Team Joga Bonito/Balu Tactics
OVERVIEW
A transition into a 3-5-2, with the steely Buchwald and the marauding Roberto Carlos facilitating the switch effortlessly. Tactically the side boasts a water-tight unit at the back, two swashbuckling wing-backs running the flanks, a resolute yet gifted midfield duo, the ideal creative link-man in Häßler and of course a fearsome forward duo.
THE REAR GUARD
Eike Immel broke through as a 17 year old in Dortmund and instantly became a success in goal. Having made his international debut at just 19 years old (a record at that time), he went on to be a part of the 1980 Euro winning German vintage as back up to Schumacher. After 8 solid years for Dortmund, he then transferred to Stuttgart for a record transfer for a goalie - where he went on to win the Bundesliga in 1992 and made the UEFA final in addition to starting in goal for Germany in Euro 1988.
A bulwark consisting of three rock solid defensive powerhouses who guard the defensive zone. Not much needs to be said about their defensive prowess - each of them where renowned man-markers who've quite the assortment of forwards' scalps (Rummenigge & Maradona for eg). However, it is their all-round defensive game and tactical malleability which truly makes them a devastating package.
An all-time great, Giuseppe Bergomi has excelled playing as a centre back and as a full back and has fulfilled various defensive roles (defensive sweeper/stopper/man-marker) whilst oscillating between a back 4 and a back 5. An exceptional defender, the moustachioed hardman certainly knew a thing or two about about shutting down the opposition, and holding the fort like few others. Having excelled as a side centre-back, man-marker and as a stopper, Riccardo Ferri also shone in the demanding roaming defensive (ala Gentile) role to perfection for club and country, emphasising his defensive versatility. He was an excellent all-round defender who was a mainstay in Inter's defense and kept the likes of Vierchowod and Ferrara out of the Italian side. Guido Buchwald further takes it up a notch in the versatility stakes, having excelled in midfield, in addition to his sterling work in defense in several roles, esp as an impeccable man-marker. He has won the World Cup and 2 Bundesligas to boot, scoring the deciding goal on the final day of the season to nab the Bundesliga.
Their wide-ranging defensive skill-set sets them perfectly to make the ideal impact in this match-up. Buchwald has it in his defensive arsenal to nullify Totti to a desirable extent as a man-marker; whilst the stand-out defender of the draft and his trusted lieutenant patrol the defensive areas, marking Kluivert whilst keeping an eye on the channels for the inside forward cutting inside. Both were truly brilliant at operating in the channels in a back five.
Two marauding wing-backs forged from the Brazilian traditions of joga bonito, both Roberto Carlos and Dani Alves are amongst the greatest attacking wing-backs to have ever graced the pitch. Both were real wrecking balls on their flanks and functioned as de-facto wingers for their sides even.
One of the only two full backs alongside Facchetti to have won the ballon d'Or silver ball and the Fifa World Player of the Year Silver Ball, Roberto Carlos's impact as an attacking wing-back was undeniable. Players regularly came and went through the revolving doors of the Bernabeu but R.Carlos was a fixture down the left hand flanks, winning 13 trophies (including 4 la ligas and 3 CLs) and was awarded the UEFA Defender of the Year twice. It was quite the exhilarating and terrorising sight, watching him rapidly eat up grass on the left flank with his powerful rampages. Dani Alves was a real tour de force on the right flank, with his barnstorming runs and sheer creative output - 15 league assists in a single season at his peak for Barca. He simply added a whole new dimension to one of the greatest sides ever with his wingsmanship and quality stream of supply from the right. The second-most decorated footballer in European competitions of all time, behind Maldini, with nine European medals.
ENGINE ROOM
A classy and tenacious midfield pairing of Dunga-Alonso, with the perfect link-man in Häßler being the bridge between midfield and offense. Xabi Alonso was a playmaking metronome atypical of his ilk, possessing the defensive nous, doggedness and the work-rate which enabled him to play as the holding midfielder for Real. His incisive passing expertise and ability to dictate play with his unrivalled vision, made him a potent cocktail on the ball whilst his game off it, helped shore up the defense significantly.
Dunga is the more unflashy and pragmatic half of the duo with his efficient and direct passing game and no-frills defending. Industrious, physical and blessed with an impeccable reading of the game, Dunga always cut an influential and imposing figure at the centre of the pitch. On the ball, there is umpteen reserves of creativity and ball-retaining potential with that midfield duo, whilst defensively it is a well-rounded combo with Dunga's ball-winning ability, industry in fine blend with Alonso's intelligent game which was finely interspersed with physicality.
Thomas Häßler's irrepressible and dynamic game makes him the perfect bridge between offense and defense, in a free role which suits his game to a tee. A sublime playmaker, Häßler was expert at carving out gilt-edged chances with his inch-perfect passing, whilst his zest and trickery meant he was brilliant at carrying the ball from deep and jinxing past players with consummate ease. Be it driving forward from deep or to the flanks, aiding the team defensively with his graft or offensively with his craft, meshing together with his teammates or going on a mazy individual run, Häßler would be right at the heart of proceedings here. With the midfield of Dunga-Alonso to dovetail with and the deadly marksmen up front, it would be hard to put a stop to the pint-sized German genius.
OFFENSE
A lethal forward duo that just screams goals and has just about every finish in its arsenal. Diego Forlanwould be given the freedom to roam around the forward line, esp his favoured left hand channels. With the rampaging Roberto Carlos vying the opposition's right flank attention and Crespo occupying the central areas as the focal point, Forlan has the potential to make a game-winning impact between the lines, with his phenomenal all-round goalscoring threat from just about anywhere. Not only was he a finisher of the highest calibre, his wholesome style of play meant that he could contribute to various aspects of the game - his ceaseless running always giving others options, intelligent movement distracting/occupying opposition defenders and his link-up play making him a delight to play alongside. 2 pichichis and 2 European Golden Shoes, isn't too shabby for someone who played for the unfancied Villareal and Atletico - his average rating, has seen him among Spain's top five for four of the five consecutive seasons, at his glorious peak.
At the culmination of it all, is one Hernan Crespo. With two wing-backs providing him with a plethora of crosses, Forlan being an excellent foil on the ball and the likes of Häßler, Alonso and Dunga providing a steady stream of quality service, Crespo would be licking his lips at his prospects on ending up on the scoresheet. A monstrous and complete goalscoring threat at his Serie A peak, the Argentine was banging in goals for fun against some top notch defenses. A whopping 101 goals in 170 games (including an incredible 39 goals in just 55 for Lazio), the Serie A golden boot and a then world transfer record of £35 million, are testament to his credentials as a lethal goalsmith of immense pedigree.
Tactical Points
1)Buchwald man-marking Totti
Buchwald will stick to Totti here and will look to minimise the Italian's impact. Buchwald has the requisite athleticism, defensive nous and the positioning to carry out his role to perfection, whilst his experience in midfield and defense makes his tailor-made for dealing with Totti who had a tendency to drop deep. Whilst Totti wouldn't be fully shut down, Buchwald will definitely make the Italian's life harder and will take away a sizeable portion of his effectiveness imo. A bulk of Sjor's creativity and goalscoring threat comes from Totti and putting the dampener on him would affect his team significantly.
2)Well-rounded team
A strong midfield core which we reckon should have the edge over Sjor's midfield unit. Whilst there is lots to like about Martinez and Gundogan, we do believe we have the edge there in Alonso and Dunga, with pivotal support from Häßler. It's also key to note that Totti is being man-marked by Buchwald, which does leave our midfield more room and freedom to impose themselves upon the game here.
Defensively our team provides the ideal platform for our wing-backs with two hardworking central midfielders and two brilliant defenders who were at ease on the flanks/channels in Bergomi and Ferri. Make no mistake, Dani Alves and Roberto Carlos would seriously revel in playing in this set-up with the base that has been provided for them.
There is an abundance of offensive width with two sensational wing-backs and of course supplementary width from the likes of Häßler and Forlan in the final third, to stretch play and maintain a fluid shape. All in all, it's a complementary side with some cracking individuals.
Good luck Sjor.
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