Team Arbitrium Tactics
Formation: 4231
Instructions: one centre mid to go, one to sit. The front 4 will be fluid and bring the full backs into play when necessary. Passarella will be asked to respect the threat Garrincha poses and stick to defensive duties first but will get forward for every free kick corner.
Reasons why I will win: Such a solid spine through the middle with Pele conducting the play. No defender/midfielder in history had a tournament that pound for pound can deal with the threat Pele poses here.
Thoughts on opposition: What a team, considering his place in the draft. Didi and Varela is a very strong partnership but Tardelli Neeskens are tireless and it’ll be some battle in there. Kocsis poses a huge threat in the air but both my centre backs can cope physically. Garrincha will get joy when one on one with Lizarazu, but he’s still got a bit of work to do once he’s past him and going the other way, Hagi and Lizarazu could end up having a lot of joy against Vogts thanks to the extra attention Pele must command in this game from Crappys CM’s.
Player Profiles;
Luis Conejo- Goalkeeper
World Cup All Star 1990
Performed so well at the 1990 World Cup that he simply had to be included in the team of the tournament. His performances secured Costa Rica second place in a tough group containing Brazil, Scotland and Sweded and he placed himself into Costa Rican Footballing Folklore, an unsurpassed hero until Joel Campbell’s 2014 exploits.
Maicon- Right back
World Cup All Star 2010
Such was his performance in this World Cup (and the lead up to it) he relegated Dani Alves to the bench, forcing him to make his impact as a right sided midfielder. His goal against North Korea epitomized what he was about, and he demonstrated his attacking and defensive versatility all tournament.
Thiago Silva- Centre Back
World Cup All Star 2014
Was absolutely sensational for Brazil throughout the world cup and its highly likely that with him in the side, Germany don't beat Brazil 7-1 In the Semi Final. Capable on the ball, and fast enough to keep up with any attacker, he has the strength and ability in the air to deal with the threat of Kocsis as well as form a formiddable partnership with Passarella.
Daniel Passarella- Centre Back- Captain
World Cup all star 1978
World Cup Winner
Sensational in 1978, as he led Argentina to their first World cup. One of the most iconic South American playerS in history, he captains the side and given the threat of Garrincha on his side he'll be ordered to only get forward on set pieces.
Bixente Lizarazu- Left Back
World Cup Winner
The Jiu-Jitsu warrior has one simple instruction here, to stop Garrincha at all costs, short of a straight red card offence. He will take a yellow card very early, leaving his mark on the diminutive Brazilian and then when possible, will get past the midfield and join the attack. Capable of manning the left side on his own, he'll get lots of joy here due to crappys defences HUGE task in dealing with the fluidity of my front 4.
Johan Neeskens- Central Midfield
World Cup All Star 1974
Silver boot winner with 5 goals Neeskens was like Cruyff's General this tournament. He and Tardelli have very simple instructions, since both were so good at covering box-to-box, when one goes, the other stays. He will love this system.
Marco Tardelli- Central Midfield
World Cup All Star 1982
World Cup Winner
Whilst he was excellent in this World Cup, he's been picked because of the passion he brings. His celebration in the 1982 final epitomizes everything about the exhilaration and joy of football. He celebrated the way any fan would if they scored a goal in a World Cup Final and for me, it's top 3 most iconic moments in the history of the sport, not just this tournament.
Luis Figo- Attacking Midfielder (Starting from the right)
World Cup All Star 2006
Portugal were named the most exciting team of 2006 and the mature Figo had a huge part to play in this. He excelled on the wing and as a right sided Number 10 in this tournament, and brings the right element of flair to dovetail nicely with the rest of the attack in this side. Will be given licence to roam, and asked to use his considerable experience and strength to hold the ball up and bring in Maicon to the game as he marauds down that right hand side, as well as occupying enough of crappy's intentions that he'll naturally create some room for Pele and Hagi to be left with a little extra time on the ball.
Gheorghe Hagi- Attacking Midfielder (Starting from the left)
World Cup All Star 1994
3 Goals, and the catalyst for Romania's surprise run to the quarter finals, Hagi is perfect for this role. Capable of drifting out to the wing and shooting from anywhere (see his goal v Colombia) Hagi was almost impossible to shove off the ball and didn't mind getting stuck in. He will occupy Vogts fairly often in this game and with his dribbling abilities, he can easily keep a hold of the ball until Lizarazu has made his overlap.
Pele- Attacking Midfielder (Free role/Number 10)
World Cup All Star and Player of the Tournament 1970
World Cup Winner
Involved in 14 of the 19 goals Brazil scored, Pele was the focal point for what is without a shadow of a doubt the greatest national team in the history of the game. The best player on the park, surrounded by players who bring all the qualities that the 1970 supporting cast brought.
Careca- Striker
The joint second top goalscorer of 1986 (tied with Maradona) Careca was basically heralded as what was missing in Brazil's 1982 nearly squad. Named by 442 magazine as the 4th best player of that world cup, it's hard not to imagine him being devastating with the supporting cast behind.