Players should be judged on Euros performances only
Team Gio
VS
Team Pythagoras
Gio Writeup/tactics
TACTICAL POINTS
FERNANDO TOLDO
Toldo played just the one international tournament - but what a tournament it was. A massive presence behind one of the greatest defences, his finest hour arguably come in fending off the Dutch onslaught in the semi-final, saving 3 penalties over normal and shootout time.
GIACINTO FACCHETTI
Gran Capitano of Italy's winning Euro-68 side. Aged 25, Facchetti was in his physical prime, wore the no10 shirt while helping to keep 2 clean sheets in 3 matches. Selected in the Team of the Tournament.
BOBBY MOORE
Selected in the Team of the Tournament. Moore was particularly outstanding against USSR where he was flawless defensively and controlled the game with his passing range and technique in possession. Aged 26.
FRANK RIJKAARD
The outstanding stopper of Euro 1988 when, aged 25, he produced a series of dynamic and commanding displays. He had the highest number of tackles per game (5.4) of any player in the tournament. Selected in the official team of the tournament and was Sofascore's second highest rated player of the tournament behind Van Basten.
JOSE PINTO
Euro 1984's outstanding right-back - selected in the Team of the Tournament - Pinto was famed for his "two hearts and four lungs" as a flank dominating presence for club and country. Influential through the tournament (nicknamed Capitao), beginning in the opening 0-0 draw against holders West Germany saw "Pinto bombing forward from right-back as he so often did, supplied a rocket of a strike that Schumacher did well to turn over", through to the famous semi-final with France: "Extra time saw the goalkeepers come to the fore... Bats was equally decisive as he made a terrific save to deny Nene's header after Joao Pinto had supplied a cross from the right"
RODRI
Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024. Now widely regarded as the best central midfielder in the world, Rodri was the midfield architect behind Spain's Euro 2024 winning campaign.
FABIAN RUIZ
Selected in the Team of the Tournament after a dominant campaign alongside Rodri in the heart of the Spanish midfield. Despite his deep-lying role, he had the 9th most successful dribbles of any player at Euro 2024 (behind only attackers), won the ball in the final third more times than any other player in the tournament (with his relentless pressing) and also contributed offensively with 2 goals and 2 assists.
BERND SCHUSTER
Schuster electrified Euro 1980 by dominating the Netherlands and Belgium in the semi-final and final respectively. A tigerish and talismanic presence from his right-sided central-midfield role. He created or scored 4 out of the 5 goals that West Germany netted in those two decisive games.
PAVEL NEDVED
Boasts an impressive portfolio of Euros performances. Runner-up at Euro 1996, Kicker's Highest Rated Player at Euro 2000, and semi-finalist at Euro 2004. It is the '04 version of Nedved that takes his place in the team here when he was the reigning Ballon D'Or winner and at his swashbuckling and talismanic best. The Czechs surged to the semi-finals and it was no coincidence that Nedved's injury during that game was a fatal blow to their attacking game that they were unable to recover from.
WAYNE ROONEY
MARCO VAN BASTEN
Pythagoras Writeup/tactics
Team Gio
VS
Team Pythagoras
Gio Writeup/tactics
TACTICAL POINTS
- Nedved joins the midfield to provide energy and drive which complements the Rodri/Ruiz possession partnership and technical creativity of Schuster. Defensively our Euro credentials are bolstered with Frank Rijkaard who was flawless in a more defensive role at Euro 88. With his physicality and aggression he's a perfect foil for Moore whilst also being extremely comfortable on the ball.
- Extremely high levels of work-rate and energy throughout the team. Nedved / Schuster / Rooney / Ruiz are infectious pressing off-the ball and should give the opposition midfield no space to breath in midfield.
- With Nedved and Schuster bursting from midfield, Rooney's Euro 04 surging runs, and the galloping counter-attacker Facchetti, we will aim to be deadly in the transition. When our high-quality defence wins back possession, we will aim to counter quickly and smartly.
- The offensive balance in the team should provide a strong platform for Van Basten and Rooney. There should be a mix of incisive line-breaking service through the middle as well as more traditional wing play down the flanks - see Schuster for example, whose intricate one-two through-ball in the Euro 80 final shows his creative threat through the middle, whilst the 3-2 win vs Netherlands demonstrates his devastating creativity out wide (including the assist for Allofs hatrick).
FERNANDO TOLDO
Toldo played just the one international tournament - but what a tournament it was. A massive presence behind one of the greatest defences, his finest hour arguably come in fending off the Dutch onslaught in the semi-final, saving 3 penalties over normal and shootout time.
GIACINTO FACCHETTI
Gran Capitano of Italy's winning Euro-68 side. Aged 25, Facchetti was in his physical prime, wore the no10 shirt while helping to keep 2 clean sheets in 3 matches. Selected in the Team of the Tournament.
BOBBY MOORE
Selected in the Team of the Tournament. Moore was particularly outstanding against USSR where he was flawless defensively and controlled the game with his passing range and technique in possession. Aged 26.
FRANK RIJKAARD
The outstanding stopper of Euro 1988 when, aged 25, he produced a series of dynamic and commanding displays. He had the highest number of tackles per game (5.4) of any player in the tournament. Selected in the official team of the tournament and was Sofascore's second highest rated player of the tournament behind Van Basten.
JOSE PINTO
Euro 1984's outstanding right-back - selected in the Team of the Tournament - Pinto was famed for his "two hearts and four lungs" as a flank dominating presence for club and country. Influential through the tournament (nicknamed Capitao), beginning in the opening 0-0 draw against holders West Germany saw "Pinto bombing forward from right-back as he so often did, supplied a rocket of a strike that Schumacher did well to turn over", through to the famous semi-final with France: "Extra time saw the goalkeepers come to the fore... Bats was equally decisive as he made a terrific save to deny Nene's header after Joao Pinto had supplied a cross from the right"
RODRI
Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024. Now widely regarded as the best central midfielder in the world, Rodri was the midfield architect behind Spain's Euro 2024 winning campaign.
FABIAN RUIZ
Selected in the Team of the Tournament after a dominant campaign alongside Rodri in the heart of the Spanish midfield. Despite his deep-lying role, he had the 9th most successful dribbles of any player at Euro 2024 (behind only attackers), won the ball in the final third more times than any other player in the tournament (with his relentless pressing) and also contributed offensively with 2 goals and 2 assists.
BERND SCHUSTER
Schuster electrified Euro 1980 by dominating the Netherlands and Belgium in the semi-final and final respectively. A tigerish and talismanic presence from his right-sided central-midfield role. He created or scored 4 out of the 5 goals that West Germany netted in those two decisive games.
PAVEL NEDVED
Boasts an impressive portfolio of Euros performances. Runner-up at Euro 1996, Kicker's Highest Rated Player at Euro 2000, and semi-finalist at Euro 2004. It is the '04 version of Nedved that takes his place in the team here when he was the reigning Ballon D'Or winner and at his swashbuckling and talismanic best. The Czechs surged to the semi-finals and it was no coincidence that Nedved's injury during that game was a fatal blow to their attacking game that they were unable to recover from.
WAYNE ROONEY
MARCO VAN BASTEN
Pythagoras Writeup/tactics
- Griezmann's movement will: i) disrupt any marking or defensive line discipline, drawing defenders out of position ii) help to create an overload in midfield or on the wing. Griezmann will be part of the build-up play and get on the end of crosses. Baroš is the box finisher, who will make direct dribbles to goal, play off the shoulder of his marker and make runs in behind.
- We possess multiple passing angles and triangles across the pitch, encouraging control and fluidity. In build-up play we can alternate from 4-1-3-2 to 3-4-2-1, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 and 4-2-2-2.
- Our highly technical playmakers, working in half spaces will exploit gaps in the opposition's defence. Our creative midfielders can move the ball with pace and accuracy vertically or horizontally, creating space and gaps in the opponent’s defensive line. We have great variation in our passing: both patient ball-recycling to wait for a mistake and probing for gaps, or able to execute quick transitions, disruptive diagonal passes and swift counter attacks. Both Figo and Giresse are effective in both the outside and inside channels.
- Compact mid-block, 4-4-2 shape, when defending after an initial press. Lizarazu making overlapping runs on the left wing. Ball-playing Bossis covering behind elite defenders Förster and Thuram. Sweeper-keeper Van der Sar can also initiate attacks from deep with his accurate long balls.
Edwin van der Sar
16 games 9 clean sheets
Team of the Tournament
Most saves from inside box (EURO 2004)
Most accurate long balls for a goalkeeper (EURO 2008)
2nd most saves from inside box (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate long balls for a goalkeeper (EURO 2004)
3rd most saves (EURO 2004)
4th most saves (EURO 2008)
4th most punches (EURO 2000)
4th most high claims (EURO 2004)
5th most saves from inside box (EURO 2000)
5th most saves outside the box (EURO 2008)
5th most accurate long balls for a goalkeeper (EURO 1996)
Lilian Thuram
16 games 5 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 2000
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 2000
Most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 2000)
Most interceptions for a defender (EURO 2000)
Most successful dribbles for a defender (EURO 1996, EURO 2000)
3rd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1996)
4th most accurate final third passes for a defender (EURO 2000)
5th most accurate own half passes for a defender (EURO 2004)
Karlheinz Förster
7 games 3 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 1980
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1980, 1984
2nd most interceptions for a defender (EURO 1980)
3rd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1980)
4th most accurate long balls for a defender (EURO 1980)
5th most tackles for a defender (EURO 1980)
5th most successful dribbles for a defender (EURO 1980)
Maxime Bossis
5 games 3 clean sheets
UEFA European Football Championship: 1984
Most clearances (EURO 1984)
2nd most accurate passes for a defender (EURO 1984)
3rd most tackles for a defender (EURO 1984)
5th most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1984)
Bixente Lizarazu
12 games 4 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 2000
2nd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1996)
2nd most aerial duels won for a defender (EURO 2004)
3rd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 2000)
3rd most tackles (EURO 2000)
3rd most tackles for a defender (EURO 1996)
3rd most accurate opposition half passes for a defender (EURO 1996)
3rd most accurate final third passes for a defender (EURO 1996)
5th most successful dribbles for a defender (EURO 1996)
5th most accurate final third passes for a defender (EURO 2004)
Marcos Senna
5 games 3 clean sheets
Team of the Tournament
UEFA European Championship: 2008
Don Balón Award (best Spanish player)
Most interceptions (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate passes (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate long balls for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
3rd most clearances for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
4th most accurate opposition half passes for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
5th most ground duels won for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
5th most aerial duels won for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
Xavi
11 games 1 goal 4 assists
Player of the Tournament
2x Team of the Tournament
UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012
Most accurate passes (EURO 2008, EURO 2012)
Most key passes (EURO 2012)
Most accurate final third passes (EURO 2012)
Most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2012)
Most accurate long balls for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
Most accurate crosses (EURO 2012)
2nd most interceptions (EURO 2008)
2nd most big chances created (EURO 2012)
2nd most accurate final third passes (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2008)
3rd most accurate long balls for a midfielder (EURO 2012)
4th most accurate own half passes (EURO 2008)
5th most accurate crosses (EURO 2008)
Luís Figo
14 games 2 goals 5 assists
3x Man of the Match awards
2x Team of the Tournament
Most successful dribbles (EURO 2004)
2nd most assists (EURO 2004)
2nd most ground duals won (EURO 2004)
2nd most accurate final third passes (EURO 2004)
3rd most successful dribbles (EURO 2000)
3rd most key passes (EURO 2000, EURO 2004)
3rd most big chances created (EURO 2004)
3rd most accurate crosses (EURO 2000)
4th most accurate crosses (EURO 2004)
4th most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2004)
5th most big chances created (EURO 2000)
5th most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2000)
Alain Giresse
5 games 1 goal 2 assists
Team of the Tournament
UEFA European Championship: 1984
Most key passes made (EURO 1984)
Most accurate final third passes (EURO 1984)
Most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 1984)
Most accurate crosses (EURO 1984)
4th most accurate passes (EURO 1984)
5th most successful dribbles (EURO 1984)
Antoine Griezmann
16 games 7 goals 2 assists
Player of the Tournament
Golden Boot
Team of the Tournament
2x Man of the Match awards
Most goals (EURO 2016)
Most goals from inside the box (EURO 2016)
Most tackles for a forward (EURO 2016)
Most accurate own half passes for a forward (EURO 2016)
Most accurate long balls for a forward (EURO 2024)
2nd most accurate final third passes for a forward (EURO 2016, EURO 2020)
2nd most accurate passes for a forward (EURO 2016)
2nd most accurate opposition half passes for a forward (EURO 2016, EURO 2020)
2nd most key passes for a forward (EURO 2016)
2nd most accurate own half passes for a forward (EURO 2024)
3rd most interceptions for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most accurate crosses for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most accurate long balls for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most ground duals won for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most accurate passes for a forward (EURO 2020)
4th most assists (EURO 2016)
4th most accurate own half passes for a forward (EURO 2020)
5th most accurate crosses for a forward (EURO 2020)
5th most accurate final third passes for a forward (EURO 2024)
5th most accurate opposition half passes for a forward (EURO 2024)
Milan Baroš
10 games 5 goals 3 assists
Golden Boot
Team of the Tournament
2x Man of the Match awards
Most goals (EURO 2004)
Most goals from inside the box (EURO 2004)
3rd most shots on target for a forward (EURO 2004)
3rd most ground duals won for a striker (EURO 2004)
3rd most shots on target for a striker (EURO 2004)
4th most successful dribbles for a striker (EURO 2004)
16 games 9 clean sheets
Team of the Tournament
Most saves from inside box (EURO 2004)
Most accurate long balls for a goalkeeper (EURO 2008)
2nd most saves from inside box (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate long balls for a goalkeeper (EURO 2004)
3rd most saves (EURO 2004)
4th most saves (EURO 2008)
4th most punches (EURO 2000)
4th most high claims (EURO 2004)
5th most saves from inside box (EURO 2000)
5th most saves outside the box (EURO 2008)
5th most accurate long balls for a goalkeeper (EURO 1996)
Lilian Thuram
16 games 5 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 2000
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament: 2000
Most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 2000)
Most interceptions for a defender (EURO 2000)
Most successful dribbles for a defender (EURO 1996, EURO 2000)
3rd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1996)
4th most accurate final third passes for a defender (EURO 2000)
5th most accurate own half passes for a defender (EURO 2004)
Karlheinz Förster
7 games 3 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 1980
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1980, 1984
2nd most interceptions for a defender (EURO 1980)
3rd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1980)
4th most accurate long balls for a defender (EURO 1980)
5th most tackles for a defender (EURO 1980)
5th most successful dribbles for a defender (EURO 1980)
Maxime Bossis
5 games 3 clean sheets
UEFA European Football Championship: 1984
Most clearances (EURO 1984)
2nd most accurate passes for a defender (EURO 1984)
3rd most tackles for a defender (EURO 1984)
5th most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1984)
Bixente Lizarazu
12 games 4 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 2000
2nd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1996)
2nd most aerial duels won for a defender (EURO 2004)
3rd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 2000)
3rd most tackles (EURO 2000)
3rd most tackles for a defender (EURO 1996)
3rd most accurate opposition half passes for a defender (EURO 1996)
3rd most accurate final third passes for a defender (EURO 1996)
5th most successful dribbles for a defender (EURO 1996)
5th most accurate final third passes for a defender (EURO 2004)
Marcos Senna
5 games 3 clean sheets
Team of the Tournament
UEFA European Championship: 2008
Don Balón Award (best Spanish player)
Most interceptions (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate passes (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate long balls for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
3rd most clearances for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
4th most accurate opposition half passes for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
5th most ground duels won for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
5th most aerial duels won for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
Xavi
11 games 1 goal 4 assists
Player of the Tournament
2x Team of the Tournament
UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012
Most accurate passes (EURO 2008, EURO 2012)
Most key passes (EURO 2012)
Most accurate final third passes (EURO 2012)
Most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2012)
Most accurate long balls for a midfielder (EURO 2008)
Most accurate crosses (EURO 2012)
2nd most interceptions (EURO 2008)
2nd most big chances created (EURO 2012)
2nd most accurate final third passes (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2008)
3rd most accurate long balls for a midfielder (EURO 2012)
4th most accurate own half passes (EURO 2008)
5th most accurate crosses (EURO 2008)
Luís Figo
14 games 2 goals 5 assists
3x Man of the Match awards
2x Team of the Tournament
Most successful dribbles (EURO 2004)
2nd most assists (EURO 2004)
2nd most ground duals won (EURO 2004)
2nd most accurate final third passes (EURO 2004)
3rd most successful dribbles (EURO 2000)
3rd most key passes (EURO 2000, EURO 2004)
3rd most big chances created (EURO 2004)
3rd most accurate crosses (EURO 2000)
4th most accurate crosses (EURO 2004)
4th most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2004)
5th most big chances created (EURO 2000)
5th most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 2000)
Alain Giresse
5 games 1 goal 2 assists
Team of the Tournament
UEFA European Championship: 1984
Most key passes made (EURO 1984)
Most accurate final third passes (EURO 1984)
Most accurate opposition half passes (EURO 1984)
Most accurate crosses (EURO 1984)
4th most accurate passes (EURO 1984)
5th most successful dribbles (EURO 1984)
Antoine Griezmann
16 games 7 goals 2 assists
Player of the Tournament
Golden Boot
Team of the Tournament
2x Man of the Match awards
Most goals (EURO 2016)
Most goals from inside the box (EURO 2016)
Most tackles for a forward (EURO 2016)
Most accurate own half passes for a forward (EURO 2016)
Most accurate long balls for a forward (EURO 2024)
2nd most accurate final third passes for a forward (EURO 2016, EURO 2020)
2nd most accurate passes for a forward (EURO 2016)
2nd most accurate opposition half passes for a forward (EURO 2016, EURO 2020)
2nd most key passes for a forward (EURO 2016)
2nd most accurate own half passes for a forward (EURO 2024)
3rd most interceptions for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most accurate crosses for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most accurate long balls for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most ground duals won for a forward (EURO 2016)
3rd most accurate passes for a forward (EURO 2020)
4th most assists (EURO 2016)
4th most accurate own half passes for a forward (EURO 2020)
5th most accurate crosses for a forward (EURO 2020)
5th most accurate final third passes for a forward (EURO 2024)
5th most accurate opposition half passes for a forward (EURO 2024)
Milan Baroš
10 games 5 goals 3 assists
Golden Boot
Team of the Tournament
2x Man of the Match awards
Most goals (EURO 2004)
Most goals from inside the box (EURO 2004)
3rd most shots on target for a forward (EURO 2004)
3rd most ground duals won for a striker (EURO 2004)
3rd most shots on target for a striker (EURO 2004)
4th most successful dribbles for a striker (EURO 2004)