...................... Team Theon ...................................................................... Team Skizzo ..........................................
Team Theon
TACTICS
A balanced and complimentary 4-3-3 system - A devastating front three supported by an intimidating midfield filled with leadership, work-rate and technical ability and a world class defence capable of keeping a clean sheet against any attack.
ATTACK
The attack is multi faceted and well balanced, with the raw pace and trickery of Ronaldinho and Robben on the wings well supported by the physically dominant and technical Ibrahimovic - A 6 ft 5 colossus who has scored 128 goals in his last 157 games.
On the counter attack Zlatan will be the focal point, equally capable of running in behind himself or holding up the play to release Ronaldinho or Arjen Robben cutting inside. The Swede is capable of scoring from any type of position and the supply he has here is frightening – whether it is Robben attacking Evra on the outside to whip in a cross or Ronaldinho drifting behind Cambiasso to slip in a through ball.
MIDFIELD
Two industrious warriors in Schweinsteiger and Mascherano shield the defence whilst Wesley Sneijder adds a touch of quality and composure in the final third. The midfield is intimidating and physically dominating with players proven at the very highest level – All three have won national titles, all three have won the Champions League and all three have reached the final of the World Cup.
In Bastian Schweinsteiger the side has arguably the most complete central midfielder of the last decade - leading Bayern Munich to a historic treble in 2012/13 and winning the World Cup in 2014 in which Schweinsteiger was MOTM in the Final. Against an Xavi/Iniesta led Barcelona in 2013 Schweinsteiger dominated both legs – ensuring a historic 7-0 aggregate win in the semi finals of the Champions League.
DEFENCE
At the heart of the defence, Vidic and Thiago Silva form a lovely stopper/cover partnership with Silva's speed, athleticism and ball playing ability well complimented by Vidic's tenacity, bravery and dominance in the air. Albiol will play deep behind Robben and keep it secure on the right, while Ashley Cole will play more adventurously on the left and double up on the opposition with Ronaldinho. In goal David De Gea provides the last line of defence - not to be underestimated, particularly given his form this season.
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Team Skizzo
The Team
Our team will be lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Thibaut Courtois will be our man between the sticks. The back four is made up of three members of the great Athletico Madrid defence which has been so stingy over the last few seasons. Diego Godin and Miranda form the central partnership, a partnership which has been able to shut out opposing teams, and score quite a few themselves with set pieces. Patrice Evra and Juanfran take the full back spots.
In Midfield we have Estaban Cambiasso and Philipp Lahm. Cambiasso will be the slightly more withdrawn of the two, focusing more on the defensive side, looking to break up attacks and track runners. Kroos will use his fantastic positioning and reading of the game to look to close down passing lanes, and disrupt the flow of the opposition's attack.
The front four is made up of a fluid unit, consisting of Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller, Andres Iniesta, and Robert Lewandowski leading the line. The three attacking midfielders are all mobile, and will look to constantly be moving, causing a huge problem for the opposition. Lewandowski has been called the most complete forward in the World over the last few years, and he would thrive on the movement, passing, and ability of the men behind him.
Why we would win
On paper a star studded attack featuring Ibrahimovic, Robben, Sneijder and Ronaldinho looks virtually unstoppable, right? Upon further inspection from a holistic and tactical perspective, it wouldn't appear to be the case though. Imho, this is a classical case of shoehorning too many star names at the criminal cost of a cohesive team, which in turn, results in the said star names each not performing at their expected 100%. Let me make my case.
When you have a glorious match winner, you'd ideally wish to cater to their strengths, provide them with the tactical freedom and the right system to flourish. Which was what was done for the likes of Ibrahimovic, Robben, Sneijder and Ronaldinho in their respective teams. As much as they were sole match winners, they were also fairly difficult and rigid tactically, absolutely needing the right system and personnel around them to flourish (a worthy compromise).
All of them do their best work with the ball at their feet. Ronaldinho likes to drift centrally. Robben likes to drift centrally. Ibrahimovic likes to drop deep. Sneijder likes to operate in the hole. Four players who all need the ball to be at their best, and who all work in the same area.
On the flip side, our offense is balanced with three attackers who can all play selflessly, but also be clinical when needed. They've shown they can play and work together at one of the best club sides over the past few years (and this season). Iniesta thrives with movement ahead of him, and with Lewandowski, Ribery, and Muller, he has that in abundance. Iniesta will also add defensive work by dropping into midfield to press when we don't have the ball. An aspect that Sneijder won't be as effective with on the other side.
He has a fearsome attack with some gifted individuals but it is fragmented and I honestly can't see it performing as a sum of its parts to get the better of my defense. Two fantastic DM's shield my back four. My defense is comprised of the one of the best left backs in the World over the past seasons, and 3/4 of the best defense in club football over the past couple of seasons.
The teams are set up in similar styles, but the biggest difference is how everything works together. As stated, both defences are incredible, and both have great players shielding them. The difference is that our attack is set up to stretch the play and pull his defenders out of position, opening spaces to exploit. All of his best attackers do their best work in the same central area...which plays directly into the most congested area of the pitch, negating most of this threat.
Good luck Theon.
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. I'm fairly certain it's not just me with these views.