TEAM PHYSIOCRAT
Tactics – Direct/ Mixed
Formation – 433 in possession/ 442 is the organised defensive phase
Defensive Line – Balanced
Marking – Zonal
Pretty standard 433. Best has more of a free role whereas Figo will hold the width. With Junior in the inside left position and Cabrini overlapping this will ensure the best Best. In comes Lewandowski to play the complete, all-round CF who can hold it up, link well and provide aerial threat; he will love the service from Cabrini, Figo and Junior. Edwards gets to play his full B2B game with Cocu providing smooth ball playing at DM – I recently rewatched the Utd Barca game from the 98/99 season and Cicu was impressive holding the fort of a midfield three on Giovanni and Rivaldo!. Carlos Alberto can play make from deep and get forward on occasion. At CB the animal Vierchowod and the classy Chivadze.
Crazy pace from Vierchowod.
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TEAM NM
Tactics:
Defense: Godin and Vidic as CBs. Both are great stoppers, while Godin is great on the ball (Vidic is no slouch but playing alonside Rio meant he didn't have to do much). Djalma Santos and Facchetti are amongst the GOATs at the full backs. One of Keane / Robson will drop in as needed
Midfield: Change here as Keane / Robson are now the deepest players. Both have the discipline to play the role and have very dynamic players in front of them (Enrique) and an incredibly hard worker in Bernardo.. Very intelligent midfield. The 3 AMs will all float, with the caveat that Luis Enrique is more of a box to box wide player. He will stay more on the wing(he plays both on the left and right) as needed. Also looking forward to the interplay between Silva and Griezmann
Attack: Kocsis is amongst the greatest pure CFs and having Griezmann will float around like he usually does (hence he's included in both midfield and attack here) There's plenty of creativity (every player in my team can pass the ball)
Defensive phase: The full back 4 plus the 2central midfielders will fall back.. Keane / Robson / Bernardo means there will be terrific work-rate and defensive nous (Bernardo says his best position is next to Rodri
). Enrique / Griezmann / Kocsis will force some of the other team to stay back, especially Enrique's directnessOffensive Phase: the full backs will attach. Keane and Robson will be B2B and go forward as needed (one staying while the other goes), while Silva and Griezmann will find pockets. Djalma Santos and Facchetti will be responsible for crossing it in to Kocsis (one of the great headers of the ball) and any lay-offs will find willing team maters (Enrique, Griezmann, Keane/Robson).. Having a wide runner like Enrique will also stretch the opposition, making it easier for the other creative players.
