The Euro Draft - SF - The Stain vs Team EAP

[Balu]

All players shall be judged only on their performances at the tournaments (From 1927 to 1960 the CEICs, from 1960 to 2012 the Euros). Please take this into account before voting. You can read up on the theme by clicking here.
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The Stain​

All selections have been based entirely on their performances at the EURO's. I have 3 (4) players that have won Player of the tournament and 2 that finished second. My team have 11 EURO wins between them & 11 Team of the tournament selections between them (not sure about pre 66 players apart from Amancio).

Lining up in a 4-2-3-1. Our defense is made up of athletes that will run all day. Not only are they fit, they are also tactically aware. Beckenbauer and Puyol will make sure the defense keeps it's line. Puyol will do the man marking (excellent at hunting down threats 2008) with Beckenbauer behind sweeping as the last man. Thuram and Zambrotta will cover so much ground that the opposition will be exhausted after the game. Davids will cover for Zambrotta but also do all the running and ballwinning for Zidane. This will leave Zidane with nothing else to do but what he did best, attack. Zagorakis will purely cover in defense, just like he did for the greek side that conceded 4 goals in 6 when they won 2004 (playing against Portugal x2, Russia, France, Czech Republic and Spain, not conceding in the knock-out stage. Not only was he excellent at regaining possession, he was fantastic at distributing passes and subsequently keeping possession).

Amancio and Czibor are lethal on the flanks, both excellent crossers but they can also cut inside and take shots. Especially Czibor had a power shot on him. Müller will lurk around, dragging defenders out of position, mostly inside the box. He won the golden shoe (boot) this year which was his second time doing so (70', Ballon d'Or that year). In a team marshaled by Beckenbauer, Müller was the finisher in EURO 72', scoring 2 goals in the semi and also 2 goals in the final where West Germany demolished Soviet Union 3-0. The first goal; Beckenbauer brought the ball out of defense and ended with Müller putting it in the back of the net (Beckenbauer played in a central defense duo alongside Schwarzenbeck in 72' for those questioning this aspect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_1972_Final).

Defensively, we'll act in the same manner as the current Atletico side, more of a 4-4-1-1. When counterattacking opportunities arise we'll utilize the wings. I suspect the middle will be congested so Davids/Zagorakis have a lot of responsibility to sit in front of central defense. Thuram will not surge forward so much but will leave his position and help the central defense as we have some superb players to contend with centrally. Even Zambrotta will tuck inside at times too congest the central area. This gives us a numerical advantage. Zidane will roam above the defensive mids. Czibor/Amancio will stay on the wings pressing their fullbacks, ready to counter (the team know to try and find them as quickly as possible when possession is won back).

Our focus is to attack his weakness. All our attacking will come down the wings. Primarily his right side with Zambrotta/Czibor. When possession is won, we'll quickly aim to counterattack. When there isn't an opportunity too, Zidane will keep possession for us until we regroup. This team is also very comfortable at playing possession too, with Beckenbauer/Zidane even Zagorakis dictating the tempo of the game. When opposition retreat, we'll build from the back mostly from Zambrotta bringing the ball up field or when opportunity arises, Beckenbauer, the master at building play.


EURO form guide:

Gianpiero Combi: 2 CEIC tournament wins (not sure if team of the tournament existed)

Lilian Thuram: EURO 2000 champion, Team of the tournament.

Franz Beckenbauer: EURO 72' champion, Player of the tournament 72' (2nd place in 76'), 2 ToT (72', 76', also Ballon d'Or winner 72' (also in 76')).

Carles Puyol: EURO 2008 champion, ToT.

Gianluca Zambrotta: EURO 2004 ToT (best fullback in the world 2004/2006).

Edgar Davids: EURO 2000 ToT.

Theodoros Zagorakis: EURO 2004 champion. Player of the tournament 2004. ToT.

Zoltan Czibor: CEIC (EURO) 48'-53' champion (Best winger in the world 53/54).

Zinedine Zidane: EURO 2000 champion. Player of the tournament 2000 (Ballon d'Or 2nd this year, won it 98', 3rd in 97'). ToT 2000 and 2004.

Amaro Amancio: EURO 64' champion. ToT (conflicting info who was the Player of the tournament; either him or Luis Suarez. 3rd in Ballon d'Or this year. Best winger in the world 64').

Gerd Müller: EURO 72' champion. 2nd in player of the tournament (Tied 2nd for Ballon d'Or with Netzer this year, won it 70'). ToT.

Some added player descriptions:

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/the-euro-draft-round-1-Šjor-bepo-vs-the-stain.403807/#post-17404675

Combi: https://www.redcafe.net/threads/the-uefa-euro-fantasy-draft.403052/page-59#post-17457041

vs

 

[Balu]

Team EAP​

Formation:

A solid & flexible 4-3-3

Defensive Line:

Nothing much needs to be said for the D-line. All known names who have the reputations of being one of the best at their roles. Every one of them stalwart defenders who are comfortable on the ball too.

Midfield:

Defence support from the midfield:

- Deschamps was a dedicated DM, well known for his high work-rate, tenacity, stamina, and his efficacy at pressing and tackling opponents. Tactically intelligent, his brilliant positional and organisational sense helped him in excelling at impeding the opposition's attacking movements.
- Masopust's usual position was a left half (close to a defensive central midfielder in modern formations)
- Lothar Matthaus is one the best box-to-box midfielders of all time. With a TotT performance, he will provide the physicality and defensive support needed.

Workrate:

VERY HIGH. All 3 of my midfielder's are known for their high work-rate. They will be perfect in recovering the ball and shuttling between the boxes all game.

Creativity/Play-making from the midfield:

- Deschamps was a good passer of the ball and was perfectly capable of starting up attacking plays once he won back possession.
- Masopust's was renowned for his box-to-box ability to support attack with his slalom runs. He Possessed exemplary ball control, his transmission with ball on foot through the field was clinical, which he utilized for both; basic work, from the recovery of the ball in defense, to driving menacingly through the opposition in what was termed 'Masopust's slalom'. During these solo runs Masopust would seamlessly switch between both feet, easily jinking to the left and right but always moving forward.
- Lothar Matthau was well known for his perceptive passing, positional sense and powerful shooting.

Attack:

Marco van Basten in his peak leads the line. 1988 Was not just his euro peak, but arguably his Balon d'Or winning career peak (along with 1992). In the knock-out stages, van Basten scored in both Semi's and in the Finals leading the Dutch to victory. In the final, Netherlands beat the Soviets 2-0 with goals being scored by Ruud Gullit & Marco Van Basten...something which I expect to happen here too.

Van Basten in Euro Peak game means we get to see this goal again.



Ferenc Puskas is a goal scoring machine himself. He jointly holds to best goal record in Euro's with 10 goals in CEIC 5, which still remains unbeaten imo.

Here's a brief snapshot of what he's capable of.


Ruud Gullit - watch this video of him in the finals of Euro 1988. Right wing, centre midfield, in the box, back in his own half defending. His creativity and workrate will be the perfect foil for the lethal pair of MvB/Puskas.



EURO Form Guide:

1. Breitner
1972 TotT2. Sol Campbell
2004 TotT3. Laurent Blanc
1992, 1996, 2000 TotT4. Durkovic
1960 TotT5. Masopust
1960 ToTT6. Lothar Matthaus
1988 TotT7. Deschamps
1996 TotT8. Puskás
1948/53 CEIC Top Scorer (10 goals)9. Gullit
1988, 1992 TotT10. Marco Van Basten
1988 TotT. Top Scorer (5 goals)
Substitutes:

11. Sneijder
2008 TotT | Man of the Match: vs. Italy, vs. France | Best Goal of the Tournament: vs France12. Pepe
2008, 2012 TotT13. Hierro
14. Kluivert
2000 TotT & Golden Boot15. Schweinsteiger
"I have been really impressed by the Germany captain so far in Euro 2012 and he is the kind of midfield player that I really like. He can do everything. He tackles, defends, is powerful when going forward, has a good shot and is also good on the ball." - Patrick Vieira

Tactics:

My Attack: Best in this draft. End of.

Between opponent's defence and midfield: Puskas and Gullit will exploit the space between his defence and midfield and you can't ask for better players than them in that role. He would either
(a) need his defensive midfielders to operate deep throughout the match, and/or
(b) one of the CB's to step out as necessary.

Both of which play into my hands. I thinking he'll play both Kaizer and Forster in defence, but still van Basten would essentially tie up both of them most of the time. Neither can afford to let MvB go one-on-one with the other without inviting trouble. With this attack, Beckenbauer will have to concentrate on holding fort and not have time/space to do his trademark playmaking.

Thuram tucking in would add strength to his defence but not much. Puskas is not a traditional left winger and he is equally comfortable moving to the right and away from Thuram's direct influence without losing lethality. With Thuram occupied centrally, it will free up the path to my brilliant left flank of Breitner/Masopust. Zagorakis had a good Euro, but he is outclassed and outmatched in every possible way. Puskas behind him and Masopust/Breitner ahead will just be too much for him to handle. With Breitner moving up the flank and Masopust doing his slalom runs through the middle, I simple don't see him stopping my attacks from that direction. Deschamps and Matthaus will ensure that we still have a defensive cover.

Opponent's left flank will be his best route forward imo. This will be a two edged sword with Gullit there. He will repeatedly drop into spaces behind Zambrotta. Davids is a physical match for Gullit and will have to drop back deeper...which would free up Matthaus. When we have (or regain possession) Matthaus is the best man to drive forward leaving Davids between a rock and a hard place.

Zidane will be overwhelmed in the middle. No questioning his credentials, but in this particular match up, he will not get enough support from his midfield to work his magic. With Davids/Zagorakis having to concentrate on defensive duties, he will have to drop deeper and pick up balls which dilutes his effectiveness up front. Deschamps is a master of reading the game. He knows when to press and how to position himself to cut off passing routes. Combined, I don't see Zidane influencing the game to his full capability.

My defence: When it comes to Euro credentials, Blanc is right there at the top shelf. Durkovic has played in and equally comfortable at right back and right side of a back 3 and so can move up or tuck in as necessary. Campbell's tends to get underrated here, but his Euro credentials are impeccable. In his peak form, he's a monster and will be a match for his attack. Between him and Matthaus, I have no doubt, whatever attack he can come up can be diluted to a great extent.

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Good luck @The Stain @Edgar Allan Pillow @MJJ @coolredwine

 

[Balu]

@Rado_N @Damien , could one of you please add the poll to the thread? Thanks a lot.

Question:
Judged on the Euro performances, who will win the match?

- The Stain
- Team EAP

Poll for 24hrs. Public Poll. View results without voting. Can change votes.

 

[Rado_N]

Boom.

 

[Damien]

Balu I've just changed your permissions so you can add polls to threads now Really should have done that long ago but I forgot I could do that. If anyone who runs drafts in future needs poll permissions, just give me a heads up.

 

[Balu]

Balu I've just changed your permissions so you can add polls to threads now Really should have done that long ago but I forgot I could do that. If anyone who runs drafts in future needs poll permissions, just give me a heads up.

That's definitely helpful. Thanks a lot.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Good luck @The Stain

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@Balu My videos don't show in the OP. Fix it after the CL match please!

 

[MJJ]

Balu I've just changed your permissions so you can add polls to threads now Really should have done that long ago but I forgot I could do that. If anyone who runs drafts in future needs poll permissions, just give me a heads up.

poor eap will be devastated, he kept begging for this all of last draft to no avail. Balu just walks in and takes his spot.

Only comment before I sleep. There will be a disconnect between stains midfield and attack. He has that Greek dude who I can't spell only covering for defense while Davids will be trying to act like a one man midfield since Zidane is playing the trequaista role. Davids alone can't do this without help,so he will have trouble linking defense to attack.

His right side won't be as effective either since thuram is primarily staying back which is leaving a lot to the left flank of Czibor and zamb rota. This all might not make sense since am extremely sleepy eight now, will correct/elaborate in the morning.

 

[Balu]

@Balu My videos don't show in the OP. Fix it after the CL match please!

Very odd, I've no idea why they were missing, I copied the whole thing. Should be fixed now, I can't watch the CL match anyway. fecking work .

 

[Balu]

Only comment before I sleep. There will be a disconnect between stains midfield and attack. He has that Greek dude who I can't spell only covering for defense while Davids will be trying to act like a one man midfield since Zidane is playing the trequaista role. Davids alone can't do this without help,so he will have trouble linking defense to attack.

I guess then it's good for Davids that Beckenbauer is there to help with the build-up from deep .

 

[MJJ]

I guess then it's good for Davids that Beckenbauer is there to help with the build-up from deep .

But surely that's counter productive. Beckenbauer is this legendary libero who is great at stepping up from defense but here you are specifically asking a CM to drop into defense and relying on your defender to step up to cover for the play making duty and Davids to cover for him dropping into defense and Zidane lack of defensive responsibilities. TS would be much better served by having two midfielders who can defend and play make while giving the option to Beckenbauer to step up rather than needing him to do so. I wouldn't really like to count of puyol and Greek dude to stop Van Basten, Gullit and Puskas. You need Beckenbauer there!

Edit- I hope this makes sense and doesn't come across as sleepy ramblings.

 

[The Stain]

But surely that's counter productive. Beckenbauer is this legendary libero who is great at stepping up from defense but here you are specifically asking a CM to drop into defense and relying on your defender to step up to cover for the play making duty and Davids to cover for him dropping into defense and Zidane lack of defensive responsibilities. TS would be much better served by having two midfielders who can defend and play make while giving the option to Beckenbauer to step up rather than needing him to do so. I wouldn't really like to count of puyol and Greek dude to stop Van Basten, Gullit and Puskas. You need Beckenbauer there!

Edit- I hope this makes sense and doesn't come across as sleepy ramblings.

It's not like player of the tournament 2004 "greek dude" disappears when my team are building play though. It's like you think he's not even on the pitch. He's only covering defense when we have established possession in opponents half, (with Puyol/Thuram on each side) he was excellent at keeping/distributing possession 2004. You have completely misinterpret my tactics (if you even read them, but hey, after reading your teams "tactics" of throwing all sorts of shit at Raees team i'm not surprised by this). Then Beckenbauer is in front of him next to Davids. You also forget about Zambrotta/Zidane/Czibor who will all be around Davids.

Enough of the defensive response. How about the fact you've made it look like Gullit/Puskas are wingers? Let's be honest here, your team is purely centrally focused. Your fullbacks will have hell tracking Czibor/Amancio and won't be able to do much attacking. It'll be so congested in the middle, once we win possession, there will be plenty of space down the flanks to attack.

 

[MJJ]

It's not like player of the tournament 2004 "greek dude" disappears when my team are building play though. It's like you think he's not even on the pitch. He's only covering defense when we have established possession in opponents half, (with Puyol/Thuram on each side) he was excellent at keeping/distributing possession 2004. You have completely misinterpret my tactics (if you even read them, but hey, after reading your teams "tactics" of throwing all sorts of shit at Raees team i'm not surprised by this). Then Beckenbauer is in front of him next to Davids. You also forget about Zambrotta/Zidane/Czibor who will all be around Davids.

Enough of the defensive response. How about the fact you've made it look like Gullit/Puskas are wingers? Let's be honest here, your team is purely centrally focused. Your fullbacks will have hell tracking Czibor/Amancio and won't be able to do much attacking. It'll be so congested in the middle, once we win possession, there will be plenty of space down the flanks to attack.

Chill dude you are way too defensive. I meant no disrespect, I really don't know the name of any player who played in that Greek side.

I did read it, hence the question. You said he will only focus on covering defense and Davids will cover for him in midfield. If he is in midfield, why would Davids need to cover for him? That's where the confusion arose from. Would leave eap to answer the rest.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

MJJ's gone to sleep. I'll be the only one posting for next couple of hours.

Gullit vs Puyol - Puyol is a good CB, but Gullit is better. I certainly don't see him handling Gullit throughout the match. Key mismatch, imo.

Davids will cover for Zambrotta but also do all the running and ballwinning for Zidane.

Quite a big ask, I should say. He has Matthaus ahead of him and Gullit behind. He has to cover for Zambrotta and that means he'll stay back when Zambrotta is forward. I certainly don't see any support for Zidane on consistent basis here.

With MvB there, I certainly see that a productive area for me. Zambrotta himself needs cover in Davids and Puyol one-ot-one against either of Mvb or Gullit will definitely result in goals for me and more than one.

 

[The Stain]

Chill dude you are way too defensive. I meant no disrespect, I really don't know the name of any player who played in that Greek side.

I did read it, hence the question. You said he will only focus on covering defense and Davids will cover for him in midfield. If he is in midfield, why would Davids need to cover for him? That's where the confusion arose from. Would leave eap to answer the rest.

Davids is covering/ballwinning for Zidane.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Chill dude you are way too defensive. I meant no disrespect, I really don't know the name of any player who played in that Greek side.

I did read it, hence the question. You said he will only focus on covering defense and Davids will cover for him in midfield. If he is in midfield, why would Davids need to cover for him? That's where the confusion arose from. Would leave eap to answer the rest.

Get back to sleep mate.

 

[MJJ]

Get back to sleep mate.

going.

 

[MJJ]

Davids is covering/ballwinning for Zidane.

I misread zambrotta as zargonikis(sp?). I did say I was sleepy leaving now.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Enough of the defensive response. How about the fact you've made it look like Gullit/Puskas are wingers? Let's be honest here, your team is purely centrally focused. Your fullbacks will have hell tracking Czibor/Amancio and won't be able to do much attacking. It'll be so congested in the middle, once we win possession, there will be plenty of space down the flanks to attack.

Where I stated I'm playing them as wingers? They are played as Left and Right Inside forwards (No.9's) mostly. Gullit will definitely drift wide, but I certainly have never mentioned on depending on them for width. Even in my post above, I was about Gullit vs Puyol and not Zambrotta!

 

[The Stain]

Quite a big ask, I should say. He has Matthaus ahead of him and Gullit behind. He has to cover for Zambrotta and that means he'll stay back when Zambrotta is forward. I certainly don't see any support for Zidane on consistent basis here.

With MvB there, I certainly see that a productive area for me. Zambrotta himself needs cover in Davids and Puyol one-ot-one against either of Mvb or Gullit will definitely result in goals for me and more than one.

When we are in your half, Davids is behind Zambrotta when he bombs forward. When we're defending, Davids is behind Zidane (Zambrotta will be back defending obviously). That is all. I agree i could have been clearer.

About Puyol/Gullit. It's not a 1v1 game, Davids and Zambrotta are also in this area.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

When we are in your half, Davids is behind Zambrotta when he bombs forward. When we're defending, Davids is behind Zidane (Zambrotta will be back defending obviously). That is all. I agree i could have been clearer.

About Puyol/Gullit. It's not a 1v1 game, Davids and Zambrotta are also in this area.

When you are defending, Davids is behind Zidane Zambrotta is not the tucking in type...That means Gullit has direct access to Puyol most of the time when I have possession. Certainly in my favour.

As you say, most of my threat is central in front 3. You have 2 defenders there (3 if you count a tucking in Thuram). I have Breitner and Masopust also in that flank. Certainly I'll win that flank most of the time. Breitner moving up, Masopust running in. Absolutely no chance Zagorakis can handle that.

 

[antohan]

But surely that's counter productive. Beckenbauer is this legendary libero who is great at stepping up from defense but here you are specifically asking a CM to drop into defense and relying on your defender to step up to cover for the play making duty and Davids to cover for him dropping into defense and Zidane lack of defensive responsibilities. TS would be much better served by having two midfielders who can defend and play make while giving the option to Beckenbauer to step up rather than needing him to do so. I wouldn't really like to count of puyol and Greek dude to stop Van Basten, Gullit and Puskas. You need Beckenbauer there!

Edit- I hope this makes sense and doesn't come across as sleepy ramblings.

Go to sleep.

 

[The Stain]

When you are defending, Davids is behind Zidane Zambrotta is not the tucking in type...That means Gullit has direct access to Puyol most of the time when I have possession. Certainly in my favour.

As you say, most of my threat is central in front 3. You have 2 defenders there (3 if you count a tucking in Thuram). I have Breitner and Masopust also in that flank. Certainly I'll win that flank most of the time. Breitner moving up, Masopust running in. Absolutely no chance Zagorakis can handle that.

You know what i mean (or..?). Zagorakis is also behind Zidane. Davids is next to Zagorakis. Get it? And about Zago, so he's alone against your player's now? Disregarding Amancio who will press Breitner. Effectively its a back 3 in defense with two defensive mids in front (with Zambrotta to the left of Puyol/Davids).

So i've stated in the write-up most attacks will come down the left with Zambrotta/Davids/Zidane/Czibor. How will a Matthäus with questionable EURO rep, and Durkovic contend with the dribbling of Czibor who'll cut inside and a Zambrotta in his prime (best fullback in the world 2004)? And when we've established possession in your half, do you honestly see Campbell/Blanc/Deschamps being able to contend with Zidane/Müller? (yes, i gave you 3v2).

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Simply put, your back 3 cannot handle my front 3 without help. Of the 6 players in that area, Puyol is by far the weakest.

Your right flank is another liability. When I have the ball, I expect Masopust to get past Zagoraikis regularly. Breitner is always there to support too. I don't expect Amancio to have much service in the game.

Whatever you can come up with Zambrotta is countered by Matthaus there. Between Matthaus and Dukrovic, I can handle anything you care to throw that wing.

Sandwiched between Matthaus and Gullit, I certainly don't expect Davids to have a good game. With Masopust bullying Zagoraikis, you are outmatched.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Zambrotta-Puyol-Beckenbauer-Thuram with Davids and Zagorakis ahead of them looks like a fortress, especially with Thuram tucking inside often as well. All EAP's attacks will come through the central areas more or less and it is only player quality in his side that has me even considering this.

The Stain has Gerd Muller up front, supported by Zidane and out wide he has Zambrotta-Czibor and Amancio-Thuram. Basically he has a great threat from everywhere and so many possible match winners.

Will wait with voting of course. @Edgar Allan Pillow What is Puskas and Gullit's job in the defense? In terms of possession how are you looking to go about it? Dominate it or let the game play back and forth?

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

it is only player quality in his side that has me even considering this.

ONLY player quality? Surprising you feel that way Annah!

I'll summarize my advantages over Stain's team for you...

Midfield: I will win the midfield battle due to the below.

Defensive Midfield:

* Zagorakis is against Masopust (who is a class above) and I expect to win that battle consistently in this match. Thuram is tucked in to provide consistent support in the middle.
* Davids is tasked with covering for Zambrotta. With Gullit here, he certainly will be occupied enough and I don't see him lending much of a role in midfield battle up the pitch while doing that.

Attacking Midfield:

As mentioned above, With Maspoust's superiority and Davids being occupied otherwise to consistently participate in midfield upfront, Zidane and more importantly Amancio are going to lack proper support throughout the match. What patchy opportunities that Zidane gets, I have Deschamps who is a master at "snuffing out creativity" there to take care. Even Zidane can't influence the match without support from behind.

Left Wing:

* His best attacking outlet imo. Zambrotta has attacking licence.

To counter this, I have Durkovic occupying Czibor. Durkovic has operated both as RB and as a RCB successfully, so will be perfect in tracking Czibor. I also have Matthaus here who is superb at providing defensive support. I see lots of activity in the match here, but certainly no great advantage there for him. There is also an added advantage to me that Gullit has more space to drift behind Zamabrotta and pull Davids/Puyol wide during quick counters.

Right Wing:

His team has near non-existent presence there. Thuram is tucked in and Zagorakis is in a defensive role as per his OP. With Masopust's superirity, I see me having significant advantage in that wing. As mentioned in DM part, it's my team that owns that flank.

His Defence: My attack will prevail due to below.

* Puyol is a good defender, but certainly is outclassed in this company (Beckenbauer, Thuram, Puskas, Gullit and MvB) here. When surrounded by MvB on one side and Gullit on the other, I certainly see him as the weakest spot in Stain's defence...simply because all rest are a class above.
* I don't see Beckenbauer moving up to play-make. He needs all 3 CB's to concentrate in defence and that still might not be enough.

My defence:

As mentioned above,
* Zidane will not be to his usual tricks simply because he lacks support from behind. Amancio is going to struggle to see much of the ball on the other flank.
* Durkovic has operated both as RB and as a RCB successfully, so will be perfect in tracking Czibor. With Matthaus dropping back, it is as safe as it can get.

The European pedigree of Blanc and Campbell is beyond question and they can handle the lone strike threat from Muller between them.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I'm off.

MJJ/CRW coordinate and one of you take over.

 

[antohan]

Looks like a hammering, although it wouldn't be so one-sided. With Facchetti it would have been even closer, but it wouldn't have been enough either. It's an unstoppable forward trio and near-perfect midfield, with a strong back four. We can't even complain about the keeper any more after his heroics in the quarter-final penalty shootout.

Am I the only one finding Zambrotta is just a waste of space in drafts. He will never get any credit in defence or going forward and invariably costs his team a dedicated covering midfielder... You may as well play with 10 TBH.

 

[MJJ]

Go to sleep.

Reread stains tactics but replace zambrotta with the Greek dude, like I did mistakenly, and it makes perfect sense

 

[harms]

• Are we using xtralegend as a source?
• "The Greek dude" is just cheap, really, if you can't remember 9 letters then what are you doing here?
• "Nothing much needs to be said for the D-line. All known names who have the reputations of being one of the best at their roles" - Durkovic and Schrojf? I don't think that they are worthy of the semi-final
• "My Attack: Best in this draft. End of" Also arguable, even though you have the best balance between fancy names and outstanding performances.
• Puyol, Durkovic, Zambrotta, Schrojf - what are they doing in the semi?

Leaning towards the Stain here, I believe that tactically he is spot on here, with 5 defensive players in the central area and Müller being able to finish off just about every possible chance.

 

[MJJ]

• Are we using xtralegend as a source?
• "The Greek dude" is just cheap, really, if you can't remember 9 letters then what are you doing here?
• "Nothing much needs to be said for the D-line. All known names who have the reputations of being one of the best at their roles" - Durkovic and Schrojf? I don't think that they are worthy of the semi-final
• "My Attack: Best in this draft. End of" Also arguable, even though you have the best balance between fancy names and outstanding performances.
• Puyol, Durkovic, Zambrotta, Schrojf - what are they doing in the semi?

Leaning towards the Stain here, I believe that tactically he is spot on here, with 5 defensive players in the central area and Müller being able to finish off just about every possible chance.

Playing a football draft not memorizing names.

 

[coolredwine]

Okay, so I haven't gone through the posts (sorry), but Stain's defense is very, very susceptible here.

 

[coolredwine]

• Are we using xtralegend as a source?
• "The Greek dude" is just cheap, really, if you can't remember 9 letters then what are you doing here?
• "Nothing much needs to be said for the D-line. All known names who have the reputations of being one of the best at their roles" - Durkovic and Schrojf? I don't think that they are worthy of the semi-final
• "My Attack: Best in this draft. End of" Also arguable, even though you have the best balance between fancy names and outstanding performances.
• Puyol, Durkovic, Zambrotta, Schrojf - what are they doing in the semi?

Leaning towards the Stain here, I believe that tactically he is spot on here, with 5 defensive players in the central area and Müller being able to finish off just about every possible chance.

Schrojf is a keeper. I am not sure if a keeper would play that important role in a draft. And it's not like we are playing Almunia or Roy Carroll in the team. Durkovic is fine. He was a good defender, and it seems people just don't want to rate him.

 

[Gio]

I prefer Stain's midfield - that's as good as it gets in terms of the performances that they produced at Euro 2000 and 2004. EAP's attack is sensational though, it's a pity for Stain that he had to jettison Foster because he'd need him in that sort of UEFA '80 form to stem the tide here. That said, Thuram will tuck in given the lack of wide threat and there becomes instant improvement. EAP's defence is still patchy so could see Muller getting on the scoresheet.

 

[Balu]

But surely that's counter productive. Beckenbauer is this legendary libero who is great at stepping up from defense but here you are specifically asking a CM to drop into defense and relying on your defender to step up to cover for the play making duty and Davids to cover for him dropping into defense and Zidane lack of defensive responsibilities. TS would be much better served by having two midfielders who can defend and play make while giving the option to Beckenbauer to step up rather than needing him to do so. I wouldn't really like to count of puyol and Greek dude to stop Van Basten, Gullit and Puskas. You need Beckenbauer there!

Edit- I hope this makes sense and doesn't come across as sleepy ramblings.

I don't get it at all actually. Why can't Beckenbauer do the build-up when the team is in possession without it taking anything away from his defensive duties when your team has the ball? It's not like he has to act as an AM here because the midfield has no creativity at all. The Stain's midfield has a wonderful balance in my opinion, 2 hardworking midfielders who aren't totally inept on the ball and can keep the game ticking with easy passes, Beckenbauer who will make sure that the ball reaches the attacking midfielders or fullbacks in dangerous positions and Zidane doing his thing in the final third, sometimes dropping deeper if necessary like he always did.

There's not the slightest reason to suggest that Beckenbauer will be caught out of position too far away from the defense in this midfield set-up, none at all. Just because he's up against great attackers doesn't mean that he has to stop playing passes from deep and mark them when your team doesn't even have the ball. That wasn't how he played the game and the way he played the game certainly wasn't a problem no matter who he faced.

 

[Balu]

Puyol is slightly underrated in my opinion and while Förster in his 1980 form certainly would be a huge help for Beckenbauer, Puyol still is a very good fit in my opinion. For all the quality in EAP's attack, Thuram's not facing a threat out wide and can tuck in to help out against Puskas, which is probably as good a defender as you can hope for in that role. Puyol, Beckenbauer and Thuram have their work cut out, no doubt, and I can't see them keeping a clean sheet, but they certainly aren't hopeless here.

Czibor with Zambrotta can put some pressure on EAP's right wing, Zidane won't be stopped in his Euro 2000 form and Gerd Müller scored twice in every Euro game he played (fair enough, he only played two, but scoring twice in both, the semfinal and final, is pretty great, right?) He'll do it again here, so 2-1 for The Stain it is.

 

[MJJ]

I don't get it at all actually. Why can't Beckenbauer do the build-up when the team is in possession without it taking anything away from his defensive duties when your team has the ball? It's not like he has to act as an AM here because the midfield has no creativity at all. The Stain's midfield has a wonderful balance in my opinion, 2 hardworking midfielders who aren't totally inept on the ball and can keep the game ticking with easy passes, Beckenbauer who will make sure that the ball reaches the attacking midfielders or fullbacks in dangerous positions and Zidane doing his thing in the final third, sometimes dropping deeper if necessary like he always did.

There's not the slightest reason to suggest that Beckenbauer will be caught out of position too far away from the defense in this midfield set-up, none at all. Just because he's up against great attackers doesn't mean that he has to stop playing passes from deep and mark them when your team doesn't even have the ball. That wasn't how he played the game and the way he played the game certainly wasn't a problem no matter who he faced.

I misread the post, last night.

Davids will cover for Zambrotta but also do all the running and ballwinning for Zidane. This will leave Zidane with nothing else to do but what he did best, attack. Zagorakis will purely cover in defense, just like he did for the greek side that conceded 4 goals in 6 when they won 2004

I misread zambrotta there for zagorakis. So assumed he was playing him as an auxiliary defender, with davids being alone in midfield and beckenbauer having to act as a midfielder from the centre back position. Hence the confusion.

 

[berbasloth4]

Zidane has davids and zagorakis is that not a good thing??

I think it allows him to be free and leaves davids and zagorakis to put out the fires..

Zambrotta bombing forward to help in attack will be made easier with guillt regularly going to drop into the middle like he frequently did..

However I can see puskas and van basten being 2 on 2 with puyol and thuram, with Beckhenbauer joining the midfield..

I will read more into it before making my vote

 

[Balu]

I misread the post, last night.

Oh fair enough. That makes more sense then.