This was Riquelme's best set up in 2006 world cup. 3 hard working ball winners providing the base, so he can concentrate to work his magic. Not this midfield who already have their hands full facing Zidane. I'm surprised you didn't even mention the impact of Zidane in your comments. Do you think he'll be kept quite? We may not have the flair of blanchflower, but Simeone-Cambiasso is arguable the better defensive duo to shield the backline.
MJJ's midfield has more flair and is less solid defensively,esp when they need to carry Riquelme. I would definitely disagree that Riquelme has a solid base in the game.
Vierchowod is getting way overrated here. Solid CB and good partnership overall, but Eusebio and MvB are both better CFs here and can be expected to come on top.
Montero is a solid players and in this back 3 set up I expect him to be able to handle Hamrin. Same with Azpi on other side.
is that the only reply you have? They are both CFs, whoever is closer gets covered.
But if Van Basten had rather attack Scirea because he is afraid of Vierchowod that works for me too.
You are changing the argument now.
Like I said if vierchowod is overrated in your opinion, why was he described by maradona,zico,van basten as their toughest opponent and why did van basten only scored against him once?
Suicide is having your defense against my attack.
while in the other thread G Neville is getting slaughtered even though he achieved 10x more than him. Strange world we live in.Riquleme = Zidane. Vierchowod = Matthaus
Vierchowod credentials getting questioned while Azpilicueta with no international or European credentials getting a pass
Agree mate. In Vidic case he had a few bad games against Torres but the majority of the time he kept him quiet. It's lazy criticism, he was a great defender.
Vierchowod credentials getting questioned while Azpilicueta with no international or European credentials getting a pass
Fair enough, although in a low scoring game the side with the better defense normally wins
He does have the better attack but I think the gap between our attacks is lower than the gap between both defenses. On the subject of more bodies, he has five players against three attackers whereas I have four players against his two so its kind of even.
Fair points. On the other hand, I don't think the gap between the defences is that big (although Jarni is certainly a bit of a week link imo), but Montero, Azpi and Shesternyov are pretty solid base while also having the likes of Cambiasso and Simeone in front of them. I just rate his attack to score more likely in such a close game and that part prevailed.
Will reevaluate it a bit tomorrow as tbh, I missed some of the debate on this last page and it's getting a bit late now.
Cheers, some food for thought
It is but Vierchowod(has kept van basten/maradona quiet) is a far better defender than montero, scirea vs azpi is also a no contest.
Cambiasso and Simeone will have their hands full with blanchflower and seedorf so not sure how much they will be helping out.
Also worth noting that van basten only scored once(deflected shot) against vierchowod in four years despite playing for a better side.
It's not MvB vs Vierchowod here. Eusebio is a class forward on his own and they have Zidane behind him. Absolutely unstoppable and in a close game, if you want some magic, you know whom to turn.
I am not denying that.. Zidane behind Eusebio and Van Basten is why I voted you guys.. But Van Basten’s poor record against Vierchowood must be weighed in
I have psoted what Gullit the goal scorer said above about vierchowod and van basten.Sampodria parked the bus, man marked MvB to get that result. Is that happening here? MJJ can't afford to do that here without starving his own forwards.. Misleading Stat ignoring context.
