PLEASE READ BEFORE VOTING: voting should be based on player performances in Serie A/Coppa Italia from the 90/91 season to 99/00. Performances outside this timeframe or other competitions do not count.
TEAM EAP
VS
TEAM ANTOHAN
EAP TACTICS
GIOVANNI GALLI (Napoli, 1990-93) - Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Italy during his prime, Galli was an extremely consistent, composed and reliable goalkeeper, who was known in particular for his efficient rather than spectacular playing style. He was also known for his leadership and ability to organise his defence, and was quick off his line and possessed good distribution and ball skills.
Italian Supercup: 1990
GIANLUCA SIGNORINI (Genoa, 1990-95) - A large, tough, elegant, and physically strong player, Signorini is regarded as one of Italy's best and last true sweepers; his talent, technical ability, and tactical intelligence as a central defender had a strong influence on Franco Baresi's playing style. This linkillustrate on how Sacchi made a young Baresi watch and learn from Signorini's performances and follow his moves to smallest detail.
GIANLUCA PESSOTTO (Juventus, 1995-2000) - Pessotto was a correct, hard-working, tactically intelligent, and versatile utility player, who was able to play as a full-back or wing-back, or also as a central, defensive, or wide midfielder on either flank; despite being right-footed, he usually preferred to play on the left side of the pitch, where he was known for his ability to chase down opponents, win back the ball, and subsequently carry it up the flank. He was also used as a centre-back, due to his consistency, awareness, and man-marking ability.
Serie A - 1996-97, 1997-98
Coppa Italia - 1994-95
Supercoppa Italiana - 1995, 1997
MAURO TASSOTTI (Milan, 1990-97) - Regarded as one of Italy's greatest defenders, and as one of the best full-backs of his generation, he is mostly remembered for his role alongside in the legendary Milan backline of the early 1990s. Tassotti was a tenacious defensive minded full-back who was known for his strength, anticipation and defensive awareness, as well as his marking ability, positional sense and tactical intelligence. These attributes made him extremely adept at reading the game and at covering defensively for his teammates, and allowed him to excel in Milan's zonal marking system, which used a high defensive line and the offside trap.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993, 1994
GIUSEPPE PANCARO (Lazio 1997-2000) - A strong, reliable, and tenacious left-back, who was effective in the air, he was known for his stamina and work-rate, which allowed him to contribute both offensively and defensively. A versatile player, although he was usually deployed along the left flank, he was also capable of playing on the right. His discipline in training ensured that he was rarely injured throughout his career. In addition to his footballing abilities, he was also known for his consistency, correct behaviour, and leadership.
Serie A - 1999-00
Coppa Italia - 1997-98, 1999-00
Supercoppa Italiana - 1998, 2000
MASSIMO AMBROSINI (Milan 1995-00) - A physically strong, tenacious, energetic, and hardworking box-to-box, central, or defensive midfielder, with a wide range of skills, Ambrosini was well regarded for his ability in the air, and was capable of being a goal-threat, in particular from set-pieces, due to his height, elevation, ability to make attacking runs into the area, and his heading accuracy, as well as his powerful striking ability from distance. Throughout his career, he stood out for his leadership, as well as his stamina, versatility, tactical intelligence, and aggressive tackling. Although Ambrosini primarily served as a ball winner, he was also known for his ability to start attacking plays after winning back possession, courtesy of his vision and passing range.
Serie A - 1995-96, 1998-99
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
ALBERIGO EVANI (Milan 1990-93 | Sampdoria 1993-97) - Evani was a dynamic and skilful left-sided midfielder, whose speed, discipline and dependable qualities proved vital to the success of the Milan senior team during early 90s; his technique, distribution, crossing ability, and in particular his tendency to make attacking runs along the left flank enabled him to excel in this position. Due to his tactical intelligence, versatility, positional sense, stamina, and work-rate, he was also capable of playing as a full-back, a position which he frequently occupied earlier on in his career, or even as a central midfielder. Evani was also an accurate set-piece taker, and possessed a powerful shot from outside the area.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93
Coppa Italia - 1993-94
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
DEJAN STANKOVIC (Lazio 1998-2000) - An attacking midfielder who could also play out wide on the wings, or track back in a defensive midfield role. A tenacious and hard-working player, "Deki", as he is nicknamed, was best known for his efficient, accurate passing, versatility and creativity, as well as his ability to score goals from long distance;he was also effective in the air,and known for his overall influence on the pitch.
Serie A - 1999-00
Coppa Italia - 1999-00
Supercoppa Italiana - 1998, 2000
ROBERTO DONADONI (Milan 1990-96, 1997-99) - "Roberto Donadoni is the best Italian player of the 1990s " Michel Platini".Regarded as one of Italy's greatest ever wingers, Donadoni was a quick, consistent, intelligent and complete wide midfielder, who was capable of playing on either wing, through the centre, or even as an attacking midfielder. A highly talented player, he stood out for his pace, agility, and his outstanding technical ability; his acceleration, control, dribbling skills, and creativity allowed him to beat players with feints when undertaking individual runs. A hard-working, tactically versatile and energetic player, he was also known for his stamina, which allowed him to contribute defensively as well as offensively, as well as his vision and distribution, which enabled him to function as a box-to-box player. accurate crosseR and set-piece taker, he was also a powerful and accurate striker of the ball from distance with both feet.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993, 1994
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
TOMAS BROLIN (Parma 1990-95) - A dynamic, energetic, creative and technically gifted footballer, Brolin was a world-class player in his prime, who was known for his excellent dribbling skills, as well as for his passing ability and powerful shots on goal.A versatile player, apart from Striker, he can also play offensive-midfield playmaker, winger, central midfielder and as a deep-lying forward throughout his career, due to his work-rate and tactical intelligence.
Coppa Italia - 1991-92,
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993, 1994
Ballon d'Or (4th place) 1994
MARCO VAN BASTEN (Milan 1990-1995) - Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Van Basten was renowned for his attacking intelligence and clinical finishing, with a penchant for scoring acrobatic goals.His height and strength allowed him to excel in the air, and his technical ability and agility saw him execute spectacular strikes, such as volleys and bicycle kicks, throughout his career. A fast and opportunistic striker with quick reactions, he often took advantage of loose balls in the penalty area. Possessing a powerful and accurate shot, he was capable of scoring goals with both feet from inside or outside the penalty area, as well as with his head; he was also an accurate penalty kick and free-kick taker. In addition to his goalscoring ability, Van Basten possessed excellent vision and distribution, which enabled him to play in deeper, more creative positions and provide assists to his teammates. Despite his large stature, Van Basten possessed excellent technical skills and ball control, as well as good balance and a notable elegance on the ball, which inspired his nickname: "The Swan of Utrecht.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93,
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992
Serie A Golden Boot - 1991-92
Ballon d'Or (Winner) & FIFA World Player of the Year - 1992
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
Italian Football Hall of Famer
TACTICS:
A compact defensive trio with Tassotti playing a defensive role enabling Pancaro to attack the flank. They are shielded by the hardworking Ambrosini. Both Evani and Stankovic have excellent workrate and defensive contribution to make this a tough midfield to break.
Pancaro will provide width down left flank. He.s supported by Evani with his trademark runs down the flank. Donadoni will work his magic on the right. The creativity of Stankovic will support him through the middle. The versatility of both Donadoni and Deki means they can swap places and interchange confusing their markers and making them difficult to mark out.
Brolin and Van Basten make for a super efficient partnership. At the peak, both were world class strikers and they have a stellar support group behind them setting up a platform for them to shine.
TEAM ANTOHAN TACTICS
Note: please follow links for less well known players
We set up as a classic 90s Serie A 3-4-1-2.
We have acknowledged Edgar’s key strengths (namely, the front two of van Basten and Brolin, and his stronger right flank with Donadoni) by deploying Benarrivo on the left and forming a rock solid central core with Mihajlovic, Sensini and Kohler. Angelo Peruzzi is right behind them, in case anything gets through. On the other flank we have José Herrera, a consistently reliable ever-present for Cagliari, playing 144 out of 170 Serie A games between 1990-95.
Not too worried about the rest, be it his midfield or defence, so we are not going to be playing backs against the wall long ball counters (if that were the case Claudio Caniggia and Kennet Andersson would be on the pitch, an option I always have off the bench to recoil back and play out the game).
Instead we expect to control the game in midfield, with a proven partnership like Crippa-Alemão, except that here they aren’t working in tandem with Maradona but Manuel Rui Costa, who carved up defences week in week out throughout the 90s for Fiorentina.
Along with the support received down the flanks, they will service one of the most devastating strike partnerships in 90s Serie A: Aguilera-Skuhravy.
Serie A Top Scorers 1990-91
What we can easily infer from that is that, jointly scoring 30 goals, they were every bit as deadly as Matthäus-Klinsmann or Vialli-Mancini (who scored one more rigori, i.e. penalty). In doing so, they achieved Genoa’s best post-war Serie A finish: 4th, and a spot in the UEFA Cup. Remarkable.
"The Goal Twins - More than 50 goals for Genoa" (Serie A, 1990/91 & 1991/92)
TEAM EAP
VS
TEAM ANTOHAN
EAP TACTICS
GIOVANNI GALLI (Napoli, 1990-93) - Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Italy during his prime, Galli was an extremely consistent, composed and reliable goalkeeper, who was known in particular for his efficient rather than spectacular playing style. He was also known for his leadership and ability to organise his defence, and was quick off his line and possessed good distribution and ball skills.
Italian Supercup: 1990
GIANLUCA SIGNORINI (Genoa, 1990-95) - A large, tough, elegant, and physically strong player, Signorini is regarded as one of Italy's best and last true sweepers; his talent, technical ability, and tactical intelligence as a central defender had a strong influence on Franco Baresi's playing style. This linkillustrate on how Sacchi made a young Baresi watch and learn from Signorini's performances and follow his moves to smallest detail.
GIANLUCA PESSOTTO (Juventus, 1995-2000) - Pessotto was a correct, hard-working, tactically intelligent, and versatile utility player, who was able to play as a full-back or wing-back, or also as a central, defensive, or wide midfielder on either flank; despite being right-footed, he usually preferred to play on the left side of the pitch, where he was known for his ability to chase down opponents, win back the ball, and subsequently carry it up the flank. He was also used as a centre-back, due to his consistency, awareness, and man-marking ability.
Serie A - 1996-97, 1997-98
Coppa Italia - 1994-95
Supercoppa Italiana - 1995, 1997
MAURO TASSOTTI (Milan, 1990-97) - Regarded as one of Italy's greatest defenders, and as one of the best full-backs of his generation, he is mostly remembered for his role alongside in the legendary Milan backline of the early 1990s. Tassotti was a tenacious defensive minded full-back who was known for his strength, anticipation and defensive awareness, as well as his marking ability, positional sense and tactical intelligence. These attributes made him extremely adept at reading the game and at covering defensively for his teammates, and allowed him to excel in Milan's zonal marking system, which used a high defensive line and the offside trap.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993, 1994
GIUSEPPE PANCARO (Lazio 1997-2000) - A strong, reliable, and tenacious left-back, who was effective in the air, he was known for his stamina and work-rate, which allowed him to contribute both offensively and defensively. A versatile player, although he was usually deployed along the left flank, he was also capable of playing on the right. His discipline in training ensured that he was rarely injured throughout his career. In addition to his footballing abilities, he was also known for his consistency, correct behaviour, and leadership.
Serie A - 1999-00
Coppa Italia - 1997-98, 1999-00
Supercoppa Italiana - 1998, 2000
MASSIMO AMBROSINI (Milan 1995-00) - A physically strong, tenacious, energetic, and hardworking box-to-box, central, or defensive midfielder, with a wide range of skills, Ambrosini was well regarded for his ability in the air, and was capable of being a goal-threat, in particular from set-pieces, due to his height, elevation, ability to make attacking runs into the area, and his heading accuracy, as well as his powerful striking ability from distance. Throughout his career, he stood out for his leadership, as well as his stamina, versatility, tactical intelligence, and aggressive tackling. Although Ambrosini primarily served as a ball winner, he was also known for his ability to start attacking plays after winning back possession, courtesy of his vision and passing range.
Serie A - 1995-96, 1998-99
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
ALBERIGO EVANI (Milan 1990-93 | Sampdoria 1993-97) - Evani was a dynamic and skilful left-sided midfielder, whose speed, discipline and dependable qualities proved vital to the success of the Milan senior team during early 90s; his technique, distribution, crossing ability, and in particular his tendency to make attacking runs along the left flank enabled him to excel in this position. Due to his tactical intelligence, versatility, positional sense, stamina, and work-rate, he was also capable of playing as a full-back, a position which he frequently occupied earlier on in his career, or even as a central midfielder. Evani was also an accurate set-piece taker, and possessed a powerful shot from outside the area.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93
Coppa Italia - 1993-94
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
DEJAN STANKOVIC (Lazio 1998-2000) - An attacking midfielder who could also play out wide on the wings, or track back in a defensive midfield role. A tenacious and hard-working player, "Deki", as he is nicknamed, was best known for his efficient, accurate passing, versatility and creativity, as well as his ability to score goals from long distance;he was also effective in the air,and known for his overall influence on the pitch.
Serie A - 1999-00
Coppa Italia - 1999-00
Supercoppa Italiana - 1998, 2000
ROBERTO DONADONI (Milan 1990-96, 1997-99) - "Roberto Donadoni is the best Italian player of the 1990s " Michel Platini".Regarded as one of Italy's greatest ever wingers, Donadoni was a quick, consistent, intelligent and complete wide midfielder, who was capable of playing on either wing, through the centre, or even as an attacking midfielder. A highly talented player, he stood out for his pace, agility, and his outstanding technical ability; his acceleration, control, dribbling skills, and creativity allowed him to beat players with feints when undertaking individual runs. A hard-working, tactically versatile and energetic player, he was also known for his stamina, which allowed him to contribute defensively as well as offensively, as well as his vision and distribution, which enabled him to function as a box-to-box player. accurate crosseR and set-piece taker, he was also a powerful and accurate striker of the ball from distance with both feet.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993, 1994
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
TOMAS BROLIN (Parma 1990-95) - A dynamic, energetic, creative and technically gifted footballer, Brolin was a world-class player in his prime, who was known for his excellent dribbling skills, as well as for his passing ability and powerful shots on goal.A versatile player, apart from Striker, he can also play offensive-midfield playmaker, winger, central midfielder and as a deep-lying forward throughout his career, due to his work-rate and tactical intelligence.
Coppa Italia - 1991-92,
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992, 1993, 1994
Ballon d'Or (4th place) 1994
MARCO VAN BASTEN (Milan 1990-1995) - Regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, Van Basten was renowned for his attacking intelligence and clinical finishing, with a penchant for scoring acrobatic goals.His height and strength allowed him to excel in the air, and his technical ability and agility saw him execute spectacular strikes, such as volleys and bicycle kicks, throughout his career. A fast and opportunistic striker with quick reactions, he often took advantage of loose balls in the penalty area. Possessing a powerful and accurate shot, he was capable of scoring goals with both feet from inside or outside the penalty area, as well as with his head; he was also an accurate penalty kick and free-kick taker. In addition to his goalscoring ability, Van Basten possessed excellent vision and distribution, which enabled him to play in deeper, more creative positions and provide assists to his teammates. Despite his large stature, Van Basten possessed excellent technical skills and ball control, as well as good balance and a notable elegance on the ball, which inspired his nickname: "The Swan of Utrecht.
Serie A - 1991-92, 1992-93,
Supercoppa Italiana - 1992
Serie A Golden Boot - 1991-92
Ballon d'Or (Winner) & FIFA World Player of the Year - 1992
A.C Milan Hall of Famer
Italian Football Hall of Famer
TACTICS:
A compact defensive trio with Tassotti playing a defensive role enabling Pancaro to attack the flank. They are shielded by the hardworking Ambrosini. Both Evani and Stankovic have excellent workrate and defensive contribution to make this a tough midfield to break.
Pancaro will provide width down left flank. He.s supported by Evani with his trademark runs down the flank. Donadoni will work his magic on the right. The creativity of Stankovic will support him through the middle. The versatility of both Donadoni and Deki means they can swap places and interchange confusing their markers and making them difficult to mark out.
Brolin and Van Basten make for a super efficient partnership. At the peak, both were world class strikers and they have a stellar support group behind them setting up a platform for them to shine.
TEAM ANTOHAN TACTICS
Note: please follow links for less well known players
We set up as a classic 90s Serie A 3-4-1-2.
We have acknowledged Edgar’s key strengths (namely, the front two of van Basten and Brolin, and his stronger right flank with Donadoni) by deploying Benarrivo on the left and forming a rock solid central core with Mihajlovic, Sensini and Kohler. Angelo Peruzzi is right behind them, in case anything gets through. On the other flank we have José Herrera, a consistently reliable ever-present for Cagliari, playing 144 out of 170 Serie A games between 1990-95.
Not too worried about the rest, be it his midfield or defence, so we are not going to be playing backs against the wall long ball counters (if that were the case Claudio Caniggia and Kennet Andersson would be on the pitch, an option I always have off the bench to recoil back and play out the game).
Instead we expect to control the game in midfield, with a proven partnership like Crippa-Alemão, except that here they aren’t working in tandem with Maradona but Manuel Rui Costa, who carved up defences week in week out throughout the 90s for Fiorentina.
Along with the support received down the flanks, they will service one of the most devastating strike partnerships in 90s Serie A: Aguilera-Skuhravy.
Serie A Top Scorers 1990-91
What we can easily infer from that is that, jointly scoring 30 goals, they were every bit as deadly as Matthäus-Klinsmann or Vialli-Mancini (who scored one more rigori, i.e. penalty). In doing so, they achieved Genoa’s best post-war Serie A finish: 4th, and a spot in the UEFA Cup. Remarkable.
"The Goal Twins - More than 50 goals for Genoa" (Serie A, 1990/91 & 1991/92)
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I disagree, your defence is all over the shop.