UEFA Euros Draft R1- Sjor vs Pyhthagoras

Who would win this match based on Euros performances?

  • Total voters
    12
  • Poll closed .

2mufc0

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Dragon of Dojima
Players should be judged on Euros performances only
Team Sjor

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VS

Team Pythagoras
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Sjor Writeup/tactics

tactics:
low block, midfield and attack pressing in my half and upon winning of the ball plan is to go direct through combining or ball carrying rather then long passes.

advanced three behind muller has the freedom to interchange as their will.

iniesta is the elephant in the room as this is the opposite of how he is usually used but i wanted to try it....watching kvaradona for georgia i cant see why wing version of iniesta couldnt play similarly. Defensive wise he is disciplined and brilliant in the press so transition to this would be piss easy.

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.
  • 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 stoppers Chiellini and Ramos. 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)

Sergio Ramos
15 games 10 clean sheets
Team of the Tournament
UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012
Most key passes for a defender (EURO 2008)
Most accurate own half passes (EURO 2012)
2nd most tackles (EURO 2008)
2nd most accurate passes for a defender (EURO 2008, EURO 2012)
3rd most successful dribbles for a defender (EURO 2008)
3rd most accurate long balls for a defender (EURO 2008, EURO 2012)
3rd most accurate opposition half passes for a defender (EURO 2008)
4th most accurate opposition half passes for a defender (EURO 2012, EURO 2016)
3rd most aerial duels won for a defender (EURO 2008)
4th most ground duels won (EURO 2008)
5th most tackles (EURO 2012)
5th most accurate passes for a defender (EURO 2016)

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)

Giorgio Chiellini
17 games 1 goal 1 assist 8 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 2020
2nd most interceptions (EURO 2012)
5th most clearances (EURO 2012)

Bixente Lizarazu
12 games 4 clean sheets
UEFA European Championship: 2000
2nd most ground duels won for a defender (EURO 1996)
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)

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)
 
I really like Pythag's side except I'm not convinced of Xavi here. When I rewarded the 08 Spain side Xavi was much more influential when Villa/Torres were taken off for Fabregas. Now to be fair Griezmann is more of an AM/SS so it could work but I'm not 100% sold on it.
 
Physiocrat said:
I really like Pythag's side except I'm not convinced of Xavi here. When I rewarded the 08 Spain side Xavi was much more influential when Villa/Torres were taken off for Fabregas. Now to be fair Griezmann is more of an AM/SS so it could work but I'm not 100% sold on it.
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Check Griezmann’s EURO stats - basically the forward who was most involved in build up play (passes in all thirds and areas of the pitch). Griezmann and Baroš won’t be an isolated front two as per my write up.
Moreover, Giresse is an ideal side playmaker (not a line hugging winger in my system). I can imagine him linking up with Xavi and Senna with great synergy and passing rhythm.
Furthermore, Figo loved to come inside, or switch wings, again not limited to the outside channel.
 
lovely team from @Pythagoras but when i see ramos on the right i feel sick....griez is a lovely touch, works brilliantly but lack of width from the left will mean Thuram can almost play as a third CB when we pack our bags deep so there wont be many chances for pythagora and even when they can pass the half french half greek wall there is a GOAT keeper behind.
 
Both have very good teams with great tournament pedigree, but the GK position is where I'm a bit unsure, i can't remember VDS Euros performances tbh.
 
Pythagoras said:
Check Griezmann’s EURO stats - basically the forward who was most involved in build up play (passes in all thirds and areas of the pitch). Griezmann and Baroš won’t be an isolated front two as per my write up.
Moreover, Giresse is an ideal side playmaker (not a line hugging winger in my system). I can imagine him linking up with Xavi and Senna with great synergy and passing rhythm.
Furthermore, Figo loved to come inside, or switch wings, again not limited to the outside channel.
Click to expand...

True but Spain had Silva and Iniesta as wide playmakers on the wing. I suppose it depends on how many central bodies you can have.
 
Euro Credentials and Individual Quality:

Lev Yashin
  • Winner in 1960, Finalist in 1964
  • Team of the Tournament both times
  • GK for World XI done by Italian press in 1960
  • World Soccer XI in 64
  • Europe XI in 64




Lilian Thuram
  • Winner in 2000
  • Team of the Tournament in 2000
  • Onze de Onze in 2000

Traianos Dellas
  • Winner in 2004
  • Team of the Tournament in 2004
  • Not conceded a goal in the knockout phase of the 2004

Karlheinz Forster
  • Winner in 1980
  • Team of the Tournament in 1980 and 1984
  • Famously man marked Belgium star Jan Ceulemans out of the final in 1980
Leonardo Spinazzola
  • Winner in 2020
  • Team of the Tournament in 2020


Ngolo Kante
  • Lost in SF to future Winners Spain



Theodoros Zagorakis
  • Winner in 2004
  • Team of the Tournament in 2004
  • Player of the Tournament in 2004
  • MOTM of 2004 Final



Dani Olmo
  • Winner in 2024
  • Team of the Tournament in 2024
  • Top Scorer in 2024
Federico Chiesa
  • Winner in 2020
  • Team of the Tournament in 2020


Andres Iniesta
  • Winner in 08 and 12
  • Team of the Tournament in both
  • Player of the Tournament in 12

Dieter Muller
  • Finalist in 1976
  • Team of the Tournament in 1976
  • Best Goalscorer in 1976
 
Iniesta in a low-block and counter team seems a bit perverse honestly. I don't doubt he could pull it off, but still.

Just not sure Sjor will have enough chances to hit Pythagoras on the break honestly. I mean how often are you going to turn over a midfield of Senna, Xavi, and Giresse, with Griezmann also dropping back? I'd probably feel differently with another defensive player in the middle of the park.

With Pythagoras monopolising possession, I think Figo/Griezmann/Giresse are just about able to engineer enough openings that one of them settles a tight game.
 
Given this to Sjor. Pythagoras midfield lacks a proper runner to do the defensive work.

The classic Spain side made this work, but that level of understanding and synergy between players is hard to replicate and I just don't see it it here.
 
prolifik said:
Iniesta in a low-block and counter team seems a bit perverse honestly. I don't doubt he could pull it off, but still.

Just not sure Sjor will have enough chances to hit Pythagoras on the break honestly. I mean how often are you going to turn over a midfield of Senna, Xavi, and Giresse, with Griezmann also dropping back? I'd probably feel differently with another defensive player in the middle of the park.

With Pythagoras monopolising possession, I think Figo/Griezmann/Giresse are just about able to engineer enough openings that one of them settles a tight game.
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did you not watch greece? only need one and condidering the rightback i will have more
 
but in all seriousness, think the game would have little number of chances but they would spread evenly.
 
Great teams, both managers have played the EURO theme very well in terms of tournament peaks.

Just one thing about the lack of width argument on Pythagoras's left side: Liza is no swashbuckling wingback, but in my perception much more than the defensive FB label he usually gets in here. Haven't revisited him systematically, but the things I saw gave me the impression of a mobile, technically capable allround FB who wouldn't look out of place 2010 ff. Perhaps even somewhere in the Lahm mould, at least in terms of smart pass & move style. If called upon, I reckon he can work that flank sufficiently in possession. Not a huge strength, but not a weakness either. Anyway, open for contrary takes as usual.

Not much between the teams tbh, so decided to give this to the new manager.
 
Yeah, Lahm is a good comparison for Lizarazu. Both use the ball very well in an unflashy way and defensively have that low-centre of gravity agility, tenacity and great timing in their style that compensates for not being the most physically dominant fullbacks around like a Cafu, Thuram or Maldini.
 
Himannv said:
The Greek players are all hacks in what was a weak tournament anyway IMO. I don't rate any of them. Baros I can somewhat buy.
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not sure if serious but if thats the route we taking we can easily discredit more then 50% of players in this draft
 
Šjor Bepo said:
not sure if serious but if thats the route we taking we can easily discredit more then 50% of players in this draft
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He did pick Cruyff after all :lol:
 
Synco said:
Great teams, both managers have played the EURO theme very well in terms of tournament peaks.

Just one thing about the lack of width argument on Pythagoras's left side: Liza is no swashbuckling wingback, but in my perception much more than the defensive FB label he usually gets in here. Haven't revisited him systematically, but the things I saw gave me the impression of a mobile, technically capable allround FB who wouldn't look out of place 2010 ff. Perhaps even somewhere in the Lahm mould, at least in terms of smart pass & move style. If called upon, I reckon he can work that flank sufficiently in possession. Not a huge strength, but not a weakness either. Anyway, open for contrary takes as usual.

Not much between the teams tbh, so decided to give this to the new manager.
Click to expand...
Lizarazu looks fine to me. France played a narrow 4-3-2-1 in 1998 and he was Bayern's wing-back in their 3-5-2 system.
 
good game and good luck next @Pythagoras

i screwed myself with the change of plan after first few rounds....plan was to build around Iniesta but after i saw nobody touching Zagorakis i changed the plan completely to build around him and Dellas as IMO for this theme they are in top 5 in their position, Zagi maybe even top 3. At one point even decided to place Iniesta on the bench for Arshavin(another late and underrated pick) but sadly left it to late and he didnt survived :(
 
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