The Millennium Draft: QF - Prolifik vs Ralaks

With players at their career peak, who would win?


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    10
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Physiocrat

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Prolifik

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Ralaks

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Prolifik Tactic
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We will line up in a flexible 4-1-3-2 formation, which can be adapted function as a regular 4-4-2 or a diamond as the need arises. "The invisible wall" Gilberto shields the back four, while his Arsenal midfield partner Fàbregas is the creative fulcrum. Key to this setup are the two energetic midfield all-rounders Valverde and Di María, who are equally comfortable as box-to-box midfielders and out-and-out wingers - in my system, they will play as a kind of hybrid between the two. (This role will particularly suit Di María, a natural winger who also thrived as a box-to-box midfielder alongside Ronaldo in real life.) Out of possession, they will either tuck infield to support Cesc and Gilberto, or spread out to cover the flanks, depending on out the opposition lines up.

Up front, Ronaldo plays his late-2010s role as a striker who sometimes drifts out left, rather than an orthodox wide forward. The interchange between Ronaldo, Di María, and Cole down the left will be one of our most profitable routes to goal. Raúl is the kind of strike partner Ronaldo needs: intelligent, hard-working, unselfish, excellent off the ball, and a deadly finisher in his own right.

The defence is airtight with G**ín the old-fashioned stopper and Bonucci more of the "ball-playing centre-back" archetype. Zanetti and Cole comprise the best full-back pairing in this draft, providing both defensive security and attacking support on the overlap. Navas is a safe pair of hands between the posts.

We will sit in a medium block with the pressure intensifying once the opposition gets into the midfield area. Raúl drops back to create a numbers advantage in the middle, while Ronaldo stays high to keep the opposition centre-backs wary of the counter-attacking threat. Once we win the ball, the vision and passing range of Cesc, the driving runs of Di María and Valverde, and the pace and clever movement of Ronaldo and Raúl, should make for some devastating transitions.

Ralaks Tactics

Starting the game off in a 4-4-2 diamond kind of formation similar to Ancelotti's AC Milan, with Xavi taking Pirlo's role, and Kimmich Gattuso's both arguably being just as good if not better in such a role. Both Seedorf and Kimmich will use their great stamina and work rate to help out the full backs on both the offensive and defensive side.

In defensce we have the pair of Barcelona's golden age. plenty of experience playing together, suits each other fantastically, many seasons together supplemented by even more tropies. Roberto Carlos and Maicon - probably two of the most complete wing backs of the drafts looking at peak period. They will provide the width and creativity whilst still being fine defensively.

The midfield diamond is packed with talent and balance. Kimmich and Seedorf will work as a double pivot behind Kaka. Both will supplement each other well, Seedorf with his box-2-box presence and great athleticism will contribute very well at both ends. Kaka will be the link between the two behind him and the two in front of him. The last Ballon d'or winner before the two freaks of nature came along, allowed to roam as he wants. Maybe blew away too early, but who cares when it is the peak which matters, where he was insanely good. Very good understanding with Seedorf playing 229 games together during their succesfull time at Milan in the 00s. Cracking shot (akward volleys, long shots, you name it), great dribbler and passer. We all known Xavi, fantastic player and passer.

Up front a duo of the Premier Leagues finest complementing each other perfectly. Van Persie, one of the best left footed finishers ever (at the very least in the PL), intelligent on the ball as well as off it. Can help with the creative part of the equation equally as he can finish it. Drogba, powerful, strong, can hold off any defender to invite Kaka and Van Persie on the ball. Similar to Van Persie's unique left foot, Drogba gives an aerial presence few do, without discounting his clinical finishing. Roberto Carlos & Maicon will relish having him as a target in the box.
 
Prolifik's team:
Everyone looks to be in their best role, supporting Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player on the pitch:
- Raúl an excellent strike partner for Cristiano
- Fàbregas in his best role
- Di María and Valverde proven in those hard-working wide midfielder roles
- Gilberto Silva a solid anchor-man who will find it hard to contain Kaká's movement
- Balanced centre-back partnership
- Best defensive fullback duo

Ralaks' team:
- unsure on Xavi's positioning as the deepest midfielder, but a skilled possession trio who will retain the ball.
- Pique and Puyol proven partnership in high line and possession style
- two attacking fullbacks to balance the lack of width ahead of them
- unsure about the synergy between Van Persie and Drogba, but Kaká playing off Drogba is an exciting and direct duo. Depending which version of RvP this is, I would have a preferred a forward who is more supporting, running the channels and creating space. Prolifik's back four will be very compact, and needs to be stretched.

2-1 Prolifik win, who possesses the right tools to hurt Ralaks on the counter
 
Leaning towards Prol. Xavi as DLP is an interesting move but I think he's likely have more influence if he could play that bit further forward.
 
Completely forgot about this due to the ten Hag news. but good points about the midfield, I had a hard time figuring out exactly how to run it, and do regret not running De Rossi at all as I have a big soft spot for him