TEAM TUPPET
TEAM DIARM
TEAM DIARM
TACTICS TEAM TUPPET
Formation: Standard 4-2-3-1- Ronaldo is the new edition and replaces RVN. As probably the greatest number 9 of all time and with service from Cruyff, Boniek & Littbarski, Ronaldo is set to give Diarm's defense a torrid time.
- Cruyff is primary playmaker of the team, would be anywhere he is needed and has got hard working and pacey attacking players around him to help him dictate play by stretching the defense.
- Vogts would be man marking Ronaldinho. He had great success with Cruyff, should be able to handle Ronaldinho as well.
- With no direct winger to contend with Zambrotta is given license to attack the right side of Diarm. Kaltz is needed to provide width on the right side and Zambo / Boniek combinatino would make it very hard for him. Seedorf would need to support a lot on right side, decreasing his influence in midfield.
- Littbarski is instructed to be more of a wide playmaker. As he is fluent on both sides and center, he would move to center when Cruyff is overloading the left side.
- Davids is defensive B2B player, he would help out our defense against Bergkemp.
- Ocwirk is the holding midfielder and also deep lying playmaker. He would use his excellent passing for quick transitions when opportunity comes. He would also shield defense and track Suarez.
- Maldini and Blanc are complete modern CBs and both have good ball playing skills. Blanc would challenge Batigol in air, while Maldini would be more aggressive stopper utilizing his speed.
TACTICS TEAM DIARM
- A world class, rock solid defence as well as a truly great goalkeeper.
- Ball players all over the pitch and the ability to build attacks from anywhere.
- A beautifully balanced midfield - energy, technique, skill, discipline, creativity and attacking intent.
- A ruthless and varied attack. Subtlety, flair, penetration and intelligence with 3 brilliant, complimentary but very different forwards.
Tactics
We've come this far so lets not reinvent the wheel!
We will retain the asymmetrical 433 which served us so well during the early rounds. Deschamps will hold the midfield from deep, Seedorf will offer energy and industry on the right hand side of the midfield with Kaltz an ever willing option providing width and thrust down the right flank. Luis Suarez Miramontes brings creativity, tenacity, style and cutting edge to the left of centre - himself and Ronaldinho will dovetail nicely while protected and supported by the predominantly defensive (but always dangerous on the overlap) Denis Irwin.
Our side is built upon a rock solid foundation at the back. Two nasty bastards in the centre of defence - both brilliant defenders and neither willing to give an opponent a seconds rest.
Fullbacks who are as at home in attack as they are excellent in defence, will deal with anything thrown at them while complimenting our superb midfield.
The industry and intelligence of Deschamps provides the perfect platform for Seedorf and Suarez to dictate the play. The Spaniard in particular will be in his element here, creating and probing from all over to find gaps and release our gifted trio up front.
Ours is an attack which boasts everything. Flair, trickery, dribbling and finesse from the left through Ronaldinho. Guile, intelligence, incisiveness and creativity in the hole from Bergkamp and then power, pace, presence and explosive finishing from the ultimate number 9 up top in Batistuta.
At this stage there isn't too much point trying to find weaknesses in each others sides to exploit. Our opponent has built a formidable team and we expect a ferocious battle.
I will point out that the one area of the field in which there is a glaringly obvious mismatch is in goals. Courtois is a good modern goalkeeper at Premier League and Champions League level. But at this level, against the quality of attackers in this match, he doesn't measure up to the rest of the quality on display.
Goalkeepers often don't stand for much in these drafts but at this stage of the tournament, with so little to choose between these sides, this weakness will make all the difference.
Team Profiles
Michel Preud'homme
Belgiums greatest ever keeper and for me, one of the top 10 goalies of all time. The best keeper at the 1994 World Cup where he famously did for the Dutch in one of the great goalkeeping performances, the Belgian was renowned for his agility and exceptional reflexes. Known best as a superb shot stopper, he also offered calm leadership and consistency from the back.
Manfred Kaltz
One of the finest attacking right backs of all time, Kaltz was a wizard at crossing a ball from the flank, either from deep or further forward on the overlap. A superb defender with a love of getting forward and a keen eye for a goal, Kaltz will offer genuine width and threat on our right flank.
Following a humdinger of a battle between himself and Schnellinger in our first round match, I will link to my opponents post and a brief background of this great German defender: Dominoes draft: R1 - Diarm vs Raees
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Germanys greatest ever natural defender, Schnellinger was renowned for his pace, power, consistency and an insatiable winning mentality. World class at left back or in the centre of defence, he is known as one of the hardest and most uncompromising defenders in the history of German and Serie A football. He reached World Cup finals and semi finals but having arrived a few years earlier than the glory years of German football, never managed to secure the trophy. As a Ballon D'Or finalist and multiple member of the Fifa World XI however, his status and reputation is unquestionable among all time defenders.
Fabio Cannavaro
One of three defenders ever to win the Ballon D'Or, a World Cup winning captain and quite simply, one of the greatest centre backs ever to play the game. A colossus at the back and the rock upon which this team is built. Will add a solidity and security to this side which will allow the flair players ahead of him to flourish.
Denis Irwin
When Sir Alex Ferguson names a fullback as the first name down on his Greatest Ever XI teamsheet, you sit up and take notice. He wasn't alone either, with Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs both including the Irishman in their XI's and Alan Hansen naming him at both Right and Left Back in his team of the decade. A wonderful defender; Irwin was quick, smart and industrious and dealt effortlessly with some of the great attackers of his time. A mainstay of the Alex Ferguson revolution from the early premiership days to the great treble winning campaign, Irwin was also a menace in attack - offering width on the overlap and a cracking delivery from wide. He was also an accomplished penalty and short freekick taker.
Belgiums greatest ever keeper and for me, one of the top 10 goalies of all time. The best keeper at the 1994 World Cup where he famously did for the Dutch in one of the great goalkeeping performances, the Belgian was renowned for his agility and exceptional reflexes. Known best as a superb shot stopper, he also offered calm leadership and consistency from the back.
Manfred Kaltz
One of the finest attacking right backs of all time, Kaltz was a wizard at crossing a ball from the flank, either from deep or further forward on the overlap. A superb defender with a love of getting forward and a keen eye for a goal, Kaltz will offer genuine width and threat on our right flank.
Following a humdinger of a battle between himself and Schnellinger in our first round match, I will link to my opponents post and a brief background of this great German defender: Dominoes draft: R1 - Diarm vs Raees
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Germanys greatest ever natural defender, Schnellinger was renowned for his pace, power, consistency and an insatiable winning mentality. World class at left back or in the centre of defence, he is known as one of the hardest and most uncompromising defenders in the history of German and Serie A football. He reached World Cup finals and semi finals but having arrived a few years earlier than the glory years of German football, never managed to secure the trophy. As a Ballon D'Or finalist and multiple member of the Fifa World XI however, his status and reputation is unquestionable among all time defenders.
Fabio Cannavaro
One of three defenders ever to win the Ballon D'Or, a World Cup winning captain and quite simply, one of the greatest centre backs ever to play the game. A colossus at the back and the rock upon which this team is built. Will add a solidity and security to this side which will allow the flair players ahead of him to flourish.
Denis Irwin
When Sir Alex Ferguson names a fullback as the first name down on his Greatest Ever XI teamsheet, you sit up and take notice. He wasn't alone either, with Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs both including the Irishman in their XI's and Alan Hansen naming him at both Right and Left Back in his team of the decade. A wonderful defender; Irwin was quick, smart and industrious and dealt effortlessly with some of the great attackers of his time. A mainstay of the Alex Ferguson revolution from the early premiership days to the great treble winning campaign, Irwin was also a menace in attack - offering width on the overlap and a cracking delivery from wide. He was also an accomplished penalty and short freekick taker.
Didier Deschamps
Tagged as "The Water Carrier" by our very own King Eric, Deschamps was that and so much more. French footballs greatest ever captain, he was a tactical genius and relentless engine at the heart of the 1998 World Cup winning side. Wherever he went; he led sides that won league titles, domestic cups, Champions Leagues, World Cups and European Cups and he paved the way for the holding midfielder who has become so important in the modern game. Here, he will provide the work rate and balance to allow the genius of Suarez, Ronaldinho, Berkamp and Batistuta to flourish.
Clarence Seedorf
A born winner. Seedorf remains the only man to have won the Champions League (4 times) with 3 different clubs. His huge engine and work rate on the right hand side of our midfield will allow him to get forward and use his strong shooting ability while also adding a robust physical presence in deeper areas. He will benefit from the attacking mindset of Denis Irwin outside him and dovetail nicely with the creative genius of Suarez beside him.
Luis Suarez Miramontes
Spains greatest ever player. "The Architect" remains the only Spanish player ever to win the Ballon D'Or. That he did so and was a finalist 3 more times in an era of players such as Di Stefano, Puskas and Kopa speaks volumes of his talent and impact on the game. Creator, technical genius and prolific goalscorer - Luis Monti will be the heartbeat of this side, providing the creative focal point through which we will tick. His graceful style and composure on the ball, perceptive and incisive passing and his explosive shooting will be key in winning this match.
Tagged as "The Water Carrier" by our very own King Eric, Deschamps was that and so much more. French footballs greatest ever captain, he was a tactical genius and relentless engine at the heart of the 1998 World Cup winning side. Wherever he went; he led sides that won league titles, domestic cups, Champions Leagues, World Cups and European Cups and he paved the way for the holding midfielder who has become so important in the modern game. Here, he will provide the work rate and balance to allow the genius of Suarez, Ronaldinho, Berkamp and Batistuta to flourish.
Clarence Seedorf
A born winner. Seedorf remains the only man to have won the Champions League (4 times) with 3 different clubs. His huge engine and work rate on the right hand side of our midfield will allow him to get forward and use his strong shooting ability while also adding a robust physical presence in deeper areas. He will benefit from the attacking mindset of Denis Irwin outside him and dovetail nicely with the creative genius of Suarez beside him.
Luis Suarez Miramontes
Spains greatest ever player. "The Architect" remains the only Spanish player ever to win the Ballon D'Or. That he did so and was a finalist 3 more times in an era of players such as Di Stefano, Puskas and Kopa speaks volumes of his talent and impact on the game. Creator, technical genius and prolific goalscorer - Luis Monti will be the heartbeat of this side, providing the creative focal point through which we will tick. His graceful style and composure on the ball, perceptive and incisive passing and his explosive shooting will be key in winning this match.
Ronaldinho
World Cup winner. Ballon D'Or winner. Genius. The gifted, smiling messer of Brazil who could do things with a football anyone else could only dream of while always looking as though he was kicking an old ball around the park with his mates. His dribbling ability, eye for a brilliant but unexpected pass and goal scoring prowess will give us a ruthless advantage on the left. Ronaldinho is the unlicensed weapon we will be afforded by the industry of guys like Deschamps and Seedorf behind.
Dennis Bergkamp
Possibly my favourite ever footballer - Bergkamp was not blessed with great pace, power or other physical attributes. What God did give him however, was one of the keenest footballing brains ever to grace the game. A mind that simply saw the game 2 seconds quicker than anyone he ever played against, Bergkamp could destroy a defence before they realised they were in danger. His ability in the hole here, will allow Ronaldinho, Batistuta and Luis Suarez to flourish within a potent attack that boasts everything.
Gabriel Batistuta
The complete striker.
Diego Maradona called "Batigol" the greatest striker he ever saw play the game and it's not hard to see why. He was one of those rare players who matched incredible talent, technical ability and natural physical attributes with an incredible work rate and competitive drive to give him an almost wild and animalistic edge on the field. With brutal power, pace and anticipation, Batistuta bullied even the greatest defenders in Italy and South America before punishing them with instinctive, accurate and powerful finishing.
World Cup winner. Ballon D'Or winner. Genius. The gifted, smiling messer of Brazil who could do things with a football anyone else could only dream of while always looking as though he was kicking an old ball around the park with his mates. His dribbling ability, eye for a brilliant but unexpected pass and goal scoring prowess will give us a ruthless advantage on the left. Ronaldinho is the unlicensed weapon we will be afforded by the industry of guys like Deschamps and Seedorf behind.
Dennis Bergkamp
Possibly my favourite ever footballer - Bergkamp was not blessed with great pace, power or other physical attributes. What God did give him however, was one of the keenest footballing brains ever to grace the game. A mind that simply saw the game 2 seconds quicker than anyone he ever played against, Bergkamp could destroy a defence before they realised they were in danger. His ability in the hole here, will allow Ronaldinho, Batistuta and Luis Suarez to flourish within a potent attack that boasts everything.
Gabriel Batistuta
The complete striker.
Diego Maradona called "Batigol" the greatest striker he ever saw play the game and it's not hard to see why. He was one of those rare players who matched incredible talent, technical ability and natural physical attributes with an incredible work rate and competitive drive to give him an almost wild and animalistic edge on the field. With brutal power, pace and anticipation, Batistuta bullied even the greatest defenders in Italy and South America before punishing them with instinctive, accurate and powerful finishing.
