Stars and Reserves Draft QF: Invictus / Jim Beam vs green_smiley - Finished 5:6

[Enigma_87]

.....................TEAM Invictus / Jim Beam ................................................................ TEAM green_smiley


TACTICS TEAM Invictus / Jim Beam
Formation: Balanced 4231

Player Profiles

We will start by highlighting the man between the sticks...goalkeepers are almost always marginalized in drafts, but someone of Oliver Kahn's stature could prove to be pivotal here, especially considering all of the goalkeepers categorized alongside him (ranging from Maier to Schmeichel to Neuer) are banned in this draft. Der Titan was not only an excellent shot stopper, his command of the area and relentless pursuit of excellence will propel the entire defense to a slightly higher dimension. Also one of the few keepers to finish Top 3 in the Ballon D'Or, not once...but twice in successive seasons.

Next on the agenda is arguably the best central midfielder in this pool, particularly in terms of proven historical stature, József Bozsik — widely considered to be among the 5-10 greatest central midfielders in history, he was the central heartbeat and midfield general of the legendary Mighty Magyars. As the best half-back in the world at his pomp, Bozsik was a visionary whose legacy was carried on by the likes of Masopust and Falcão in subsequent years — and renowned for his flawless technique, positioning, flair, tactical nous, passing accuracy and creativity — as well as his calm demeanor and organisational skills as a leader.

“Kocsis often received passes from László ‘Pupos’ Budai, who was very fast. Nándor Hidegkuti created what was called a middle style, hanging back with the defenders to receive passes from József ‘Cucu’ Bozsik, who was the team’s chief, its intellectual leader. Whoever understood football could understand Bozsik’s importance. Like Puskás, he made impossible situations possible.

http://8by8mag.com/magyars-hungary-puskas/

Patrolling the center of the park as the destructive complement to Bozsik is Mauro Silva — a compact and robust defensive stopper, he should be able to provide a tireless and concrete platform for players ahead of him to work their magic — on top of effectively screening the defensive line. A forceful and committed player, Mauro Silva was known for his stamina and competitive nature in the middle of the pitch, providing a solid base for many of Deportivo's biggest triumphs. There can be no underplaying Mauro Silva's role in the finest period of La Coruña's Super Depor — even before considering his success at international level.

At the right fullback position is Carles Puyol. Nicknamed Lionheart and The Wall by Barcelona fans, Puyol was a rugged and uncompromising defender, spending 15 seasons, and a decade of that time as the captain, of Barcelona in their most successful era. On the national team, too, Puyol was an ultimate winner...with 100 appearances for Spain, the EURO 2008 title and a World Cup in 2010 adding that to six La Liga trophies and three Champions League titles.

To add, Puyol was a venerated leader — a commanding presence on both the ground and in the air with an ironclad winning mentality. In this match, we're banking on Puyol's extensive experience at right-back, the position he debuted with at Barcelona under Van Gaal and regularly played it for the next half-decade (and was voted by Uefa as the best right-back in Europe in the year 2002). Although primarily known for his defensive nous in a team full of technically brilliant players, he was also very composed on the ball which enabled Barcelona and Spain to successfully bypass the opposition press.

Puyol at right-back in the 2009 Champions League final (where he successfully neutralized the threat of Rooney):

And vs. Luís Figo in the El Clásico:

"Figo would have had the crowd on his mind because they were certainly in his face," said Puyol, who kept forcing his erstwhile team-mate down dark alleys before mugging him of possession. "I had only purpose," said Puyol. "To stop Figo."

All in all, Puyol will provide not just immense defensive protection behind Amancio in this match, but also screen central areas for coming crosses and eventual dangers, like he always did while playing this position.

On the opposite flank is Éric Abidal: defensively robust, intelligent on the ball, excelled behind forwards like Villa and Henry or midfielders like Iniesta...truly one of the most balanced and accomplished fullbacks of this century:

ÉRIC SYLVAIN ABIDAL is one of the most decorated French footballers in recent history. A powerful left-back, he amassed over 400 club appearances, as well as 67 international caps, across a career spanning 15 years. At club level, Abidal won it all: eight league titles, a pair of Champions League trophies, a Club World Cup and numerous other cup competitions. He challenged himself across three different countries and succeeded in each.

Completing the defense — just ahead of Kahn is the resilient and no-nonsense duo of Luís Pereira and Guido Buchwald. The former was a dynamic and powerful central defender who stands comfortably amongst Brazil's greatest ever. Unfortunate that his career fell in between the 1970 and 1982 vintages, otherwise his legacy would be longer-standing. And the latter was an uncompromising stopper — now infamous for suffocating one of the greatest footballers of all time:
[/QUOTE]

https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/09/sports/west-germany-captures-world-cup.html

Also voted top defender in the Kicker of the Year awards thrice — only Karlheinz Förster and Jürgen Kohler won more for stoppers from the '70s to '90s:

Further up the right flank is El Brujo (Spanish for The Witch), Amancio Amaro — Spain's best ever right winger, Amancio played alongside Gento for nine years at Real Madrid and seven years for Spain. A versatile attacker, Amancio could also operate on the left flank or as an inside forward — and landed the Pichichi Trophy as Spanish football's top scorer twice — scoring a total of 173 goals in 344 games for Real Madrid and 11 goals from 42 caps for Spain. Amancio dazzled as arguably the best player for Spain when they won the EUROs in 1964, and his exploits with Spain and Real Madrid helped him finish 3rd in Ballon d'Or voting that year.



In a mobile center forward role is the spellbinding Hristo Stoichkov, one of the best forwards in football history. Nicknamed The Dagger, Stoichkov was known for his explosive acceleration and precise dribbling, and for taking unpredictable shots on goal. He was also notable at taking free kicks and penalties as well as being among the best crossers in the world at his prime.

Stoichkov was the major force that carried Bulgaria to won fourth place in FIFA world cup 1994. As part of Johan Cruyff's Dream Team, Stoichkov helped Barcelona to the most successful era of the club prior to the Messi-Xavi-Iniesta generation, winning the Ballon D'Or ahead of Roberto Baggio and once finishing runner-up to Van Basten — and becoming an idol for the club's fans in the process.

Tucked behind Stoichkov in attacking midfield areas, is another Ballon D'Or winner, The Emperor Flórian Albert. Blessed with elegant balance, strength on the ball, deadly finishing and the ability to slalom through defenses, here he will orchestrate the game through the middle, in tandem with fellow Hungarian great Bozsik.

He was a colossal achiever, a central figure in Hungary's rebuilding after an exodus of leading players in the wake of the uprising of 1956. He collected a bronze medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960, and with four goals he was joint top scorer as the Magyars reached the World Cup quarter-finals in Chile in 1962. He touched his most opulent form when Hungary reached the last eight again in England in 1966, and he was influential as his country finished third in the European Nations Cup in 1964 and fourth in 1972.

Albert is best remembered in England for his sumptuous display in the 3-1 beating of champions Brazil in a group match at Everton in July 1966. On a sodden Merseyside afternoon, the tall, slim play-maker glittered, playing a part in all three goals, most unforgettably in the second, when he freed Bene to set up Janos Farkas for a savage volley. The local fans chanted "Albert, Albert" as he walked off at the end.

In recognition of his sustained splendour, he beat the holder, Bobby Charlton, to the Ballon d'Or of 1967, and remains Hungary's only winner. He retired in 1974 after scoring more than 250 goals in around 350 league games for Ferencvaros, and in 2007 the club named their stadium after him.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...-lit-up-grounds-around-the-world-6255764.html

And, finally, completing this team, on the left flank, is another Ballon d'Or: Omar Sívori, who is fondly remembered as known as El Cabezón (Spanish for big headed due to his confidence, arrogance, and playing style). Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, he is mostly associated with his stint at Juventus (who paid a world record transfer fee to bring him from River Plate at just 21 years of age). Being the key to Juventus’ domination of Italian football in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the fee was later seen as a bargain. On the other hand, River Plate built a whole stand in the stadium with received money, but without Sívori failed to win another league title for 18 years (by the age of just 21 Sívori gave River three consecutive titles before his eventual departure).

One of the finest inside-lefts in football history, but capable of playing all over attacking line, Sívori along with Charles and Boniperti formed a trio better known as “Il Trio Magica“. Still, out of those three Omar Sívori was the one who constantly delivered the magic.

"In the history of Argentine football there is [Alfredo] Di Stefano, Sivori and Maradona, those three take the podium,"
Former Argentina coach Miguel Ignomiriello

Playing with his socks pushed down around his ankles as a sign to his defenders that he isn't afraid of their tackles Sívori had an outstanding abilities, regularly tormenting his opponents with his dribbling skills and deceptively fast changes in both directions. Sívori not only had fantastic goalscoring ability claiming the league’s scoring crown in 1960 and scoring over 200 goals in his career, but he also had great vision, was a brilliant passer of the ball and thrived in quick link-up play which essentially makes him a perfect player to round this attack full of motion, skill, technique, and creativity...which will hopefully be too sizzling for opponent to suppress.

TACTICS TEAM green_smiley

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Tactics:
High-line, pressing all-over, with intention to:

1. Close down opposition's space
2. Cut out opposition's passing options
3. Win back the ball as soon as possible
4. Execute quick transition from defense to attack

GK: Grosics, founder of "sweeper-keeper" style of play, he is the 11th outfield player, knowing when to come out from the box to sweep away any dangerous play, thus allowing his teammates to press deep into opponents' half

Attacking fullbacks: Briegel and Gerets, both possess high physical and technical abilities. Their primary task is to own the flanks, create overloading and provide width while the likes of Ribery or Simonsen cutting in

Libero: Blankenburg, a Beckenbauer-lite, he is tasked to initiate attacking play from the deep and carry the ball out

Stoppers: Schwarzenbeck, he will be doing the 'cleaning' back in the defense when Blankenburg ventures forward

Defensive box-to-box midfielder: Lerby, a tenacious, hard-tackler with fantastic work rate. He provides screening to defensive line, but also given license to get forward and contribute offensively when team has the ball

Centre midfielder: Jugovic, heartbeat of midfield, he provides quick and seamless transition from defense to attack with his vision and range of passings

Inside forwards: Ribery and Simonsen, looking to torment opposition's defense with trickery and finishing skills. Also have ability to drag defenders away and thus create space for other attacking teammates

Second striker: Keegan, fantastic work rate at both attacking and defensive phase. Great dribbling skill and ball control, and good aerial prowess too despite his height. Can create or score goals. Expected to fill in for one another with Dalglish

Center forward: Dalglish, complements Keegan perfectly with his exquisite skills, vision, touch, passing prowess and supreme finishing. A multifaceted attacking player, he and Keegan will rotate and switch focus of attack from time to time

 

[Enigma_87]

Good luck lads! @green_smiley @Jim Beam @Invictus

 

[green_smiley]

Will be interesting to see how people rate Puyol as right back, despite what has been described

He is not even rated highly at CB, which is his natural position

 

[green_smiley]

Think both teams have very good attacking four

Question is which team is equipped better in defense

 

[harms]

Lerby on the right side?

 

[green_smiley]

Lerby on the right side?

Yeah, need to handle Bozsik

 

[Invictus]

A bit on the latest addition in attack:

OMAR SÍVORI


Individual accomplishments:
South American Championship player of the tournament: 1957
Serie A Golden Boot: 1959–60
Ballon d'Or: 1961
FIFA 100: 2004

World Player of the Century #36:

Argentina Player of the Century #5:

Team accomplishments:
Primera División (3): 1955, 1956, 1957
Serie A (3): 1957–58, 1959–60, 1960–61
Coppa Italia (2): 1958–59, 1959–60
Coppa delle Alpi (2): 1963, 1966
South American Championship: 1957

The Maradona of The Sixties, Omar Sivori is one of the legendary Argentinean-Italian footballers of Juventus. His playing style was Puskás-esque, for lack of a a more appropriate parallel — as audacious and brilliant, and Sívori utilized his dribbling skills and favorite move of the nutmeg (playing the ball between an opposition players legs) to defeat defenders. Primarily a left footed player, Sívori had the ability to score with his left, his right and despite his relatively short stature his head; this would sometimes see him receiving kicks to the face. Especially while with Juventus, he was able to utilize his vision and passing skills. To date, Sivori holds the record for most Juventus goals in a single league game with six, this is also the joint record for any Serie A team shared with Silvio Piola.

Omar Sivori, who has died aged 69, was one of the finest inside-lefts with one of the finest left feet since the war, an Argentinian player of flair and finishing power who never played for his country in a World Cup, but played for Italy instead. A little man who always played with his stockings round his ankles, he gave as good as he got. He later managed Argentina's team, qualifying them for a World Cup, before returning to Italy to work as a journalist and pungent television commentator.

Born in a suburb of Buenos Aires, he made his name, internationally, in the 1957 South American championships in Lima. Still only 21, he was one of the so-called Trio of Death with Humberto Maschio at inside-right and Valentin Angelillo at centre-forward. Rich Italian clubs promptly snapped up all three of them. Sivori went to Juventus of Turin, Maschio to Atalanta, Angelillo to Inter Milan.

In recent times, this would have been no bar, quite the reverse, against their continuing to play for Argentina. But then Argentina's establishment regarded the three, in footballing terms, as un-persons. In the 1958 World Cup, Argentina played without them and were humiliated.

Sivori moved to Juventus from River Plate, the Buenos Aires club, in 1957 for what was then a world record fee of £91,000. At the same time, John Charles, the Leeds United centre-forward and Welsh international, also joined the Turin club, for £65,000. Now Sivori found himself in a new inside-forward trio. Its third member was Giampiero Boniperti, who had made his name with Juventus as a centre-forward, had also played for Italy at outside-right, but now settled in as an inside-right. That year, 1957-58, Juventus won the Italian championship, their first for six years, with an eight-point margin over Florentina. Sivori figured in 32 of the 34 games.

He scored no fewer than 22 goals, dovetailed splendidly with the huge John Charles, and enraptured the Juve supporters with his so-called "tunnel", his ability to push the ball between an opponent's legs. Cocky, ebullient, sometimes provocative - when he appeared to be ruffling a fallen opponent's hair, he was sometimes pulling it - he was in character and physique a total contrast with the placid John Charles, but they complemented one another.

Thanks to their combination, two more championships followed, in 1960 and 1961. In these, too, Sivori's goal scoring was phenomenal. In the season 1959-60, his striking rate was 27 goals in 31 games, making him the leading Italian championship scorer. The following season saw him just as prolific, with a striking rate of almost a goal per game; 26 in 27 matches.

It was in April 1961 that the Italians, exploiting his Italian descent, as they would with Maschio and Angelillo, capped him for the first time; he scored the winning goal in a narrow 3-2 victory against Northern Ireland. The following month, he scored a goal against England in the Olympic Stadium in Rome, spinning on the ball to whip it home with his left foot; though Italy lost the match, 3-2. In June, ironically, he scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Argentina in Florence.

The following November in a World Cup qualifying game in Turin, he scored four of Italy's goals in a 6-0 win against Israel. He stayed in the team for the ensuing World Cup finals and played twice in Chile against West Germany and Switzerland, but was fortunate enough to miss the second game, the so-called Battle of Santiago against Chile, notorious for its violence. He made nine appearances for Italy. Oriundi, the word given to South Americans of Italian descent, were by then losing favour.

In 1965, having scored 135 championship goals for Juventus, he moved to Napoli; but there things went awry. Injuries devastated the four seasons he had there; he only played a dozen games, though he had pocketed a signing-on bonus of £24,000. Alas, badly advised and probably exploited, the money ran out and by the time he went back to Argentina in 1969, there was little of it left.

As manager of the Argentinian national team, his initial impact was dramatic. He took them on a dazzling tour of Europe in 1973, when West Germany were beaten. But by the time the World Cup finals came round the next year, volatile Sivori, never one to suffer fools badly, had been dismissed. And - in West Germany, the team he had left failed sadly.

 

[Enigma_87]

@Invictus for dropping Villa.

Villa, Stoichkov, Sivori, Amaro is a better front four for me...

 

[Invictus]

@Invictus for dropping Villa.

Villa, Stoichkov, Sivori, Amaro is a better front four for me...

I'm not leading this match, btw...will bow out with 3 posts per the rules. Thought we were scheduled to start at 1500 GMT (Jim is travelling and I'm up to my tits with work stuff). Oh well!

 

[Enigma_87]

I'm not leading this match, btw...will bow out with 3 posts per the rules. Thought we were scheduled to start at 1500 GMT (Jim is travelling and I'm up to my tits with work stuff). Oh well!

Ah, didn't see a preference on time in the thread or PM for the current game, but only for the game against Ecstatic. Generally all games are due 12 GMT unless stated otherwise. Sorry if the kick off time has caused some inconvenience this time!

Hopefully JB will be on soon to keep the discussion flowing.

 

[green_smiley]

I'm not leading this match, btw...will bow out with 3 posts per the rules. Thought we were scheduled to start at 1500 GMT (Jim is travelling and I'm up to my tits with work stuff). Oh well!

Don't worry, you guys are favourite to win this

 

[green_smiley]

Not sure what is JimVictus plan to handle Jugovic?

Maybe Mauro Silva, but can they afford to let their centre backs to keep tab of Keegan-Dalglish duo themselves?

 

[Invictus]

Ah, didn't see a preference on time in the thread or PM for the current game, but only for the game against Ecstatic. Generally all games are due 12 GMT unless stated otherwise. Sorry if the kick off time has caused some inconvenience this time!

Hopefully JB will be on soon to keep the discussion flowing.

No worries, it's partly our fault for not rescheduling ahead of time...I'll try to pack a few hurried arguments in this one post!

• Briegel had a documented weakness against agile, tricky, low center-of-gravity wingers. e.g. Conti:

If you track their actions, Bruno had the beating of Briegel time and again. Considering Amancio is a player with a similar profile, I'd expect him to to get a fair bit of joy.

• Expect the Stoichkov/Sívori tandem to pose a few problems for the opposition defense through the inside channel in particular.

• At first glance, Albert seems to be in a fair bit of space here in the absence of close marking — even from a neutral viewpoint, I'd rate him among the finest manipulators of space (think along the lines of an elegant, silky, different style of Raumdeuter if you will), so he should have a big impact, particularly in terms of dribbling threat and quick passes to the other forwards.

• In terms of pure defensive nous, I'd rate our defense at a marginally higher level, not much, just a slight margin — with Puyol in a conservative function to further batten down the hatches, and Kahn acting as the last line of defense.

And a bit on Puyol (who green_smiley seems to love ):

CARLES PUYOL

Puyol is the key, not just because he is one of the best defenders in the world but because of his character. He never lets up.
Xavi

Individual accomplishments:
UEFA Euro All-time XI
World XI: Team of the 21st Century
ESM Team of the Year: 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06
UEFA Team of the Year: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
UEFA Club Best Defender: 2006
FIFA/FIFPro World XI: 2007, 2008, 2010
UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament
FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2010


Team accomplishments:
FIFA World Cup: 2010
UEFA European Championship: 2008
Summer Olympics: Silver medal 2000
FIFA Confederations Cup: Third-place 2009
La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13
Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12
Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011
UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11
UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011
FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011

IN CELEBRATION OF CARLES PUYOL, BARCELONA’S UNFORGIVING WINNER
JAMES BHAMRA

Guardiola paid his former captain the ultimate tribute: “His track record speaks for itself. He’s been the captain and an example for the rest. He was always the first to run and get to training, first in everything. He helped me a lot throughout my career. Undoubtedly, he was one of the greatest players.

“I only have words of gratitude for him. Normally, when we speak about talent, we speak about offensive players, but he showed defensive talent. He looked like he enjoyed defending. He was a very intelligent player, one of the greatest in the history of Barcelona.”

His time on the pitch had come to an end, and a new life in the boardroom of his beloved club awaited. But as every end has a story before it, so too does this one. It’s the story of Carles Puyol Saforcada, or simply “Puyi” to his friends.

Born in Catalunya, Puyol started his career playing for his local team, Pobla de Segur, as he meant to go on: at the back. The key difference was that he was in goal rather than at centre half. Soon, however, the first of many injuries flared up, and his shoulder wasn’t strong enough for the passionate dives and exuberant saves the young man put his heart into.

For a brief period he moved all the way forward to play up front. Although it may seem trivial, this was a period that would act as a reference point in his career. Playing as a striker and trying to get the better of defenders would no doubt have helped him read the minds of the marksmen he came up against later in his career.

When it came to joining Barcelona, he was a late bloomer. Luminaries he would later play with such as Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fàbregas and Lionel Messi were all much younger than the 17-year-old Puyol was when they first joined the club. He started life in the Cantera as a defensive midfielder, before graduating to the B team and again moving positions to right-back. Clearly talented, but without a position he could call home, he bode his time patiently, broadening his football IQ and waiting for his chance.

That chance almost never came to be. With Frank de Boer ahead of him and first team opportunities seemingly nowhere on the horizon, Málaga had an offer accepted by Louis van Gaal for his services and Puyol was almost on his way to the year round warmth of the Costa del Sol.

The youngster stubbornly turned the offer down and dug his feet into the very ground he refused to leave. He had just seen one of his teammates and close friends graduate to the first team and wanted to emulate him. That teammate went by the name of Xavi Hernández, and together they would go on to have storied careers that would impact not just Barcelona, but Spain as a nation.

It is strange that van Gaal initially missed the value in a diamond like Puyol. For all the controversy the man has been surrounded by in his career, he has blessed the world by introducing players that would go on to transcend the sport. Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert and Xavi are just some of them.

With the Málaga offer firmly behind him, Puyol was soon invited to start training with the first team – and made an instant impression. But not with the ball. “What’s your problem?” van Gaal asked a young but fearless man after the session had finished. “Can’t you afford the money for a haircut?”

His debut came soon after, as a sub for Simão away to Valladolid, in a 2-0 win in October 1999, before his baptism in El Clásico a year later. The fixture itself needs no introduction, but this one in particular was sure to be fierier than any previously.

Luís Figo, the former prodigal son of the Camp Nou, was returning to a hellacious welcome with Real Madrid. It’s the infamous game where a pig’s head was somehow smuggled into the stadium – in reality, probably quite easily – and thrown onto the pitch in Figo’s direction; the same game where the shaggy-haired youngster marked the man of the moment out of proceedings. Mind distracted or not, Puyol didn’t let Figo move and put in a performance that was as composed as anything Plácido Domingo has serenaded the world with.

This was one of many instances early on that foretold viewers of the brilliance we were watching. His first goal against Valladolid further helped his cause, but the crescendo moment came in a 2002 Champions League game against Lokomotiv Moscow. With the keeper rounded and a back tracking Puyol the only man protecting an empty net from the oncoming striker, he flung himself at the admittedly weak shot and kept the ball out by blocking it with his chest. The ball, rather perfectly, hit the Barcelona badge on his shirt, and with that it was sealed. No more questions were asked nor did they need to be. In the milliseconds before the ball hit his shirt he was still unproven to the Culés in the crowd; in the milliseconds after the ball had rebounded off his chest, he had become a hero.

That moment came in the same year of his inclusion in the 2002 World Cup squad. He went to South Korea and Japan having already won a bronze medal at the Olympics two years earlier. Still regarded as a right-back, the finals themselves were forgettable for Spain as they were controversially beaten by South Korea in the quarter-finals.

He began to play in central defence soon after and the respect he earned led to the Barcelona players voting him as their captain for the 2004-05 season, which would end with a La Liga title, Frank Rijkaard’s first as manager and Barcelona’s first since 1999.

The season where the story of Puyol really starts to breathe fire is that of 2005-06. With the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Deco, Barcelona played balletic football and romped to a La Liga and Champions League double, Puyol proudly lifting Ol’ Big Ears above his head in Paris to complete one of the more enduring images of his career.

On the international scene, Spain started to shrug off their tag of perennial underachievers at that year’s World Cup. Although they went out at the quarter-finals again, the football they played was the appetiser to what the following years would bring. Nothing could sum it up better than the part Puyol played in a goal Fernando Torres scored against Ukraine.

Intercepting a Ukrainian pass on the halfway line and taking a few steps forward, he then brilliantly shimmies past a defensive tackle and lays the ball off to Torres, who himself passes to another player in red. By now Puyol is well past the halfway line, and standing on the left hand side when the ball comes to him again. He calmly plays a cushioned header that finds Torres. The ball is then smashed home for one of the goals of the tournament.

If Spain were on the up at that time, Barcelona were slowly declining. The 2006-07 season saw them lose the league on the final day of the season, in which they finished without a trophy and cracks began to appear. The next season would be even worse. A Champions League run to the semi-finals was achieved in the main against weak opposition, but in the league things couldn’t really have gone much worse. Not only did they finish 18 points behind Real Madrid, who were crowned champions that season, they finished ten points behind Villarreal, who finished second.

While other players in the squad were squabbling with one another and the manager lost control of the dressing room, Puyol still gave his heart and soul on the pitch in defiance of everything that was going on around him.

It was a new Puyol, born out of tough circumstance. Two years earlier his beloved dad had been killed in a farming accident. Puyol was not told until the team had disembarked the plane in A Coruña, where they had just arrived for a game. This, combined with a number of injury problems, meant the usually unflappable Catalan went through the darkest period of his life, something he would candidly talk about in the years after. It was the intervention of the Spanish national team physio and the reading of Sun Tzu’s famed book The Art of War that eventually brought him peace.

The new Puyol entered Euro 2008 on the back of that horrendous season, but never again would his career reach depths so low. Spain were strongly fancied to go all the way, but that backing also came with a fair dose of scepticism from back home. Along with England, they were perceived as the great underachievers on the international stage. Once the tournament got underway, however, they set about changing that.

Puyol led from the back, helping the team keep three clean sheets and concede only three goals as they won their first international title since 1964, beating Germany 1-0 in the final. Puyol, of course, was in the all-star team when it was decided. He was the best defender in the tournament for most fans.

Once the glory of that triumph had quietened down and he returned to Barça, it was all change in the dugout. After the disastrous previous season, Rijkaard had been sacked and the novice Pep Guardiola was brought in as a replacement. Deco and Ronaldinho soon followed Rijkaard out of the door. It was those high profile transfers that overshadowed the signing of one former youth player who would, alongside Puyol, form one of the greatest defensive partnerships in Spanish football history.

Gerard Piqué was back in the colours of the Blaugrana having spent four years at Manchester United. In Piqué, Puyol found a supremely talented centre-back who just needed stability and a guiding partner. He found both next to his compatriot, who was relentless in his teachings. The older Catalan would not for a second let Piqué lose focus, in a game or in training. Tough love was the order of the day, and he dished it out in droves. But Piqué was better for it, and he often spoken about Puyol’s influence in his career.

Together they formed as strong a partnership at centre-back as you’re likely to find in Spanish history. That partnership took its place in a much bigger scheme of things. A tough start to the season was soon forgotten and Barcelona played sumptuous football. Every player in that team felt rejuvenated under the management of Guardiola, none more so than Puyol.

It culminated in the club’s first ever treble, something no other Spanish team had done before or since, as Puyol once again got his hands on the European Cup, this time in Rome. After weathering an early Manchester United storm, Puyol, Piqué and the rest of the team never looked like losing from the moment they took the lead, teasing their English rivals with the ball, offering brief glimpses of it before moving it out of sight.

The following season brought more success as Barcelona won four more trophies, laying their hands on the Club World Cup, the Spanish Super Cup as well as the UEFA Super Cup and the La Liga title.

At international level, ever since Spain had won Euro 2008, everybody in the nation had cast their eyes to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with longing hope. Spain were clear favourites and had a squad that was an embarrassment of riches. Once again, Puyol teamed up with Piqué at the back, with Sergio Ramos, Joan Capdevila and Iker Casillas still present from Euro 2008.

Having made their way to the semi-finals, they came up against Germany yet again. The Germans had steamrolled their way to the semis, destroying England 4-1 in the last-16 and Argentina 4-0 in the quarters. It was a potent attack to say the least. But the Spanish defence, with Puyol at the heart of it, never looked to be in trouble. Instead, the game was a typical World Cup semi-final: tense, tight and with few chances.

In the 73rd minute Spain won a corner. Xavi, the man who all those years ago had inadvertently kept Puyol at Barcelona, delivered it right on to the penalty spot. For a second it looked like Piqué was going to get his head to it, but out of nowhere, with the power of a steam train and the leap of a salmon, came Puyol. All the years of World Cup heartache for Spain were put to one side as he powered the header home. In a century of caps for his country he only scored three goals. That goal alone, I’m sure, is worth more than most in Spain’s history.

A few nights later, as the ball trickled out of play towards the end of extra time in Johannesburg, the emotion of the past four weeks were let out of Puyol’s interior. The game was all but over; Spain had a goal kick and, once taken, the referee would blow the final whistle. Puyol had started the celebrations early, but once the win was confirmed he led from the front. It spoke volumes for what can be a confusing nation sometimes. Here he was, Catalan born and bred, celebrating just as much as San Iker, Spain’s Madrid-born poster boy.

From this point on his career would be punctuated by injuries at crucial times. Another successful season for Barcelona meant they ended up winning the league again and yet another Champions League title, Puyol’s third. Sadly, injury prevented him from starting the final at Wembley and instead he was brought on with a few minutes left.

When the team went to collect their prize Puyol passed his honour of lifting the trophy on to Éric Abidal, the French left-back who had missed a large part of the season because of a cruel battle with cancer, but who had recovered so brilliantly to start the final. With tears in his eyes and the armband around his bulging bicep, Abidal wept as he lifted the trophy aloft, overcome with the magnitude of Puyol’s gesture.

Another injury meant that a year later he had to miss Euro 2012 and not long after that his international career came to an end at exactly 100 appearances. Vicente del Bosque paid him the following heartfelt tribute: “Carles has been an example both on and off the field, he deserves this for what he has done; not just his words, but his acts.”

By now he was suffering injuries so regularly it was beginning to get to the time when people spoke of his retirement. But again, Puyol’s actions spoke louder than words. At the end of the 2012-13 season, with yet another La liga trophy to lift, he passed the duty on. The hand of Éric Abidal was grabbed and Tito Vilanova was gestured to step forward. Vilanova had fought bravely against cancer that season as well, causing him to miss several weeks in the dugout. Puyol handed them both the trophy and then darted out of sight as they lofted it. As they say, actions speak louder than words.

The following season would be his last but again it was interrupted by injuries. Enough was enough and, deciding that his body could no longer go on, he drew the curtain on a glorious career that saw him win every trophy at club and international level. The tributes poured in from the football world.

Piqué, his partner in crime, penned an emotional farewell letter in which he stated: “I know that I will miss our talks in the locker room, your advice and especially you giving us hell on the pitch. You are unique; a one-off. I find it amusing when they talk about signing “the new Puyol”. They can look all they want, but they’ll never find it.”

As he got up to leave the stage erected just for him, and the crowd applauded, Puyol was content. He’d done the right thing, and he was happy for it. He spoke of having lived the dream that every boy has. He most certainly had. A brief spell as Barcelona’s deputy sporting director followed but he left his post not long after starting. Since then he’s taken up English classes and still keeps fit by exercising at Barcelona’s training ground. He’s recently become a father and speaks regularly at his contentment in life.

The same contentment goes for the fans – of all clubs – who are just happy they got to see him play and lead for all those years. After all, the world of football has rarely seen a footballer as committed, passionate and talented as Carles Puyol was for club and country.

https://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/11/22/in-celebration-of-carles-puyol/

 

[green_smiley]

And a bit on Puyol (who green_smiley seems to love ):

Nah, I have nothing against Puyol. But he is shite according to @Edgar Allan Pillow

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Nah, I have nothing against Puyol. But he is shite according to @Edgar Allan Pillow

Wut? Have I ever called him shite? He's a decent CB, just not goat calibre was my opinion of him.

 

[green_smiley]

Also, the idea is to reduce space and time on the ball especially to JimVictus front four, cutting their supply by pressing as a whole, and winning the ball back as quick as possible

Individually they may be better, but tactically I feel my team is better prepared

 

[green_smiley]

Wut? Have I ever called him shite? He's a decent CB, just not goat calibre was my opinion of him.

Decent CB > RB

 

[Invictus]

Wrt. Puyol — who's been mentioned several times now, I don't think we're trying to pull a fast one and portraying him as the next coming of Carlos Alberto as an immaculately balanced rightback. Even in the writeup, the focus is on his defensive wherewithal, covering ability, aggressiveness and overall command. Amancio was nominally an old-fashioned outside-right (though he excelled on either flank in that role wrt. maintaining conventional width almost all on his own), like the EURO '64 final vs. the Soviet Union where Calleja started at LCB in a 3-man defense:

Amancio's expertise on that front will enable Puyol to focus mostly on defensive tasks, instead of worrying about offering an outlet on the overlap (which is not needed here) — and quite frankly, in the absence of the likes of Bergomi/Thuram and with Gentile/Burgnich being star listed, we can't imagine many better dual-RCB/RB candidates in this pool than the Spaniard. Really think that's a fair assessment, and not something we're cooking up just to persuade managers and voters in this match.

Anyway, my quota of posts is over! Good luck @green_smiley, and now we wait for Jim.

 

[MJJ]

Wasnt it puyol who was playing rb for barca against us in 07/08? Kept ronaldo quiet.

 

[Jim Beam]

Will be interesting to see how people rate Puyol as right back, despite what has been described

He is not even rated highly at CB, which is his natural position

Not really sure what to say about that statement regarding him at CB. Absolutely won every single trophy out there playing in defensively high-line as the undisputed defensive leader of Barcelona and Spain team. As for him as a right-back he played it for 5 or 6 years regularly and was voted as the best right-back in UEFA team for 2002. While those "honours" can be misleading at times, there is clear evidence of him in the matches against Figo or Rooney in that CL final in Rome. Rooney for all his faults was a big game player and that was probably the worst game of his career. Absolutely nothing came from that side with Puyol protecting it. And his record against Figo was always great.
He is also a pretty great foil as a defensive RB behind more natural winger in Amancio who will provide width.

Think both teams have very good attacking four

Question is which team is equipped better in defense

Think we have a better attack tbf (of course I will think that ), but there are 3 Ballon d'Or winners and best Spanish winger of all time with all of them playing in their natural position thriving in fast movement and link-up play. I like your front four, but I can't see them being better as a unit from Sívori, Stoichkov, Albert and Amancio. It is just absolutely devastating while attacking, especially on the counter. Btw. think we will both score, I just think we will score more.

@Invictus for dropping Villa.

Villa, Stoichkov, Sivori, Amaro is a better front four for me...

As one of biggest Villa fans, I understand where you are coming from. Still, Sívori is one of the best inside lefts in the history and an absolute nightmare to hold with his dribbling and trickery. We felt that he gives us a bit more as a unit than it would be the case with Villa and opted to put Hristo upfront. The idea is to make fluid, interchangeable front 4 (Villa would still be a great fit), just thought this lifts us to another level.

Not sure what is JimVictus plan to handle Jugovic?

I'll be brutally honest. Don't rate him. Others might disagree, but I watched him enough and there is nothing to convince me he won't be out of his depth here. Other than being a good part of that Zvezda team (far from the most important player), he had a good spell in Sampodoria and when you read his club list further on, it's a list of clubs where he eventually flopped. He didn't even play at midfield for the large part of his career in the Yugoslavian national team and it wasn't some world-class players who prevent him from playing. He was a solid player, but nothing more. You are basically relying on Lerby to stop Bozsik (hard task in itself), but who will stop Albert running from the deep. Certainly not Jugovic. It is set-up for Albert to have a great game IMHO. I know you had to bench one of your stars, but Tardelli for Jugovic is a huge downgrade.

Also, the idea is to reduce space and time on the ball especially to JimVictus front four, cutting their supply by pressing as a whole, and winning the ball back as quick as possible

I personally think it isn't the best idea to press this team, because if you don't succeed you open too much space for that front 4 to exploit. And Bozsik is one hard player to mark out of the game (doing that only with Lerby on his shoulder).

Don't worry, you guys are favourite to win this

You have more than a fine team... During flights, so I'll be in and out of debate. Oh, and best of luck.

 

[green_smiley]

Another weakness of JimVictus' defense is that their centre-back duo are not renowned to be able to bring the ball out from the back, which means they are susceptible to pressing and easy to lose the ball

Puyol's passing is decent, but just about. And Mauro Silva is basically just a destroyer

Adding to Lerby keeping close tab on Bozsik, the passing channel to JimVictus' front four is effectively reduced

 

[Jim Beam]

Wasnt it puyol who was playing rb for barca against us in 07/08? Kept ronaldo quiet.

Nah, in 2007/08 Puyol played at CB as I can remember. As been said, he marked Rooney out of the game in the 2009 CL final.

Still, it was prime Rooney at the time and in great form. With Park on the right side they basically reduce us to Ronaldo shots from distance.

 

[green_smiley]

Although they have never played together in real life, I imagine Keegan and Dalglish will form devastating attacking partnership, with fluidity, free-flow and interchangeability. Their unpredictability is not something that pure stoppers can defend against

 

[Jim Beam]

Another weakness of JimVictus' defense is that their centre-back duo are not renowned to be able to bring the ball out from the back, which means they are susceptible to pressing and easy to lose the ball

They are not the greatest ball-playing defenders (would be wrong to claim that), but they are pretty composed on the ball. But that aside, I didn't know Dalglish, Keegan and Simonsen where pressing machines.

Puyol's passing is decent, but just about. And Mauro Silva is basically just a destroyer

Mauro Silva is one of the greatest destroyer in his prime, that's true. That is the reason why his passing ability is more than underrated. You don't play for Brazil 59 time, get voted as the best Deportivo player of all time by the fans and also voted as 9th best player in the world in 1994 by being just a destroyer. A nice video which show his passing efficiency...

 

[green_smiley]

They are not the greatest ball-playing defenders (would be wrong to claim that), but they are pretty composed on the ball. But that aside, I didn't know Dalglish, Keegan and Simonsen where pressing machines.

The trio has fantastic work rate and physical ability, so it is not a concern. They are not Dzajic to begin with

 

[Physiocrat]

I'm really not sure of the Sivori - Abidal left side. Is the idea to have Sivori and Stoichkov to interchange to provide width on the left or something else?

 

[Jim Beam]

The trio has fantastic work rate and physical ability, so it is not a concern. They are not Dzajic to begin with

I know they all had good stamina, played in decently hard-working teams, but they were far from Tevez type of players or more importantly, they never played in teams who were known to genenpress the opponent which is essentially what you ask of them. Pereira was quite good on the ball, and Puyol/Abidal played in what was probably the most press-resistant team of all time... They will not fall apart because you decided to instruct your attackers to press. And Jugovic certainly can't press which again leaves the question marks on the tactics.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Shouldn't Kenny and Keegan be swapped? Not really a fan of Kenny leading the line. More traditional team except for the above.

Don't rate Puyol at RB. I expect Ribery to have the advantage there. Abidal-Sivori looks not complimentary esp with Stoichkov there too and overall the team looks very put hastily together. I can't seem to imagine how they'll go about the game.

 

[Jim Beam]

I'm really not sure of the Sivori - Abidal left side. Is the idea to have Sivori and Stoichkov to interchange to provide width on the left or something else?

The idea is to interchange and play in fluid front 4, including Sivori and Stoichkov as Hristo loved that left channel, so he will naturally find himself often there pulling the defender and opening space for Sivori, but also upcoming Albert. But, I don't see the problem with the width here tbh. After all, Abidal played behind Villa and Henry in Barcelona.

Must go, will try to answer a bit more in the evening.

 

[Jim Beam]

Just to add last point before going and seeing there some questions about our attack (which is a bit strange for me).

Dalgish was most renowned for his deep-lying playing style. There is a slight overlap between him and Keegan here...It's like playing Totti and Bergkamp in the same central area and expecting the scheme to work.

 

[oneniltothearsenal]

I have a hard time seeing past an out of position Puyol in a Quarter Final. Playing someone in some role they filled in a few games in a R1 match can slide but not in a QF. I feel like you need an actual RB there not a make shift one.

Overall I just rate back four as better individually and as a unit which I think swings the match.

 

[Gio]

In all honesty I couldn't quite get my head around GS' 4-1-5 thing in the last round, but this looks like a proper outfit now. Tasty game this.

I know they all had good stamina, played in decently hard-working teams, but they were far from Tevez type of players or more importantly, they never played in teams who were known to genenpress the opponent which is essentially what you ask of them. Pereira was quite good on the ball, and Puyol/Abidal played in what was probably the most press-resistant team of all time... They will not fall apart because you decided to instruct your attackers to press. And Jugovic certainly can't press which again leaves the question marks on the tactics.

Keegan was a tour de force off the ball - I'd take him comfortably over Tevez and just about anyone else in that regard.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Mauro Silva was very good on the ball, he wasnt just a destroyer like Stiles for example. As for the team, its a very nice setup from two judas although id prefer Villa up front instead of Sivori/Albert. Puyol is absolutely fine, dont understand the criticism tbh, as defensive fullbacks go in this pool he is in top tier.

As for smiley team, lovely setup as well although not sure about that front two, from what i know Kenny was always in that SS role so him leading the line is a bit strange at first glance.

 

[Physiocrat]

Btw I've no issues with Puyol at RB behind Amancio. He has experience there and isn't required to provide much going forward.

The question is how highly you rate Puyol in general

 

[harms]

I see that this draft is all about the unconventional front fours I like this use of Sivori better though. Plus I think that I used Albert in a similar-ish front two with Cruyff before, so I can see it working. Combining Dalglish and Keegan together is very intriguing as well.

 

[Jim Beam]

I have a hard time seeing past an out of position Puyol in a Quarter Final. Playing someone in some role they filled in a few games in a R1 match can slide but not in a QF. I feel like you need an actual RB there not a make shift one

It is not like we put Phil Jones there though. The man played there for 6 years constantly on a pretty high level. Aside Rooney marking which was the biggest game of Pep's career of that time and marking Figo out of the game many times he played that position not just for Barcelona, but for Spain in WC 2002 reaching QF when they were far from their peak being voted best right-back that year. I can understand him not maybe being rated by some, but calling him make shift RB is just not true. His defensive attributes are well proven there and not just in a single match.

Keegan was a tour de force off the ball - I'd take him comfortably over Tevez and just about anyone else in that regard.

Appreciate the comment, but I stand by the main point. To effectively press you have to do it in a unit and they never played that way for their teams. Some may buy it, some not, but...

He will try to high press:
- a team which consists of two defensive players who played in most press-resistent team in history
- Pereira was a dynamic defender and quite good with the ball
- to effectively round the press you need to have a central midfielder which is extremely skillful and has great passing range (Bozsik)
- to successfully counter the press you need the presence of quality wingers and forwards who will be always on the move asking for the ball and there are not many better candidates then that front 4 with extra additon of Albert who was immense coming deep to help Bozsik and breaking through opposition lines (having Jugovic of all people on the pitch to watch him)

By trying to cut the supply to our forwards and playing high press and high defensive line he will give that attack one thing they crave the most - a lot of space.

Esentially, the result will be the one which he wanted by implementing this tactic.

Execute quick transition from defense to attack

... with devastating counters.

Hristo, Amancio and Sivori aside for a second, this man will thrive going deep and feeding forwards alongside Bozsik. And I feel people didn't watch him enough and GS would also pay a bit more attention to him if he thinks the only thing to stop our transition is to stop Bozsik.

Worth a watch no matter who you vote for, mind you.


Always on the move, no dwelling on the ball, direct, quick link-up play and through passes while pulling one or two players on him. Not even going into his goalscoring abilities.

 

[green_smiley]

As for smiley team, lovely setup as well although not sure about that front two, from what i know Kenny was always in that SS role so him leading the line is a bit strange at first glance.

Dalglish is not set up to lead the line all the time. As mentioned, he can interchange position with Keegan to form a fluid attacking partnership. By switching focus of attack every now and then, will make it difficult for opposition to defend against. This is also important in pressing style of play; as soon as we win the ball back, depending on who is in better scoring position, that player will be the focal attack point at that instance

It is unconventional, but not revolutionary. Similar to first round, this is inspired by Bielsa's tactics as per video below (timestamp 3:55 - 4:07). It is somewhat reminiscent to Total Football

 

[Jim Beam]

Dalglish is not set up to lead the line all the time. As mentioned, he can interchange position with Keegan to form a fluid attacking partnership. By switching focus of attack every now and then, will make it difficult for opposition to defend against. This is also important in pressing style of play; as soon as we win the ball back, depending on who is in better scoring position, that player will be the focal attack point at that instance

It is unconventional, but not revolutionary. Similar to first round, this is inspired by Bielsa's tactics as per video below (timestamp 3:55 - 4:07). It is somewhat reminiscent to Total Football

So, let just get this straight. You have high-pressing and high-defensive line with a bit of total football with no one in that team other then Blekenburg and to small extent Ribery knowning and playing something similiar.

Individually they may be better, but tactically I feel my team is better prepared

You also left Jugovic who wasn't defensively great on one the most dangerous players of his time (Albert) and left tonnes of space behind you for the attack consisting of Sivori, Albert, Stoichkov and Amancio to exploit. Really think that is tactically good idea? It is an honest question as that is the last thing I would do against that attack.

 

[green_smiley]

So, let just get this straight. You have high-pressing and high-defensive line with a bit of total football with no one in that team other then Blekenburg and to small extent Ribery knowning and playing something similiar.

Not sure what you are implying. It is like saying footballers will never be able play a certain tactics because they have never played it before

The players in my team has all the traits to make the tactics work. Simple as that

 

[green_smiley]

You also left Jugovic who wasn't defensively great on one the most dangerous players of his time (Albert) and left tonnes of space behind you for the attack consisting of Sivori, Albert, Stoichkov and Amancio to exploit. Really think that is tactically good idea? It is an honest question as that is the last thing I would do against that attack.

Unfortunately I do not have time to study Jugovic's game to answer your question, nor you have any proof to stake your claim

I could post his PES states, but I don't think you will accept it