All members of Redcafe are welcome to vote
Identity & Tactics:
The players and how they excelled together for their clubs and countries really define the team here. We're playing a 4321 with versatile attackers, who provide width and creativity in the middle, a midfield core that combines wonderful passing with endless workrate and physical strength and a brilliant defense that is incredibly hard to break down. The familiarity between the players makes sure, that the key players get to perform to the best of their abilities.
Key points in attack:
It's all about giving Verón the perfect platform to shine. He will set the pace of the game, starting counterattacks from deep and orchestrating the game from the middle, moving forward in possession to add a massive threat from long range. He's flanked by two brilliant box to box midfielders, his longterm partner Diego Simeone and Edgar Davids, who can take turns in making runs forward and will build a brilliant defensive shield for the defense, when MJJ is attacking. Davids will play more cautious this time, keeping an eye on C. Ronaldo and using his pace and physical strength to make sure, that we aren't exposed on the counter.
Defense:
Interesting fact, all four of my defenders played the worldcup final 2006. On one side was the French team, carried by Zidane's individual brilliance in attack, but equally important was an almost impenetrable defense. On the right side, Thuram and Sagnol formed a brilliant partnership, shutting down attackers like Ronaldinho and C. Ronaldo on the way to the final. On the other side for Italy was the standout defender of that tournament, Cannavaro, who joins my side to replace the only weak link in that French defense and team up with his teammates from his Parma and Juve days. On the left, Abidal is the perfect choice to defend against C. Ronaldo. His experience as a centerback will help him, when he has to track the runs into the box and defend against him inside the box. I will often need him as a 3rd centerback with Shearer, Rooney and Ronaldo all being a threat inside the box.
Team Balu
Identity & Tactics:
The players and how they excelled together for their clubs and countries really define the team here. We're playing a 4321 with versatile attackers, who provide width and creativity in the middle, a midfield core that combines wonderful passing with endless workrate and physical strength and a brilliant defense that is incredibly hard to break down. The familiarity between the players makes sure, that the key players get to perform to the best of their abilities.
Key points in attack:
- Give Del Piero the ball in his favorite area on the pitch. Well protected by Edgar Davids, just like he was during his peak years at Juve, he has the protection and freedom to excel and exploit the weak link in MJJ's defense again and again.
If his favorite trick doesn't work out, his creativity and understanding with Nedved will get the rest of the team involved. Drag Nesta out of position and Crespo will enjoy the space inside the box, force Keane to help out and Verón and Simeone have more freedom in midfield. Leave Sagna alone with del Piero and he will score.
- Crespo's favorite supporting cast. Verón, Simeone and Nedved all played a huge role, when Crespo finished the 00/01 season as the top scorer in the league with 26 goals. You want to get the best out of your striker and it will definitely happen here.
It's all about giving Verón the perfect platform to shine. He will set the pace of the game, starting counterattacks from deep and orchestrating the game from the middle, moving forward in possession to add a massive threat from long range. He's flanked by two brilliant box to box midfielders, his longterm partner Diego Simeone and Edgar Davids, who can take turns in making runs forward and will build a brilliant defensive shield for the defense, when MJJ is attacking. Davids will play more cautious this time, keeping an eye on C. Ronaldo and using his pace and physical strength to make sure, that we aren't exposed on the counter.
Defense:
Interesting fact, all four of my defenders played the worldcup final 2006. On one side was the French team, carried by Zidane's individual brilliance in attack, but equally important was an almost impenetrable defense. On the right side, Thuram and Sagnol formed a brilliant partnership, shutting down attackers like Ronaldinho and C. Ronaldo on the way to the final. On the other side for Italy was the standout defender of that tournament, Cannavaro, who joins my side to replace the only weak link in that French defense and team up with his teammates from his Parma and Juve days. On the left, Abidal is the perfect choice to defend against C. Ronaldo. His experience as a centerback will help him, when he has to track the runs into the box and defend against him inside the box. I will often need him as a 3rd centerback with Shearer, Rooney and Ronaldo all being a threat inside the box.
. No, seriously. I expect to sit deeper against MJJ's gung-ho attacking 442 here, that's why Veron will often be a deep lying playmaker, starting counterattacks from deep into the feet of del Piero and Nedved. His slightly adjusted position in the formation is a hint towards that. In reality all 3 midfielders can play in all 3 positions on the pitch. I expect Davids to have the deepest position on average because he's really useful to help out against Ronaldo.