Modern Draft R1: 2mufc0 vs. Moby

[Indnyc]

Team 2mufc0------------------------------ vs.----------------------------- Team Moby

Vs.

Tactics Team 2mufc0

Defence

WC winner and one of the best PL keepers Lloris guards the goal in front of him are Davinson and VVD both physically able to match any type of striker and also have the defensive intelligence and skills. One of the most consistent and best La Liga RB's Juanfran mans the the right back position while Rodriguez on the left, able to support the attack when required but also defensively solid.

Midfield

Ramires comes in as the defensive B2B his high energy play will be pivotal in letting Verratti play make from central areas. Costa and Dembele provide that pacey direct threat able to take on any full back to create and score.

Attack

At his peak there is no better striker than Falcao in this draft and he also supported by the best playmaker/attacker in Griezemann who will feel right at home in this position where he dominated for France and Atletico. Plenty of pace, power through the middle and channels, Falcao will relish being fed by these wingers and Griezemann.

Tactics Team Moby

Formation
4-4-2 circa United 07-08

Spoiler: United 07-08 Example

Theme
The team's first pick is Wayne Rooney and we have taken the opportunity to remodel it as the United team that played around him during his peak years circa 06-08. As someone with a career like Rooney's he had several peaks but we have gone with this one. This is him in his physical peak, the electric pace, lung busting runs, endless reserves of stamina, the hungry mad dog attitude and aggression, the sweet volleys and the ultimate team player who elevated the team to one of the greatest eras under Ferguson.

Devastating Tandem Up Front
During this period he made quality attacking partnerships with forwards such as Saha and Tevez. In this team, he has a cracking young talent who is one of the best forwards in the world already in Kylian Mbappé. Both the forwards are all round players, who can fluidly interchange. Both can pick up the ball from deep and play the other one in. Both are deadly in front of goal. Both are adept out wide (Rooney left, Mbappe right) to stretch the defense for the other. Both absolutely lightning quick with tremendous acceleration, agility, control and dribbling at pace. Mbappe will be playing further forward but there are no rules here.

Flying Flanks
A classic United team needs classic United wings. In this team, we have Di Maria assuming the left wing, the full of bag of tricks, dribbling wizard from Argentina who also brings insane workrate and quality on both ends of the pitch and will be happy in servicing the attack. On the right wing is Riyad Mahrez, the star player for The Foxes during their historic win, with no shortage of pace, dribbling and crossing with a quality strike from distance.

Box Office Midfield
As with our teams during the previous decade, the midfield not only held the fort but also provided the creative engine, endless pings down the flanks, delicate lobs through the middle and an utmost control of the middle. For this we have the Simeone Engine of Koke and Saul Niguez. Koke being the controller and playmaker through the middle dictating play and fuelling the attack while Niguez the more conservative workhorse covering for his mate. Two workoholics as any Simeone player would be, adding in Rooney's tremendous stamina and desire to track back, this midfield will not let anything through it.

Overlapping Fullbacks
Again, a bog standard feature for a successful Fergie team, here we have Zabaleta and Asamoah marauding from the back. Two quality defenders, Zabaleta has been a key fixture in City's dominance of the PL over the last decade while Asamoah was again an integral cog of the successful Juventus team. Both of them will overlap whichever side the ball is and happily support the two wingers, causing constant 2v1s and dragging defenders all over the place.

Complete Defenders
To complete the team, the two CBs are Laporte and Romagnoli. Laporte will assume the Rio role in the team, providing class on the ball while ruthless cerebral defensive game at the back with no gaps left and anticipating every opposition move. His deputy is the upcoming Italian sensation Romagnoli, who will complete the watertight defense with his all round defensive prowess both on the ground and in the air. Finally, the Mexican legend Ochoa stands in goal, with almost 100 caps to his name a vastly experienced leader and shot stopper. Not to mention, both have great pace to push up and cover any distances.

Key Points

• Quality in Attack - Centred around one of the best players in the Pool with the largest body of work and goalscoring records to his name, partnered with "Luis Ronaldo mk II" and a pair of flying wingers.
• Quality Out Wide - Two hungry and uber-talented wingers looking to create chances, while helping their fullbacks in defense and two rocksolid fullbacks well capable of overloading the attack.
• Quality Through the Middle - Two complete midfielders who have no weaknesses in either phase and would be putting in incredible shifts, along with Rooney himself and provide the creative platform for the front 4 to shine.
• Quality At The Back - Two of the most promising young defenders in the world holding the fort along with the experienced fullbacks making it a nightmare defense.
• Pace on the Counter - As we often did, this team would be deadly on the counter, with Rooney and Mbappe leaving defenders dead and causing mayhem running into space, with both Di Maria and Mahrez well versed to counter attacks as are the Atletico duo.
• Fluidity - Rooney can go up front, drop deep, drop left/right. Mbappe can go up front, drop left/right. Di Maria can drop into midfield, go out wide, cut inside. Mahrez can go outside, cut through the middle. There is NO way anyone will ever get marked, and there will be constant movement around the box with multiple players capable of scoring and creating

 

[Indnyc]

Good luck @2mufc0 and @Moby

 

[Moby]

Thanks Indnyc and good luck, 2mufc0.

 

[2mufc0]

Thanks Indnyc and good luck, 2mufc0.

Good luck Moby.

Two similar setups, think it will come down to player preferences.

 

[Himannv]

Very evenly matched teams. I reckon this one might be down to which version of Wayne Rooney turns up. I guess the 06-08 version = roughly 20 goals a season + extreme workrate. I do think the 04 version was more explosive though and I don't think too many defenses can live with that version + Mbappe. On the other hand, Falcao + Griezmann at their peaks is also a fantastic front 2. Tough call.

 

[Moby]

A prime, young Wayne Rooney playing alongside Kylian Mbappe will take something absolutely special to stop. The sheer amount of pace, dynamism, all round ability, that's a fearful 1-2 punch if I ever saw one and I don't see that being stopped one bit here.

 

[2mufc0]

It's a shame Falcao had that bad knee injury and with his later years think people will forget his peak years before his move to Monaco. Imo his peak level was higher than Rooney's and the best goalscorer on the pitch.

 

[Moby]

I do think the 04 version was more explosive though and I don't think too many defenses can live with that version

I have that explosiveness (just yesterday's performance drew comparison's between current Mbappe and that Rooney) and to partner that I prefer the 2 year later version, which is definitely one of the best periods in his career. While still a massive individual weapon capable of providing crucial moments of magic like the goal vs Milan in the Champions League, also an absolute fighter on the pitch and one of Fergie's primary mad dogs who played with his heart on the sleeve and provided the intensity that is impossible to live with. With Mbappe exploding next to him and the two wingers pumping in chances constantly it is what is best for this team. Honestly it is a delightful and incredibly effective combo that will hit defenders like a hurricane.

 

[2mufc0]

Moby how often has Mbappe played centre forward?

 

[2mufc0]

Ramagnoli has no CL experience either, he will struggle against Falcao + Griezmann combo.

 

[Moby]

2006-07 is possibly one of the dearest seasons in most fans recent memory, the season where we finally retaliated to Roman's PL hijacking and hit back with some of the most beautiful and scintillating football seen at OT.

Rooney played 55 matches in that season, and was very much the man at the heart of Manchester United.

 

[Moby]

Moby how often has Mbappe played centre forward?

Quite often, have a look at where much of his best goals come from.

He's likened to Luis Ronaldo for his ability to play in a free role across the forward line. While he can use his electric pace and dribbling on the right to create chances for others, his best qualities are his insane shooting from any distance and angle off both feet and slicing defenses through the middle.

Moreover, given the fluid template I have gone with and highlighted very well in the OP how players will constantly move around, the tactic suits two extremely versatile forwards like Rooney and Mbappe perfectly. We played similar fluid football with Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez where you never know who would assist and who would score, and I expect these players to contribute similarly in terms of playing style.

Particularly for Mbappe he's definitely the deadliest through the middle.

 

[Physiocrat]

@Moby How do Di Maria and Mahrez fit into your 07-08 side? Do you imagine one more attacking and making it more of a front three or is it just a flexible 442? I'm just trying to work out how you are playing.

On Mbappe I think it's clear his best position is CF with his attributes. I don't think R9 is a good comparison with him though, I think he's much closer to George Weah stylistically.

 

[2mufc0]

Also Di Maria has never been a good consistent winger, he peak years came in central midfield, where the only time he’s been world class, other than that he’s been an inconsistent winger.

 

[2mufc0]

Quite often, have a look at where much of his best goals come from.

He's likened to Luis Ronaldo for his ability to play in a free role across the forward line. While he can use his electric pace and dribbling on the right to create chances for others, his best qualities are his insane shooting from any distance and angle off both feet and slicing defenses through the middle.

Moreover, given the fluid template I have gone with and highlighted very well in the OP how players will constantly move around, the tactic suits two extremely versatile forwards like Rooney and Mbappe perfectly. We played similar fluid football with Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez where you never know who would assist and who would score, and I expect these players to contribute similarly in terms of playing style.

Particularly for Mbappe he's definitely the deadliest through the middle.

He’s never been the most forward as shown on the lineup, at Monaco he had Falcao, PSG it’s Cavani and France it’s Giroud. I get where you are coming from with interchanging but he’s never been a central striker.

 

[Moby]

@Moby How do Di Maria and Mahrez fit into your 07-08 side? Do you imagine one more attacking and making it more of a front three or is it just a flexible 442? I'm just trying to work out how you are playing.

It'll pivot just as it could back then when required. That is where Di Maria's industrious nature, ability to slot into midfield and provide that quality workrate would come useful. Rooney has no problem taking up that left channel either. Between ADM and Mahrez, you have intense workrate, defensive ability and explosive pace, trickery, crossing and cutting inside and shooting from the other. Arguably Di Maria would concentrate more on providing service and creativity while Mahrez would be more direct and could go for goal himself as well. Here's a goal Cristiano scored back then, which is a typical Riyad Mahrez strike:

 

[Moby]

He’s never been the most forward as shown on the lineup, at Monaco he had Falcao, PSG it’s Cavani and France it’s Giroud. I get where you are coming from with interchanging but he’s never been a central striker.

I'm not playing him as a static #9. He's a centre forward who would often attack the right channel as well as the middle. There are literally goals in that video where he's the furthest man forward stationed on the shoulder of the defenders. There are also goals where he arrives dead center from the left and smashes the ball in from 25 yards.

What do you think is his best position? You cannot place him at one point on a graphic to represent his game.

 

[Moby]

Also Di Maria has never been a good consistent winger, he peak years came in central midfield, where the only time he’s been world class, other than that he’s been an inconsistent winger.

He played in wide midfield, not central midfield, and as written in the OP and in response to Physio, he will be working in very similar areas in this game. His greatest moment of the career came when he dazzled past defenders from the left flank and won the Champions League final for Madrid.

Di Maria's all round peak on that left side, is a fair few notches above his counterpart Douglas Costa in this game. One is a Champions League final man of the match, proven at the highest stage.

 

[2mufc0]

I'm not playing him as a static #9. He's a centre forward who would often attack the right channel as well as the middle. There are literally goals in that video where he's the furthest man forward stationed on the shoulder of the defenders. There are also goals where he arrives dead center from the left and smashes the ball in from 25 yards.

What do you think is his best position? You cannot place him at one point on a graphic to represent his game.

Anywhere on left or right wing, he needs to pick the ball up in space from deep to make use of his devastating dribbling and pace. A central striker helps to play off and create room for him by dragging defenders away.

 

[Indnyc]

@Moby hasn't Koke played best more as a LAM for Athletico? Saul and Gabi in the midfield?

Don't watch Athletico regularly so pardon my ignorance

 

[2mufc0]

He played in wide midfield, not central midfield, and as written in the OP and in response to Physio, he will be working in very similar areas in this game. His greatest moment of the career came when he dazzled past defenders from the left flank and won the Champions League final for Madrid.

Di Maria's all round peak on that left side, is a fair few notches above his counterpart Douglas Costa in this game. One is a Champions League final man of the match, proven at the highest stage.

Yes I’ve acknowledged he’s been world class but never on the wing.

 

[Moby]

@Moby hasn't Koke played best more as a LAM for Athletico? Saul and Gabi in the midfield?

Don't watch Athletico regularly so pardon my ignorance

Are there no questions for 2mufc team? What the hell is Ramires doing in a 2 man midfield as the defensive midfielder!

Yeah, that is the configuration used at Madrid, while here I have used Koke as central playmaker and the one who dictates the tempo, as even as a wide-ish CM he has a similar responsibility.

 

[2mufc0]

@Moby hasn't Koke played best more as a LAM for Athletico? Saul and Gabi in the midfield?

Don't watch Athletico regularly so pardon my ignorance

Yes. But this season he’s been playing more on the right.

 

[harms]

A striker that can control the ball and a right back that can cross? What is this magic?

 

[Moby]

Yes I’ve acknowledged he’s been world class but never on the wing.

Really have just explained what his role is in this team and how that mirrors his season at Madrid when he won the CL.

 

[Moby]

@2mufc0 what are your plans to control the peak Rooney here? You have Ramires as the defensive midfielder while he always had the likes of Mikel behind him as the DM and was more of a headless chicken in midfield.

 

[2mufc0]

Really have just explained what his role is in this team and how that mirrors his season at Madrid when he won the CL.

Doesn’t look like it

 

[Moby]

Also, Riccardo Rodriguez's defensive ability is below par to say the least, one reason I ignored him constantly despite having a useful league spot. He is against a top winger in this pool who was considered the best player in the league when Leicester won it, propelling them along with Kante and Mahrez to the historic achievement. He has dominated better defenders than Rodriguez on that side, and I certainly see him getting some joy over there, be it providing cut backs for the forwards or cutting in and shooting.

 

[Moby]

Doesn’t look like it

What were his responsibilities in that team?

 

[2mufc0]

@2mufc0 what are your plans to control the peak Rooney here? You have Ramires as the defensive midfielder while he always had the likes of Mikel behind him as the DM and was more of a headless chicken in midfield.

Ramires isn’t playing defensive mf, he retains his b2b role but more restrained, that’s why he’s described as defensive b2b in the op. As for Rooney nothing special like man marking, whichever zone he is in the player will pick him up. I also have two physical monsters in CB so won’t have too many issues with the pace and power.

I would also like to hear how you will deal with Griezemann? Neither Koke or Saul are defensive midfielders or played in this type of role either.

 

[Indnyc]

It feels like a high scoring game.. Not completely sold on the midfield of 2mufc.. Never rated Ramires that highly. On the other hand not completely sold on the defense for Moby either

 

[2mufc0]

Has been the best player after Messi and Ronaldo for a while now, imagine him combining with peak Falcao against those central defenders?

 

[Moby]

The front twos are both really good, no doubt. I would definitely go with Rooney-Mbappe over Griezmann-Falcao simply as Rooney both has a stronger peak as well as far bigger career being the top scorer of Manchester United and England. Sad as it is, Falcao's career doesn't match that and the peak is shorter compared to Wayne who has multiple peaks.

However that's where the cookie crumbles as out wide there is a no contest here. On one side, one is a Champions League final man of the match and the other is the star of the Leicester PL winning attack, voted as best player in the league at the time. Not only they are better in quality than their counterparts, but also fit the team a lot better.

Griezmann at Atletico has had really hard working wide midfielders behind him, and not wing forwards like Dembele, who is currently benched at Barca while Mahrez starts for champions of England in their biggest game of the season.

Overall, the quality of my attack is easily superior here, both as a fit and on ability.

 

[2mufc0]

It feels like a high scoring game.. Not completely sold on the midfield of 2mufc.. Never rated Ramires that highly. On the other hand not completely sold on the defense for Moby either

That’s fair enough we all rate players differently, but Ramires has been a key player in CL and PL wins so has the quality and resume imo. A b2b and a central midfield playmaker is a normal arrangement in modern formations.

 

[Moby]

Ramires isn’t playing defensive mf, he retains his b2b role but more restrained, that’s why he’s described as defensive b2b in the op.

He is the most defensive player in your midfield which he never was at Chelsea. He played in 3 man midfields and hardly ever had the ability to defend to the level required here. He'll be out of his depth against the best player of the opposition and that's a huge advantage of my team. That's the space that will be used to spring forward attacks for us, and Rooney will be bursting forward from that area.

As well as when you get the ball, it will be a real task to take it forward as neither of your CBs have the ability on the ball compared to mine and would rely on your CMs to take it forward, where you are combating with Rooney right in your face.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Dont rate Di Maria at all as a winger and think his best football came through the middle, saying that i also dont rate Ramires and think him in middle 2 is a much bigger issue then Di Maria on the wing. Also see no issue with Mbappe and Koke positioning, they are maybe not played as they are for their clubs but they have all the tools to play there and eventually they will end up there.

Two very good teams but i reckon moby has the edge as 2mufc weaknesses are through the middle where moby is very strong. Mbappe and Rooney individual quality would be way to much for Sanchez who i also dont rate that highly, very rash and open for mistakes.

 

[Indnyc]

That’s fair enough we all rate players differently, but Ramires has been a key player in CL and PL wins so has the quality and resume imo. A b2b and a central midfield playmaker is a normal arrangement in modern formations.

Yeah the pairing is fine in terms of role but Ramires generally played with Mikel as the defensive base.. He was also often played on the right.. It's just preference for me i guess

 

[Moby]

I would also like to hear how you will deal with Griezemann? Neither Koke or Saul are defensive midfielders or played in this type of role either.

Completely wrong about Saul there, he has been tasked with the duties of the deepest midfielders plenty of times by Simeone already and he has rarely ever disappointed. He is capable of playing all three positions in midfield and would be tasked with providing that insane workrate, mental tenacity and fighting attitude that Simeone installs in his midfielders and something he has grasped brilliantly so far, getting laurels from around the world for his performances. I pretty much looked for these qualities for the theme I was going in for and was happy to have such a complete midfielder alongside the playmaker. Not to mention, they have the advantage of playing together.

It's a farcry from Ramires who barely ever played in a midfield 2, usually was in a midfield 3. I don't see him doing the job based on his own skill, or his playing evidence here, let alone his quality.

 

[Indnyc]

Dont rate Di Maria at all as a winger and think his best football came through the middle, saying that i also dont rate Ramires and think him in middle 2 is a much bigger issue then Di Maria on the wing. Also see no issue with Mbappe and Koke positioning, they are maybe not played as they are for their clubs but they have all the tools to play there and eventually they will end up there.

Two very good teams but i reckon moby has the edge as 2mufc weaknesses are through the middle where moby is very strong. Mbappe and Rooney individual quality would be way to much for Sanchez who i also dont rate that highly, very rash and open for mistakes.

Laporte on the other hand also struggled at City and is yet to truly prove himself. At least Sanchez has VVD who is probably the best defender on the pitch and has really transformed Liverpools defense. Overall i feel 2mufc has a much stronger defense

 

[2mufc0]

Dont rate Di Maria at all as a winger and think his best football came through the middle, saying that i also dont rate Ramires and think him in middle 2 is a much bigger issue then Di Maria on the wing. Also see no issue with Mbappe and Koke positioning, they are maybe not played as they are for their clubs but they have all the tools to play there and eventually they will end up there.

Two very good teams but i reckon moby has the edge as 2mufc weaknesses are through the middle where moby is very strong. Mbappe and Rooney individual quality would be way to much for Sanchez who i also dont rate that highly, very rash and open for mistakes.

And Falcao vs Ramagnoli (playing for a team that can't get into the Europa league) and Laporte who has been struggling for city won't have issues. It's far bigger gap in quality there imo.