No Flair Draft Finals - Enigma vs Physio

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

VS

.................................... TEAM ENIGMA ....................................................................................................... TEAM PHSYIO ...................................................


TEAM ENIGMA

Formation: 4-3-3, similar to Bayern around Robbery and Lewa. Exploit the flanks, press the opposition and control the proceedings in the middle of the park.

Defence:
Two great full backs in Cole and Zanetti, with the latter being the more attacking one in this game. Cole will be in his balanced role, providing support in attack. Dias and Cannavaro are at the heart of defence. Dias will be key in his distribution from the back, Cannavaro as a stopper and foil alongside him. Moderate to high defensive line.

Midfield:
The two midfield maestros - Gundogan and Bernardo Silva remain in the team with their box to box role. Voronin who is probably the best holding midfield left in the pool shielding the back four and also providing an additional defensive option and solidity at the back. Similarly like Souness he has the tactical and defensive nous to keep the line whilst Gundo and Silva will act as two dynamic 8's like the same way they spent several years at City proving to be one of the best midfield units in Europe.

Attack:
The focal point of the team - one of the finest wingers the game ever seen, which also enjoyed great success playing together - Robben and Ribery. As a complete central forward we have Marco van Basten who would feed off the creativity behind him but also be what would be expected from modern #9.

Focal points:
- Robbery and Van Basten. A trio that had it all and would be very difficult to stop. A creative unit in the middle of the park will make sure to give them a lot of opportunities to capitalize in the final third.
- Defensive line consisting of two of the most balanced full backs that are solid at the back and can keep things tight. In the Dias/Cannavaro is also IMO a very complimentary pair and as good as it gets given the theme of the draft
- midfield line that can control the pace and tempo of the game, but also each one of them can contribute in the defensive phase and harass the opposition and force them into losing possession. The midfield unit is now complete with the addition of Bernardo Silva.
Bernardo and Gundogan is a proven pair having one of the best DM in the draft to shield the back four who also has the tactical and technical ability to keep the midfield ticking.



Tactics:
- Building from the back. We have a midfield that is comfortable on the ball with of course the help of our midfield line dropping back like Silva/Voronin/Gundogan do to offer passing lanes.
- Aggressive press. We aim to win possession back quickly. The aim is to keep the opposition passing lanes short so we are closer to the ball and win it back quickly. Our team is full of athletic players that can keep up with a high tempo and limit the opposition time on the ball.
- win the ball and stretch the opposition on counter. When we have three excellent passers in the middle it's easy to use the flanks and stretch the opposition flank especially when on counter or when the opposition loses the ball. Our aim is to both use the flanks to create superiority out wide when our winger beats the full back but also use van Basten prowess in the box.


Little stuff on Gundogan:



The new addition and some stats coming from the 17/18 season where they were pre their peak at City:
Silva and Gundogan show depth of class at City

----------------------------------------

TEAM PHYSIO

Tactics – Direct/ Mixed
Formation – 433 in possession/ 442 is the organised defensive phase
Defensive Line – Balanced
Marking – Zonal

In comes Berti Vogts. I can’t think of a better right-back to deal with Robben. He had such a low centre of gravity and was highly agile. Carlos Alberto takes his later career role at CB – IMO he could have always played CB but his creativity was better served at RB back in the 70s. Also Edwards on Robben ‘s side will create a triangle of death. Note, the game plan is not to just stop Robben but merely highlighting we can minimise his threat.

On my threat Lewandowski has scored three goals and has one assist in three games against Ruben Dias. Three goals were in two games in the CL when Dias was at Benfica. The assist comes from a Poland Portugal game. Now to be fair these games were all in 2018 against a young Dias but is one season before true peak Lewandowski (2019-2022 – last 3 years at Bayern)

Back on stopping Enigma, Vierchowod was described by van Basten as his toughest opponent. Over 11 games over 5 years, van Basten scored only two goals against Vierchowod. Now MVB did have 5 assists in those games but given the quality of the rest of my defence and midfield he won’t have that many chances to assist. Also that Milan side was built around MVB’s scoring ability. This is easily seen with Gullit scoring way more goals at Sampdoria than he did at Milan.

Crazy pace from Vierchowod.



My last main point is that Best has an exceptional platform to be at his best here being fed by Figo and Junior with the silky link up play by Lewandowski.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@Enigma_87 @Physiocrat All the best!

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

What are Carlos Alberto credentials as a CB, Physio?

 

[Enigma_87]

To add some info on the newest addition and finally being able to complete my midfield for the draft:

Silva and Gundogan show depth of class at City

Manchester City have won many plaudits this season but, with Pep Guardiola's team on the verge of the Premier League title, two players perhaps have not got the credit they deserve.

Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have primarily been used as back-ups by Guardiola, but have still featured in 29 and 23 Premier League matches respectively.

They have both made important contributions.

Silva strengths
Silva has slotted seamlessly into Guardiola’s system.

Competing with Raheem Sterling on the right of the attack, the 23-year-old has delivered wonderful moments with his left foot.

His curling goal at Arsenal was a highlight, and he has also scored against Chelsea, Liverpool and Stoke City.

The Portugal international has created four goals, too. Only Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Leroy Sane can beat his minutes-per-assist rate.

Silva for Man City in 2017/18

	Total	MCI rank
Ave speed	7.5 km/h	1
Distance covered per 90	12.5 km	2
Mins per assist	289	4
Chances created per 90	1.8	7
Shots on target per 90	0.8	6
Tackles won per 90	1.2	6

Silva’s busy playing style is perhaps the best of his strengths.

He is always on the move, eager to create space for himself and others. The winger made the most sprints of any City player in his last two starts against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Great Gundogan
Gundogan has showcased his value to the team.

The German can offer Guardiola versatility, shining as a box-to-box midfielder or as a deep-lying playmaker.

Gundogan for Man City in 2017/18

	Total	MCI rank
Ave speed	7.4	2
Distance covered/90	12.2	3
Ball recoveries/90	6.7	3
Passes/90	85.0	6
Passes in opp. half/90	54.6	6
Chances created/90	1.5	8
Pass accuracy	91.5%	7

Gundogan is hardworking, but his distribution that stands out.

His pass accuracy of 91.5 per cent makes him the best midfield passer on City's books.

The discipline of his performance when deputising for the injured Fernandinho at home to Chelsea last month was incredible.

Gundogan remained exclusively inside the middle third and ran the show with a remarkable 181 touches.

That was a match-high figure and 74 ahead of the combined total of Chelsea’s midfield pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Danny Drinkwater.

It was a special performance in which Gundogan completed 167 passes, a PL record, with an accuracy of 96 per cent.

If Guardiola decides to start Silva or Gundogan in Saturday’s derby against Manchester United, it is hard to say he will be weakening City side at all.

These two brilliant footballers would walk into almost every other side in the division.

 

[Enigma_87]

Thanks for setting it up @Edgar Allan Pillow !

Good luck @Physiocrat !

Have to say I didn't expect Carlos Alberto at CB. I'm not sure how he would comply here with the threat MvB would pose not playing at his natural RB role. Any info on that?

To reiterate, maybe having him there with a DM dropping back to CB type would explain it but Cocu isn't that type of DM as versatile he is.

Otherwise mighty fine team, especially the attack. I'm not particularly fond of the midfield though to be honest as I'd prefer someone more of a playmaker there or attacking midfield that can be the glue with the attacking unit. I think at the end of the day in terms of instructions our midfields are similar (two box to box players in advanced roles backed up by a holder) but in Gundogan and Silva case the are known for surging in the box and providing also that ability on the ball and in midfield to control the game and find passing alleys to unleash the forwards, whilst I do think Junior/Edwards midfield lacks a bit of creativity as Junior played at Flamengo mostly as LB as their midfield was stacked and when he moved to Italy that Torino side was really a counter attacking team that I wouldn't say was brilliant in terms of creativity and particularly Juniors role there (although I have watched only few games and highlights of that time of him there).

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

In comes Berti Vogts. I can’t think of a better right-back to deal with Robben

Dude

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

Carlos Alberto takes his later career role at CB – IMO he could have always played CB but his creativity was better served at RB back in the 70s.

Also Edwards on Robben ‘s side will create a triangle of death

I mean...

 

[Gio]

Lovely blend in Enigma's team. All joins together neatly and with strong full-backs to mitigate some of Physio's wing threat.

 

[Physiocrat]

I have made a massive tactical balls up. My mistake as I did the write up quickly.

Shifting to 541. I know I have complained about 5 at the back but a 541 works as the wingers track back properly making it defensively solid.

Can someone put up a new formation pic for me?

......................Lewa...........
Best...Edwards.....Cocu....Figo
Cabrini..Vogts..Vierchowod..C.Alberto..Junior

Now it's time to sit back and hit Enigma on the break. C Alberto and Cocu's passing will help a lot in transition.

Vogts played LB in a Der Pokal final once (and probably more often, there was a video I think of him playing LB if I get chance to find it) and he would be very well placed here to be pretty aggressive at stopping Robben cutting inside. Also with Edwards on that side as well as Cabrini, Robben will have a tough time. Junior played RB early in his career, and has a lot of freedom to interpret the RWB role as Figo can play a more orthodox RW role; Figo can of course cut in and play as a quasi 10.

@Edgar Allan Pillow

@Enigma_87

 

[Physiocrat]

Dude

Yup. Massive error during write up, which I did at half-time. I do not know what I was thinking. Hence the major tactical change.

 

[Physiocrat]

@Gio
@Synco
@Michaelf7777777
@2mufc0
@Jim Beam
@harms

You may consider, or not, changing your vote in light of my major tactical shift.

 

[Physiocrat]

@Himannv @prolifik

 

[Physiocrat]

Can someone put up a new formation pic for me? I'm out all day.

......................Lewa...........
Best...Edwards.....Cocu....Figo
Cabrini..Vogts..Vierchowod..C.Alberto..Junior

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

New Formation by @Physiocrat

 

[Himannv]

That formation looks better @Physiocrat but I’m voting for Enigma because this is one of the very few teams he’s drafted that I like. This is lovely in terms of being an actual team with nice little partnerships and pairings all over compared to his usual individual superstars approach.

I realize I’m being critical to @Enigma_87 as well here, but I genuinely think he’s a great drafter who makes obvious choices rather than picking the lesser players for better cohesion. This team is an exception to that rule and I like the ideas behind it. Just look at the little tactical additions to his usual writeup - love it!

 

[Enigma_87]

Lovely blend in Enigma's team. All joins together neatly and with strong full-backs to mitigate some of Physio's wing threat.

Cheers, Gio!

That formation looks better @Physiocrat but I’m voting for Enigma because this is one of the very few teams he’s drafted that I like. This is lovely in terms of being an actual team with nice little partnerships and pairings all over compared to his usual individual superstars approach.

I realize I’m being critical to @Enigma_87 as well here, but I genuinely think he’s a great drafter who makes obvious choices rather than picking the lesser players for better cohesion. This team is an exception to that rule and I like the ideas behind it. Just look at the little tactical additions to his usual writeup - love it!

Yeah I know what you mean and it has been really fun draft in blending some oldies like Yashin and Voronin with what is mostly a modern team but on the same wavelength. Have to say probably due to restrictions I've incrementally had to upgrade the midfield, keeper etc to the point I'm really happy with it, although I loved Thiago there as well.

 

[Enigma_87]

I have made a massive tactical balls up. My mistake as I did the write up quickly.

Shifting to 541. I know I have complained about 5 at the back but a 541 works as the wingers track back properly making it defensively solid.

Can someone put up a new formation pic for me?

......................Lewa...........
Best...Edwards.....Cocu....Figo
Cabrini..Vogts..Vierchowod..C.Alberto..Junior

Now it's time to sit back and hit Enigma on the break. C Alberto and Cocu's passing will help a lot in transition.

Vogts played LB in a Der Pokal final once (and probably more often, there was a video I think of him playing LB if I get chance to find it) and he would be very well placed here to be pretty aggressive at stopping Robben cutting inside. Also with Edwards on that side as well as Cabrini, Robben will have a tough time. Junior played RB early in his career, and has a lot of freedom to interpret the RWB role as Figo can play a more orthodox RW role; Figo can of course cut in and play as a quasi 10.

@Edgar Allan Pillow

@Enigma_87

To be honest I liked the initial formation better. Going back five with Lewa up top is really not optimal for him and watching him isolated won't really suit his game. I've seen a lot of games playing for a counter attacking Poland side where he was really crap without the service and couldn't really get into the game.

That works in our favor as having him away from goal. He's not one of the fastest or explosive strikers and he needs service and to be around the box to be at his best. On top of that a spine of Edwards/Vogts/Vierchowod/Carlos Alberto/Cocu is really devoid of the creative spark (compared to the opposition) especially considering they have to operate against higher press they are used to and would be forced into mistake, whilst players like Gundo, Silva, Ribery, Robben will block the passing lanes in their own half.

Vogts also has been predominantly right sided full back and being great defensively doesn't transition to be a great left back of a left sided CB, especially against Robben.

Robben is different player to Cruyff, he's very explosive, and fast on the deck. If Vogts tries to chase him around there is a good possibility he gets beaten more often than not when Silva/Gundo pass into space. Robben would also cut into Vogts weaker foot from that side which makes it harder to defend for him.

I'm not particularly fond of having the defence all over the place and having pretty much everyone in that back five with the exception of Cabrini playing outside their best position - Vierchowod I'd play him as RCB or LCB. I usually associate the ball playing defender in the middle there and that's one thing he's not. Junior I can't say I've ever seen him on the right and he's again up against one of the most explosive wingers in the game in Ribery. Then Carlos Alberto and Vogts playing as side CB's would also require another set of qualities and experience to cover the role.

You can probably make a case for Carlos Alberto, but having 5ft6 Vogts as a LCB though I really can't buy or agree with.

Personally I'd probably just upgraded Chivadze and kept Carlos Alberto in his natural RB role along with the others of the defensive unit and still play on counter.

 

[Physiocrat]

New Formation by @Physiocrat

Thanks EAP

To be honest I liked the initial formation better. Going back five with Lewa up top is really not optimal for him and watching him isolated won't really suit his game. I've seen a lot of games playing for a counter attacking Poland side where he was really crap without the service and couldn't really get into the game.

That works in our favor as having him away from goal. He's not one of the fastest or explosive strikers and he needs service and to be around the box to be at his best. On top of that a spine of Edwards/Vogts/Vierchowod/Carlos Alberto/Cocu is really devoid of the creative spark (compared to the opposition) especially considering they have to operate against higher press they are used to and would be forced into mistake, whilst players like Gundo, Silva, Ribery, Robben will block the passing lanes in their own half.

Vogts also has been predominantly right sided full back and being great defensively doesn't transition to be a great left back of a left sided CB, especially against Robben.

Robben is different player to Cruyff, he's very explosive, and fast on the deck. If Vogts tries to chase him around there is a good possibility he gets beaten more often than not when Silva/Gundo pass into space. Robben would also cut into Vogts weaker foot from that side which makes it harder to defend for him.

I'm not particularly fond of having the defence all over the place and having pretty much everyone in that back five with the exception of Cabrini playing outside their best position - Vierchowod I'd play him as RCB or LCB. I usually associate the ball playing defender in the middle there and that's one thing he's not. Junior I can't say I've ever seen him on the right and he's again up against one of the most explosive wingers in the game in Ribery. Then Carlos Alberto and Vogts playing as side CB's would also require another set of qualities and experience to cover the role.

You can probably make a case for Carlos Alberto, but having 5ft6 Vogts as a LCB though I really can't buy or agree with.

Personally I'd probably just upgraded Chivadze and kept Carlos Alberto in his natural RB role along with the others of the defensive unit and still play on counter.

With the restrictions of reinforcements there wasn't much I could do. I wanted Bernado but you got him. I couldn't get a decent ball playing upgrade to Chivadze, just stoppers.

If I had my head screwed on properly I would have gone 442 with Vogts at LB with Vierchowod and Chivadze at CB and Carlos Alberto RB.

Then had Junior at LW with Best as second-striker and played on the counter.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

If I had my head screwed on properly I would have gone 442 with Vogts at LB with Vierchowod and Chivadze at CB and Carlos Alberto RB.

What you started with is the best version of your team. And to be fair, its actually a pretty good team, Alberto included.

The proposed 4-4-2 would have lost equally badly and is definitely not as good as the 4-3-3. Best/Lewa/Figo, come on now, why would anyone want to change that

 

[Physiocrat]

What you started with is the best version of your team. And to be fair, its actually a pretty good team, Alberto included.

The proposed 4-4-2 would have lost equally badly and is definitely not as good as the 4-3-3. Best/Lewa/Figo, come on now, why would anyone want to change that

It would really have kept the front 3 it's just it would have been a more defensive counter attacking style. I do agree though I would have lost either way.

As an aside here, I think Robben's influence seems to be way overrated and Best's underrated.

 

[Synco]

You may consider, or not, changing your vote in light of my major tactical shift.

Same as Himann, I would have voted for Enigma either way. I liked your initial team a lot (and why not Cabrini on Robben & Vogts on Rib?), so that's not the issue. Enigma's team is just too good overall, and I especially like the way the three contemporary guys (all three City players, coincidence or not) are blended in with the more conventional draft picks. Erases that imaginary line between active and older players, which is great.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Congrats @Enigma_87 !

You let this slip through your hands @Physiocrat

 

[Enigma_87]

Thanks all, it was a great draft and challenging reinforcements wise.

Commiserations @Physiocrat , great effort all throughout and I can understand the wish to shuffle it all at the end!

 

[Physiocrat]

Same as Himann, I would have voted for Enigma either way. I liked your initial team a lot (and why not Cabrini on Robben & Vogts on Rib?), so that's not the issue. Enigma's team is just too good overall, and I especially like the way the three contemporary guys (all three City players, coincidence or not) are blended in with the more conventional draft picks. Erases that imaginary line between active and older players, which is great.

Thanks for the feedback.

Enigma has a great side and is a worthy winner @Enigma_87

It just seemed to me during the previous games that Robben is rated so highly that I needed a way to stop him.

 

[Enigma_87]

Thanks for the feedback.

Enigma has a great side and is a worthy winner @Enigma_87

It just seemed to me during the previous games that Robben is rated so highly that I needed a way to stop him.

Thanks mate.

On Robben - I think it was rather the sum of parts - Robbery pairing + having Marco up top, rather than Robben individually himself.

Robben on his own is one of the finest wingers but it's to me the creativity from midfield and the trio did the damage as the initial midfield setup was not liked and really Robben didn't have that much weight voting wise. Only after the midfield rehaul the setup clicked.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

Your best argument was Robbery in a Guardiola team (who Enigma's team is drawing inspiration from) never came anywhere close to reaching a UCL final let alone winning one. Would have won my vote.

 

[harms]

Vogts also has been predominantly right sided full back and being great defensively doesn't transition to be a great left back of a left sided CB, especially against Robben.

Robben is different player to Cruyff, he's very explosive, and fast on the deck. If Vogts tries to chase him around there is a good possibility he gets beaten more often than not when Silva/Gundo pass into space. Robben would also cut into Vogts weaker foot from that side which makes it harder to defend for him.

Vogts played enough games on the left for it not to be an issue.

And as for the Robben cutting in making it harder to defend because Vogt’s is right-footed… I’m pretty sure it’s the other way round. Left-footed left backs have it easier against conventional wingers who try to beat them on the outside and right-footed left backs actually have the advantage against those who cut inside.

Not that it would make a difference, I was not a huge fan of Physio’s original set up and the new version was a significant downgrade from that.

 

[Enigma_87]

Vogts played enough games on the left for it not to be an issue.

And as for the Robben cutting in making it harder to defend because Vogt’s is right-footed… I’m pretty sure it’s the other way round. Left-footed left backs have it easier against conventional wingers who try to beat them on the outside and right-footed left backs actually have the advantage against those who cut inside.

Not that it would make a difference, I was not a huge fan of Physio’s original set up and the new version was a significant downgrade from that.

I understood Vogts will play as LCB rather than left back who is Cabrini. So he will occupy a space that is in the middle between the flank and the center. So there is a pocket of space for Robben to go to his weaker foot that is not the touchline which would be the case when Vogts plays as LB.

I didn't challenge Vogts playing as pure LB in a flat back 4, rather than playing as LCB in a back 5 which IMO requires another set of qualities.

Your best argument was Robbery in a Guardiola team (who Enigma's team is drawing inspiration from) never came anywhere close to reaching a UCL final let alone winning one. Would have won my vote.

Actually it was closer to Flick's Bayern as the focal point was Robbery initially. It shared some traits of Pep's philosophy later on with each upgrade but it's a mixture of both and not pure Pep 4-3-3.

https://www.360player.com/blog/the-tactics-that-won-bayern-munich-the-champions-league

It shares the high press, and players that are resistant to opposition press, also by exerting control and dominating possession but a tad more direct and quicker in transition compared to the more slower and patient Pep build up.