Ralaks
NoPace
Ralaks Tactics
I'll start the game in a 5-3-2, however it is a quite fluid tactic and I can transition into a 4-4-2 diamond (Ancelotti's Milan) quite easily by pushing Martinez up having him play the distributor role.
The core of the defensive quartet is made up of Puyol and Marquez who know each other well, playing 189 games together winning 4 titles and 2 UCL together. Martinez will use his intelligence and awareness to function similar to a libero being mainly positioned in defense, but allowed to push up with the ball, being both natural at centre back and as a defensive midfielder with a great passing range, this will suit him well. 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.
In midfield there is a great balance between Seedorf, Kimmich and Kaka. 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. Kimmich will be more withdrawn, utilizing his great ability to read the game, shield the backline and dictate the play from deep. 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. The midfield three is also very capable of handling the transition into a midfield diamond, with Seedorf and Kaka both having experienced great success together.
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.
NoPace Tactics
-Balanced team, but in likely a fairly counter-attacking side against strong possession teams in this tournament.
-Likely to build up more on the left with Alaba and Di Maria and Kroos slightly favoring the left and my right-side being far more direct and involved in counters (Bale-Ivanovic) when Kroos or others switch the play. Ramos comfortable moving right and Alaba comfortable tucking in a 3rd CB type lock downs that side defensively.
Attack:
Strength of the attack is Haaland's goalscoring supplied by Di Maria (3rd all time in CL assists after Cristiano and Messi), Lampard (5th all time in Prem Assists) and Kroos's passing, complimented by Bale's individual explosiveness on the right. It's not a collection of individuals struggling to form a coherent attack as Lampard and Di Maria were committed 2-way players in their primes who help in the midfield, with Di Maria focused on providing assists for the other 3 attacker and Lampard an expert at late runs that benefit from the attention Haaland's size and speed demand.
Set pieces should be a real strength with Haaland, Ramos, Bale and Ivanovic all proper aerial threats and Kroos' consistent delivery (and Di Maria as a left-footed option).
Midfield:
Midfield pairing is a classic passer and possession setter in Kroos complimented by a rabid dog in Gattuso (who has a Pirlo replacement here in Kroos he should feel comfortable working with), and Di Maria and Lampard well qualified (Di Maria's MOTM performance in the 2014 CL final in a midfield 3 showing his quality in that regard, Lampard part of one of the greatest defensive sides of all time in Mourinho's first Chelsea run) to contribute heavily defensively from their attacking midfield positions.
Defence:
Alaba was often regarded as the best LB in the world for many years in the 2010s and is now an excellent LCB who was always very strong in the air for a fullback.
Ramos was a massive game player for Madrid (4 CLs) and Spain (WC, 2 Euros) and is the sort of athletic partner who would fit nicely with Kompany (who carried Lescott into being the tied for 4th stingiest Prem CB pairing of all time, and the only other CB of the 10 in that gorup who wouldn't belong in this draft is Kolo Toure so congrats to the Sol Campbell drafter. The rest are Vidic, Ferdinand, Carvalho, Terry, Adams and Keown. Lescott doesn't belong here but Kompany carried him). Both CBs very comfortable on the ball, along with Alaba.
Ivanovic made the PFA XI 3 times and is strong at the back post and provides another defender happy to defend deep. I think the right tricky, low hipped and agile winger could give him trouble (so I drafted Sagna who was expert in that regard and made the PFA XI twice on the strength of his defending) but Ralak's hasn't got that.
Oblak has been a fantastic keeper who commands his area and won't be asked to play too much here as Bale and Haaland benefit from a direct style anyways.
Ralaks game specific:
-I confess I'm not entirely sure what his formation or starting XI will be, but in any case I think Haaland's size and speed make him a difficult physical matchup for any of Marquez, Javi Martinez and Puyol, particularly if he plays a higher line
-Drogba seems to have gone scoreless in 7 starts against Kompany for City.
-Will switch the wingers to have Bale go up against Maicon in the last 15-20 minutes of each half as he famously terrorized him as the games got deeper when they matched up in Maicon's prime.
-Ralaks' lack of wingers should make things easier for Ivanovic to do what he does best defensively. His wingbacks also have to worry about Di Maria getting a bit of space to set up Haaland, Bale or Lampard and Bale's sheer athleticism, and they've got rock-solid fullbacks when they get higher up and strong CBs to deal with any deliveries.
-Gattuso's job is to contain Kaka.
-I've got more goals in my team and a much stronger (defensively speaking, his fullbacks and Marquez excellent going forward no point in denying it) back 4 and I think along with a balanced midfield and proper wingers that should be enough to mean that my team is strong defensively and a serious threat on the counter when Ralaks is in possession. Strong set piece advantage in terms of aerial ability is an advantage in both penalty boxes.
NoPace
Ralaks Tactics
I'll start the game in a 5-3-2, however it is a quite fluid tactic and I can transition into a 4-4-2 diamond (Ancelotti's Milan) quite easily by pushing Martinez up having him play the distributor role.
The core of the defensive quartet is made up of Puyol and Marquez who know each other well, playing 189 games together winning 4 titles and 2 UCL together. Martinez will use his intelligence and awareness to function similar to a libero being mainly positioned in defense, but allowed to push up with the ball, being both natural at centre back and as a defensive midfielder with a great passing range, this will suit him well. 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.
In midfield there is a great balance between Seedorf, Kimmich and Kaka. 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. Kimmich will be more withdrawn, utilizing his great ability to read the game, shield the backline and dictate the play from deep. 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. The midfield three is also very capable of handling the transition into a midfield diamond, with Seedorf and Kaka both having experienced great success together.
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.
NoPace Tactics
-Balanced team, but in likely a fairly counter-attacking side against strong possession teams in this tournament.
-Likely to build up more on the left with Alaba and Di Maria and Kroos slightly favoring the left and my right-side being far more direct and involved in counters (Bale-Ivanovic) when Kroos or others switch the play. Ramos comfortable moving right and Alaba comfortable tucking in a 3rd CB type lock downs that side defensively.
Attack:
Strength of the attack is Haaland's goalscoring supplied by Di Maria (3rd all time in CL assists after Cristiano and Messi), Lampard (5th all time in Prem Assists) and Kroos's passing, complimented by Bale's individual explosiveness on the right. It's not a collection of individuals struggling to form a coherent attack as Lampard and Di Maria were committed 2-way players in their primes who help in the midfield, with Di Maria focused on providing assists for the other 3 attacker and Lampard an expert at late runs that benefit from the attention Haaland's size and speed demand.
Set pieces should be a real strength with Haaland, Ramos, Bale and Ivanovic all proper aerial threats and Kroos' consistent delivery (and Di Maria as a left-footed option).
Midfield:
Midfield pairing is a classic passer and possession setter in Kroos complimented by a rabid dog in Gattuso (who has a Pirlo replacement here in Kroos he should feel comfortable working with), and Di Maria and Lampard well qualified (Di Maria's MOTM performance in the 2014 CL final in a midfield 3 showing his quality in that regard, Lampard part of one of the greatest defensive sides of all time in Mourinho's first Chelsea run) to contribute heavily defensively from their attacking midfield positions.
Defence:
Alaba was often regarded as the best LB in the world for many years in the 2010s and is now an excellent LCB who was always very strong in the air for a fullback.
Ramos was a massive game player for Madrid (4 CLs) and Spain (WC, 2 Euros) and is the sort of athletic partner who would fit nicely with Kompany (who carried Lescott into being the tied for 4th stingiest Prem CB pairing of all time, and the only other CB of the 10 in that gorup who wouldn't belong in this draft is Kolo Toure so congrats to the Sol Campbell drafter. The rest are Vidic, Ferdinand, Carvalho, Terry, Adams and Keown. Lescott doesn't belong here but Kompany carried him). Both CBs very comfortable on the ball, along with Alaba.
Ivanovic made the PFA XI 3 times and is strong at the back post and provides another defender happy to defend deep. I think the right tricky, low hipped and agile winger could give him trouble (so I drafted Sagna who was expert in that regard and made the PFA XI twice on the strength of his defending) but Ralak's hasn't got that.
Oblak has been a fantastic keeper who commands his area and won't be asked to play too much here as Bale and Haaland benefit from a direct style anyways.
Ralaks game specific:
-I confess I'm not entirely sure what his formation or starting XI will be, but in any case I think Haaland's size and speed make him a difficult physical matchup for any of Marquez, Javi Martinez and Puyol, particularly if he plays a higher line
-Drogba seems to have gone scoreless in 7 starts against Kompany for City.
-Will switch the wingers to have Bale go up against Maicon in the last 15-20 minutes of each half as he famously terrorized him as the games got deeper when they matched up in Maicon's prime.
-Ralaks' lack of wingers should make things easier for Ivanovic to do what he does best defensively. His wingbacks also have to worry about Di Maria getting a bit of space to set up Haaland, Bale or Lampard and Bale's sheer athleticism, and they've got rock-solid fullbacks when they get higher up and strong CBs to deal with any deliveries.
-Gattuso's job is to contain Kaka.
-I've got more goals in my team and a much stronger (defensively speaking, his fullbacks and Marquez excellent going forward no point in denying it) back 4 and I think along with a balanced midfield and proper wingers that should be enough to mean that my team is strong defensively and a serious threat on the counter when Ralaks is in possession. Strong set piece advantage in terms of aerial ability is an advantage in both penalty boxes.
