Team Isotope
I expect my team to play high tempo rock'n roll game, where our combative midfield to exert control of the match. The skillful and powerful trio of Rijkaard-Hierro-Ballack will provide the platform for the creative and deadly attacking force of Rivaldo-Savicevic-Papin to show off their quality.
The backline are guarded by Ferrara and Sanchis, two centerback legends for two of the best team in the world in the 90's. They are sided by Benarrivo and Angloma, two of the best attacking fullbacks in the late 90's. And protecting the goal is the legendary Gianluigi Buffon.
Rijkaard protecting defence, two box-to-box midfielders who can score goals, and attacking midfielders who can also provide width, plus a Ballon d'Or winner to finish of the move.
VERSUS
Team Kazi
Defensive Phase
Probably best to start here first. When my team is defending, we’ll turn into a 4-4-1-1, defending with two banks of four with Batistuta and one other attacker (usually Bale) left up the pitch for the counter attack. Bale is the default player left up the pitch to support Batistuta when I lose the ball, with the second bank of four being De Rossi-Makelele-Toure-Beckham. If however Beckham is caught high up the field when I lose the ball, he can be kept up for the counter with the second bank of four now becoming Bale-De Rossi-Makelele-Toure. If Toure is caught high up the pitch, it becomes Bale-De Rossi-Makelele-Beckham. The beauty of it is that all five are so strong defensively.
My back four consists of Brehme, Stam, Ferdinand and Ramos. In Ferdinand and Stam, I have two huge blokes but both very different. Stam will be the stopper. As good as he is, he may have his hands full with Papin. Ferdinand is the right next to him to sweep up. Couldn’t ask for a better partner, Rio is excellent at anticipating the opposition’s forward play. He’ll lead the back line. Ramos who is a front foot centre-back should find his job relatively easy at right back – I still think that is the position he is best at, makes much less mistakes there. On the other side, I’ve gone for a naturally attacking left back. While he’ll help on the counter-attack, he’ll be given a disciplined role when the opposition has the ball. Paroling his area is his number one concern. His stamina is one of his big strengths and it’ll be key in his role as he looks so stop up shut his opponent while providing extra width on the left when needed. Both full backs are versatile to come inside when need be (Brehme has played centrally in the past – albeit as a defensive midfielder) so they can keep tags on the inter-changing attacking midfielders Isotope’s team consists off. A quick mention to Cech, who is great at paroling his box, leading from the back, an excellent shot-stopper in his day and very rarely makes a mistake. Ideal keeper really.
The likes of Rivaldo, Savicevic and Ballack will find it difficult to work their magic in my packed midfield with cats like Makelele and De Rossi who are so disciplined defensively and always offer 100% concentration. Makelele vs Rivaldo may be a close battle, but it’s exactly the type of situation Makelele thrives in. He’ll be helped by Toure/De Rossi when necessary in any case. While Brehme and even Ramos could be left out of position at times, De Rossi or Yaya Toure will be there to fill the void at full back when need be. Beckham and Bale who have always been box-to-box wingers for the majority of their careers will be more than able to carry out their defensive duties
Attacking Phase
Where the game will be won
· On the counter attack. My defence will not (hopefully) be penetrated by Isotope’s attacking players. I have too much fire power going forward to not catch Isotope out. My attacking players (Batistuta, Bale, Beckham, Toure) are built for this system and will continually open up Isotope’s attacking team with their quick direct play.
· In midfield. I simply have too many legs in midfield. Your attacking midfield players will find it hard to create and space/pockets to create openings. My midfielders cover every blade of grass and while the same can be said about Rijkaard, he is only one man and his work will be cut out.
· Batistuta vs Hierro and Ferrara/Sanchis. I really fancy Batistuta one on one vs either of your centre backs, whether it is on the surface or in the air, but especially in the air. Beckham, Bale and Brehme can be extreme accurate with their delivery and you have to fancy Batistuta’s chances there. One of the best in the air.
· My wingers vs Benarrivo and Angloma. Bale and Beckham both have the ability to beat the best full backs on their day, so against Benarrivo and Angloma, two full backs who were never the best in the world, they have every chance of getting the better of their full-back and providing tons of goals and assists from the flanks, which is what they’re best at.
I expect my team to play high tempo rock'n roll game, where our combative midfield to exert control of the match. The skillful and powerful trio of Rijkaard-Hierro-Ballack will provide the platform for the creative and deadly attacking force of Rivaldo-Savicevic-Papin to show off their quality.
The backline are guarded by Ferrara and Sanchis, two centerback legends for two of the best team in the world in the 90's. They are sided by Benarrivo and Angloma, two of the best attacking fullbacks in the late 90's. And protecting the goal is the legendary Gianluigi Buffon.
Rijkaard protecting defence, two box-to-box midfielders who can score goals, and attacking midfielders who can also provide width, plus a Ballon d'Or winner to finish of the move.
VERSUS
Team Kazi
Defensive Phase
Probably best to start here first. When my team is defending, we’ll turn into a 4-4-1-1, defending with two banks of four with Batistuta and one other attacker (usually Bale) left up the pitch for the counter attack. Bale is the default player left up the pitch to support Batistuta when I lose the ball, with the second bank of four being De Rossi-Makelele-Toure-Beckham. If however Beckham is caught high up the field when I lose the ball, he can be kept up for the counter with the second bank of four now becoming Bale-De Rossi-Makelele-Toure. If Toure is caught high up the pitch, it becomes Bale-De Rossi-Makelele-Beckham. The beauty of it is that all five are so strong defensively.
My back four consists of Brehme, Stam, Ferdinand and Ramos. In Ferdinand and Stam, I have two huge blokes but both very different. Stam will be the stopper. As good as he is, he may have his hands full with Papin. Ferdinand is the right next to him to sweep up. Couldn’t ask for a better partner, Rio is excellent at anticipating the opposition’s forward play. He’ll lead the back line. Ramos who is a front foot centre-back should find his job relatively easy at right back – I still think that is the position he is best at, makes much less mistakes there. On the other side, I’ve gone for a naturally attacking left back. While he’ll help on the counter-attack, he’ll be given a disciplined role when the opposition has the ball. Paroling his area is his number one concern. His stamina is one of his big strengths and it’ll be key in his role as he looks so stop up shut his opponent while providing extra width on the left when needed. Both full backs are versatile to come inside when need be (Brehme has played centrally in the past – albeit as a defensive midfielder) so they can keep tags on the inter-changing attacking midfielders Isotope’s team consists off. A quick mention to Cech, who is great at paroling his box, leading from the back, an excellent shot-stopper in his day and very rarely makes a mistake. Ideal keeper really.
The likes of Rivaldo, Savicevic and Ballack will find it difficult to work their magic in my packed midfield with cats like Makelele and De Rossi who are so disciplined defensively and always offer 100% concentration. Makelele vs Rivaldo may be a close battle, but it’s exactly the type of situation Makelele thrives in. He’ll be helped by Toure/De Rossi when necessary in any case. While Brehme and even Ramos could be left out of position at times, De Rossi or Yaya Toure will be there to fill the void at full back when need be. Beckham and Bale who have always been box-to-box wingers for the majority of their careers will be more than able to carry out their defensive duties
Attacking Phase
Naturally, I will look to play 4-3-3 in attack, with two proper wingers. Bale and Beckham could be the key in this match. I think the full-back region is an area I can target as Benarrivo and Angloma, while good full-backs in their own right, may find Bale and Beckham too much to handle. They can both beat the best full-backs one on one on their day. When going forward, Yaya Toure, De Rossi and even Ferdinand will be advised to play the ball out wide at every opportunity. I can see Bale and Beckham creating a lot of chances for the centre-forward and the two runners from midfield, and even looking to score themselves from wide positions.
Rijkaard has a tough job trying to keep tabs on both Yaya Toure and De Rossi, two exceptionally well rounded midfielders. Rijkaard is a legend and Toure/De Rossi are not, however they are exactly the type of midfielders that are likely to give Rijkaard problems in midfield. Toure is big and strong, goes past players like they’re not there and has two exceptional feet. He may work in bursts but that brings a surprise factor to his play too. De Rossi is different – he may not be as threatening at Toure going forward, but he’ll keep coming with his tenaciousness and may well provide a distraction for Toure. De Rossi is more likely of the two to spread play to the wings and forward for Batistuta.
Batistuta. He’s going to absolutely thrive in this team, hard to pick more perfect players to have behind him. He’ll get on the end of every cross from Bale, Beckham and Brehme, and he’ll get on the end of every forward ball from De Rossi and Ferdinand. Whether Ferrara or Sanchis partners Hierro, you really have to fancy Batistuta against any of the three one on one in most situations. He has it all as a centre-forward, pace, drive, passion, technical ability. He’s perfect for the counter-attack.
Talking of the counter-attack, it may well be my best route to goal. I don’t have a natural playmaker in midfielder – Beckham is the closest I have really. As I have already mentioned, I’ll switch to a 4-4-1-1 when defending, but when that ball becomes mine again, I have the players to get out quickly and will possibly find myself 1 on 2, 2 on 3 or even 2 on 2 at times. When Hierro ad Ferrara/Sanchis see Batistuta and Bale running towards them with the ball, they’ll be shitting their pants. And then there’s Beckham too. And Yaya Toure. My threat on the counter is serious. If Bale is central, this gives Brehme the chance to provide the width down the left with De Rossi covering for him, his stamina makes him ideal and his technical ability makes him just as much a threat as the others
Rijkaard has a tough job trying to keep tabs on both Yaya Toure and De Rossi, two exceptionally well rounded midfielders. Rijkaard is a legend and Toure/De Rossi are not, however they are exactly the type of midfielders that are likely to give Rijkaard problems in midfield. Toure is big and strong, goes past players like they’re not there and has two exceptional feet. He may work in bursts but that brings a surprise factor to his play too. De Rossi is different – he may not be as threatening at Toure going forward, but he’ll keep coming with his tenaciousness and may well provide a distraction for Toure. De Rossi is more likely of the two to spread play to the wings and forward for Batistuta.
Batistuta. He’s going to absolutely thrive in this team, hard to pick more perfect players to have behind him. He’ll get on the end of every cross from Bale, Beckham and Brehme, and he’ll get on the end of every forward ball from De Rossi and Ferdinand. Whether Ferrara or Sanchis partners Hierro, you really have to fancy Batistuta against any of the three one on one in most situations. He has it all as a centre-forward, pace, drive, passion, technical ability. He’s perfect for the counter-attack.
Talking of the counter-attack, it may well be my best route to goal. I don’t have a natural playmaker in midfielder – Beckham is the closest I have really. As I have already mentioned, I’ll switch to a 4-4-1-1 when defending, but when that ball becomes mine again, I have the players to get out quickly and will possibly find myself 1 on 2, 2 on 3 or even 2 on 2 at times. When Hierro ad Ferrara/Sanchis see Batistuta and Bale running towards them with the ball, they’ll be shitting their pants. And then there’s Beckham too. And Yaya Toure. My threat on the counter is serious. If Bale is central, this gives Brehme the chance to provide the width down the left with De Rossi covering for him, his stamina makes him ideal and his technical ability makes him just as much a threat as the others
Where the game will be won
· On the counter attack. My defence will not (hopefully) be penetrated by Isotope’s attacking players. I have too much fire power going forward to not catch Isotope out. My attacking players (Batistuta, Bale, Beckham, Toure) are built for this system and will continually open up Isotope’s attacking team with their quick direct play.
· In midfield. I simply have too many legs in midfield. Your attacking midfield players will find it hard to create and space/pockets to create openings. My midfielders cover every blade of grass and while the same can be said about Rijkaard, he is only one man and his work will be cut out.
· Batistuta vs Hierro and Ferrara/Sanchis. I really fancy Batistuta one on one vs either of your centre backs, whether it is on the surface or in the air, but especially in the air. Beckham, Bale and Brehme can be extreme accurate with their delivery and you have to fancy Batistuta’s chances there. One of the best in the air.
· My wingers vs Benarrivo and Angloma. Bale and Beckham both have the ability to beat the best full backs on their day, so against Benarrivo and Angloma, two full backs who were never the best in the world, they have every chance of getting the better of their full-back and providing tons of goals and assists from the flanks, which is what they’re best at.
