......................................... Team Physiocrat ......................................................................... Team Raees ..................................
Team Physicrat
Tactics Overview
4-3-3 False 9
Defensive Line: High
Passing: Normal/ Direct
Pressing: High
You could consider the tactics in general like those of Bielsa. High pressing, high possession but always trying to play vertically rather than horizontally.
How I will score:
Fabregas will be the creative hub of the midfield spraying it short and long with Wilshere running box-to-box as well as providing a touch of class. Berba will play as a false 9 (he has an impeccable first touch, excellent ball control, has great vision and is positionally aware) making it difficult for Raees' defense and De Jong. If the latter sticks to him it will give loads of room for Fabregas to slide balls through to Robben and Nani as well as leaving me to dominate the midfield. If De Jong doesn't follow him he could end being left free. Berba was a great creator and solid goalscorer (1 in 2) in his prime who will relish the freedom to play in any way he sees fit with two quick goalscoring widemen in Robben (1 in 2) and Nani ( 8 and 9 goals a season at his best) allowing him lots of opportunities to slide them in or to use the space to bend it in; this will truly get the best out of Berba's unique style. Further his height also allows us to go long on occasions and mix it up.
Another clear route to goal is the left side with Alba overlapping Nani thereby pinning back Carvajal forcing him on the back foot. Either a cross from Alba or a distraction for Nani to whip it in the top corner. Chiellini is obviously far better than Carvajal defensively but Robben is simply a genius and the best wideman of his generation with lightning pace, scintillating dribbling and a fierce, accurate shot; he looked like he'd score every time he had the ball against United last season in the Champions league - he will constantly be a danger. Not only that but Fabregas ghosting forward is always capable of a long shot and scored 15 goals one season for Arsenal in a similar position.
How I'll stop Raees from Scoring:
Firstly a high press; if he doesn't have the ball he won't score. Robben, Fabregas, Alba and Boateng all have experience in high-pressing set-ups. Nani and Berba despite reputation are very hard workers and could adapt: pressing isn't just a matter of being a manic chicken but putting yourself in the right positions. I remember back in the Tevez vs Berba days that the latter had more interceptions and tackles than Tevez did on average. Obviously if we don't get it back quickly we'll drop a little deeper.
With the ball Raees will use Hummels and Gungadon's passing range to release Ronaldinho and allow him to work his magic. That is why Rafael will be playing more conservatively than he would otherwise. At his peak Ronaldinho is almost unstoppable however Rafael at his best is a quality hard tackling defender: a number of years ago he kept Ribery quiet all the time he was on the pitch. He will also have Gustavo constantly snapping at his heals. Further being far away from goal (due to my high line) will limit Higuain's effectiveness, he's solid striker but doesn't have the pace to exploit a high line (note all my back four are reasonable quick so the space in behind is unlikley to be exploited). He could switch the play to Park to exploit space in behind Alba which is a possibility but Vermaelen is a capable left-back so Park should cause him little problems if he's pulled wide. If Raees has a sustained period of possession and gets Isco involved I have the classy Jerome Boateng (Champions League and World Cup winner) marshaling my defensive unit: strong, quick and intelligent he's an all-round defender. Finally I have the Russian Akinfeev who's form was so great a few years ago he was heavily linked as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
A note on Nani:
It is true that his best performances for Utd came on the right however he has never played the role I want him to play today. Nani was a left winger in either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. In the latter it was in European away games where we had little possession with Rooney on his own and with Valencia right where his main task was working the wing and crossing. He is far better at crossing with his right which made him always cut inside to cross or to dally on the ball not knowing what to do; it was a similar problem in a 4-2-3-1. Here though he's playing as a wideforward who's main task is to dribble and score goals. As such he'll be much more central (Alba will constantly overlap)and not required to cross thereby liberating him from the problems he used to have on the left. He could shimmy left or right and still hit a rocket into the top corner.
