The Euro Draft - Round 1 - Aldo vs Skizzo

[Joga Bonito]

Agree on the balance in midfield and Suker not being the best foil there. Where I disagree is that Aldo's defence is distinctly better to Skizzo's IMO.

Yeah, I really love the look of Aldo's defense (esp Bossis) and think its better than Skizzo/Pat's defense.

I guess the main difference in perceptions going around is that I see Aldo's front two a fair distance above your CB pair, while everyone ignores that and focuses on a much tighter comparison of two greats (Happel and Bossis) with the ultimate Euro striker and his very good but not very complementary striker.

Hmm, you could be underrating Popluhar here as he was an excellent CB. He did always look like a fine CB whenever I managed to watch him and was generally solid with an impeccable reading of the game. Olivella is someone I'm not familiar with and wouldn't mind knowing more in depth about him. Perhaps, Olsen coming in might be better. Popluhar was considered a libero of sorts but was also a fine CB as well, like Bossis for instance, and someone who doesn't exclusively have to be played as a buccaneering libero and can be paired alongside one, in a more disciplined role.

Whilst I do think that a more pacy wing-forward type player ala Rummenigge would have been more complementary than Suker, I don't think Suker's presence is something to hold against Skizzo/Pat's team here. Suker was a fine poacher and had the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. However, I think his all-round game tends to be underrated in general. Suker was a refined player with great touch, link-up play and a keen eye for a pass.

Here is a great all-round game from Suker which highlights his all-round game. Still, there are better (and pacier) options out there who can bring even more out of Netzer and MVB but I can see Suker being on the same wave length as these 2 guys and linking up well with them.



Do agree that Iniesta vs Ramos and Nedved vs Jarni are great prospects for Aldo and the areas where he will get the most joy. Something which hasn't been emphasised enough thus far I feel, esp with two excellent attacking wing-backs in Lahm and Kaltz supporting them, with the latter mainly known for his attacking wing-play.

Though, I just can't shake the feeling that Netzer will have a better game than Xavi here (the heartbeats of both teams on show). It could probably be due to me getting used to seeing Xavi in a midfield trio, which is unfair as he was terrific in Euro 08 paired alongside Senna. Even then, I do think Netzer will have the easier job here facing Xavi-Cocu compared to Xavi squaring up against Monti-Bonhof.

I still can't decide who to go for and it's more or less a tie for me in a fairly even match-up. Waiting to hear more from both sides before voting.

 

[antohan]

With the competition divvying up the spoils in midfield and attack, I was wondering if someone would go for the Lorant/Grosics axis which seems to be highly rated if not exactly watertight. But feck knows I haven't seen a lot of them in a defensive capacity.

Grosics was available?

I didn't do any of the research so assumed some of them weren't picked because they missed it, you sure wouldn't have any basis to rule them out on performance, would you?

Lorant is a harder sell than Grosics or Zakarias though.

 

[Gio]

Grosics was available?

I didn't do any of the research so assumed some of them weren't picked because they missed it, you sure wouldn't have any basis to rule them out on performance, would you?

Lorant is a harder sell than Grosics or Zakarias though.

Grosics was our back-up if we didn't get the bear.

 

[antohan]

On topic, I really dont like seeing baros as a striker. I know he won the golden boot in 04 but how much of that was due to him being part of an extremely attacking and flexible setup as opposed to what aldo is playing here?

You don't think that's an attacking/flexible setup? Wasn't Nedved the star of that team Baros was tourno top scorer for?

And if memory serves, the spain of 08 played much better with one striker rather than two. They needed an extra midfielder to retain possession and dominate.

Depends on how you assess Florian Albert I suppose, I don't see him as a striker, more a support striker that could drop deep to participate in the build up.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Yeah, I really love the look of Aldo's defense (esp Bossis) and think its better than Skizzo/Pat's defense.



Hmm, you could be underrating Popluhar here as he was an excellent CB. He did always look like a fine CB whenever I managed to watch him and was generally solid with an impeccable reading of the game. Olivella is someone I'm not familiar with and wouldn't mind knowing more in depth about him. Perhaps, Olsen coming in might be better. Popluhar was considered a libero of sorts but was also a fine CB as well, like Bossis for instance, and someone who doesn't exclusively have to be played as a buccaneering libero and can be paired alongside one, in a more disciplined role.

Whilst I do think that a more pacy wing-forward type player ala Rummenigge would have been more complementary than Suker, I don't think Suker's presence is something to hold against Skizzo/Pat's team here. Suker was a fine poacher and had the uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time. However, I think his all-round game tends to be underrated in general. Suker was a refined player with great touch, link-up play and a keen eye for a pass.

Here is a great all-round game from Suker which highlights his all-round game. Still, there are better (and pacier) options out there who can bring even more out of Netzer and MVB but I can see Suker being on the same wave length as these 2 guys and linking up well with them.



Do agree that Iniesta vs Ramos and Nedved vs Jarni are great prospects for Aldo and the areas where he will get the most joy. Something which hasn't been emphasised enough thus far I feel, esp with two excellent attacking wing-backs in Lahm and Kaltz supporting them, with the latter mainly known for his attacking wing-play.

Though, I just can't shake the feeling that Netzer will have a better game than Xavi here (the heartbeats of both teams on show). It could probably be due to me getting used to seeing Xavi in a midfield trio, which is unfair as he was terrific in Euro 08 paired alongside Senna. Even then, I do think Netzer will have the easier job here facing Xavi-Cocu compared to Xavi squaring up against Monti-Bonhof.

I still can't decide who to go for and it's more or less a tie for me in a fairly even match-up. Waiting to hear more from both sides before voting.

What game is that from Suker mate? I can't see the video.

I can't really disagree with anything you wrote there. I love Suker and I could easily see him being a matchwinner at this stage but he is upgradable.

I am surprised at the lack of Popluhar love (not from you Joga!), as I thought he'd be rated as better than Happel. Olivella if I'm honest was just a well-credentialled player who appears to have been a good solid centre back.

I don't really want to lay into Aldo's team, but an article on that Spain 08 side that I agree with, that backs up some of the points @MJJ and @crappycraperson made earlier.

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/02/23/teams-of-the-decade-7-spain-2008/

 

[Balu]

Grosics was available?

Grosics was our back-up if we didn't get the bear.

Grosics was picked in the 7th round.

 

[Gio]

Grosics was picked in the 7th round.

Shows how much attention I was paying.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Both teams are playing four midfielders. If he were facing a packed midfield I would get your point, but while Skizzo's is balanced overall with clearly defined roles, Aldo's has more creative punch and more disciplined pressing across all four players.

I don't get this. Cocu will prioritise Netzer, obviously. Xaviesta will have to keep tabs on Arnesen, very much the same way they did against better midfields. Nedved tucks in to keep tabs on Bonhof. Sorted, what's the perilous situation they can't deal with here?

Don't understand why Nedved gets caught between two things when one is with ball and the other is without it. In any case, I don't think Pavel Nedved needs to "exploit space behind Jarni" when he can just beat him fair and square 1-to-1.

Why do you have that opinion? I think it's very well balanced with the right amount of defensive solidity and with the likes of Arnesen and Bonhof complementing Netzer very well, whilst also possessing fine wing presence themselves. You can see them replicating the Wimmer(defensive box to box)-Netzer-Hoeneß(more offensive wide box to box) combo pretty well here (different set-ups though but the point being that they complement Netzer well).

That being said, I would have preferred a more mobile striker/wing-forward than Suker there. Don't get me wrong, he is a fine technician and is capable of doing his work on the wings/channels when required (very underrated in this aspect). He would link up well with Netzer and VB as well but a more pacy foil there would have been preferable imo, esp for Netzer who thrived playing alongside pacy wide forwards in general. That is my only slight criticism of Skizz/Pat's team. Other than that it's pretty much spot on, as is Aldo's team. Very hard to separate them both right now.

Maybe it was a comparison the actual Spain 2008 side.

1) Spain was much better with Senna being in a dedicated DM role, not a CM role in a 4-4-2. As I said before tactically that frees up Xavi to link up front better. Nothing on Cocu here, but a DM in a 4-1-3-2 is tactically different to say a defensive CM in a 4-4-2. Senna was in a pivot holding role providing defensive discipline, which I think Cocu is a CM role would find it different to reproduce with the same impact. I like Nedved in the Silva role

2) Spain was much better as I recall with a single front man. They did play Torres/Villa upfront, but it was not as successful nor effective as dropping Villa for a midfield CM in Fabregas. Same applies here too.

This was the formation they used in the finals....

Though I believe in game, it was more like a 4-5-1 diamond (?). Something like...

...........Torres.............
.Iniesta..Fabregas..Silva..
.............Xavi.............
............Senna............

the extra man in the midfield was what what worked better than 2 striker formation, imo. Senna there allows Xavi to drift between lines hard to track and able to weave his magic with the matching pair of Fabregas also in the free role moving all over the attacking midfield. They were just hard to track. Simply put, Cocu should be dedicated to defence, and Xavi to attack. Putting them in box-to-box/CM role is a compromise that misses the best of both, imo.

 

[Balu]

Shows how much attention I was paying.

I think he was picked after you picked Beara though. Both in the same round if I remember correctly, so it made sense that you had him as a back-up and didn't pay attention afterwards .

 

[Balu]

Where's @Aldo by the way? He said we should start the game today afternoon, I hope he shows up soon. Would be a bit sad if he didn't take part in the discussion at all.

 

[antohan]

Do agree that Iniesta vs Ramos and Nedved vs Jarni are great prospects for Aldo and the areas where he will get the most joy. Something which hasn't been emphasised enough thus far I feel, esp with two excellent attacking wing-backs in Lahm and Kaltz supporting them, with the latter mainly known for his attacking wing-play.

Though, I just can't shake the feeling that Netzer will have a better game than Xavi here (the heartbeats of both teams on show). It could probably be due to me getting used to seeing Xavi in a midfield trio, which is unfair as he was terrific in Euro 08 paired alongside Senna. Even then, I do think Netzer will have the easier job here facing Xavi-Cocu compared to Xavi squaring up against Monti-Bonhof.

Bonhof is on the other side and I suppose largely occupied with helping Jarni vs. Nedved.

You do get into the crux of it there though regarding heartbeats: Netzer IS the heartbeat and it is fair to say someone like Senna would be a better counter, as @crappycraperson pointed out.

That said, it's only one player you have to focus on, while in Xavi '08, Iniesta '12 and Nedved '04 Aldo has three heartbeats who had tournos as impressive as Netzer's. I have a hard time seeing how they are getting stopped here. Nedved will have a difficult game (but will get the better of his markers regularly enough) but that Xavi-Iniesta-Albert triangle on the left, with Lahm in support... it would take a far more impressive defensive setup to stop them IMO.

 

[Moby]

Just got back home mate. I'll be back in a few minutes.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

loving @Aldo left side.....Lahm, Xavi, Iniesta + Albert is Nedved + Kaltz also looks fantastic, striker partnership looks very good. Not sure about Cocu in the middle in this system and dont know much about Happel as player and the gk.
@Skizzo team is going to have a tough time as Jarni and Ramos will need big help from the midfield which will leave space for Xavi to control the game. Will need to find something about few players as their are not to familiar to me, both centerbacks and Monti, if you guys gave something on them? And again to say im not the biggest fan of Suker Van Basten combo but with Van Basten up there you cant go wrong, major threat. Leaning towards Aldo but will do the research about unknown players before i vote....

 

[antohan]

Maybe it was a comparison the actual Spain 2008 side.

1) Spain was much better with Senna being in a dedicated DM role, not a CM role in a 4-4-2. As I said before tactically that frees up Xavi to link up front better. Nothing on Cocu here, but a DM in a 4-1-3-2 is tactically different to say a defensive CM in a 4-4-2. Senna was in a pivot holding role providing defensive discipline, which I think Cocu is a CM role would find it different to reproduce with the same impact. I like Nedved in the Silva role

2) Spain was much better as I recall with a single front man. They did play Torres/Villa upfront, but it was not as successful nor effective as dropping Villa for a midfield CM in Fabregas. Same applies here too.

It's a preference thing I suppose...

In fairness, I do agree Aldo would have this sown up IRL if he played Albert upfront by himself, swapped Baros for Carvalho in defence and pushed Happel up as a man-marker on Netzer to make sure he cuts out any service for the strikers.

The question there is, would scanvoters rate Albert and Happel as highly as they should be?

 

[antohan]

BTW, @Joga Bonito you are right re: Popluhar, he always seemed reliable to me and a key player for that Czech side, it's the other three I don't rate at all given the challenge they face.

And Suker is more than just a pure striker, and I would hope he does play more as a support striker or else he would be adding nothing that MvB can't do in the box. I would prefer an Henry-type player though.

 

[Raees]

Florian Albert is the best player on the pitch outside of Van Basten for me.

 

[Raees]

Albert is a number 10... definitely not a striker in my opinion.

He'd play behind a striker or tip of the diamond.. at a push as the Fellaini in a three man midfield I.e. very attacking almost like a second striker/Zidane.

One of the most gifted footballers I have ever seen grace a football pitch, he looks like a play station footballer from that video.

 

[Theon]

Florian Albert is the best player on the pitch outside of Van Basten for me.

Lovely little video, seems a proper midfielder there.

 

[Skizzo]

Sorry haven't had a chance to get in here yet. Have some family coming over soon so I won't be able to contribute much until the bastards are gone

Thanks @Pat_Mustard for filling in so far!

 

[harms]

Sorry haven't had a chance to get in here yet. Have some family coming over soon so I won't be able to contribute much until the bastards are gone

Thanks @Pat_Mustard for filling in so far!

Spoiler

edit: my contribution to this thread is very constructive. I have no idea who to vote for here so far

 

[antohan]

Albert is a number 10... definitely not a striker in my opinion.

He'd play behind a striker or tip of the diamond.. at a push as the Fellaini in a three man midfield I.e. very attacking almost like a second striker/Zidane.

One of the most gifted footballers I have ever seen grace a football pitch, he looks like a play station footballer from that video.

Precisely why I don't get the "4-4-2 can't dominate the midfield", he would link up beautifully with the four midfielders and the movement from those five can release Baros through on goal time and again. Exactly the sort of fluid attacking that someone was saying was lacking and that Baros needed.

You could go the boring Mourinho way and drop Baros for Carvalho and shut out Netzer with Happel and Cocu doubling up on him. Or you could just imagine the beauty those five could produce.

 

[Annahnomoss]

I don't think Bossis would be at his best here. Tresor being a libero meant that Tresor started centrally while Bossis had to be pushed out wide. Happel himself is from what I can gather more of a libero himself too used to playing next to Max Merkel who was the ball winning brute of the partnership.

I usually don't think that is a big deal, I think that two ball playing defenders can play next to each other but then there are some players like Bossis who had issues being in such a partnership. It wasn't a partnership that made him play his best football so to say.

@Aldo The only match where Spain underperformed in the 2008 EC was against Italy who played the exact formation that you are up against here. Spain had a superior team but failed to score in the 0-0 draw and had to rely on penalties.

Spain's success against Russia came after they subbed Fabregas on early(34 mins) as a number 10 I believe? Correct me if I am wrong.

@Skizzo I would love to hear more about this Olivella fellow, preferably his performances in the relevant tournament. How will you guys defend against Kaltz-Nedved? The same goes for Lahm-Iniesta on the other side which are Aldo's main threats.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Precisely why I don't get the "4-4-2 can't dominate the midfield", he would link up beautifully with the four midfielders and the movement from those five can release Baros through on goal time and again.

Is he being played as a #10?

I. Know I'm being a bit pedantic, but @Raees video convinced me otherwise. Lovely video. So sharp on the turn!

 

[Skizzo]

@Annahnomoss

@Skizzo I would love to hear more about this Olivella fellow, preferably his performances in the relevant tournament. How will you guys defend against Kaltz-Nedved? The same goes for Lahm-Iniesta on the other side which are Aldo's main threats.

Just quickly trying to check in, I'll address what I can briefly

Nedved will offer width, but Iniesta isn't a winger who will stretch the play. Much like Silva was used by myself in the last draft. The only real width he gets here is from his full backs. Both of our central midfielders here are capable of tracking runners and putting in a defensive shift. Plus we have a DM in Monti who will occupy the space that Albert will look to drop into.

If his full backs are attacking and overlapping, it works perfectly In to the strengths of our defence and midfield....All of whom are capable of picking a pass and springing an attack.

The biggest difference I see here, is that our attack is much less likely to be stopped. Although obviously I'm biased :P

 

[Skizzo]

Is he being played as a #10?

I. Know I'm being a bit pedantic, but @Raees video convinced me otherwise. Lovely video. So sharp on the turn!

I believe Aldo said he would be playing just off Baros.

The biggest advantage I see here is that his danger men will be operating in spaces that are occupied. Albert into the hole where Monti is. Xavi is his player to build around but a 442 and a diamond will crowd the midfield space.

On the flip side, Netzer will have space to operate, and will have a much larger impact on this game than I think he has been given credit for. Not to mention there's Van Basten, who would be more likely to take any half chance he gets. We have much more prolific players, and I'd back them to outscore the opponent here.

 

[Skizzo]

Be back later though.

 

[antohan]

I don't think Bossis would be at his best here. Tresor being a libero meant that Tresor started centrally while Bossis had to be pushed out wide. Happel himself is from what I can gather more of a libero himself too used to playing next to Max Merkel who was the ball winning brute of the partnership.

I usually don't think that is a big deal, I think that two ball playing defenders can play next to each other but then there are some players like Bossis who had issues being in such a partnership. It wasn't a partnership that made him play his best football so to say.

That's a false premise right there, Bossis didn't "have to be pushed out wide because Tresor was a libero", he played leftback throughout his early years. It was only later that he started playing centrally on a regular basis both for club and country (with Tresor already out of the picture, but the cause-effect is all wrong in your interpretation).

It's a valid point nonetheless, neither was exactly a hulking stopper, but I'm not sure MvB and Suker call for that.

 

[antohan]

Is he being played as a #10?

I. Know I'm being a bit pedantic, but @Raees video convinced me otherwise. Lovely video. So sharp on the turn!

The way I see it he is being pulled back much like Cantona or Sheringham would be pulled back, it's just 4-4-1-1 doesn't make for the most marketable formation sheet.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

The way I see it he is being pulled back much like Cantona or Sheringham would be pulled back, it's just 4-4-1-1 doesn't make for the most marketable formation sheet.

Precisely. though the difference is marginal position-wise, I think it'll make a big impact game-wise. But let's see what Aldo says...The difference between a Second striker and a Attacking Midfielder is marginal positionwise, but has ahuge impact tactically, imo!

 

[antohan]

Precisely. though the difference is marginal position-wise, I think it'll make a big impact game-wise. But let's see what Aldo says...The difference between a Second striker and a Attacking Midfielder is marginal positionwise, but has ahuge impact tactically, imo!

TBH, I'm always inclined to believe great players will work out how a game is playing out and do what is required of them to impose themselves. And I'm not saying that just re: Albert, it's obvious to me Suker won't be in the box "getting in van Basten's way" as some would probably see it. Suker has other things in his locker and would work out very quickly how he needs to play in and around the box to make it work, you just can't expect him to do things he never did.

It is only players being instructed in ways that they have no record of, don't suit them or the team that I make a bigger deal of. Or when players lack the intelligence/team-orientation to flex where needed.

 

[Moby]

Most of the discussion has been about the midfield battle. And fairly so as it seems an interesting one. Skizzo has built a fine unit and has a fantastic number 10 at the tip of his diamond. I should just clarify some little things though. @Edgar Allan Pillow I'm interested to hear more on why you think this 4-4-2 is not a good option against a diamond formation in terms of dominating midfield. It would have been correct had I been playing a 4-4-2 with two attacking wingers who offer less in terms of defending and midfield roles, but I am playing a 4 man midfield here, as I've explained in my tactics, the midfield unit is capable of working in several ways depending on the situation. I'll just post a few pics of how it can, to explain. But the players in there are all rounders, those who bring a lot to the table both defensively and offensively, as well as creatively. Even more so as I have not instructed either of Iniesta or Nedved to hug the touchline the whole game, and their natural game dictates that they take full part in the midfield battle as both have done throughout their careers. Things like this can easily happen during the game :

It is important that you don't generalize the team by comparing it to any 4-4-2/4-4-1-1/4-2-2-2 as this comprises of players that offer so much in all phases of the game and are capable of occupying a lot of positions. As I wrote in the tactics, that is where this team gets it's balance from and that is what makes it capable of adapting and adjusting to whatever the opposition can throw and work their way around it.

 

[Moby]

• Love the Netzer/Van Basten axis. As Balu said it doesn't get much better than that at the Euros.
• Not sure about the Suker/Van Basten partnership. It's fine but I don't know if Suker maximises Van Basten's talents - two no9s in some ways.
• Underwhelmed by Skizzo's defence. What sort of player was this Olivella fella and how is he going to nip Baros in the bud?
• Against Van Basten, I'm unconvinced by Aldo's central defence. I like Bossis, and Happel's got a good reputation, but some of the footage I've seen of him from the 1954 World Cup doesn't paint him in the best light. Lahm might have the team of the tourney nominations but his performances at the business end of the Euros have been questionable.
• Aldo's midfield and full-backs will play some sexy possession football. A lot of cohesion and synergy there. There is a potential congestion issue as EAP says in the central attacking midfield area.
• Monti and Arnesen are solid selections. We know what we're getting with Monti and Arnesen can do that side-central midfielder role well from what we've seen from him at the Euros in 1984.

Fair analysis as always, Gio. I agree that Van Basten is likely to get a goal here, and most likely would. As much as I rate Bossis and Happel brings in some old school toughness, Van Basten is too good not to score in most situations in this draft. Having said that, our team is not going to worry too much about that, I've set up the team primarliy to impose themselves and their brand of football on this match and go out and play their natural game, and not to stop the opposition first and then see what happens. So basically we have gone into it with a positive approach, and we will try to be on the front foot the whole game trying to create as many chances as possible. I highly believe given the calibre of my midfielders we have the quality, team-work and adaptability to have the upper hand in midfield for most of the game, which should eventually give us the edge in this close game.

I think both defenses here are likely to be a bit exposed at some time or the other. I know you wouldn't have overlooked him but Albert in particular in a free role that I've given him against his defense with the platform given from my midfield should be a real handful.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Not sure I;m right, but I thought your best formation should be something like...

Something you are not playing....Albert occupying Monti and pulling him out of position.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I think Monti is dangerous un-attended and has the capacity and passing range to tilt the midfield battle in his favour.

 

[Moby]

Re: Cocu.

I surely could have picked a more defensive minded player like Senna, but I chose Cocu for a variety of reasons that make him a great fir for this team, as I mentioned in the draft thread.

1. He is a proper holding midfielder, yes he relies more on his positioning and reading of the game than tough tackling like a destroyer would, but this team will benefit a lot more by having an intelligent player like him who can get on board with the rest of the cast in terms of ball retention, passing and build up.

2. He comes from the same school of footballing philosophy as Xavi and Iniesta, and what a Spain homage team would require in general, which underlines the previous point even more.

3. Like Senna, the person he is a replacement for in that setup, Cocu also brings in tremendous reserves of stamina and tenacity, as well as being mentally tough as nails. He's not a Busquets or Alonso who relies completely on intelligence or reading of the play, the guy was tireless at his pomp and could cover loads of ground and had the determination to do so. His versatility, as he has played as a proper DM as well as in defense, is an added bonus and allows him to close the gaps between midfield and defense with ease.

All in all he seemed a really good fit for this side even if he is not a carbon copy replacement for Senna.

 

[Moby]

What is the second arrow on Nedved supposed to signify?

It is simply there to emphasize how Nedved performed for his NT. He played as an all action midfielder, and sort of wide box-to-box midfielder.

 

[Moby]

They did play Torres/Villa upfront, but it was not as successful nor effective as dropping Villa for a midfield CM in Fabregas. Same applies here too.

Villa wasn't dropped, he was injured in the semi final. There was no way Villa would have been dropped given the form he was in.

And Torres-Villa combined beautifully in that tournament, right from the very first goal Spain scored where Torres assisted Villa.

 

[Moby]

Not sure I;m right, but I thought your best formation should be something like...

Something you are not playing....Albert occupying Monti and pulling him out of position.

It is not really that different from what I am playing, there would probably be phases specially if I am trailing that I'd go that attacking. The team I have put out is anything but rigid, and there are 4-5 ways they can set up and still have the ability to perform well, and that will happen. It's a waste of the players I have if I instruct them to play in a limited way the whole game.

Most of out attacks will be based on that clockwise/anti-clockwise rotation I showed earlier. One of Iniesta and Nedved drives the ball forward, and the other joins the midfield to maintain the balance and provide an option to keep the ball. Likewise, the fullback of the same flank bombs forward, overlapping whichever one of Iniesta or Nedved went forward and the other fullback stays behind. That way we always have enough fire power in the front three to create chances and also have men in midfield to recycle possession and keep on attacking.

With Xavi as the one dictating the tempo of the game, I believe the team will dominate the proceedings in midfield and conjure up a few chances for the two goal scorers.

 

[Skizzo]

Ok, finally got rid of everyone

 

[Moby]

Overall, while I am facing a fantastic 9-10 combo and they would in all probability score here, there is a decent amount of chance that I will dominate the midfield and usually keep the ball, and that combined with the creativity, flair, discipline and mental toughness of my unit, should be enough to see us past the finish line.

Xavi, Iniesta, Nedved and Albert is a fine creative unit in the context of this draft, or any draft for that matter. Not only are they great individually but they come from similar philosophies, all of them are fantastic team players who put their team priorities above them at all times, which will, or rather should result in a beautiful brand of football which does not depend on one individual, and ends up bringing the best out of everyone. To revise :

- Xavi in 2008 was the best player of the tournament, controlled games like it was child's play, and played with tremendous intent. This tournament came right before the season where Barca played lovely attacking football and Xavi ended up with 30 odd assists. That is to show that this was Xavi at his peak, when he would thread balls and slice defenses open often, and not just look to keep it most of the time and wait for an opening. His assist in the final to Torres, emphasizes that perfectly, he simply sliced the German defense open with a single touch of the ball. That sort of vision, creativity and control is unrivalled here.

- Iniesta in 2012, took defenses apart with his dribbling, ball control and constant running rings around opponents. He was close to unplayable, and lifted an otherwise underwhelming Spanish team to reach the final, where Xavi, who wasn't at his best in 2012 grabbed a fine performance. It was that performance that gave him that Ballon D'or bronze place, and generally is his peak in terms of NT performances, even though he scored the WC winner two years back. But to bring home the argument, he was, like Xavi, quite rightly at the peak of his career.

- Nedved was the heart of the Czech team, another fantastic attacking outfit that lit up the tournament in 2004, and he drove them throughout the tournament including that incredible match winning performance where they came from losing 2-0 to winning 3-2 all thanks to Nedved. He is a player who never, ever stays out of action, and here he is again at the peak of his powers, having won the Ballon D'or not long ago. Nedved in general is a legend as far as the Euros are concerned, announcing himself in 1996 and then leading the team in 2004.

These three players, who were key to their respective teams which produced some incredible football would be combining beautifully here. On the ball they can be a real juggernaut, capable of hurting the opposition in so many different ways. Off the ball, they have the discipline, the right mentality and attitude, and the reserves of energy and stamina as well as tactical awareness and intelligence to restrict the opposition on the ball and as soon as they get it they look to attack with real intent.