Invictus/Raees
TACTICAL OUTLINE
Hybrid 4-2-3-1 (4-3-3 in possession/4-5-1 out of possession).
Moderate defensive line.
Player Name - Player Position - Player Role
Jens Lehmann - Goalkeeper - Standard goalkeeper function.
Christian Ziege - Left wingback - Supplemental offensive width on the left flank.
Giorgio Chiellini - Left centerback - Versatile defender who can peel slightly wide as Ziege presses forward.
Alessandro Nesta - Right centerback - Defensive glue.
Juanfran Torres - Right fullback - Defensively astute fullback who can double up as a long-range line runner.
Edgar Davids - Left box-to-box - Destroyer, passer, dribbler, marker.
Michael Essien - Right box-to-box - Destroyer, passer, dribbler, marker.
Paul Scholes - 'Günter Netzer' role?? - dynamic eye-catching passer, manipulator of space, and proficient scorer who also possesses battling mentality.
Franck Ribéry - Left Winger/playmaker - Secondary creator and all-round wide offensive threat.
Ludovic Giuly - Right sided wide forward - Aggressive 'tactical piece' attacker who dribbled well, but also tracked back.
Davor Šuker - Mobile center forward - Quick striker who will make penetrative runs, link up with the wide forward and score when in range.
Defense
From the back, the defense is marshaled by the best centerback in the draft, Nesta; and beside him is a player well versed in the nuances of Italian style defending - Chiellini is not the flashiest name, but a proven fit when it comes to covering for left sided wingbacks without compromising on defensive duties in more central areas. Ziege was a comprehensive wingback who excelled in many departments - his long striding style is a good mesh with the player ahead of him (who hit his peak with Alaba), and his overall athletic ability is an asset in the defensive phase following forward ventures. Peaking with Bayern in the '90s, Ziege scored a total of 32 goals for the Bavarians in a 3 span, and was a standout component of the '96 German EURO winning team where he also kept a close check on McManaman in the semi-finals.
On the far right, Juanfran has faced off against Cristiano time and again, and has the defensive skillset, foresight, and lung capacity to try and limit the Portuguese wide forward.
Midfield
The midfield is well balanced - with each component being a good fit in the overall scheme. Davids and Essien is a monstrous base that can battle against even the most distinguished opposition, and Scholes is the wily operator who acts as the cherry on top with his ability to affect multiple phases of the game. Keen to distinguish Scholes here from more orthodox 10s - Rui Costa/Riquelme in that he had an influence not just in deeper areas, which allows the likes Essien/Davids to run ahead of him in certain situations, but also his ability in the box - where his penetrative threat equals some of the best. A unique threat in that respect, and an asset that well maximized in the context of this midfield.
* Essien will have the added task of tracking Iniesta - as and when required. Whereas Davids has more tactical freedom vs Pirlo/Mauro Silva - who weren't that good when it comes to penetrative dribbles. But when he does overpower Iniesta in the offensive phase, the Buffalo will provide a powerful subsidiary dribbling threat, with a hint of end product to boot.
Attack
Further forward - the trio of Ribéry, Šuker and Giuly provide the offensive thrust. The former duo peaked as Ballon D'Or Top 3 players, and offer exquisite quality. Additionally, all three were 'active' in the defensive phase of the game, and willing trackers - to provide more balance to the team's setup as it transitions between 451 and 433, and help the team defend from the front as a unit.
KEY OBSERVATIONS
1. Midfield balance - In our estimation, the trio of Scholes, Essien and Davids is more versatile, gritty and complete - with each player used to operating in multiple schemes/positions - without a discernible drop in quality. Pirlo operated at his best with a box-to-box + harrier (like Seedorf + Gattuso/De Rossi + Montolivo/Vidal + Marchisio/Pogba), and Iniesta thrived with two like minded players - a holding midfielder, and a right sided pass master (Busquets + Xavi). Great players here, but something doesn't quite add up there in terms of cohesiveness, and it does seem a bit defensively lightweight vs two athletic beasts - especially when Davids and Essien have room to track and physically challenge the duo of Pirlo and Iniesta.
2. Šuker's big match ability and mobility vs Terry + Popescu - Unsure about the fit of Terry (who played in deep defensive lines) with a wingback (Jarni) and someone who loved to venture with the ball while others covered for him (Popescu). There's a risk of defensive lapses in that particular area of the pitch - and Šuker's uncanny ability to buzz all around the final third and 'pop up' should come in handy in those situations.
Šuker's peak big match scoring ability was phenomenal, and his record vs Popescu's Barcelona in particular was impressive. Apart from being an International tournament wonder, Davor terrorized La Liga's premier defenses for 5 consecutive years whilst playing for Sevilla, and later Madrid.
3. Giuly doubling up vs Ronaldo - Ludo was an energetic whippet known for his team ethos, and will track back as an when required to gang up on Ronaldo with Juanfran. This will help frustrate the opposition's most prominent statistical threat.
4. Scholes' enigmatic positioning - The Ginger Prince is a nomad in this match. No set position, but instead has the license to drop into pockets - from central midfield - all the way up to the opposition box as a pseudo support striker (like in the 2002/2003 season where he scored 20 goals and led United to the title).
5. Relative workrate - Greater relative all-round workrate and 'lungs' throughout the team - especially in midfield and attack.
Additional wrinkle - Cristiano was/is at his best with primary forwards who bring him into play, whilst sacrificing their game to an extent - Benzema/Tévez/Rooney. There might be a conflict of interest with Gabigol - who was more of a sharpshooter in comparative terms - more of a pure 9. Meanwhile, Šuker is capable of providing the penetrative runs, all-round play, defense stretching ability and speed that Ribéry thrives on with his playmaking/dribbling ability.
SirScholes
4-3-3
In goal Abbondanzeri
Solid goalkeeper who played for Argentina, is he the best goalkeeper ever? No but he is reliable or was. Providing a safe pair of hands behind a pretty menising back 4
Fullbacks
Mihajlovic and Sagnol, 2 ultimate pros.
Mihajlovic is known for being a no nonsense tackler but also had fantastic long range passing and crossing that can set Ronnie of on a counter or cross for Batistuta
Sagnol equally strong going forward, my full backs will support for width but only one at any one time.
My CB pairing brings together two great readers of the game both good on the ball, both good at organizing both quick and neither afraid of a fight.
In midfield I have a trio, silva will stay back and cover for fullbacks if needed, known for his work rate and stamina he will be my Kante, makelele etc...
Pirlo and iniesta need little bigging up, two of this generations greatest midfielders. Pirlo sitting a little deeper than iniesta so he can dictate play, switch to either flank and pick out passes.
Iniesta will have more freedom to create havoc In the final third.
On the wings I'm lucky to have Ronaldo, a goal machine, at first he will start left with license to cut inside and go for goal. I can see give and goes with Andres being difficult to stop due to his pace and power.
When we the ball on the right, he and batistuta will provide a huge aerial threat.
Speaking of the right jay jay Okocha will start there, a joy to watch but also a tricky opponent capable of drifting past players.
Both Wingers will have license to switch flanks to get the most change out of the opposition, this would change the threat each would bring as Ronaldo would then look to get to the byline and cut it back for Batistuta or iniesta.
Lastly Batistuta, a striker that had it all, he will be my go to man when under pressure to hold play up and release one of the wingers.
He's also very capable on the ball with pace and power.
I am looking forward to seeing my opponents formation.
I believe Ronaldo and Batistuta would have too much power for any defense.
My own defense is made up of defenders good on the ball but no nonsense in tackling. Protected by silva it will be hard to break down.
TACTICAL OUTLINE
Hybrid 4-2-3-1 (4-3-3 in possession/4-5-1 out of possession).
Moderate defensive line.
Player Name - Player Position - Player Role
Jens Lehmann - Goalkeeper - Standard goalkeeper function.
Christian Ziege - Left wingback - Supplemental offensive width on the left flank.
Giorgio Chiellini - Left centerback - Versatile defender who can peel slightly wide as Ziege presses forward.
Alessandro Nesta - Right centerback - Defensive glue.
Juanfran Torres - Right fullback - Defensively astute fullback who can double up as a long-range line runner.
Edgar Davids - Left box-to-box - Destroyer, passer, dribbler, marker.
Michael Essien - Right box-to-box - Destroyer, passer, dribbler, marker.
Paul Scholes - 'Günter Netzer' role?? - dynamic eye-catching passer, manipulator of space, and proficient scorer who also possesses battling mentality.
Franck Ribéry - Left Winger/playmaker - Secondary creator and all-round wide offensive threat.
Ludovic Giuly - Right sided wide forward - Aggressive 'tactical piece' attacker who dribbled well, but also tracked back.
Davor Šuker - Mobile center forward - Quick striker who will make penetrative runs, link up with the wide forward and score when in range.
Defense
From the back, the defense is marshaled by the best centerback in the draft, Nesta; and beside him is a player well versed in the nuances of Italian style defending - Chiellini is not the flashiest name, but a proven fit when it comes to covering for left sided wingbacks without compromising on defensive duties in more central areas. Ziege was a comprehensive wingback who excelled in many departments - his long striding style is a good mesh with the player ahead of him (who hit his peak with Alaba), and his overall athletic ability is an asset in the defensive phase following forward ventures. Peaking with Bayern in the '90s, Ziege scored a total of 32 goals for the Bavarians in a 3 span, and was a standout component of the '96 German EURO winning team where he also kept a close check on McManaman in the semi-finals.
On the far right, Juanfran has faced off against Cristiano time and again, and has the defensive skillset, foresight, and lung capacity to try and limit the Portuguese wide forward.
Midfield
The midfield is well balanced - with each component being a good fit in the overall scheme. Davids and Essien is a monstrous base that can battle against even the most distinguished opposition, and Scholes is the wily operator who acts as the cherry on top with his ability to affect multiple phases of the game. Keen to distinguish Scholes here from more orthodox 10s - Rui Costa/Riquelme in that he had an influence not just in deeper areas, which allows the likes Essien/Davids to run ahead of him in certain situations, but also his ability in the box - where his penetrative threat equals some of the best. A unique threat in that respect, and an asset that well maximized in the context of this midfield.
* Essien will have the added task of tracking Iniesta - as and when required. Whereas Davids has more tactical freedom vs Pirlo/Mauro Silva - who weren't that good when it comes to penetrative dribbles. But when he does overpower Iniesta in the offensive phase, the Buffalo will provide a powerful subsidiary dribbling threat, with a hint of end product to boot.
Attack
Further forward - the trio of Ribéry, Šuker and Giuly provide the offensive thrust. The former duo peaked as Ballon D'Or Top 3 players, and offer exquisite quality. Additionally, all three were 'active' in the defensive phase of the game, and willing trackers - to provide more balance to the team's setup as it transitions between 451 and 433, and help the team defend from the front as a unit.
KEY OBSERVATIONS
1. Midfield balance - In our estimation, the trio of Scholes, Essien and Davids is more versatile, gritty and complete - with each player used to operating in multiple schemes/positions - without a discernible drop in quality. Pirlo operated at his best with a box-to-box + harrier (like Seedorf + Gattuso/De Rossi + Montolivo/Vidal + Marchisio/Pogba), and Iniesta thrived with two like minded players - a holding midfielder, and a right sided pass master (Busquets + Xavi). Great players here, but something doesn't quite add up there in terms of cohesiveness, and it does seem a bit defensively lightweight vs two athletic beasts - especially when Davids and Essien have room to track and physically challenge the duo of Pirlo and Iniesta.
2. Šuker's big match ability and mobility vs Terry + Popescu - Unsure about the fit of Terry (who played in deep defensive lines) with a wingback (Jarni) and someone who loved to venture with the ball while others covered for him (Popescu). There's a risk of defensive lapses in that particular area of the pitch - and Šuker's uncanny ability to buzz all around the final third and 'pop up' should come in handy in those situations.
Šuker's peak big match scoring ability was phenomenal, and his record vs Popescu's Barcelona in particular was impressive. Apart from being an International tournament wonder, Davor terrorized La Liga's premier defenses for 5 consecutive years whilst playing for Sevilla, and later Madrid.
92/93 at Sevilla
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1992-1993-sevilla-fc-real-madrid/
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1992-1993-fc-barcelona-sevilla-fc/
93/94 at Sevilla
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1993-1994-fc-barcelona-sevilla-fc/
94/95 at Sevilla
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1994-1995-fc-barcelona-sevilla-fc/
95/96 at Sevilla
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/europa-league-1995-1996-achtelfinale-sevilla-fc-fc-barcelona/
96/97 at Real madrid
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1996-1997-real-madrid-fc-barcelona/
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/copa-del-rey-1996-1997-achtelfinale-fc-barcelona-real-madrid/
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/copa-del-rey-1996-1997-achtelfinale-real-madrid-fc-barcelona/
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1992-1993-sevilla-fc-real-madrid/
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1992-1993-fc-barcelona-sevilla-fc/
93/94 at Sevilla
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1993-1994-fc-barcelona-sevilla-fc/
94/95 at Sevilla
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1994-1995-fc-barcelona-sevilla-fc/
95/96 at Sevilla
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/europa-league-1995-1996-achtelfinale-sevilla-fc-fc-barcelona/
96/97 at Real madrid
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/primera-division-1996-1997-real-madrid-fc-barcelona/
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/copa-del-rey-1996-1997-achtelfinale-fc-barcelona-real-madrid/
http://www.worldfootball.net/report/copa-del-rey-1996-1997-achtelfinale-real-madrid-fc-barcelona/
3. Giuly doubling up vs Ronaldo - Ludo was an energetic whippet known for his team ethos, and will track back as an when required to gang up on Ronaldo with Juanfran. This will help frustrate the opposition's most prominent statistical threat.
4. Scholes' enigmatic positioning - The Ginger Prince is a nomad in this match. No set position, but instead has the license to drop into pockets - from central midfield - all the way up to the opposition box as a pseudo support striker (like in the 2002/2003 season where he scored 20 goals and led United to the title).
5. Relative workrate - Greater relative all-round workrate and 'lungs' throughout the team - especially in midfield and attack.
Additional wrinkle - Cristiano was/is at his best with primary forwards who bring him into play, whilst sacrificing their game to an extent - Benzema/Tévez/Rooney. There might be a conflict of interest with Gabigol - who was more of a sharpshooter in comparative terms - more of a pure 9. Meanwhile, Šuker is capable of providing the penetrative runs, all-round play, defense stretching ability and speed that Ribéry thrives on with his playmaking/dribbling ability.
SirScholes
4-3-3
In goal Abbondanzeri
Solid goalkeeper who played for Argentina, is he the best goalkeeper ever? No but he is reliable or was. Providing a safe pair of hands behind a pretty menising back 4
Fullbacks
Mihajlovic and Sagnol, 2 ultimate pros.
Mihajlovic is known for being a no nonsense tackler but also had fantastic long range passing and crossing that can set Ronnie of on a counter or cross for Batistuta
Sagnol equally strong going forward, my full backs will support for width but only one at any one time.
My CB pairing brings together two great readers of the game both good on the ball, both good at organizing both quick and neither afraid of a fight.
In midfield I have a trio, silva will stay back and cover for fullbacks if needed, known for his work rate and stamina he will be my Kante, makelele etc...
Pirlo and iniesta need little bigging up, two of this generations greatest midfielders. Pirlo sitting a little deeper than iniesta so he can dictate play, switch to either flank and pick out passes.
Iniesta will have more freedom to create havoc In the final third.
On the wings I'm lucky to have Ronaldo, a goal machine, at first he will start left with license to cut inside and go for goal. I can see give and goes with Andres being difficult to stop due to his pace and power.
When we the ball on the right, he and batistuta will provide a huge aerial threat.
Speaking of the right jay jay Okocha will start there, a joy to watch but also a tricky opponent capable of drifting past players.
Both Wingers will have license to switch flanks to get the most change out of the opposition, this would change the threat each would bring as Ronaldo would then look to get to the byline and cut it back for Batistuta or iniesta.
Lastly Batistuta, a striker that had it all, he will be my go to man when under pressure to hold play up and release one of the wingers.
He's also very capable on the ball with pace and power.
I am looking forward to seeing my opponents formation.
I believe Ronaldo and Batistuta would have too much power for any defense.
My own defense is made up of defenders good on the ball but no nonsense in tackling. Protected by silva it will be hard to break down.
