.................................... TEAM PAT MUSTARD ............................................................................. TEAM 3AMIGOS .........................................
Team Pat Mustard:
We’re looking to take the game to our opponents here, so we’ll start with a moderately high defensive line. Our Figueroa-led back line has the pace and nous to pull it off, and Alaba and Blankenburg have ample pedigree in high-line setups. Of course we’ll drop back if we’re under the cosh and we’re well capable of hurting the opposition on the counter, but the general game plan is to play on the front foot. We’ll be compact horizontally too - we expect the opposition to field wide attackers who generally look to cut infield rather than attack the byline, and our defence can be expected to dominate any aerial exchanges, so we’ll shepherd the opposition play into wide areas where possible.
If we’re looking to compress the space defensively, the opposite holds true in offence, where we have the quality to stretch The Amigo’s defence across the entire width of the pitch. I’ll not lie – when you sport two all-time great wingers the last pair of full backs you want to see on the oppo teamsheet are fecking Djalma and Maldini. That said, Dzajic and Johnstone are too good to shut out completely, and their crosses will have the inviting target of Uwe Seeler, who was absolutely deadly in the air and should have the beating of their CBs at times. Cut backs will be a huge weapon for us also, with Matthaus, Falcao, Rivaldo and Dzajic all packing a lethal punch with their long and middle-distance shooting. Our wingers will open up space for our central axis too; Matthaus and Falcao are one of the best midfield pairings imaginable, and Rivaldo will thrive between the lines here, particularly with Seeler’s superlative back to goal play to work off.
A word on the formation itself: whilst 4-4-2 variants have enjoyed a resurgence lately, questions will invariably be asked as to whether there’s enough bodies in the middle of the pitch. Notwithstanding the fact that Matthaus and Falcao are a fearsome duo in their own right, we have plenty of other situational options: Rivaldo will obviously be dropping into the hole, Alaba has demonstrated a knack for joining the midfield and attacking the left channel rather than sticking to the traditional overlapping full back brief, and in the absence of a specialist No. 9. to deal with I expect Blankenburg to be able to step into midfield with some regularity as well.
Team 3Amigos (Red Tiger, Sjor Bepo, Marty1968)
Key point: Maldini and Djalma play a fairly conservative game, keeping track of Mustard's exceptionally tricky wingers. Maldini might try to involve himself offensively to some degree, however, with Robson covering for him at such times – but it should be stressed that the Italian can't and won't bomb forward wildly here.
Other points: Younger version of Stielike. With Robson he forms a central midfield duo whose main function is to make sure the balance is there or thereabouts, what with the very offensive nature of what is essentially an attacking quartet further up the pitch.
Wide men: Rep is more of a true winger, relatively speaking (he is instructed to play a more traditional winger role here, stretching the play, making himself available as a wide option), Stoichkov's role is freer, less defined (it's his normal role, one could simply say).
Maybe, he's a fervent patriot when he speaks with foreigners!