.................................................................... TEAM GIO ........................................................................................................................... TEAM SIRSCHOLES .........................................................
TEAM GIO
THE APPROACH:
Like all the best 4-3-3s, the team is built around its midfield. Fernando Redondo, Roy Keane and Paulo Roberto Falcao come together to form a cohesive and complementary unit. They should take the pressure off the defence where we have a balanced pair of top-tier full-backs in Antonio Cabrini and Berti Vogts - either side of Atletico and Uruguay lynchpin Diego Godin and the athletic Marius Tresor. We stretch the attack with two wingers to create space for the all-round forward Eusebio. He has the space to drop off the back line to pick up the ball and go direct. Rensenbrink will be expected to both provide width and come inside to both bounce one-two's off Eusebio and head for goal (averaging 2 goals in every 3 games in his most productive years).
KEY TALKING POINTS:
- SirScholes has a couple of incredible midfielders, however I fancy our trio to command a fair chunk of the game through their cohesion and balance.
- A defensive unit that is fairly well suited to mitigating a strong SirScholes' attack - Cabrini will make a decent fist of it against Garrincha and is supported by Keane just ahead of him, Godin (and Premier League schooled Cech) will relish the duel with Shearer, while Vogts is as good a match for Stoichkov as you could hope for.
- An attack that should cause issues - the wizardry of Matthews against Evra, the one-man wrecking ball Eusebio up against Kompany and Santamaria, and the effervescent Rensenbrink asking questions of Pinto.
TEAM SIRSCHOLES
4-3-3 formation
Defence:
A very mobile defence, mad pat, Kompany and pinto were all especially gifted athletes.
Kompany is partnered with a man they nicknamed "The Wall", Santamaria.
Aside from the obvious qualities, one stand quality is the leadership they all possess. Pinto who is regarded as Portugal's greatest right-back was known as "Capitão", Santamaria was the leader of a very successful real Madrid backline, kompany and evra we know.
Evra and Pinto will be allowed to venture forward and overlap the wingers, swinging in crosses for Shearer/Gullit
I picked fullbacks with a trademark of being able to get up and down the pitch, when Bobby Robson was asked about pinto he said "He has two hearts and four legs. It's extremely difficult to find a player like him"
Midfield:
The trio needs little intro, De Rossi Matthaus and Gullit. De Rossi will have a more disciplined role, tasked with being the ball out if needed and cutting off counterattacks.
Matthaus is my midfield general, he has a box to box role, he and De Rossi will be a very mean midfield to get through. Matthaus will look to link up with Gulliet who has a free role in the team.
Attack:
The front three of Stoichkov Shearer and Garrincha brings a lot of trouble for any defence, there are many routes to goal. Shearer has a great presence in and around the penalty area, he can hold the ball to allow runners off and will be a huge aerial threat. Stoichkov whilst starting left will be tasked with running in behind, creating room for evra. Garrincha will hold wide right, running at his marker drawing out extra defenders as he evades tackles.
Main pros: This team is blessed with leadership, its alright plucking superstars but can they play together, I think the characters of this team would blend well
The midfield is fearsome and extremely physical, whilst De Rossi is tasked with a more defensive role than the others, Matthaus and Gullit were also very capable ball winners.
Many routes to goal, there are a lot of skilled players all capable of special moments but its a team that can win dirty. Shearer is a great back to goal player who can flick onto Stoichkov or Garrincha.
Its a team that can play whether the ball is on the ground or in the air.
