Pat_Mustard
I'm so gorgeous they want to put me under arrest!
He could bring the game to a standstill. Incredibly boring, and effective.
Yep, he's about as boring a world class player as I can think of.
He could bring the game to a standstill. Incredibly boring, and effective.
Yes, like most of us here. His stint with us wasn't great but we all know his real level (and he showed it at times even for United)
Its interesting how much tactics influence me at least. @DavidG that 442 and I personally think you'd definitely win this match in real life at least. The zona mista was displayed a bit odd but could have been okay at least if you made the formation different. But that 433 just doesn't work for me.
Lucio and Carvalho for me is a top class modern day center back pairing which is CL win worthy and both are highly respected by me.. Always rated Ricky highly and Lucio for me is a big beast who when in the mood is a colossus .. Sort of guy who can match Ronaldo for physicality.
I don't know anything about Bennarivo so would appreciate some more info there.
The tactics of my zona Mista were clear.
Always 3 at the back, with Evra more than capable of working the left flank ala Facchetti. Ivanovic, comfortable anywhere in defence, able to step out and deal with the threat of nedved should he be closer to the touchline, and Salihamidzic undoutedbly offering the workmanlike approach to the right side.
Albelda is basically a Spanish Makelele ( obviously not as good) and conte was a true box to box player. Mostovoi offers all round midfield play and technical excellence and the duo up top, as recognized, wouldn't look out of place in an all time final.
So tactically, it worked, and all the players were more than capable of fulfilling their role. There was never a hope of me being overrun due to the solid 3 at the back and Albelda sitting, and as classy as jogas midfield is it really isn't the most pacey or the quickest in transition.
I touched upon it in my OP that the game would in all likelihood be decided by a moment of brilliance which having Ronaldo and bergkamp, was more likely to come from me ( IMO )
I've probably been undone by having a few unknowns in there but tactically, it worked and the players would have done what was being asked of them to a very high standard.
I know you're not arsed about winning the game but the big problem with it, purely in terms of vote-winning, is that it took all the focus away from that dream Bergkamp/Ronaldo pairing while people tried to wrap their heads around the defensive tactics and assess Escobar.
Yup, the second video is from my channel.Think that's @mazhar13 youtube channel?
If Benarrivo were playing today there would be countless muppet threads banging on about him. Everything you could want in a fullback, he had it.
I'd exchange Möller and Bergkamp and it's an interesting set up although perhaps a tad bit of an creative overload.
Interesting that you went with Lucio ahead of Carvalho? Any particular reasons or do you rate the Brazilian higher? Interested in hearing others thoughts on this too.
Playing on the obvious would just be , well, obvious. I wanted to try it and make a case for it and had a bunch of answers ready for people questioning certain elements of it, but alas it's not as easy on the eye as a diamond and requires a bit more thought so it's not helped me.
Aye, its alot more fun trying something different, unless no fecker likes it when the match thread goes up . I don't even know the score as I hadn't decided how to vote before the changes.
Looking at your squad, I wonder if a narrow 4-4-2, matching Joga's formation I guess, might have worked well. Conte/Albelda/Veron/Salihamidzic across the middle. Plenty of work-rate there, and Veron's range of passing, and Salihamidzic and Evra's ability in transitions could help bring Bergkamp/Ronaldo into play nicely.
I rate lucio pretty highly, huge reason why that Leverkusen side was so successful. When lucio has a good game, he was the best player on the park, whereas carvalhos best would never qualify him for being anything other than the best defender on the park, if that makes sense. I've hoped and prayed that Chris smalling could turn into a lucio style defender but it seems less and less likely every year
Fair enough I get where you are coming from.
If Benarrivo were playing today there would be countless muppet threads banging on about him. Everything you could want in a fullback, he had it.
Yup, the second video is from my channel.
And @Raees, what I love about Benarrivo is that he was truly an all-rounded full back. He was well-disciplined and intelligent, but he was also very good going forward with good control and a nice cross as well. His ambidextrous ability makes him real tough to deal with as he can get out of pressure and even be an inside threat.
It's too bad that Maldini was coming through at the same time with AC Milan as Benarrivo was truly a world class full back himself who, at his peak, was a close second to Maldini.
Agreed, they complement each other very well and we're amongst the best centre backs in the world at their peaks - Carvalho being the defensive cornerstone for Porto's CL winning side winning the UEFA club defender of the year and being the top ranked defender in the Ballon dor that year, being imperious for the rock solid Chelsea side and of course, being an ever present servant for Portugal finishing in the TOTT in the '04 Euros and '06 WC, whilst being amongst the best centre backs in the 2010 WC. Likewise Lucio was a lynchpin at the back for several successful sides and his defensive prowess really came to the fore for Mourinho's Inter (the way he shut out peak 09/10 Drogba in that CL match was quite something). Does help that they were both comfortable on the ball too. Coming up against R9-Bergkamp didn't do them any favors though, unfortunately.
Sure thing. Benarrivo was a really classy and a versatile player capable of owning a flank single handedly. However, he was an Italian defender first and foremost who knew how to balance his attacking forays and defensive duties, as his displays in the '94 WC showed. Unfortunately he never really got the chance to shine on the international stage (apart from 1994 WC that is) with Maldini being a fixture on the left.
Anyway it wasn't so much his penetrative attacking game which made me go for him but his sheer versatility. He was equally two footed which meant he could help provide width or aid my midfield on the ball in the possession stakes. Equally at ease on either flank as a full back or even as a wide midfielder.
Think that's @mazhar13 youtube channel?
On paper an easy win? Have to disagree, Albelda and conte are no pushovers, mostovoi and Salihamidzic offer enough going both ways and and Xavi and deschamps aren't the quickest, especially dealing with nimble footed players like mostovoi.
I rate lucio pretty highly, huge reason why that Leverkusen side was so successful. When lucio has a good game, he was the best player on the park, whereas carvalhos best would never qualify him for being anything other than the best defender on the park, if that makes sense. I've hoped and prayed that Chris smalling could turn into a lucio style defender but it seems less and less likely every year
Wonderfully put. Although what I will say about Carvalho was that he had a wonderful understanding of the defensive side of the game, he was a maestro in that sense and in that peak of 03-06.. he was stunning as he had that bit of athleticism to his game which truly made him top top class (extra yard of recovery pace and nimbleness during this phase of his career). Mourinho knows a good defender when he sees one and I honestly think Carvalho was the best defender he ever had based on peak performance. He was also very underrated on the ball, go back and watch his performances for Porto and he is effortless on the ball (not really an expansive player but classy, good touch and solid decision making, carries the ball elegantly).
I referred to carvalho as the Portuguese nesta, but he really is a pretty unique defender. He combines the cuntiness of Pepe, the distribution of bonucci, the reading of a game of baresi, the positioning and toughness of Godin and he was a natural leader. I think a bit more pace in him and he'd rightly be recognized as one of the modern greats, if he isn't already.
Carvalhos also a much bigger cnut.
Feels so wrong voting against ronaldo but a midfield 3 with Veron in it would get ruined
That's fine, I get that, this is my last draft for a while
Too much messing about, as he knows himself. If David had gone with the 4-4-2 this might've been a lot closer, with more of a focus on the insane combo up front. Supported by a more uncomplicated cast (but a quality one, obviously), the pair of them could've won him the match.
Kudos to @DavidG for showcasing several unusual suspects (and personal favourites).
@Joga Bonito
There's no way the result is changing , and I'm really interested which sub you would bring on as you can't bring two of them on. Go on, make a tactical change for the hell of it
Pirlo said:The midfielder must have been the first nuclear-powered South Korean in history, in the sense that he rushed about the pitch at the speed of an electron
Looking at your squad, I wonder if a narrow 4-4-2, matching Joga's formation I guess, might have worked well. Conte/Albelda/Veron/Salihamidzic across the middle. Plenty of work-rate there, and Veron's range of passing, and Salihamidzic and Evra's ability in transitions could help bring Bergkamp/Ronaldo into play nicely
Kudos to @DavidG for showcasing several unusual suspects (and personal
Also great job on Escobar @DavidG
@DavidG that 4-4-2 ish formation was a lot better. Not really sure what Veron adds in that formation. Honestly, you have a stellar team and this scoreline is way too harsh.
Come on, don't tell you you're burnt out on drafts that fast. Be an AM next game, take a breather and then you'll get your fire back.
"Zero"... so he's just going to stand there is he? I didn't start him because he doesnt get any love at all on this forum and i can handle criticism of him but thinking he'd be completely ineffectively defensively in a midfield 3 is scandalous, particularly when its his peak lazio days we are considering.
but he isn't being played as an advanced midfielder from what I see anyway.Wut? It's well known he won't fit in a 2 man midfield, bot why not in a 3? How many midfielder do you think Veron needs as support?
No need to be over the top about it, he'd offer very little protection."Zero"... so he's just going to stand there is he? I didn't start him because he doesnt get any love at all on this forum and i can handle criticism of him but thinking he'd be completely ineffectively defensively in a midfield 3 is scandalous, particularly when its his peak lazio days we are considering.
No need to be over the top about it, he'd offer very little protection.
I loved watching Veron on the ball he was a joy and a ton of Ruuds goals came from him and Becks but he doesn't offer much defensively and when you have mad pat going forward id of thought it would be cool to have someone who could cover for him.
Like I say tho just my opinion of Veron
Nah, Veron's defensive game is under-rated - played brilliantly in a two-man central midfield partnership for Lazio. Look at some of the highlights of his games around that time, he's a lot more athletic and industrious than many playmaking types. With Albelda and Conte he's got loads of protection and it's similar to how Skizzo/Annah have set up, with the exception that Guardiola offers a bit less of the ball than Veron.Not really he offers zero protection so you'd be left with 2 midfielders leaving nedved seedorf and xavi oodles of room, in my opinion.
On the ball he is class
but he doesn't offer much defensively
Think the problem here was the aesthetics of the line-up. Had DavidG laid it out like VJ and EAP have done, he'd have secured more votes on presentation alone. That said, I got exactly what he meant and didn't see an issue with it. It's a pity Veron didn't start: the midfield lacked a little sparkle in his absence.