Tactics: Counter-attacking 433
Opposition lacks creativity so we are happy enough to sit a bit deeper and defend this time. Dangers are Matthews, Villa and Gerrard.
Matthews will be man marked by a proven man marker Albert Ferrer, feisty little fecker with great engine should make Sir Stan having a difficult game. Obviously he wont be stopped but will be pushed on the outside when he does break through and the team is comfortable in defending delivery from wide against Villa and secondary threat Gerrard. Gerrard will be stopped by share numbers in midfield while Villa just wont have enough of service + both Carvalho and Silva are great and mobile athletes if he gets through.
Offensive wise, aim is to target fullbacks, reckon Djalma will play on the right so the main target would be one of Alba/Ze Roberto. Alba is fantastic overlapper and a good offensive threat but he costs Barca in big games time and time again and Kalle supported by Dani Alves will have a field day against him. Ze Roberto as a wingback is class below Alba so whichever plays, i like it.
After we win the ball the aim is to isolate wingers on 1v1 through quick direct passes of Overath, Scholes and his twin glove brother Ederson. If Kante and other go wide to cover there is more then enough quality through the middle.
any excuse to post this: