LV Monopoly Draft - Finals: Skizzanomoss vs Jayvin

[Ecstatic]

VS

............... Team Skizzahnomoss ............................................................ Team Jayvin ............................................

TEAM JAYVIN


My team will play a counter-attacking style in a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation.

Employing a deep defensive line, I will instruct Davids and Keane to pressure the opposition midfield duo relentlessly, trying to win the ball and start counter-attacks while also starving Maradona and Pele of easy possession via quick balls from the midfield. In addition to stifling the passing lanes through to the front 2, by employing a deep defensive line with exceptional quality out wide I hope to limit Maradona and Pele's passing options to the flanks and catch them in between a wall of Baresi/Stam and Davids/Keane rushing back to support from the other side.

I'm not sure. Platini will take the lead of your team and is able to operate as a deep-lying playmaker while Maradona is more 'straight-forward' and will be inclined to look for Pelé-Suarez.

 

[Annahnomoss]

for me yes it is. If its not for you then fair play for your personal criteria. But with how I look at things and the comments I have read in match threads then no I am absolutely not going to assume Suarez provides "width on the left" when he is presented on the right in this formation with no arrows even!

I value care and attention placed into formations and write ups. That is a voting criteria for me as I spend a lot of time and research into that very aspect. If its not for you, cool beans. But it is for me.

I don't think that Suarez provides enough width to justify arrows as much as a note in the tactics. He's not Preben so to speak, he is just a number 9 who makes good runs off the ball in to space and isn't shy to use the channels if space is given there. Which is why he has played out wide at times and is a dynamic and flexible player.

@Skizzo @Annahnomoss

@Balu Are you trying to say Suarez provides All-Time level width on the right?

I like and put importance to width myself and there isn't a single striker who can also provide all time level width on the wings. If there were, wingers would have no role in football, but as it is you simply can't replace them yet retain the all time level width. All you can inspire for is that your narrow formation has some way to stretch the pitch and ability to work the wide areas as well.

Maradona in particular provided a lot of threat from wide areas as well and was equally capable to beat someone from out wide as from the centre of the pitch. He's not a GOAT quality width either, but we do have both him and Pele who are great individuals who be a threat no matter where they receive the ball.

 

[Annahnomoss]

I can understand Netto being questioned in that role but can't quite figure out what's wrong or underwhelming about Lahm in that RWB role? He is an excellent all round FB, no doubt, but he was a brilliant overlapper and an astute crosser of the ball. Think he'd be brilliant in that role myself.

That being said, there isn't exactly an abundance of width on Skizzo/Annah's side, esp on the left. More info is needed on Netto in particular, who was a versatile player by all accounts and someone who started out as a LB iirc. Defensively, I can see Jairzinho causing issues for Netto, although he has the well versed Lcb Schwarzenbeck for cover. Edwards as the Lcm/wing half is great cover too for that matter, against Keane's forays forward too.

Offensively, as Annah pointed out, their setup is complementary with Maradona having a great set up to function in. Maradona never particularly required much width, but rather foraging forwards and midfielders who could stretch play and provide options to link up with. Suarez and in particular the midfield duo (Neeskens as the attacking B2B esp) are perfect for that. I'm generally not a fan if Pele and Maradona in the same side but I can see them working very well here in their free roles, with the selfless individuals alongside them. A more conventional 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 etc with an extra attacker or so, and it would be a tad bit too cramped, with either of them being shoehorned into an unfavorable role and with less room/space to work with etc.

Likewise Beckenbauer who has an excellent foundation laid for him to shine. Can definitely see the rationale behind the 3-4-3 here. Just a query as to whether it's the earlier version of Pele here or the 1970 version. @Annahnomoss @Skizzo

Jayvin's side is fantastic too with a truly imposing core. Can see Thuram tucking in to help against Pele, which should free up Baresi more and give him more room to work with. That midfield is bang on the money and Platini will relish playing alongside those wing forwards too imo. Maradona and Pele do face stiff resistance with Jayvin boasting a cracking defense.

Ultimately though, for all the attacking talents on show here, it will ultimately hinge on which one of Baresi or Beckenbauer can commandeer their defense/side to victory.

It is the younger Pele, dynamic, absolutely brilliant drive and dribbling yet a legendary goalscorer. I see both him and Maradona finding space on the break around the midfield and then bursting forward against a disorganized defense. The only way to stop them is doubling up on them and as they do they release it to the other. With Suarez making a dummy run in the build up, then bursting towards goal so the second the defender decides he has to step against Maradona he can find Suarez behind with a perfectly weighed pass.

 

[Theon]

The criticism of Lahm as a right wingback is truely odd considering how often we've seen someone like Carlos Alberto picked as a right wingback or at times even players like Gentile, Bergomi.

If Lahm had played in the 80's and 90's, he would have played every week as a right wingback and he would have been equally brilliant. He just happened to play in a time when the regularly chosen system was a back five.

Well, kinda. We've seen all types of defensive fullbacks as a 'wingback' in a narrow 532 system in drafts, Vogts for example as well.

Knew you would get involved in this as soon as a German/Munich player was even slightly criticised .

I really don't follow what you're saying here at all by the way - players like Vogts and Bergomi are terrible picks for a right wingback role in an all-time draft. Its irrelevant that other managers have previously played weird fullbacks in wingback roles.. that doesn't make Lahm a better fit for the position.

You seem to be overly defensive to what has been said as well imo, no one has said that Lahm will be poor here and in my post for instance I said that he was "certainly capable of playing the role". He's certainly a much better pick than someone like Bergomi and I think he's comparable to Carlos Alberto and Zanetti - two other balanced fullbacks capable of playing the position but maybe not the most natural of fits.

As as has been mentioned previously, if they had a natural wingback on the left like Facchetti/Carlos then it might not be a problem, but imo they lack that from both sides with Netto/Lahm which in a 3-5-2 I think is a problem. We can agree to disagree anyway.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Knew you would get involved in this as soon as a German/Munich player was even slightly criticised .

I really don't follow what you're saying here at all by the way - players like Vogts and Bergomi are terrible picks for a right wingback role in an all-time draft. Its irrelevant that other managers have previously played weird fullbacks in wingback roles.. that doesn't make Lahm a better fit for the position.

You seem to be overly defensive to what has been said as well imo, no one has said that Lahm will be poor here and in my post for instance I said that he was "certainly capable of playing the role". He's certainly a much better pick than someone like Bergomi and I think he's comparable to Carlos Alberto and Zanetti - two other balanced fullbacks capable of playing the position but maybe not the most natural of fits.

As as has been mentioned previously, if they had a natural wingback on the left like Facchetti/Carlos then it might not be a problem, but imo they lack that from both sides with Netto/Lahm which in a 3-5-2 I think is a problem. We can agree to disagree anyway.

I don't think Facchetti is a natural wing back in terms of providing width. The man was more of a mystery who had his own interpretation on what a left back did, sort of like Breitner, and you'd find him inside the box as much as you'd find him out wide. But in terms of providing width in a formation that lacks it he isn't a "natural" by any means either to be frank!

 

[antohan]

for me yes it is. If its not for you then fair play for your personal criteria. But with how I look at things and the comments I have read in match threads then no I am absolutely not going to assume Suarez provides "width on the left" when he is presented on the right in this formation with no arrows even!

I value care and attention placed into formations and write ups. That is a voting criteria for me as I spend a lot of time and research into that very aspect. If its not for you, cool beans. But it is for me.

Love it

 

[Balu]

@Skizzo @Annahnomoss

@Balu Are you trying to say Suarez provides All-Time level width on the right?

He doesn't have to provide as much with as a true winger would. He's a free roaming forward in a 532 who can connect with Lahm overlapping or Neeskens drifting wide for 1-2s to help get one of those two free for a cross or something like that. Surely he's an excellent choice for that even though he isn't necessarily on an alltime great level. I was just wondering why you found it so massively wrong that he's played on the right instead of on the left. I would have placed Pele and Suarez the same way Skizzo/Annah did.

 

[Balu]

Knew you would get involved in this as soon as a German/Munich player was even slightly criticised .

I really don't follow what you're saying here at all by the way - players like Vogts and Bergomi are terrible picks for a right wingback role in an all-time draft. Its irrelevant that other managers have previously played weird fullbacks in wingback roles.. that doesn't make Lahm a better fit for the position.

You seem to be overly defensive to what has been said as well imo, no one has said that Lahm will be poor here and in my post for instance I said that he was "certainly capable of playing the role". He's certainly a much better pick than someone like Bergomi and I think he's comparable to Carlos Alberto and Zanetti - two other balanced fullbacks capable of playing the position but maybe not the most natural of fits.

As as has been mentioned previously, if they had a natural wingback on the left like Facchetti/Carlos then it might not be a problem, but imo they lack that from both sides with Netto/Lahm which in a 3-5-2 I think is a problem. We can agree to disagree anyway.

God, you're so annoying with the constant accusations of people being biased for whatever reason instead of actually discussing the matter at hand. And Lahm has much better attacking output than Carlos Alberto ever had. It's not even particularly close in my opinion.

 

[antohan]

The criticism of Lahm as a right wingback is truely odd considering how often we've seen someone like Carlos Alberto picked as a right wingback or at times even players like Gentile, Bergomi. How many rightbacks are there actually with a better endproduct in the final third than Lahm? Yeah, obviously he's not Cafu, but whenever Lahm was asked to play an attacking overlapping fullback, he collected assists in various ways. He's a great passer in the final third additional to his crosses and has great off the ball movement, often making inside overlaps and runs behind the defense when someone else provides width. The set-up with Neeskens is nothing but beautiful. For example, Lahm had 19 assists in the 3 competitions when Bayern won the treble in 2012/13 and that's without taking set-pieces, no freekicks and no corners added to it. They all came from open play.

If Lahm had played in the 80's and 90's, he would have played every week as a right wingback and he would have been equally brilliant. He just happened to play in a time when the regularly chosen system was a back five.

Did they ever get picked as wingbacks or you just mean on the outside of a back five? As far as I'm concerned a wingback isn't so just because it's a back 5, it's the instructions and ability to execute them.

On topic, sure Lahm can play that, but it's underwhelming. For a side with Beckenbauer, Pelé and Maradona to rely on Lahm for width on the right is fecking criminal.

 

[Balu]

Did they ever get picked as wingbacks or you just mean on the outside of a back five? As far as I'm concerned a wingback isn't so just because it's a back 5, it's the instructions and ability to execute them.

On topic, sure Lahm can play that, but it's underwhelming. For a side with Beckenbauer, Pelé and Maradona to rely on Lahm for width on the right is fecking criminal.

That's just silly. Seriously, did Pep's time brainwash everyone about how Lahm used to play the rightback position between 2009 and 2013? His number of assists from open play in the Bundesliga shit on Kaltz's for example.

 

[antohan]

I'm not sure. Platini will take the lead of your team and is able to operate as a deep-lying playmaker while Maradona is more 'straight-forward' and will be inclined to look for Pelé-Suarez.

I don't understand what you are questioning in Jayvin's statement. Is it Platini's role? Because starting counters from deep is where Platini will trump any of the GOAT #10s in my book.

 

[Annahnomoss]

I don't understand what you are questioning in Jayvin's statement. Is it Platini's role? Because starting counters from deep is where Platini will trump any of the GOAT #10s in my book.

In your book and every book to be fair.

 

[antohan]

That's just silly. Seriously, did Pep's time brainwash everyone about how Lahm used to play the rightback position between 2009 and 2013? His number of assists from open play in the Bundesliga shit on Kaltz's for example.

No, he is just boring mate. In this company he elicits the same reaction as you would get when looking at an Argentina '86 teamsheet and evaluating Olarticochea. He played his role superbly. Nobody remembers, or cares.

 

[Ecstatic]

I don't understand what you are questioning in Jayvin's statement. Is it Platini's role? Because starting counters from deep is where Platini will trump any of the GOAT #10s in my book.

Just the feeling that Jayvin would have a higher rate of possession here.

 

[Balu]

No, he is just boring mate. In this company he elicits the same reaction as you would get when looking at an Argentina '86 teamsheet and evaluating Olarticochea. He played his role superbly. Nobody remembers, or cares.

How are the twins by the way? Hope everyone is well?

 

[Annahnomoss]

I seem to be in a minority but this Skizzo/Annah's side is an absolute beauty. I thought they would drop Netto and opt for a more conventional set-up, but this one gets the best out of Beckenbauer and Maradona, but the best selling point for me is those Netto-Edwards and Lahm-Neeskens duos.

I'm usually drooling over my own sides but I can say without hesitation that this is one of my favorite sides on here. The fact that I absolutely didn't expect them to field that way just makes it even better. Plus the unorthodox but surprisingly easy to visualize use of Netto

Spoiler

Jayvin's team (defence and midfield) is a bit boring although it's a scary kind of boring - the kind that'll routinely destroy everything on it's path. Not a fan of a front 3 (probably should name it four with Platini here, but, well), it doesn't really klick for me.


It's definitely a close one.

I think that the high line would've worked better for Jayvin though. In Baresi he has the finest high-line organizer in history, Stam and Facchetti are insanely quick and Thuram isn't a mug either - plus Davids and Keane would've pushed a little further, which is always a plus. I guess this makes my decision final, although mostly I just went with my heart on this one - and even the overcrowding of stars in S/A side doesn't concern me.

Cheers mate. That is how I saw the offense work out too, fast direct attacks with Netto and Neeskens making a run straight towards the goal rather than trying to provide width. Edwards can do it as well given the opportunity in which case Netto could stay back. I think Maradona would love it, I hope so, so many great runners who are still absolutely great on the ball and technically capable of linking up with him. Also he has a great play date here in Pele who will make sure that any attempts to double up or congest it around Maradona will just mean Pele has the space himself. The fact that we don't have other outlets means they would be doing this in pretty much every attack for good and bad, but I could see it leading to chances.

I also think they'd play some tasty football together, both of them relied on linking up with a partner in crime and together it could turn out beautiful at times.

 

[Joga Bonito]

Ffs if Lahm is struggling to provide width as a RWB and is considered underwhelming, then I'd seriously like to know who are all the other right backs out there who would be 'final-worthy width providing specimens'. Apart from Cafu obviously.

Carlos Alberto - Nope, not a wing-back, although he could provide width and playmaking impetus from the flanks. Lahm's better as a wing back.

Zanetti - More of an engine on him but less end product. Not much difference to Lahm and I'd prefer the German for his attacking output and creativity, although some might prefer Zanetti.

Djalma - Not a wing-back.

Brehme - Versatile enough to play there and pretty damn good but peak came as a LWB.

Sport Amoros, Kaltz, Alves etc and they won't be considered 'final-worthy' and/or be torn a new one by the LWF/LW or LWB.

 

[Ecstatic]

Ffs if Lahm is struggling to provide width as a RWB and is considered underwhelming, then I'd seriously like to know who are all the other right backs out there who would be 'final-worthy width providing specimens'.

Carlos Alberto - Nope, not a wing-back, although he could provide width and playmaking impetus from the flanks. Lahm's better as a wing back.

Zanetti - More of an engine on him but less end product. Not much difference to Lahm and I'd prefer the German for his attacking output and creativity, although some might prefer Zanetti.

Djalma - Not a wing-back.

Brehme - Versatile enough to play there and pretty damn good but peak came as a LWB.

Sport Amoros, Kaltz, Alves etc and they won't be considered 'final-worthy' and/or be torn a new one by the LWF/LW or LWB.

Aurier

 

[Balu]

Ffs if Lahm is struggling to provide width as a RWB and is considered underwhelming, then I'd seriously like to know who are all the other right backs out there who would be 'final-worthy width providing specimens'.

Carlos Alberto - Nope, not a wing-back, although he could provide width and playmaking impetus from the flanks. Lahm's better as a wing back.

Zanetti - More of an engine on him but less end product. Not much difference to Lahm and I'd prefer the German for his attacking output and creativity, although some might prefer Zanetti.

Djalma - Not a wing-back.

Brehme - Versatile enough to play there and pretty damn good but peak came as a LWB.

Sport Amoros, Kaltz, Alves etc and they won't be considered 'final-worthy' and/or be torn a new one by the LWF/LW or LWB.

Thank god for that post. Unless you pick Cafu as a right wingback, you can't play a 532 because everyone else is just flawed. With maybe the exception of Zanetti because the massive hard-on Aldo and antohan have for him will create enough discussion in his favour to deflect from the reality. It's truely ridiculous.

 

[Joga Bonito]

I don't understand what you are questioning in Jayvin's statement. Is it Platini's role? Because starting counters from deep is where Platini will trump any of the GOAT #10s in my book.

Indeed. It's unbelievable that he'd be dictating play, frequently drop between his midfielders and centre backs to spray passes about, whilst somehow always finding the killer instinct to make his impact in the penalty box. In some of the more tightly contested games, it'd be like he's morphed into a deadly goalscoring Pirlo or something .

 

[harms]

Eh, how's this left wing back role different from his "3rd position" if his 2nd position was as a "left wing forward"?

Left wing back, with Schwarzenbeck (who has experience covering for a free-roaming Breitner) covering and Edwards dovetailing? Left wing-back is much closer to his left midfield role in which he excelled than to a left back in a back 4 with underwhelming partners at LCB and midfield. You had him in a back 4 with non-existing cover 1 on 1 against freaking Eusebio!

When we are talking about left-ish midfielders like Masopust, Edwards, Netto etc Netto is probably the most natural when we are talking about the genuine wing game (and not just covering like Davids did, for example)

 

[antohan]

How are the twins by the way? Hope everyone is well?

Just not dressing it at something else

Twins are awesome! Been up for the last couple of hours (i.e. since 6am here) chilling with them while mum sleeps in the room. Now have one on my belly breathing heavily and the other asleep on my left arm as I type with my right. Love it.

 

[Enigma_87]

Can't fault much Jayvin's team - Davids back in the game, Baresi as an upgrade - hardly you can ask for much else.

Skizzo/Annah left flank is a bit underwhelming and like everyone else I don't rate Lahm all that much in that wing back role in terms of final worthy side. For me he's best with the option to tuck in. I don't rate his attacking contribution more than Zanetti, Carlos Alberto, Dani Alves and the likes.

Skizzo/Annah have the better attack although I can see some overlapping between Maradona and Pele and for me both on the pitch is a no go.

Personally I'd go for @Jayvin for this one.

 

[Annahnomoss]

How do people see Platini performing in a team that doesn't cater to him very well? He used to play with strikers who peeled out wide for him to push through and where he was the main goalscorer, diamonds perfectly built around him. Honest question, I can't make my own mind up on that one. Does he still score the goals? If he doesn't, there should be a few more natural fits for the role and it would take away a major part of what has Platini considered a GOAT.

 

[Balu]

Twins are awesome! Been up for the last couple of hours (i.e. since 6am here) chilling with them while mum sleeps in the room. Now have one on my belly breathing heavily and the other asleep on my left arm as I type with my right. Love it.

Sounds awesome, congrats again .

 

[antohan]

Thank god for that post. Unless you pick Cafu as a right wingback, you can't play a 532 because everyone else is just flawed. With maybe the exception of Zanetti because the massive hard-on Aldo and antohan have for him will create enough discussion in his favour to deflect from the reality. It's truely ridiculous.

Thighs mate, thighs!

 

[harms]

Suarez is on the wrong side to provide width. Period.

Maybe I am being a stickler to formations because I put so much time and attention into my formations and that is really the thing I love most about the drafts. But when I see Suarez on the right of Pele? Just, No. I can't give him credit for providing width on the left when his manager(s) are not making a tactic to take advantage of that fact and carelessly placing him on the right of Pele.

Not sure how it is at all relevant when it's obvious that their front trio supposed to be interchangeable, with Suarez playing a supporting role, popping up all around the front like to make space for Pele and Maradona.

 

[antohan]

Indeed. It's unbelievable that he'd be dictating play, frequently drop between his midfielders and centre backs to spray passes about, whilst somehow always finding the killer instinct to make his impact in the penalty box. In some of the more tightly contested games, it'd be like he's morphed into a deadly goalscoring Pirlo or something .

Exactly. The sides with Pirlo in them often get painted as having 10 players in them. Well, then the ones with Platini have 12.

 

[harms]

@Jayvin

Any reason why Baresi is on the left? With such a back four it would seem more natural to me to have him at RCB so he'd be the centre of a back three when attacking.

He mostly played on the left anyway, he is the best possible choice to cover for Facchetti and Stam is at home at RCB role?

 

[Joga Bonito]

Unless you pick Cafu as a right wingback, you can't play a 532 because everyone else is just flawed.

Yeah edited the post later with Cafu in it. Had the same issue in the Billy No Mate draft myself as we had Gerets as the RWB in a back 5. Gio and me only considered Cafu (couldn't pick him iirc), Lahm, Zanetti and Carlos Alberto. Funnily enough, we stuck with Gerets till the end and no one really questioned him as a wing back.(although his quality was brought into question ofc). We were also lucky that we didn't face a Best/Czibor etc. Tbf, Gerets did play as a wing-back before in a back 5, but part of me thinks Lahm is being questioned here whilst Gerets got a free ride, because the Belgian was a more forceful runner with more of an engine on him. Despite being nowhere near as good as Lahm creativity or end-product wise.

 

[Enigma_87]

Yeah edited the post later with Cafu in it. Had the same issue in the Billy No Mate draft myself as we had Gerets as the RWB in a back 5. Gio and me only considered Cafu (couldn't pick him iirc), Lahm, Zanetti and Carlos Alberto. Funnily enough, we stuck with Gerets till the end and no one really questioned him as a wing back.(although his quality was brought into question ofc). We were also lucky that we didn't face a Best/Czibor etc. Tbf, Gerets did play as a wing-back before in a back 5, but part of me thinks Lahm is being questioned here whilst Gerets got a free ride, because the Belgian was a more forceful runner with more of an engine on him. Despite being nowhere near as good as Lahm creativity or end-product wise.

I think Gerets is another that is better than Lahm in that wing back position. With 3 man backline I'd have a more attacking wing back even if he's not solid as Lahm defensively. Especially with a narrower core.

It might be personal preference but with 3 man backline and Duncan/Neeskens especially sitting that's 5 men defence most of the time. The wing backs in that formation for me should be much more attacking than balanced or defensive ones. I'd even take Marcelo before Netto, regardless of whether he's inferior player or not.

 

[harms]

I think Gerets is another that is better than Lahm in that wing back position. With 3 man backline I'd have a more attacking wing back even if he's not solid as Lahm defensively. Especially with a narrower core.

That's the thing - is Gerets more attacking? Lahm is a better passer, he is a better crosser and is much smarter in his movement (attacking as much as defending). His sheer numbers are also nothing short of amazing. The only thing that Gerets have on Lahm as a wingback is his pace and engine, which doesn't make him more attacking or a better wingback - it just makes him easier on the eye. And when you have freaking Neeskens partnering Lahm it's hardly a problem - you won't find a better engine player, really, and he is a natural at covering the right side

 

[Enigma_87]

That's the thing - is Gerets more attacking? Lahm is a better passer, he is a better crosser and is much smarter in his movement (attacking as much as defending). His sheer numbers are also nothing short of amazing. The only thing that Gerets have on Lahm as a wingback is his pace and engine, which doesn't make him more attacking or a better wingback - it just makes him easier on the eye. And when you have freaking Neeskens partnering Lahm it's hardly a problem - you won't find a better engine player, really, and he is a natural at covering the right side

Gerets has the better pace and engine, but that's not the deciding one for me. Gerets will most likely occupy that space better, rather than Lahm who has the tendency to tuck in centrally. IMO Gerets will stretch this one more than Lahm, which is essentially what S/P need.

 

[Theon]

God, you're so annoying with the constant accusations of people being biased for whatever reason instead of actually discussing the matter at hand. And Lahm has much better attacking output than Carlos Alberto ever had. It's not even particularly close in my opinion.

No idea why you're being so whiney and defensive - nothing out of order has been said here at all. A number of people don't think Lahm is a natural wing-back, not sure what the problem is. People are entitled to have a different opinion.

Disagree Lahm is a better wingback than Carlos Alberto, I would have them in the same tier. If I was making a team I would also pick Zanetti ahead of Lahm as a wingback, mainly because I think he's a better player but imo he was also a better dribbler and is about the best there is in terms of running a flank for 90 minutes.

And the point about Bergomi and Vogts being picked previously did not make sense.

 

[harms]

No idea why you're being so whiney and defensive - nothing out of order has been said here at all.

You accuse someone (not the first time and not only him) in being biased, he calls you out on that and he's whiney? He actually provided thoughtful argument btw, while you just said that he's biased because he can't separate his feelings towards his compatriots from the actual football analysis.

 

[Enigma_87]

God, you're so annoying with the constant accusations of people being biased for whatever reason instead of actually discussing the matter at hand. And Lahm has much better attacking output than Carlos Alberto ever had. It's not even particularly close in my opinion.

I disagree with that.

 

[Balu]

Gerets has the better pace and engine, but that's not the deciding one for me. Gerets will most likely occupy that space better, rather than Lahm who has the tendency to tuck in centrally. IMO Gerets will stretch this one more than Lahm, which is essentially what S/P need.

Again, that's clearly not true for his time as a rightback before Pep took over in Munich.

 

[Balu]

I disagree with that.

Really? Carlos Alberto was slower but equally cultured on the ball. He didn't provide many overlapping runs but was great in the build-up. He rarely had decisive output in terms of goals or assists and it's no conincidence that he finished his career playing as a centerback.

In general it seems Lahm's pace and stamina gets a bit underrated, I'm not even sure if Gerets had more pace than Lahm. Lahm for example regularly kept Ronaldo quiet, most notably in the CL semifinal against Real in 2012 when Ronaldo then switched sides to get out of Lahm's pocket and Lahm provided the game winning assist in the end.

Despite looking small and thin, I can't remember a single opponent who dominated Lahm physically?

 

[Enigma_87]

Again, that's clearly not true for his time as a rightback before Pep took over in Munich.

He was still used centrally long before Pep. I'd rate his best attacking season while LvG was in charge and he played as right back behind Robben. Not exactly wing back with one of the best right wingers nowadays.

 

[Jayvin]

How do people see Platini performing in a team that doesn't cater to him very well? He used to play with strikers who peeled out wide for him to push through and where he was the main goalscorer, diamonds perfectly built around him. Honest question, I can't make my own mind up on that one. Does he still score the goals? If he doesn't, there should be a few more natural fits for the role and it would take away a major part of what has Platini considered a GOAT.

Doesn't cater to him well? I'm not sure about that, I think Davids and Keane provide a great platform for Platini to perform at his best, while your second statement about strikers peeling wide seems a bit strange since I have Thierry Henry on that side.