However talented it was on the ball, it lacked balance (and that was part of the reason why they failed to win the World Cup).
The best Attack/Midfield/Defense Ever
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Just had a look at the stats - you're right, the Barcelona lads are scoring more.
https://michelacosta.com/en/bbc-vs-msn-real-madrid-fc-barcelona/
I thought it was closer than that.
From those that haven't been mentioned yet, I'd nominate France's backline of the late 90's - early 00's 
Lizarazu - Desailly - Blanc - Thuram
Italy's defence of the late 80/early 90's wasn't half bad either (although it's quite similar to AC Milan's but there's Bergomi!)
Maldini - Baresi - Ferri - Bergomi
Lizarazu - Desailly - Blanc - Thuram
Italy's defence of the late 80/early 90's wasn't half bad either (although it's quite similar to AC Milan's but there's Bergomi!)
Maldini - Baresi - Ferri - Bergomi
Well in that case, old enough to remember watching us in '99 and being certain that our midfield wouldn't stand a chance against the Barca midfield in question.
Defense: Zenga—Bergomi—Baresi—Ferri—Maldini
Midfield: Busquets—Xavi—Iniesta
Attack: Pelé—Tostão—Jairzinho
https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/04/sports/world-cup-98-defense-carries-france.html
Would nominate Juventus with Zoff—Gentile—Brio/Cuccureddu—Scirea—Cabrini as well, their combined nous was off the charts.
Midfield: Busquets—Xavi—Iniesta
Attack: Pelé—Tostão—Jairzinho
Yep! They were exceptional. For all the hoopla around Zidane in the 1998 World Cup, their defense was the real reference point for the team, especially Thuram and Desailly:From those that haven't been mentioned yet, I'd nominate France's backline of the late 90's - early 00's
Lizarazu - Desailly - Blanc - Thuram
https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/04/sports/world-cup-98-defense-carries-france.html
Would nominate Juventus with Zoff—Gentile—Brio/Cuccureddu—Scirea—Cabrini as well, their combined nous was off the charts.
Then you don't remember it well, Keane and Scholes were suspended. Beckham played as CM and Giggs as RW instead of LW.
I'd also add Hungary's attack from the 50's to the mix — while in Real Madrid there were 3 stars in their front 5 (Di Stefano, slightly past his best Puskas and Gento), here we have 4 world class players with arguably the top-10 player spearheading it. How they've managed not to win the World Cup is still a mystery to me.
Czibor - Puskas - Hudegkuti - Kocsis - Budai
Czibor - Puskas - Hudegkuti - Kocsis - Budai
Nah, it's even better than the Milan one. I'd say Ferri was also better than Costacurta individually and better fit for Baresi.
Conceded just 2 goals in the WC90 run and even had Vierchowod on the bench..
Don't remember what well? Nobody's talking about the specific line-up in the CL final. Our midfield of the 1998/1999 season would have been outplayed by Barca's 2011 midfield.
Some of our ex players get criminally underrated on here sometimes. That midfield was fantastic and would hold its own against any midfield.
Some of our ex players get criminally underrated on here sometimes. That midfield was fantastic and would hold its own against any midfield.
It was great but very gung-ho. We blazed through the 99 CL campaign but depended on Butt or Johnsen to step in for the away legs against Inter and Juventus. In the following two seasons we got overran which is what prompted the Verson signing. It was the wrong signing as it turned out but Fergie knew a change was needed.
99 CL Final qas the most memorable CL Final ever, but I don't consider it as a great performance by United.
Same as City 3 - 2 QPR final league match 2012, they almost bottled it.
Same as City 3 - 2 QPR final league match 2012, they almost bottled it.
Since I was born in 1994 I'll just do the ones I've seen. Would feel weird about putting international teams as they play together for like 10 games a year.
Defence: United 2008
Midfield: Barcelona 2011
Attack: Barcelona 2015
Van Der Sar
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Messi Suarez Neymar
Defence: United 2008
Midfield: Barcelona 2011
Attack: Barcelona 2015
Van Der Sar
Brown Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Messi Suarez Neymar
Late 50s Real Madrid:
Gento.....Di Stefano.....Kopa
.......Puskas..........Rial.......
Gento.....Di Stefano.....Kopa
.......Puskas..........Rial.......
In my life time.
United 08
Barcelona 10
Barcelona 15
Obviously there are a lot of honorable mentions.
Defense:
Chelsea 04 , Milan 90s,
Midfield:
United 99, Madrid 17, City 18
Attack:
Madrid 14, Bayern 13, Brazil 02
United 08
Barcelona 10
Barcelona 15
Obviously there are a lot of honorable mentions.
Defense:
Chelsea 04 , Milan 90s,
Midfield:
United 99, Madrid 17, City 18
Attack:
Madrid 14, Bayern 13, Brazil 02
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I think the guy is suggesting you haven't bothered to go back and watch those games. He obviously doesn't know the draft community.
Doesn't really prove it though does it
Defense : Milan.
Midfield : Pep's Barca.
Attack: MSN
Midfield : Pep's Barca.
Attack: MSN
Attack: Puskas, Di Stefano, Gento
Together they won:
5 La Liga
3 European Cup
Copa del Rey
Intercontinental Cup
Attack I've actually seen play: Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho
Defense: Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Tasotti
Together they won:
5 La Liga
3 European Cup
Copa del Rey
Intercontinental Cup
Attack I've actually seen play: Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho
Defense: Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, Tasotti
3-2-5 la maquina formation
Defence: Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta
Midfield: Neeskens, Van Hanegem
Attack: Pedernera, Moreno, Lostauo,Munoz, Labruna
Defence: Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta
Midfield: Neeskens, Van Hanegem
Attack: Pedernera, Moreno, Lostauo,Munoz, Labruna
It's not the same as claiming Charlie Adams deserves to be in there though is it. Nicky Butt wasn't spectacular at anything, but he was part of a squad and when he was needed he did a great job. I've stated (later on), that the clear winner is that Barca midfield but the united 99 midfield can't be just dismissed, same as the Arsenal invinsibles midfield. For the time both were incredible. Tactics are different, the game has evolved, but i don't think they should be dismissed because Nicky Butt was a player in that team.
Not dominant enough against their European rivals so clearly had some weaknesses. I remember getting Schooled by Real. Being the best needs to translate into performance.
Toninho Cerezo aren't two different players
The 70 Brazil is getting overrated. I prefer 1958 attack or 2002 attack. Pele-Garrincha-Vava or R9-Ronaldinho-Rivaldo
I think there are some midfields who could dominate against Busquets-Xavi-Iniesta. They had an advantage because they met very few elite level midfields, historically speaking. Brazil 82' has higher individual quality, France 84' was even more coherent and unplayable imo. Platini was better than any one of those Barca players and to say the other parts of that midfield were pretty good aswell would be a massive understatement.
There is also this beauty:
Germany 66'
Beckenbauer Overath
Haller
To most people, Wolfgang Overath is known for his exploits in the 74 world cup, but he was nearing 31 in that summer and in the 60s, he was up there with the very best players in the world. He won the Bundesliga with Cologne in 64, the DFB-Pokal in 68 and got himself an entry into the FIFA World XI in 68 aswell.
Helmut Haller was one of the best players in Serie A in the 60s and early 70s, winning 3 league titles in what was the strongest european league at that point. It was the time of Grande Inter by the legendary Helenio Herrera (European Cups in 64 and 65) and Rivera's Milan (European Cups in 63 and 69).
Haller scored 6 goals and Beckenbauer 4 goals from central midfield at just 20 years of age. The young Kaiser also managed to give prime Charlton one hell of a task in the final. He doesn't need any more introduction, I guess.
For me, that is the best german midfield ever and deserves to be mentioned along all the other great ones. Sadly, they missed the World Cup trophy because VAR wasn't invented
My bet for best attack has already been mentioned (Di Stefano's Real, 5 players is cheating though), but I also wanted to give a shoutout to Barca's front line in 2009. I am not really sure if the MSN is better than Eto'o-Messi-Henry.now he scored, he is still a dud)
There is also this beauty:
Germany 66'
Beckenbauer Overath
Haller
To most people, Wolfgang Overath is known for his exploits in the 74 world cup, but he was nearing 31 in that summer and in the 60s, he was up there with the very best players in the world. He won the Bundesliga with Cologne in 64, the DFB-Pokal in 68 and got himself an entry into the FIFA World XI in 68 aswell.
Helmut Haller was one of the best players in Serie A in the 60s and early 70s, winning 3 league titles in what was the strongest european league at that point. It was the time of Grande Inter by the legendary Helenio Herrera (European Cups in 64 and 65) and Rivera's Milan (European Cups in 63 and 69).
Haller scored 6 goals and Beckenbauer 4 goals from central midfield at just 20 years of age. The young Kaiser also managed to give prime Charlton one hell of a task in the final. He doesn't need any more introduction, I guess.
For me, that is the best german midfield ever and deserves to be mentioned along all the other great ones. Sadly, they missed the World Cup trophy because VAR wasn't invented
My bet for best attack has already been mentioned (Di Stefano's Real, 5 players is cheating though
), but I also wanted to give a shoutout to Barca's front line in 2009. I am not really sure if the MSN is better than Eto'o-Messi-Henry.now he scored, he is still a dud)You would have to give the Chelsea defense with Terry, Carvalho and Gallas and the United defense with Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra honoury mentions atleast for the defense department.
Thankfully the former unit was batting for my side but as far as the latter goes i felt they were near impossible to score past at the very prime, fighting with them for titles i had little to no faith in the lesser sides especially breaking that defense.
Thankfully the former unit was batting for my side but as far as the latter goes i felt they were near impossible to score past at the very prime, fighting with them for titles i had little to no faith in the lesser sides especially breaking that defense.
Incredible side defensively, Cole as well when Gallas left.
As good as Cole was for us overall he was a bit shaky in his first couple of years and wasn't part of the defense at it's absolute best (the back to back title seasons).
One has three world class attackers and one had one world class attacker. I think you know now which attack was better without me naming any names.
Every single player between these trios are borderline world class forwards, saying otherwise is delusional...
Having said that, I also think MSN is the best trio I'e ever seen.
Best front three I have ever seen is the Messi- Suarez-Neymar front three
Best midfield I have seen is the Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta midfield
Best defense I have ever seen The mid00s Juventus defense.
Best midfield I have seen is the Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta midfield
Best defense I have ever seen The mid00s Juventus defense.
Defense: Probably the Milan late 90's one or the Italy 82.
Midfield: Very difficult between Brazil 82(Cerenzo, Sokrates, Falcao), Barca 11(Xavi, Busi, Iniesta), Brazil 70(Rivelino, Gerson, Clodoaldo) and the magic square(Girese, Tigana, Fernandez). The latter is probably out of it as they were never seen as superior to the brazil one, infact they were labeled little Brazil. So to the first 3, 82 is quite hypnotic to watch, don't believe me? actually go watch their games. I also think that although the midfield's of the Brazil side's were also ridiculously good on the ball like the Barca one was, they had more ability to change results than the Barca midfielders. They were match winners in a way that Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta never were.
Attack: Brazil 02, Brazil 58, Brazil 70, Barca 09 and Barca 15. Very confusing to pick one, when all is said and done it's probably Barca 15 but it's extremely close, all of them will get the job done, no matter which one you have you wouldn't be jealous of what another side has.
Midfield: Very difficult between Brazil 82(Cerenzo, Sokrates, Falcao), Barca 11(Xavi, Busi, Iniesta), Brazil 70(Rivelino, Gerson, Clodoaldo) and the magic square(Girese, Tigana, Fernandez). The latter is probably out of it as they were never seen as superior to the brazil one, infact they were labeled little Brazil. So to the first 3, 82 is quite hypnotic to watch, don't believe me? actually go watch their games. I also think that although the midfield's of the Brazil side's were also ridiculously good on the ball like the Barca one was, they had more ability to change results than the Barca midfielders. They were match winners in a way that Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta never were.
Attack: Brazil 02, Brazil 58, Brazil 70, Barca 09 and Barca 15. Very confusing to pick one, when all is said and done it's probably Barca 15 but it's extremely close, all of them will get the job done, no matter which one you have you wouldn't be jealous of what another side has.
I think you never watched them. The BBC seriously? Since when were they the best even once let alone consistently?
Bale, Benzema & Cristiano were amazing together during 2013-14 season.
They were rightfully seen as the best attacking trio in the world at that time.
I don't think that is really accurate. It was more a mentality issue because Italy's goals were the direct result of lazy passes(individual mental errors as opposed to systemic flaws). I'd say it was more the casual over-confident attitude than overall tactical balance. Serginho was the most out of place tactically after all and it's just as valid to argue that if Reinaldo had been selected they might have been able to score even more than 3 against Italy's exalted defense.
Are you having a laugh? They've won 3 champions leagues together and are about to win a 4th. They've scored tonnes of goals, Ronaldo has been fifa player of the year in 4 of the last 5 years during thier time together.
Who are you trying to kid?
Defence AC Milan 93/94
Midfield Brazil 82
Forwards Brazil 02
Midfield Brazil 82
Forwards Brazil 02
I think our 99 midfield was top class and but maybe they are all unfashionable to some people. For me we would give anyone a game and the 99 final would have been different if we weren't missing Scholes and Keane. I think what hurt following that season was obviously Schmichael retiring so we couldn't build on it but that midfield had everything. Was it the most flamboyant? It had a touch of everything. It wasn't reliant on one aspect. I'm aware of that Barcelona team but at that time we would compete with these teams not be afraid of them...
Pele's player of WC 2002
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/f...eles-player-of-this-World-Cup-Nicky-Butt.html
Look what you are doing, you are simply attributing titles to the names of the players. Bale wasn't even a starting player in important games for the last CL, it was Isco who completed the tandem. The only consistent one of that lot and that deserves high esteem is Ronaldo. Bale and Benzema have regressed, both of them don't have a high enough scoring output to compete with the MSN let alone performances. Ask a Real Madrid fan what they think of placing the BBC next to MSN.