David G
TACTICAL BACKGROUND:
I decided that I would merge some kind of "re-make" concept into this Billy No Mates draft and have opted for a slightly modified Zona Mista. The strategy is what team-building is all about, and ultimately the reason why well-drilled units with complimentary pieces prevail over those with a lack of chemistry where the emphasis has been placed on "names". One of the greatest strategies ever devised, I think I have the players to pull it off, and with a few relatively new faces for these drafts I look forward to justifying their inclusion.
LINE-UP
Portiere- Goalkeeper- Keylor Navas- No technical specifications for the system, but in goals we have a man who made Madristas not regret missing out on David De Gea. Champions league winner with many years of silverware to come.
Terzino Fluidificante- Wing-Back- Evra- Uncle Pat in his prime was something to behold on the left side, capable of covering most of it on his own he had the engine and offensive capabilities to cause havoc at one end, whilst being an incredibly competent defender who not many people got joy out of.
Difensore Central- Centre Back- Diego Godin- One of, if not the best centre back in the world, he can play alongside anyone and against any attacker and still be dominant. A true leader, largely responsible for the resurgence of Atletico Madrid.
Libero- Libero- Andres Escobar- Famous for the wrong reasons, Escobar was actually being lined up as a replacement for Franco Baresi prior to his death, which is as glowing endorsement as you can get for someones capabilities of playing this role. One wonders what might have been but for the tragedies of 1994.
Marcatore Puro- Defensive Stopper- Ivanovic- Responsible for looking after the inside and occasionally the outside channels. Having excelled at both centre back and right back, this position will be no problem for Ivanovic, particularly with the security of Godin and Escobar around him.
Mediano- Holding midfielder- David Albelda- Captain of the Valencia team that was the Atletico Madrid of the early 00's, Albelda is a 10/10 fit for this role. Excellent passing, interceptions and a world class reading of a game, he is the ideal player to play in front of the defence.
Centrocampista centrale- Box-to-box midfielder- Antonio Conte- One of juventus greatest ever midfielders famous for his stamina and determination, this role comes naturally to Conte. An accomplished box to box player who has played all over the midfield and is well capable of the spectacular.
Regista- Offensive playmaker- Mostovoi- No-one can play this role better than Platini did it. But for those of you who watched La liga when it first appeared on Sky, you will understand Mostovoi's suitability for this role. Blessed with wonderful technique, skill and vision, he was the complete midfielder who excelled offensively but was more than capable of tracking back. Top 1/2 Russian players post USSR, He was a joy to watch for Celta Vigo.
Joga
The emphasis is on ball circulation, short crisp passing and fluidity. It's a 4-4-2/4-5-1 hybrid with the wide midfielders playing a key role. Everyone loves a good ol fashioned British 4-4-2 but this is different and strives to strike a fine balance between control and incisiveness.
The back line features players who are all comfortable on the ball, even the goalie - Neuer. The full backs will be allowed to support the attack, with ample cover from the wide midfielders and DM, but overlapping runs aren't an integral component to my system.
The midfield is where it is at with Xavi* being the crown jewel of the side. Deschamps offers great protection to the back line and provides the midfielders with the freedom to exhibit their creativity and fluidity - a handy player on the ball too, esp with the ball circulation. Seedorf and Nedved, are two complete packages who offer both incisiveness and tactical nous in abundance. They suit my tactics to a tee and would look to combine with Xavi on the ball with their astute passing and movement, offer support in the final third, solidify the midfield by tucking in and offer threat out wide occasionally.
Möller and van Persie are equally brilliant on the ball with their technique, creativity and link up play whilst being ruthless with their finishing. Their link-up play, off the ball movement, interchangability and ability to drag their markers around should be a treat for Xavi to work with, and the Wide Midfielders would cherish the openings and the link up ability that the deadly duo possess. RVP's line leading ability would come right to the fore with the creative cast (A̶l̶e̶x̶ ̶S̶o̶n̶g̶ Xavi's lofted balls→Van Persie
) behind him.
XAVI
Make no mistake, the side is built around him with a complementary cast for the Spaniard to conduct his orchestra. Xavi in the 08-10 period was nothing short of amazing, with his incisiveness and ability to dominate the midfield. The man boasted nearly 50 assists during this period and was extremely incisive and capable of threading through balls like very few, all whilst boasting several decisive match winning moments (Euro 2008 POTT, assisting Torres's final winner and being the best player on the pitch, Messi's header and Pedro's opener in CL finals etc).
With the likes of Seedorf, Nedved, Möller and van Persie - all technically and creatively gifted nimble and fluid players - to dovetail with, it would take some doing to stop Xavi - someone with unrivalled consistency which truly defined his peak.
SUBS: Park, Rooney, Brown
TACTICAL BACKGROUND:
I decided that I would merge some kind of "re-make" concept into this Billy No Mates draft and have opted for a slightly modified Zona Mista. The strategy is what team-building is all about, and ultimately the reason why well-drilled units with complimentary pieces prevail over those with a lack of chemistry where the emphasis has been placed on "names". One of the greatest strategies ever devised, I think I have the players to pull it off, and with a few relatively new faces for these drafts I look forward to justifying their inclusion.
LINE-UP
Portiere- Goalkeeper- Keylor Navas- No technical specifications for the system, but in goals we have a man who made Madristas not regret missing out on David De Gea. Champions league winner with many years of silverware to come.
Terzino Fluidificante- Wing-Back- Evra- Uncle Pat in his prime was something to behold on the left side, capable of covering most of it on his own he had the engine and offensive capabilities to cause havoc at one end, whilst being an incredibly competent defender who not many people got joy out of.
Difensore Central- Centre Back- Diego Godin- One of, if not the best centre back in the world, he can play alongside anyone and against any attacker and still be dominant. A true leader, largely responsible for the resurgence of Atletico Madrid.
Libero- Libero- Andres Escobar- Famous for the wrong reasons, Escobar was actually being lined up as a replacement for Franco Baresi prior to his death, which is as glowing endorsement as you can get for someones capabilities of playing this role. One wonders what might have been but for the tragedies of 1994.
Marcatore Puro- Defensive Stopper- Ivanovic- Responsible for looking after the inside and occasionally the outside channels. Having excelled at both centre back and right back, this position will be no problem for Ivanovic, particularly with the security of Godin and Escobar around him.
Mediano- Holding midfielder- David Albelda- Captain of the Valencia team that was the Atletico Madrid of the early 00's, Albelda is a 10/10 fit for this role. Excellent passing, interceptions and a world class reading of a game, he is the ideal player to play in front of the defence.
Centrocampista centrale- Box-to-box midfielder- Antonio Conte- One of juventus greatest ever midfielders famous for his stamina and determination, this role comes naturally to Conte. An accomplished box to box player who has played all over the midfield and is well capable of the spectacular.
Regista- Offensive playmaker- Mostovoi- No-one can play this role better than Platini did it. But for those of you who watched La liga when it first appeared on Sky, you will understand Mostovoi's suitability for this role. Blessed with wonderful technique, skill and vision, he was the complete midfielder who excelled offensively but was more than capable of tracking back. Top 1/2 Russian players post USSR, He was a joy to watch for Celta Vigo.
Joga
The emphasis is on ball circulation, short crisp passing and fluidity. It's a 4-4-2/4-5-1 hybrid with the wide midfielders playing a key role. Everyone loves a good ol fashioned British 4-4-2 but this is different and strives to strike a fine balance between control and incisiveness.
The back line features players who are all comfortable on the ball, even the goalie - Neuer. The full backs will be allowed to support the attack, with ample cover from the wide midfielders and DM, but overlapping runs aren't an integral component to my system.
The midfield is where it is at with Xavi* being the crown jewel of the side. Deschamps offers great protection to the back line and provides the midfielders with the freedom to exhibit their creativity and fluidity - a handy player on the ball too, esp with the ball circulation. Seedorf and Nedved, are two complete packages who offer both incisiveness and tactical nous in abundance. They suit my tactics to a tee and would look to combine with Xavi on the ball with their astute passing and movement, offer support in the final third, solidify the midfield by tucking in and offer threat out wide occasionally.
Möller and van Persie are equally brilliant on the ball with their technique, creativity and link up play whilst being ruthless with their finishing. Their link-up play, off the ball movement, interchangability and ability to drag their markers around should be a treat for Xavi to work with, and the Wide Midfielders would cherish the openings and the link up ability that the deadly duo possess. RVP's line leading ability would come right to the fore with the creative cast (A̶l̶e̶x̶ ̶S̶o̶n̶g̶ Xavi's lofted balls→Van Persie
) behind him.XAVI
Make no mistake, the side is built around him with a complementary cast for the Spaniard to conduct his orchestra. Xavi in the 08-10 period was nothing short of amazing, with his incisiveness and ability to dominate the midfield. The man boasted nearly 50 assists during this period and was extremely incisive and capable of threading through balls like very few, all whilst boasting several decisive match winning moments (Euro 2008 POTT, assisting Torres's final winner and being the best player on the pitch, Messi's header and Pedro's opener in CL finals etc).
With the likes of Seedorf, Nedved, Möller and van Persie - all technically and creatively gifted nimble and fluid players - to dovetail with, it would take some doing to stop Xavi - someone with unrivalled consistency which truly defined his peak.
SUBS: Park, Rooney, Brown