and Cruyff team imo.

I see you have moved Stoichkov to RW instead of Robben. I think enigma built a case in the past he isn't that comfortable on the right. Think I preferred the version with Robben (especially as Alves was behind him), but there is still very little between the teams.

 

[Pythagoras]

Shame you couldn't pick Rodri @Pythagoras. Would be perfect for that midfield and Cruyff team imo.

I see you have moved Stoichkov to RW instead of Robben. I think enigma built a case in the past he isn't that comfortable on the right. Think I preferred the version with Robben (especially as Alves was behind him), but there is still very little between the teams.

Rodri was not available for reinforcements (Round 1 and 2 drafted players not available), plus our reinforcements are category specific. Rodri is more box-to-box than Makelele too, so perhaps I would have needed a tactical tweak to include him.

Robben was excellent on the right wing for me, but using Robben optimally I prefer him with a target centre-forward to play off who plays higher than him. Arjen Robben combined superbly with strikers like Lewandowski, Mario Gomez, Drogba and Mandzukic etc.

Stoichkov and Blokhin are ideal secondary strikers/wing-forwards (not fixed to a wing) and offer so much on and off the ball. Stoichkov had great seasons playing on the right (probably today you would see him inverting, cutting on to his left foot more), left or centrally for Barcelona. Blokhin too, favouring the left channel, but was a menace on the right too. I am expecting my front three to have more positional freedom when attacking, while my midfielders have more fixed roles. Dani Alves and Blokhin are no doubt the widest players too, if you were to take an average position/heat map snap shot of my XI.

 

[Pythagoras]

Where I have an abundance of runners, pace, off-ball movement and versatility in attack, I believe Prolifik's attack still needs a pacy attacker, who finds space between the lines with his speed, making unpredictable runs and natural pace in behind - especially with Platini as his number 10 playmaker and the ball dominant Ronaldinho.

My attack also is superior in terms of off-ball workrate and defensive covering and extra support in midfield. Will Ronaldinho, Platini and Lewandowski give you the same dynamic?

 

[prolifik]

Where I have an abundance of runners, pace, off-ball movement and versatility in attack, I believe Prolifik's attack still needs a pacy attacker, who finds space between the lines with his speed, making unpredictable runs and natural pace in behind - especially with Platini as his number 10 playmaker and the ball dominant Ronaldinho.

My attack also is superior in terms of off-ball workrate and defensive covering and extra support in midfield. Will Ronaldinho, Platini and Lewandowski give you the same dynamic?

Pretty much all of what you listed is exactly what Lewa excels at. I don't see why he needs exceptional pace (he's not exactly slow) to create space for himself in behind with Ronaldinho and Platini feeding him.

Ronaldinho is very much a hybrid #10/winger who has succeeded alongside other playmakers, as has Platini. Keep in mind Platini was also making plenty of late runs to get into all those goalscoring positions, so it's not like he'll be static without the ball a la Riquelme for example.

Lewa and Platini are pretty hard-working as attackers. Ronaldinho isn't, but I wouldn't say Stoichkov stands out in that regard either (at least from what I've seen of him).

 

[Pythagoras]

I'm probably biased on what I have seen historically, as their apex versions:

Lewandowski paired with two wingers: possessing natural pace, clever lateral movement, attackers to stretch the play and get in behind and beat their fullback and feed Lewandowski, the sole central focal point:
Ribery-Robben
Reus-Blaszczykowski
Coman-Gnabry
Even recently with Raphinha-Yamal

Ronaldinho working in tandem with Marcelo is an amazing prospect. Marcelo without doubt a technical upgrade to Roberto Carlos or van Bronckhorst, however, you need that line-breaking and explosive speed infront of him: peak-Ronaldinho I think of Barcelona's attack with Eto'o and Giuly, and for the Brazilian national team, Ronaldo and Adriano in the 2000s. Ronaldinho had one of the best though-balls.

I think Boniek was Platini's all-time best partner in attack - those long passes from Platini to Boniek was probably the most unstoppable combination in both Serie A and Europe at the time. I think a Boniek-type tactical reinforcement would strengthen your attacking phase.

 

[prolifik]

In terms of running on to through balls and breaking the lines, I just don't see why Lewandowski isn't more than adequate for what is required. He isn't primarily known for his pace but it isn't lacking either, and his movement is as good as it gets.

Of course another wide forward with pace could be accommodated in a different system, but every tactical approach has tradeoffs. This system allows me to fit in more technical/possession-style players in a balanced way, but I think my front three, combined with the attacking full-backs and Vieira's surging runs, still provides enough verticality to get the job done.

 

[Enigma_87]

I see you have moved Stoichkov to RW instead of Robben. I think enigma built a case in the past he isn't that comfortable on the right. Think I preferred the version with Robben (especially as Alves was behind him), but there is still very little between the teams.

Yeah to me Stoichkov always preferred the left channel, his passing game and movement was a bit more predictable on the right which is not the best use of him. He was an excellent crosser and from the left side really clicked for him. Yes he had some games on the right but so did Figo on the left and even Robben initially at Chelsea yet it would be odd to put them on the other side.

Stoichkov was at his best as a roaming second striker or left winger/forward where he can either cross / find a team mate with a single touch or dart through an empty space.

In modern game you never know with how his game would’ve panned out as most of the wingers are inverted and they cut in and shoot (the best one doing that is on the bench) but it was not accurate representation of what he actually was at his best.

Other than that monstrous team from Pythagoras, can’t fault the rest .

On Pro he really improved his midfield substantially as Bozsik needed replacement.

I can see the current one working pretty well even in a 4-2-2-2 formation which Platini enjoyed at his heyday.

 

[Michaelf7777777]

Yeah to me Stoichkov always preferred the left channel, his passing game and movement was a bit more predictable on the right which is not the best use of him. He was an excellent crosser and from the left side really clicked for him. Yes he had some games on the right but so did Figo on the left and even Robben initially at Chelsea yet it would be odd to put them on the other side.

Stoichkov was at his best as a roaming second striker or left winger/forward where he can either cross / find a team mate with a single touch or dart through an empty space.

In modern game you never know with how his game would’ve panned out as most of the wingers are inverted and they cut in and shoot (the best one doing that is on the bench) but it was not accurate representation of what he actually was at his best.

Other than that monstrous team from Pythagoras, can’t fault the rest .

On Pro he really improved his midfield substantially as Bozsik needed replacement.

I can see the current one working pretty well even in a 4-2-2-2 formation which Platini enjoyed at his heyday.

I disagree with you on Bozsik whom I rate higher than all of prolifik's non-Platini midfielders and honestly would have probably been enough to vote for if Bozsik had replaced Busquets.

 

[Enigma_87]

I disagree with you on Bozsik whom I rate higher than all of prolifik's non-Platini midfielders and honestly would have probably been enough to vote for if Bozsik had replaced Busquets.

Interesting. I have to say I'm not an expert on Bozsik, going by reputation mostly and occasional game. Where do you see him utilized best in that midfield, is it in Busi position?

 

[prolifik]

I disagree with you on Bozsik whom I rate higher than all of prolifik's non-Platini midfielders and honestly would have probably been enough to vote for if Bozsik had replaced Busquets.

From what I've seen of him (admittedly only a couple of games) I don't love him in that Busquets role.

 

[Michaelf7777777]

Interesting. I have to say I'm not an expert on Bozsik, going by reputation mostly and occasional game. Where do you see him utilized best in that midfield, is it in Busi position?

Yes, particularly with Vieira providing some additional ball winning ability (I'd also consider him an improvement on Modric). More information on Bozsik is available in this thread repeating posts from someone who was a scout for Honved, the Hungary national team, Real Madrid and Botafogo during the 1950's and 1960's.

 

[Enigma_87]

Yes, particularly with Vieira providing some additional ball winning ability (I'd also consider him an improvement on Modric). More information on Bozsik is available in this thread repeating posts from someone who was a scout for Honved, the Hungary national team, Real Madrid and Botafogo during the 1950's and 1960's.

Cheers for the link, I'll look into it.

 

[Pythagoras]

Yeah to me Stoichkov always preferred the left channel, his passing game and movement was a bit more predictable on the right which is not the best use of him. He was an excellent crosser and from the left side really clicked for him. Yes he had some games on the right but so did Figo on the left and even Robben initially at Chelsea yet it would be odd to put them on the other side.

Stoichkov was at his best as a roaming second striker or left winger/forward where he can either cross / find a team mate with a single touch or dart through an empty space.

In modern game you never know with how his game would’ve panned out as most of the wingers are inverted and they cut in and shoot (the best one doing that is on the bench) but it was not accurate representation of what he actually was at his best.

I don’t agree with that comparison with Stoichkov to Figo and Robben, as both playstyle and ability wise he is different to those wingers, but I agree he played the majority of his games as a left forward for Barcelona - but possessed the adaptability and tactical versatility to play in different positions and areas, whether he was playing alongside a false 9, winger or another striker.

In my set up, Blokhin, Cruyff and Stoichkov, all complete forwards, will be expected to roam and interchange positions. Stoichkov won’t be a right winger spamming crosses into the box to a target centreforward. He is the forward. Dani Alves will be owning that right outside channel, and supplying the more conventional overlapping runs, one-twos and crossing you would associate with a right winger. Moreover, Stoichkov is a type of forward who’d be great in the modern game, inverting from the right, demonstrating a heightened awareness of space, cutting in and smashing the ball in with power, linking up with different types of attackers, with the football IQ to work across the whole attacking third, not limited like a classic winger.

I have been watching more Oleg Blokhin matches and I wouldn’t reduce his position to a line-hugging wing-forward either - he attacked effectively on both wings and drove forward centrally too. His playstyle transcends to the modern game, where space and versatility is key.

Cruyff will love to play alongside both these forwards.

 

[Fenômeno]

Although I prefer Robben nothing wrong with Stoichkov in this setup imo, he's an ideal wide forward to work with a false 9.

 

[Gio]

Pythag’s team is faultless to me.

Prolifik’s is outstanding as well, but if I’m nitpicking, the attack and midfield feels a little one-paced.

 

[Pythagoras]

In reference to Šjor Bepo's new positional rankings project, I would personally argue Messi, Stoichkov and Salah are the three best left-footed forwards I've seen playing from the right (if we're categorising Robben and Bale as inverted wingers, not forwards).




- this compilation includes a copious amount of sublime skills, explosive runs and world class finishes from the right. He was comfortable everywhere.




Stoichkov's 4-0 demolition of Manchester United:
- two goals (one instinctual finish from the inside right, another after great link-up play with Romario)
- one assist (a special long pass for Romario from the right wing)

Denis Irwin told Gary Nev on the Stick to Football podcast show that Stoichkov was one of the three toughest opponents he ever faced on the pitch.

Irwin, on Stoichkov: "And the thing with Stoichkov as well. He was an aggressive sod. He would kick you. The final we played in ’91 against Barcelona. He was actually suspended. Thank God. They had a great team. They won the old European Cup the following year with Laudrup and Koeman and all that, but he was a great player, Stoichkov.”

 

[prolifik]

GG @Pythagoras, didn't expect any other result honestly

 

[Pythagoras]

GG @prolifik excellent drafting again, you had some of my all-time favourite players.

 

[Jim Beam]

Lewa was a bit of an issue for me as well. Not that is a bad fit by any means, but would prefer someone even more mobile who will stretch opposition CB's all around and create space for Platini's run in the box. Suarez for example. The rest of the team is on the money though.

 

[prolifik]

Tbh I took a bit of a risk pairing Platini with Ronaldinho, the talent was worth it but it kind of limited my options to improve that area of the pitch (compared to the 4-3-3 I was originally planning). Forward was absolutely loaded with the likes of Rummenigge, Stoichkov, Henry, etc. not in the top 10, but it was hard to add another attacker without the team becoming unbalanced.