................................................ TEAM ENIGMA ............................................................................................ TEAM PNUT .............................................
TEAM ENIGMA
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Defensive line: normal
Style: direct, fast tempo. Team build around Zico as main playmaker, watertight defence and top not attacking unit.
Team card:
80's - ALEXIS SANCHEZ (CHILE) + COPA
70's - PAVEL NEDVED (CZECH REPUBLIC)
60's - GABRIEL BATISTUTA (ARGENTINA) + COPA, ANTONIO BENARRIVO (ITALY)
50's - ZICO (BRAZIL), KARL-HEINZ RUMMENIGGE (GERMANY) + CL
40's - PAT JENNINGS (NORTHERN IRELAND), ALBERT SHESTERNYOV (RUSSIA)
30's - DAVE MACKAY (SCOTLAND), SVATOPLUK PLUSKAL (CZECH REPUBLIC)
20's - DJALMA SANTOS (BRAZIL) + WC, JOSE SANTAMARIA (URUGUAY) + CL
Team Profiles:
GK: Pat Jennings - the Irishman was undisputed number one for Spurs and Arsenal in the 1970's and 1980's. He was the first goalkeeper to save with his feet consistently, his clearances got a good length and his goal kicks had a great distance. During his time he was one of the best in one-on-one situations which invariably saved Arsenal and Spurs a lot of the time. Incredibly agile, he just flung out of the goal mouth and pretty much caught anything.
LB: Antonio Benarrivo - was considered to be one of the best attacking full backs during the 1990s in his time with Parma. Comfortable on both flanks, and was known for his attacking prowess, but also one of the most versatile and solid defenders of his time. Despite the plethora of quality of Italian full backs in the 90's he played a vital role on the left flank(playing in all but the opening game) in Italy's 94 WC run where they ended up runner-ups.
RB: Djalma Santos - While primarily known for his defensive skills, he often ventured upfield and displayed some impressive attacking skills, excellent crossing ability and distribution of the ball whilst also a dead-ball specialist.He was never sent-off during his career. Djalma went to the midfield to distribute the ball in great way was one of the first overlapping full backs along with Nilton on the other flank. It was very hard find Djalma misplaced at any position, his skills in one on one situations, anticipation, vision, passing(both long and short), reading of the game were superb. No wonder he's considered by many the best right back of all time.
CB: José Santamaría - the Uruguayan was a physically strong and complete defender who rarely allowed opposing players to get past—something that was truly remarkable given that Madrid often played with a 3-2-5 formation throughout the 1950s. Madrid's golden era was known for their attack, but it was their defense that made it possible—led on many occasions by the inspirational wall known as Santamaria. Santamaria was neither as cynical nor as roughhouse as some of his great Nacional or Penarol contemporaries but his strength, stamina, indispensable talent for interceptions in a team generally set up with only three defenders and his heading ability made him the best defender around in the Fifties.
CB: Albert Shesternyov - Arguably the greatest Russian footballer of all-time, Shesternyov's career lasted just 13 years, but spanned the entire 1960's, which he spent exclusively with CSKA Moscow. He won nominated for the Ballon d'Or four times. He was phenomenal athlete and 100 metres for around 11 seconds in his youth, was champion not just area, but also of Moscow and Moscow region, showing excellent results in the 200 metres long and triple jump. His outstanding features included also a great jump and heading ability and fantastic defensive skills.
DM: Svatopluk Pluskal - A fearless defensive midfielder renowned for his aggressive style of play, strong slide tackles and aerial ability, Pluskal won 56 caps for Czechoslovakia, reaching the World Cup final in 1962. One of Europe's top midfielders, Pluskal also represented 'Rest of World' and 'Europe' sides which faced England in the 1960's and was also nominated for Ballon D'or in 1963.
CM(box to box): Dave Mackay - he was the engine-room of the Tottenham Hotspur side which achieved the FA Cup and league double in 1960-61, and years later of Brian Clough’s first successful team at Derby County. Mackay was a combative midfielder . George Best called him “the hardest man I have ever played against – and certainly the bravest”; while Mackay’s former team-mate Jimmy Greaves described him as “the most complete professional footballer I’ve ever known. He was a genuinely hard bastard and a truly gifted ballplayer, a combination which is so rare.” Despite his reputation as an “enforcer”, Mackay was never sent off. And his formidable challenges were matched by an undisputed skill on the ball: he was a superb passer.
AMC(Playmaker): Zico - To me the best player in the draft and on the park. He’s the greatest Brazilian to never win a World Cup. Pele once said: “The one player that came closest to me in playing style was Zico.” He had it all - vision, passing, one of the best dribblers and close control, whilst having the goalscoring ability of any forward in history - scoring more than 500 goals for club and country, not playing as a striker.
AML/LW: Pavel Nedvěd - One of the best midfielders in the last 30 years and one of the best ever to wear the black and white stripes of Juve. You always know what you get with him; goals, assists, great play-making, and hardwork. All while playing with high energy and infectious passion. He was very good defensively as well. A truly complete player and a Ballon D'or winner to boot.
RWF: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - a quote from El Mundo Deportivo back in 82 describes him best - "It hasn’t been a coincidence that he’s been voted two consecutive seasons in a row as the best European player. He has been the undisputable best player in Europe and for his country. The WC won’t be a deciding factor to his reputation, because he is already an accomplished player at the age of 26, and regarded as one of the major stars in the world. Success at the WC will just confirm for Germany that they have one of the greatest players in their history."
CF: Gabriel Batistuta - One of the best and complete #9's in history. He was an agile, evasive and inventive forward. He’d drop deep, link play, run in behind. Bully, harass, out-smart. There is a reason Diego Maradona once said he was the best centre forward of all time. He passed it into the net, powered headers, dinked, chipped and clipped it past hapless custodians. And of course, from time to time, he simply smashed it.
Great article on him for those interested - https://www.redcafe.net/threads/the-impossible-draft.439309/page-29#post-22723285
Defence: Every great attacking team needs a solid foundation at the back and we have that with 2 of the greatest CB's of all time and certainly in their respective era's - Shesternyov and Santamaria. Both are defensive walls equally adapt to handle the danger in the air and on the deck. Then we have the most complete full back in Djalma Santos on the right and Benarrivo on the left.
Midfield: Our midfield unit is constructed of solid defensively so that it can shield the back four, but also move the ball to Zico and Nedved, which would be Mackay's role and win the ball back quickly to start prompt counter attacks. Mackay and Pluskal are great in the defensive phase, which will allow Zico to run the game, whilst Nedved's presence would add up to the midfield battle and give us another body in there creating a numerical advantage at what most likely be 4-4-2 that we'll be facing.
Attack: A team that is definitely build around a fantastic attack, this is our focal point. Nedved, Kalle, Zico and Batistuta is an attacking unit that has it all and one of the best in their positions individually. Our attack has it all - the grit and determination of Nedved, Kalle and Batistuta, complimented by the incredible vision, pure flair and Dribbling ability of Zico. Zico, Batistuta and Kalle are phenomenal goalscorers and we have a lot of different routes for goal. Kalle would excel alongside physical and complete forward in Batistuta, to play off him and come from the right, whilst also Batigol creates space for him and Zico to make late runs in the box. Nedved with his endless stamina will buzz around the pitch add to the midfield battle as well as provide our forward line with creativity.
Advantages:
We feel we definitely have the advantage in attack and defence, considering both individual quality and also as a unit.
The midfield battle I expect to be balanced with advantages here and there during transitions, but the work rate of Nedved would create numerical advantage most of the time if we face a 4-4-2.
Worth mentioning as well is Kalle's and Batigol teamwork and pressing ability forward, which will be our first line of defence.
TEAM P-NUT:
Formation: 442/424 Hybrid
Player Roles - Criteria
GK: Yashin - Goalkeeper - Asi, Rus, 20
RB: Azpiliceuta - Balanced full back - Eur, Spa, 90
CB: M. Ramos - Stopper - SA, Bra, 30
CB: L. Blanc - Sweeper - Eur, Fra, 60
LB: R. Pavoni - Defensive Full Back - SA, Uru, 40
CM: J. Tigana - Box to Box - Afr, Mal, 50
CM: B. Bremner - Box to Box - Eur, Sco, 40
RW: D. Beckham - Right Winger - Eur, England, 70
ST: J. Charles - Target Man - Eur, Wal, 30
CF: F. Puskás - Complete Striker - Eur, Hun, 20
LW: J. Barnes - Left Winger - NA, Jam, 60
Honours
CL - Puskás, Beckham
WC - Blanc, Ramos
Copa - Ramos
Style of play
A very fluid formation with players changing position as needed.
Beckham can tuck into the midfield when required adding to the midfield numbers. The lack of an attacking midfielder also gives Puskás the license to drop in to that hole when he feels it is necessary.
Reasons why I'll win
M. Ramos and Blanc is the classic stopper-sweeper combo. Both have won world cups with their counties and Ramos on 2 occasions. They have Yashin behind them to complete a seriously strong central core.
Bremner and Tigana in midfield are physically dominant and would destroy the rhythm of the opposition.
The Beckham - Charles link is an obvious route to goal, and even if failing to get a header direct on target, Puskás will be around him to snap up any chances that fall his way. Barnes is there to keep the full backs wide with his dribbling and goal scoring ability.
Puskás is in his perfect role here, he has the freedom to drop off and get involved in build up, or run behind from Charles flick ons.
What restrictions?
Unarguably the greatest Russian footballer of all-time plays for the other team. Not sure that I'd even have Shesternyov in my top-5.