Decades Chain Draft: QF - Beam/Synco vs Michaelf7

[Physiocrat]

Beam/Synco

Michaelf7

Beam/Synco

Tactics / four phases of the game:

Offensive transition: Play out of the back fast & direct with our expert passers. Use the speed of Blokhin and Chislenko, Kanté's midfield runs, and van Basten's hold up play.

Attacking phase: If we can't finish on the counter, cultured possession game to create breakthroughs. Laudrup and Redondo pulling the strings, wide players targeting Michael's fullbacks 1:1. The entire front four carries a massive goal threat.

Defensive transition: Drop back to prevent Kempes and Ronaldo from getting behind our backline. Immediate counterpressing from the nearest attackers to hamper Michael's directness in transition. Goal is not to regain the ball at all costs, but to slow down the counter, letting the rest of the team take up defensive positions.

Defensive phase: Two tight banks of four restricting space in front of our box; aim is to prevent Kempes and Ronaldo from attacking at speed, curbing Michael's biggest threat. Kanté to harrass Zidane at every opportunity. After winning the ball, restart the cycle as above.

Michaelf7

My team will play a 4-3-3 formation with Gordillo as a wingback on the left side behind inside forward Kempes while on the right side Dzodzuashvili will play as a more defensive full back behind winger Johnstone. Up front Ronaldo will have the freedom to roam and drift with Kempes moving centrally when necessary. I will now detail some of the lesser-known players in my team before outlining the major advantage that I think my team has in this fixture.

Revaz Dzodzuashvili had 49 caps for the USSR between 1969 and 1974 and was including in the team of the tournament for the 1972 Euro's. Dzodzuashvili was the best RB of the season in the USSR in 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1973; 2nd best RB of the season in the USSR in 1970; and 3rd best RB of the season in the USSR in 1974. Dzodzuashvili was best known for shutting down all-time great wingers doing this against George Best in both of their matches and against Dragan Dzajic for all but 20 minutes of the four matches they played against each other. Blokhin (his probable opponent in this match) only scored 1 goal in 6 matches against Dzodzuashvili in 1972, 1973 and 1974 (the years when both won caps for the USSR national team and were both including in the best 3 players of the season in their position in the USSR).

Rafael Gordillo has 75 Spanish caps and finished 15th in France Football's Football Player of the Century, which was voted on by 30 players who won the Ballon d'Or between 1956 and 1999 (excluding Best, Matthews, Sivori and Yashin). He was according to the Spanish magazine Don Balon the best Spanish player in the 1979-80 season. Gordillo was equally comfortable both as a wingback and a midfielder. Spanish journalist Alfredo Relaño described Gordillo's style of play as follows:

always from the left wing, with a tireless rise and fall and a very good technique in his left leg, with which he scored many goals and gave many more. Míchel in one band and Gordillo in the other were the key to those great years of Madrid de la Quinta. There was practically no game he played, with Madrid, with Betis or with the national team, in which he was not the full dominator of his area, a wide strip of ten meters wide from one corner pennant to the other, on the left wing of his team.

Source

On winning the Ballon d'Or in 1987, Ruud Gullit said:

I appreciate this award, but it's not fair. I would have given it to Gordillo. He's the best player to step on the pitch now.

Source

This could be just Gullit being humble but even if so, it is interesting that Gullit chose Gordillo over the likes of Platini, Boniek, Matthaus, and Baresi among others or more obviously saying that it should be open to non-Europeans and Maradona should win it.

In the following clip, former Liverpool and Scotland defender Steve Nicol answers Gordillo to a question on the greatest opponent he has faced.



Carlos Valderrama won 111 caps for Colombia and was the South American footballer of the year in 1993. Despite not being the quickest he was good at finding room to receive and distribute the ball as well as being a superb passer both short to control the tempo and long through balls to create chances. Montpellier teammate and French international Stéphane Paille described his playing style as follows:

I really liked how he played. One touch, South American ‘toque’ style, very efficient. Carlos always made the right pass at the right time. It was a pleasure to play in the same team as him.

Source

Another Montpellier teammate Laurent Blanc praised his ball retention abilities as follows:

He was a natural exponent of ‘toque’, keeping the ball moving. But he was so gifted that we could give him the ball when we didn’t know what else to do with it knowing he wouldn’t lose it… and often he would do things that most of us only dream about!

Source

Ronaldo vs. Nemanja Vidic

I now move on to the matchup that I think is the major advantage that my team has in this contest which is Ronaldo vs. Nemanja Vidic. In 2014 ESPN.com writer stated that pace has always been Vidic's major weakness (Source) which Liverpool era Fernando Torres took full advantage of. As Vidic was an elite defender, I would normally not mention this but 94/95-98/99 Ronaldo is one of the worst ever attackers for a defender with a pace weakness to play against in my opinion particularly when Ronaldo is being supplied by two brilliant passers in Valderrama and Zidane.

During this period (94/95-98/99) Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or in 1997 (also finishing 1 vote behind the winner in 1996), FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997, top goalscorer once each in both the Netherlands and Spain, 1998 Serie A Footballer of the Year, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year in 1997-98, Golden Ball winner at the 1998 World Cup, MVP at the 1997 Copa America and was included in the All Star team of both the 1997 and 1999 Copa America's.

Bobby Robson said that Ronaldo was the best player he worked with and describes him as follows:

Ronaldo was lean, mean, as quick as an Olympic sprinter and some of the goals he scored had me shaking my head in disbelief.

Source

Zinedine Zidane stated that “When Ronaldo had the ball, he ran at 2,000 miles per hour,” (Source). Marcel Desailly said that “I’ve never seen a player able to show such precise control at such high speed,” (Source). Below is a video of Ronaldo's incredible pace during this period prior to his injuries:



Here is a highlights video of Ronaldo's 96/97 season at Barcelona:

 

[Physiocrat]

@Synco @Jim Beam @Michaelf7777777

Game on!

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

For a man of few words, that is a top notch opening post @Michaelf7777777

 

[Synco]

Good luck @Michaelf7777777, I'll take over for Beam again.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

dont really see what Valderrama brings to the table apart from ladies that will follow the beautiful man. You dont need another playmaker, Schweini is more then enough to distribute the ball from deeper position while Zidane takes over in transition from second to final third. I know apart from myself and maybe Beam people have no idea who Gudelj is and how good he was but he makes the team much better and more balanced. When you see the quality of fullbacks it would be much better if you upgraded at least one of them or because same can be said for Gudelj, if you upgraded him with a better player that offers similar things.

 

[Synco]

Who I have very little clue about is Michael's fullbacks. Which is an important question, as Blokhin and Chislenko are instructed to have a go at them (see our OP). Michael has covered both players in his OP, naturally putting them in the best light possible (which is fair enough, but probably not everything to be said).

With Dzodzuashvili, I by now have the feeling there's a need to seperate the man from the myth. @harms @Demyanenko_square_jaw, any comments on him? Where would you roughly place him in an all-time context, both Soviet and global?

(To be clear, per default I think of him as an elite defensive FB, but would love to have more info.)

 

[Synco]

Also a remark on this part:

Blokhin (his probable opponent in this match) only scored 1 goal in 6 matches against Dzodzuashvili in 1972, 1973 and 1974 (the years when both won caps for the USSR national team and were both including in the best 3 players of the season in their position in the USSR).

The count somehow stops in 1974, but in 1975 (the beginning of Blokhin's 5 year period here), Oleg scored in both games they played against each other. If we include the scoreless August '74 game too (Blokhin played 45 minutes), it's 2 goals in 2,5 games in the relevant timeframe.

But even if this works in our favour, I'm always wary of these "duel" stats, as football is played XI vs XI, and without seeing the game we don't even know how each player actually fared. We don't know positions, maybe a goal came from the other side of the pitch or through a keeper blunder, maybe a clean goal wasn't given. And almost all football is played outside of goals.

Finally, I'd also be glad for some historical perspective on Gordillo from neutrals.

 

[Gio]

Finally, I'd also be glad for some historical perspective on Gordillo from neutrals.

Glad to see him picked and sold properly for once. He looked different class on the ball and I’d struggle to think of another full-back with superior 1v1 dribbling ability.

 

[Synco]

Glad to see him picked and sold properly for once. He looked different class on the ball and I’d struggle to think of another full-back with superior 1v1 dribbling ability.

Wow, that means roundabout Marcelo levels? Talking about going under the radar, then. Looks like I need to catch up on him beyond this draft. Any assessment about defending vs Chislenko?

 

[harms]

Rafael Gordillo has 75 Spanish caps and finished 15th in France Football's Football Player of the Century, which was voted on by 30 players who won the Ballon d'Or between 1956 and 1999 (excluding Best, Matthews, Sivori and Yashin)

I swear, Gullit was smoking something that day, putting Gordillo ahead of Maradona & Platini in his top-5

edit: although he was pretty consistent, he said that his own Ballon d'Or should've been given to Gordillo in 1987.

 

[Synco]

Have done some ad hoc research on Gordillo. From what I've seen, he looks very much like a true wingback/winger type. During the mid to late 80s (Gordillo's period here), Real seemed to usually sport the era-typical 352, with specialist defenders like Camacho as covering LCB behind him. In that LWB role he looked like a fine defender to me, but it's different from being last man in a back 4.

My takeaway is that he's a seriously good attacking player, but also a very offensive choice in a back 4. Compared to how he played for Real, he'll either need to scale down his attacking enthusiasm, or Nesta/Schweinsteiger will have to compensate a lot. I'd suspect he'll adjust and balance his game somewhat, but his role in Michael's R1 game feels more natural to me, just spot on.

Looks like a proper two-way duel between Chislenko and him, the latter being happy to defend all the way back as well. But I also fancy Chislenko's chances to get past him a few times.

More detailed research results here:

Spoiler

Gordillo moved to Real Madrid for 1985–86,[4] winning the UEFA Cup in his debut campaign and scoring in the final against 1. FC Köln, and forming a dreaded left-wing partnership with José Antonio Camacho during his tenure, with the former playing as a midfielder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Gordillo

Spoiler: Spain Euro 1984

(Spain is depicted in a classic libero 442 here, with Gordillo at LW. Didn't check in-game footage to confirm.)

Spoiler: UEFA Cup final real vs Köln 1986

Gordillo's position in the 2nd graphic is nonsense, he played LWB there as well.

Spoiler: Other real games

Clásico 1988

Clásico 1990

Additionally checked the two games vs. Milan 1989, same there. Also in a 84/85 Betis game. So while one should generally be careful about internet formations, in-game footage and the spielverlagerung article confirm the overall image. Will run with that if no other information turns up.

In possession he seemed to play like a winger, often pushing high up as the main width provider. From what I've seen, he had lots of pace and was good at tracking back in time, although his overall style/movement relied on cover by the wide CB or libero. In the games I looked at (only in parts, tbf), he was disciplined, but rarely acted as last line defender, like he needs to do here. But sometimes, in deeper defense, he also completed a flat back 5 positionally.

 

[Demyanenko_square_jaw]

Who I have very little clue about is Michael's fullbacks. Which is an important question, as Blokhin and Chislenko are instructed to have a go at them (see our OP). Michael has covered both players in his OP, naturally putting them in the best light possible (which is fair enough, but probably not everything to be said).

With Dzodzuashvili, I by now have the feeling there's a need to seperate the man from the myth. @harms @Demyanenko_square_jaw, any comments on him? Where would you roughly place him in an all-time context, both Soviet and global?

(To be clear, per default I think of him as an elite defensive FB, but would love to have more info.)

He's honestly not a player i ever paid much attention to. Despite the nametag my interests lean far more towards the midfield and forward areas than defenders.

I know his broad reputation as one of the top fullbacks in late 60s-early 70s period, and the stories of his effectiveness in duels with various greats of his day, but i've never read into his career in any depth.

Relating to footage, i've watched the internationals he was involved in that were relatively widely available at the time (late 90s/00s) i was collecting old internationals, but never paid much attention to him, and haven't watched most in full since, other than some highlights and rewatching the Euro 72 games about five years ago. As far as a direct analysis of his qualities, i don't have much to offer with any clarity. The fact he didn't stand out at me might say something in itself (at least in attacking sense) but i'd really have to watch some of these games again to offer a better opinion.

the national team was definitely strong defensively during his time there, and most consistent/experienced area during a transitional time. From 69 to 72, the only games where they conceded more than 1 goal outside of the two West Germany matches were a 2-2 friendly with East Germany (Dzodz didn't play) and a 3-3 one vs Bulgaria. The core was built around the CSKA group of Shesternyov, Kaplichny, Afonin, Istomin with Dzodz and Khurtsilava and a young Lovchev, so it had the base of often using 2-3 players from one club and only one first 11 competitor having to adapt to all new teammates. The 0-0 away game against Spain during the 72 qualifiers was a noted great defensive performance that could be one to watch, but i don't know if full 90 exists.

As far as club footage goes, he (and Khurtsilava) are distinctly unfortunate here. it's possible there is something new around now, but it used to be that the only extended footage of Tbilisi of that era was the 73-74 UEFA cup third round 5-1 away defeat against eventual finalists Tottenham, where there is a 50-60 minute version long available, which i just rewatched on youtube and is quite interesting.

It's worth noting here that despite their players that appear sometimes in drafts being defenders, Dynamo Tbilisi were never regarded as a club that cared much about defense tactically; they produced some notable individual talents there, Chokheli, then khurtsilava/Dzodz and on to Chivadze, but the club philosophy was always one of very attacking football in a tactically loose, let the players improvise sense, likely correlating with the majority of their best players usually being creative passers and dribblers. Tele Santana Brazil would be the obvious comparison to a big team everyone knows, with the on ball technique of key players being a lot more important than a deeply structured in all-phases approach. having one or two international standard defenders around made them functional, rather than rock solid, as they just weren't getting the support from midfield needed (and quite likely half of the defence were just average players anyway). They were a side that as much as they were known for their aesthetics and usually having some impressive individual talents, were also noted for consistently falling short of winning the league (only two, despite many challenges) because of the lack of pragmatism. A simplification at times no doubt, but it has a basic truth to it too. Being a defender for them was a tough gig.

The game against Tottenham on the surface looks like an English FA wet dream of the triumph of no nonsense, direct English football over that kind of approach, with every single goal being a simple cross then header situation. it partially is, but it's also a great example of the extra issue Soviet teams faced with the league season and Euro calendar being badly suited to being in form past the early stages. uefa cup was the toughest, with its extra winter game usually at the end of november/early december being a killer especially if playing a team that was equal or stronger anyway. This game took place on the 12th of December, when the Soviet league finished on 2nd November. Tbilisi had only played in Europe once before and had clearly naively failed to maintain their fitness, besides any usual form issues caused by inactivity. They had the better of the home game from the reports available online, but squandered most of their chances, then in the 2nd leg they just completely run out of gas, after what seems from the edited footage and commentary, to be a close first 60 minutes. Tottenham run through massive gaps opening up everywhere and just physically dominate the last 20 minutes. At least that's the impression the incomplete film gives.

Khurtsilava has the additional excuse that it was the final non-domestic big game of his career, before a rapid injury accentuated physical decline. He'd already played his last international game, and never the most athletic player, he now looked downright out of shape. he's never the defender directly at fault for the goals, but is sloth slow by the last half hour and beaten in the air a couple of times for very good chances before tottenham score their first goal. some good moments with covering and a nice headed interception, hits the post from a great long shot. It's a performance that even though clearly past his best, i'd be more disappointed by it if he was ever noted as a high level defensive organiser, but oddly enough for his leadership capabilities and style of play on the ball, it was said defensively he preferred to be the stopper that just concentrated on his own game and direct duels.

Dzodzuashvili is not in the footage defensively often at all. a lot of the attacks stay away from his side, often targeting the open highway on the left side, probably a tactical choice after the first game. He looks assured enough in the early-mid brief moments we see of him and the only Tbilisi defender on the same level physically as the Tottenham players, at one point plays a nice line splitting pass to forward Nodia that gets wasted. However once the third goal goes in and Tbilisi midfield starts leaving massive gaps, he gets overloaded and played around once and badly caught out of position to stop the assist for the fourth. Only other notable moment is a clever covering run to stop Chivers getting through on goal, but he plays the backpass slightly short, though i feel the keeper was more at fault there for staying completely stuck on his line.

Here's a 12 minute short version of the game if you're interested. I wonder if Peters isn't a player that deserves some more recognition, he's very impressive as a direct attacking midfielder in this game.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

And that's another in an increasingly long line of brilliant posts from @Demyanenko_square_jaw . Great stuff.

 

[Gio]

Wow, that means roundabout Marcelo levels? Talking about going under the radar, then. Looks like I need to catch up on him beyond this draft. Any assessment about defending vs Chislenko?

I couldn’t comment. It’s hard to judge defenders retrospectively without having lived through their era and seen them regularly in full matches. I imagine Chislenko could cause him problems given he did so to plenty of great defenders, but hard to say to what extent.

 

[Himannv]

I found Gordillo to be flaky and annoying on the ball when I watched him - like it's a lot of flash without much substance. Perhaps it was just poor footage or something. If anyone has some sort of footage to improve my perspective of him, I'd be interested in watching it.

 

[Synco]

I couldn’t comment. It’s hard to judge defenders retrospectively without having lived through their era and seen them regularly in full matches. I imagine Chislenko could cause him problems given he did so to plenty of great defenders, but hard to say to what extent.

Cheers. In any case, from early impressions he looks like an elite player of his day who has simply evaded me. Insofar great move @Michaelf7777777 drafting and promoting him.

 

[Synco]

I found Gordillo to be flaky and annoying on the ball when I watched him - like it's a lot of flash without much substance. Perhaps it was just poor footage or something. If anyone has some sort of footage to improve my perspective of him, I'd be interested in watching it.

Looks like he needs a match comp. Didn't find any stuff on YT.

 

[Synco]

He's honestly not a player i ever paid much attention to. Despite the nametag my interests lean far more towards the midfield and forward areas than defenders.

I know his broad reputation as one of the top fullbacks in late 60s-early 70s period, and the stories of his effectiveness in duels with various greats of his day, but i've never read into his career in any depth.

Relating to footage, i've watched the internationals he was involved in that were relatively widely available at the time (late 90s/00s) i was collecting old internationals, but never paid much attention to him, and haven't watched most in full since, other than some highlights and rewatching the Euro 72 games about five years ago. As far as a direct analysis of his qualities, i don't have much to offer with any clarity. The fact he didn't stand out at me might say something in itself (at least in attacking sense) but i'd really have to watch some of these games again to offer a better opinion.

the national team was definitely strong defensively during his time there, and most consistent/experienced area during a transitional time. From 69 to 72, the only games where they conceded more than 1 goal outside of the two West Germany matches were a 2-2 friendly with East Germany (Dzodz didn't play) and a 3-3 one vs Bulgaria. The core was built around the CSKA group of Shesternyov, Kaplichny, Afonin, Istomin with Dzodz and Khurtsilava and a young Lovchev, so it had the base of often using 2-3 players from one club and only one first 11 competitor having to adapt to all new teammates. The 0-0 away game against Spain during the 72 qualifiers was a noted great defensive performance that could be one to watch, but i don't know if full 90 exists.

As far as club footage goes, he (and Khurtsilava) are distinctly unfortunate here. it's possible there is something new around now, but it used to be that the only extended footage of Tbilisi of that era was the 73-74 UEFA cup third round 5-1 away defeat against eventual finalists Tottenham, where there is a 50-60 minute version long available, which i just rewatched on youtube and is quite interesting.

It's worth noting here that despite their players that appear sometimes in drafts being defenders, Dynamo Tbilisi were never regarded as a club that cared much about defense tactically; they produced some notable individual talents there, Chokheli, then khurtsilava/Dzodz and on to Chivadze, but the club philosophy was always one of very attacking football in a tactically loose, let the players improvise sense, likely correlating with the majority of their best players usually being creative passers and dribblers. Tele Santana Brazil would be the obvious comparison to a big team everyone knows, with the on ball technique of key players being a lot more important than a deeply structured in all-phases approach. having one or two international standard defenders around made them functional, rather than rock solid, as they just weren't getting the support from midfield needed (and quite likely half of the defence were just average players anyway). They were a side that as much as they were known for their aesthetics and usually having some impressive individual talents, were also noted for consistently falling short of winning the league (only two, despite many challenges) because of the lack of pragmatism. A simplification at times no doubt, but it has a basic truth to it too. Being a defender for them was a tough gig.

The game against Tottenham on the surface looks like an English FA wet dream of the triumph of no nonsense, direct English football over that kind of approach, with every single goal being a simple cross then header situation. it partially is, but it's also a great example of the extra issue Soviet teams faced with the league season and Euro calendar being badly suited to being in form past the early stages. uefa cup was the toughest, with its extra winter game usually at the end of november/early december being a killer especially if playing a team that was equal or stronger anyway. This game took place on the 12th of December, when the Soviet league finished on 2nd November. Tbilisi had only played in Europe once before and had clearly naively failed to maintain their fitness, besides any usual form issues caused by inactivity. They had the better of the home game from the reports available online, but squandered most of their chances, then in the 2nd leg they just completely run out of gas, after what seems from the edited footage and commentary, to be a close first 60 minutes. Tottenham run through massive gaps opening up everywhere and just physically dominate the last 20 minutes. At least that's the impression the incomplete film gives.

Khurtsilava has the additional excuse that it was the final non-domestic big game of his career, before a rapid injury accentuated physical decline. He'd already played his last international game, and never the most athletic player, he now looked downright out of shape. he's never the defender directly at fault for the goals, but is sloth slow by the last half hour and beaten in the air a couple of times for very good chances before tottenham score their first goal. some good moments with covering and a nice headed interception, hits the post from a great long shot. It's a performance that even though clearly past his best, i'd be more disappointed by it if he was ever noted as a high level defensive organiser, but oddly enough for his leadership capabilities and style of play on the ball, it was said defensively he preferred to be the stopper that just concentrated on his own game and direct duels.

Dzodzuashvili is not in the footage defensively often at all. a lot of the attacks stay away from his side, often targeting the open highway on the left side, probably a tactical choice after the first game. He looks assured enough in the early-mid brief moments we see of him and the only Tbilisi defender on the same level physically as the Tottenham players, at one point plays a nice line splitting pass to forward Nodia that gets wasted. However once the third goal goes in and Tbilisi midfield starts leaving massive gaps, he gets overloaded and played around once and badly caught out of position to stop the assist for the fourth. Only other notable moment is a clever covering run to stop Chivers getting through on goal, but he plays the backpass slightly short, though i feel the keeper was more at fault there for staying completely stuck on his line.

Here's a 12 minute short version of the game if you're interested. I wonder if Peters isn't a player that deserves some more recognition, he's very impressive as a direct attacking midfielder in this game.

Fantastic post. It's actually the same for me, I've watched games involving Dzodz, but never paid any closer attention to him. Didn't help it was the drubbings by West Germany, but interesting to know that these were clear exceptions. Probably just more evidence for the level of that German side, and Müller in particular.

On Tbilisi, they're indeed easy on the eye with their technical football. But my goodness was their central defense taken apart there. Cool to have the context you've given. I also like the old school commentator, he's fun to listen to. Exception being him constantly calling the Tbilisi players "the Russians" I remember noticing this in another game I watched too, wonder if there was a BBC policy not to mention the Soviet Union by name in football.

 

[harms]

With Dzodzuashvili, I by now have the feeling there's a need to seperate the man from the myth. @harms @Demyanenko_square_jaw, any comments on him? Where would you roughly place him in an all-time context, both Soviet and global?

If we consider all-time, he's not going to be very high on the list, I'd imagine. As for USSR, probably 2nd best after Bezsonov? Bezsonov was a much, much better all-round player though, Dzodzuashvili was decent at everything but his only claim to true greatness were his man-marking skills. He seems like a nice fit behind Johnstone, of course.

Not sure why I've wrote this when @Demyanenko_square_jaw wrote a much better in-depth post earlier.

 

[Synco]

The van Basten / Laudrup dynamic

Laudrup wasn't just a genius playmaker, but also a dangerous forward in his own right. His versatility was remarkable: I've seen him play as AM, false 9, RW, and CM playmaker in different team setups & stages of his career. You've probably all seen his neverending passing compilations (or parts of them ), but I want to highlight another aspect of his offensive repertoire: his penetrating dribblings, his pacy scoring runs into the box, his ability to find the net from far and close range.




This part of Laudrup's game will be particularly devastating in connection with the most complete center forward of all time. While van Basten will surely look to score from Laudrup's passes, the roles can be reversed just as well:

Classy as ever, did a nice tribute to Stanley Matthews for the last goal.

Van Basten as the relay station

Van Basten's hold up play, dribbling, link up abilities will be crucial to bring the other attackers into play: Blokhin from the left, Chislenko from the right, Laudrup through the middle. It will be very hard to hold off this vast array of secondary threats from all directions throughout a game. And "secondary threats" more in relation to van Basten's own scoring prowess than anything else, as especially our wide forwards were primary scorers themselves at their peak.

Blokhin needs no promotion I guess, but quoting harms on Chislenko from the first match:

Around mid 60's he started to play in a more expansive role even though he was still capable of playing as a disciplined wide midfielder/winger. He had scored 4 goals in 20 appearances for USSR before 1964 (he didn't play in 1965) and then the floodgates opened — 16 goals in 22 appearances from 1966 to 1968 including 10 in 1967 (more than any other player in Europe, maybe even in the world but I don't have time to check). The reintroduction of Streltsov played a big part in his sudden raise of productivity but it wasn't the only reason — he really upped his game and used his guile and intelligence to make brilliant runs in-behind, roam all around the front line while Streltsov, a nominal centre forward, dropped deeper almost in midfield. And this version of Chislenko was genuinely world-class — he finished just below Best & Müller in 1967 Ballon d'Or vote beating the likes of Mazzola, Riva, Rivera etc.

Especially interesting Streltsov's importance as an enabler from the CF position. Van Basten is a different player, but will have some of that impact in his own way.

 

[Synco]

Finally (save for replies), a little highlight walk through our team. Testament to Beam's genius drafting.



Chislenko skinning Moore twice to beat England (1:06 to 1:35)



Van Basten beating Kohler to put the Netherlands through to the EURO final (you know what he did there)



Blokhin destroying Bayern's defense on his own



Ashley vs Ronaldo, EURO 2004 QF. England lost on pens, but Cole was voted into the squad of the tournament, right after Arsenal's Invincibles season. Perfect man to take on Jinky.



Redondo line-breaking passes



10 minutes of Kanté being a midfield great in Chelsea's title winning year

 

[General_Elegancia]

I've had chances to watch USSR perform in WC1970 and Euro1972 and I find that Revaz was pretty difficult to beat in 1 on 1 situation. This guy was pretty tough, aggressive, and fast as hell.

Great man-marker on his own

 

[Synco]

Good game @Michaelf7777777

Didn't check the score, but expected it to be much closer. Feared you might do a silent domination gazump actually - your forwards were a real headache, and half of our OP was about countermeasures. Your CB pair is as good as it gets.

Gordillo joins Petrescu & Cordoba on my list of players to learn more about.

 

[Demyanenko_square_jaw]

Fantastic post. It's actually the same for me, I've watched games involving Dzodz, but never paid any closer attention to him. Didn't help it was the drubbings by West Germany, but interesting to know that these were clear exceptions. Probably just more evidence for the level of that German side, and Müller in particular.

On Tbilisi, they're indeed easy on the eye with their technical football. But my goodness was their central defense taken apart there. Cool to have the context you've given. I also like the old school commentator, he's fun to listen to. Exception being him constantly calling the Tbilisi players "the Russians" I remember noticing this in another game I watched too, wonder if there was a BBC policy not to mention the Soviet Union by name in football.

thanks. One other thing about Dzodz i forgot to mention is that he could probably have played for the rest of the 70s if he had wanted to, by 75 he didn't seem to be starting a big decline like Khurtsilava obviously was. However he stuck to the dominant trend in pre-80s soviet football (with a few notable exceptions like Yashin, Netto) of stepping aside for youth almost as soon as you reached 30 and slowed down, even if just slightly.

He had lost his national team position to Troshkin by then, but another 5 years or so of competing at the top of the league, and possibly reclaiming his national team position after Lobanovsky was sacked, could have further solidified his domestic historic ranking. As harms says, he could be 2nd anyway, but i wouldn't say it's set in stone, there's some other players, especially like Kesarev (part of the strong 50s Dynamo Moscow defence, but wasn't fit for euro 60 and debatable if he would have played at fullback in a back four) and Troshkin (much better at fullback than as midfielder, but has longevity in the position against him) that can make a case too, with a lot probably coming down to club allegiance/era preference, or what tactics you want a team to have.