Probably. He was quite good for his size, but I wouldn’t bet on him against Schulz and Rosato.
Stars and Reserves Draft R1: GodShaveTheQueen vs Gio - Finished 9 : 11
- Thread starter Enigma_87
- Start date
I am not calling him an all time GOAT header of course, but then calling Dzajic's crossing not getting utilized or getting wasted is pushing it to dismissing his heading ability. For example, he scored one in the WC semifinal in 1954 against Uruguay.
Not every team with wingers needs to have a Kocsis level header of the ball.
Last hour, so tagging the other managers in the draft who might want to checkout and vote
@Physiocrat @Himannv @Skizzo @Ecstatic @cubemine
@Physiocrat @Himannv @Skizzo @Ecstatic @cubemine
Unlucky @GodShaveTheQueen - a hell of a tough draw given the quality of the XI you drafted.
@GodShaveTheQueen with Fellaini sub late on 
I was really busy this morning so didn't get chance to look at the thread properly. Still not sure who I'd go with. I'd probably call a draw. With respect to formation graphic I think for more unusual systems providing multiple images showing the team in various stages of play could help. I did that in the offensive phase in my last game. Not sure how well it went down as no-one commented on them but I felt it was a very clear way of showing how I intended to play. Putting one in the defensive phase could have helped communicate your setup better.
I think you're underrating Rivera's impact here. Here are his numbers from CWC final in 1968.
13 interceptions (a lot of attacks were started by long balls, which are easy to intercept, so the number is a little boosted)
Tackles (attempted/succeeded) 9/5
2 Blocks
He even tracked helped out his right back a few times by tracking the runners from midfield.
He is no Litmanen — or even Suarez for that matter (easier to compare since the eras overlap), but he wasn't a passenger and he definitely was involved in the midfield battle.
Watched the highlights there was a lot of instances where he loses a 50:50 challenge or the ball and gently hops back. Most of the interceptions are when the ball hit his zone(where he was positioned) and Hamburger were playing a lot of stray passes and generally there was a lot of misplaced passes from both sides.
There are some more videos knocking about:
and how many times he loses the ball and doesn't really put a shift in.
Depends on what you are really expecting, but it's natural to try to tackle in your zone or try to cover someone into a 5-10 yards of space, and not really much different to an attacker who would track back and help the midfield which was my point during the game.
The opposition also counts and against a more dynamic midfield he won't have the same stats unless his team gains control of the game and the opposition rely on long balls like Hamburger one.
From all videos I don't see him covering a bit perimeter off the ball, whilst leaving holes in midfield when he forays forward and attacks the box. He didn't have the stamina to constantly help the midfield, nor the physicality to win challenges and get the ball back.
Riquelme was also attacking the ball when it was in the zone or there was a long pass towards him and only occasionally made a run to help the midfield. Rivera is better in that sense but in all time sense and considering the shift the rest of the midfielders are likely to put in or players like Hidegkuti and Sivori he's still a passenger in a game like this to me.
Great efforts.
Always more challenging to defend an unorthodox starting 11 with 2 false 9 in a certain sense. A refreshing strategy which is appreciated.
Ok, you don't have a pure striker but if I look at the stats of your front 4, the goal per game ratio should be impressive.
I didn't overthink this time but was expecting more discussions/infos/stories about other player from both sides.