Coronavirus Draft - R1 - EAP vs Himannv

[GodShaveTheQueen]

...........................................................EAP................................................................................................................ HIMANNV...................................................

TEAM EAP

Defence:

.....................Makelele.......................
Briegel....Scirea....Cannavaro....Cafu
.......................Buffon........................

+ Stellar fullbacks in Cafu/Briegel with high workrate and able to cover the flank all match. Defensively good and contribute to attack too.
+ Scirea/Cannavaro make for one of the best CB duo's in this draft.
+ Add in Buffon, probably the greatest GK of all time.
+ Makelele, a pioneer of the role shields the defence.
+ Netto and Mendieta also provide good support in defensive phase.

Midfield/Attack:

......Signori.........Elkjaer........
..............Di Stefano...............
........Netto........Mendieta......

+ With a solid base in Makelele, Netto/Mendieta complete the midfield duo. Both are well versed centrally and can drift wide too. Defensively solid, high workrate and have enough creativity to contribute to offence.
+ Signori and Elkjaer are a dynamic pair of forwards. High workate, lethal in front of goal, mobile to drag defenders and open space for others, they can do it all.
+ Alfredo Di Stefano is the star of the match. With a surrounding cast that is fluid, he can run this game. Two mobile forwards who can score from his passes or open up space for AdS to score himself, it's a dynamic attack. Two creative midfielders behind him to provide constant creativity from the deep.

TEAM HIMANNV

Attack:
- Two magicians on the wing. At their peak very devastating and incredibly hard to stop for any defence.
- The high energy players behind them, leave less defensive responsibilities for this attack.
- David Villa up front. He can both score himself and also create spaces for the star wide players. Has experience doing just that alongside Messi and has no qualms playing second fiddle.

Midfield:
- Keane and Davids bring the energy and help out in multiple areas of the pitch.
- Pirlo plays as a DLP here and the other two cover for him as he creates from the deep.

Defence:
- The high energy midfielders help cover the defence.
- All of these defenders are good on the ball and can create from the back.

Tactics:
- All players are quite good on the ball and will focus on giving it to the attack and watch them tear teams apart.
- Davids and Keane sort out any other weaknesses; they will be putting out fires everywhere and stamping their dominance on this game.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

good luck @Edgar Allan Pillow @Himannv

Himannv, I had to resize your image as it was almost double of EAP's

If you want to submit a different picture, go ahead, I will update

 

[Himannv]

No issues with the image @GodShaveTheQueen

I tried to make it smaller but I'm obviously doing something wrong.

Good luck @Edgar Allan Pillow

 

[Himannv]

Great team by EAP on the whole. I like a nice diamond and it has the right types of players to make it function.

However, in term of this match up, I can only see this going one way. Briegel is a good player, but he's up against one of the best attacking players of all time. He has Netto there to potentially help out, but Messi has Keane alongside him and Amoros attacking down that flank as well.

 

[Gio]

Lovely pair of teams. That is probably the best team I've seen built around Pirlo yet, fits him like a glove.

 

[Jim Beam]

Lovely pair of teams. That is probably the best team I've seen built around Pirlo yet, fits him like a glove.

Yep. Finally.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

First team: hate fecking diamonds

Second team: can 3 worldclass “proper” footballers carry 3 strolling magicians?

 

[Šjor Bepo]

wouldnt usually vote as i dont like either team but knew people would wank on team himan so voted for Edgar <3

edit: and tbf was closer for a proper vote on edgar, defensive wise you cant go much better then what he did. Buffon Scirea Cannavaro protected by Makelele with hardworking players all over the pitch. Thing of beauty. Offensive wise it lacks something, better player then Beppe who i adore and not just better it has to be a elite dribbler as you cant have a team where fullback is your best carrier of the ball(that being Cafu or not). Butragueno would be

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

This one is almost impossible to choose.

The first instinct is to vote Himannv because he gets so much right, that is usually difficult to do with the likes of Pirlo and Messi.

But then you look at EAP's exceptional defense and that perfect midfield lead by Di Stefano and you can see them pressing the shit out of Pirlo.

I don't know which way to go as of now. Briegel is indeed a weakness against Messi but Di Stefano will add a lot of shield to that side. He almost played as a LB off the ball sometimes. Same can be said of a 4 man midfield lead by Di Stefano no less against a Pirlo midfield, which while being perfect runs into a really tough opponent.

I will vote based on who sells their team better as there is hardly an objective way to seperate these.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Good luck @Edgar Allan Pillow

You too, mate.

Briegel is a good player, but he's up against one of the best attacking players of all time.

Honestly , Van Dijk is the weakest defender on pitch. Esp against such mobile forwards.

You need your DMs to lend a hand to support Pirlo vs AdS. So with Beppe and Elkjaer operating between lines, your defense is likely to be breached.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Briegel is indeed a weakness against Messi but Di Stefano will add a lot of shield to that side.

His lack of #10 means, Messi would drop back and play as Inside Right in this game....which brings Netto and Makelele in the mix. I just don't see this as Briegel vs Messi. Anyway even so with Scirea and Buffon behind, still I have sufficient cover.

Anyway how does he plan to stop AdS?

 

[Gio]

Share some of the concerns with Briegel v Messi, but don't see that as a very regular battle frankly (unless this is a 2008/09 Messi). For EAP I see Makelele going head to head with Messi more than anyone else. He has enough bodies in midfield to pull Makelele back into the inside-left pivot position where Messi would be floating. It's a solid set up, especially given the calibre of the rest of the defence.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I just don't see his defense as up to par for this matchup at all.

- Van Dijk is the weakest defender on the pitch.
- Keane and Davids will have their hands full with Netto and Mendieta.

There's no stopping Di Stefano. Pirlo won't offer much in this battle and with a weak CB behind him to boot, this will only end one way.

That Defence will open up sooner than later and multiple times during the game.

 

[P-Nut]

My initial thoughts were Himannv, but after having a bit more thought about it, I quite like how Edgar is set up.

Everyone seems to be in the right place with clear roles that they thrive in.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

There's no stopping Di Stefano. Pirlo won't offer much in this battle and with a weak CB behind him to boot, this will only end one way.

I don't think Di Stefano was the Maradona or Messi kind to be an unstoppable force of nature. He just wasnt that kind of a player

He should ideally be surrounded by a lot of attackers who would stretch the pitch all over so that he can run the game from every where as he wishes. That is the best way to maximize his output. He never played without wingers as well. A lot of his game revolved around bringing the winger into the game from midfield and then darting into the box to score.

Without any wingers here, I think Davids and Keane will do a good job in containing him.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I don't think Di Stefano was the Maradona or Messi kind to be an unstoppable force of nature. He just wasnt that kind of a player

He should ideally be surrounded around a lot of attackers who would stretch the pitch all over so that he can run the game from every where as he wishes. That is the best way to maximize his output. He never played without wingers as well. A lot of his game revolved around bringing the winger into the game from midfield and then darting into the box to score.

Without any wingers here, I think Davids and Keane will do a good job in containing him.

It's not always necessary to replicate a WM to get best of AdS. I'd say a modern 4-3-3 is more suited to Di Stefano than a 4-4-2 or even a 4-2-3-1.

✓ Two mobile forwards who can drift and drag defenders - check
✓ Two mobile forwards who can make the runs to get to end of AdS passes - check
✓ Enough creativity behind him to support in attack - check
✓ Nobody who has ego to take his spotlight and everybody playing supporting role - check

There's just way too much responsibility expected of Keane and Davids here. They have Netto/Mendieta ahead and AdS behind. I rate them highly, but this just is too deep even for them. Who tracks Beppe when he makes runs from deep...Davids again?

 

[DVG7]

@Edgar Allan Pillow VVD weaker than mendieta?

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

I'd say a modern 4-3-3 is more suited to Di Stefano than a 4-4-2 or even a 4-2-3-1

442 and 4231, I think suit him well

In 433, only if he is not part of the front 3 but rather in the midfield.

I don't see your team as either of those.

I still think it's great, just don't see it as an attacking juggernaut to really call out Pirlo

 

[Šjor Bepo]

@Edgar Allan Pillow VVD weaker than mendieta?

longevity is the issue IMO, yet to reach 3 years at the very top of his game. As for quality, easily better then at least 4, 5 players on that pitch but no chance anyone will admit it as he is a "current" player.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

longevity is the issue IMO, yet to reach 3 years at the very top of his game. As for quality, easily better then at least 4, 5 players on that pitch but no chance anyone will admit it as he is a "current" player.

Sjor laying the base for KdB

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Sjor laying the base for KdB

Little Kevin doesnt need help, he is used to battling on his own.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@Edgar Allan Pillow VVD weaker than mendieta?

That's an odd comparison to make between a CB and a CM Obviously meant weakest defender on the pitch.

 

[Enigma_87]

@Edgar Allan Pillow VVD weaker than mendieta?

Might sound that I overrate a bit Mendieta, but to me - yes. He was top class at the turn of the century, driving Valencia to back to back CL finals, was one of the best Spanish players in the 02 WC and also was voted 2 times in a row best midfielder in Europe back to back when that award had a lot more value compared to nowadays. VVD IMO hasn't reached similar level yet as CB.

 

[DVG7]

That's an odd comparison to make between a CB and a CM Obviously meant weakest defender on the pitch.

then why did you say weakest player?

 

[DVG7]

Might sound that I overrate a bit Mendieta, but to me - yes. He was top class at the turn of the century, driving Valencia to back to back CL finals, was one of the best Spanish players in the 02 WC and also was voted 2 times in a row best midfielder in Europe back to back when that award had a lot more value compared to nowadays. VVD IMO hasn't reached similar level yet as CB.

na, not having that. VVD has enough body of work and is a champions league winning defender Who was ridiculously close to winning the ballon d’Or

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I still think it's great, just don't see it as an attacking juggernaut to really call out Pirlo

Call him a CF or a #10, he still has 216 goals from 282 games. At his peak (1956-57), he had 31 goals from 30 games for the league! Playmaking aside, he was a force in front of the goal. He has Pirlo and VVD ahead of him and not counting my other two forwards.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Might sound that I overrate a bit Mendieta, but to me - yes. He was top class at the turn of the century, driving Valencia to back to back CL finals, was one of the best Spanish players in the 02 WC and also was voted 2 times in a row best midfielder in Europe back to back when that award had a lot more value compared to nowadays. VVD IMO hasn't reached similar level yet as CB.

except Van Dijk did all that and more.....
Driving Pool to back to back CL finals and actually winning one.
Made a record in the league for number of points in not a title winning season in the league.
Won the league for Liverpool after feck knows how long in a fashion that the league was over by december.....
In the same period he was comfortably the best defender in the world.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

then why did you say weakest player?

I assumed we'd be comparing defenders to defenders.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

I assumed we'd be comparing defenders to defenders.

tbh i also assumed you mean everyone.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

tbh i also assumed you mean everyone.

Mendieta is a supporting player who'll keep hold of Davids. Imagine Davids would have Mendieta ahead and Elkjaer behind him when we have the ball. Add in Di Stefano who only has Pirlo to face and I see this as a clear advantage.

 

[Physiocrat]

@Himannv How attacking are your full-backs playing?

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Mendieta is a supporting player who'll keep hold of Davids. Imagine Davids would have Mendieta ahead and Elkjaer behind him when we have the ball. Add in Di Stefano who only has Pirlo to face and I see this as a clear advantage.

nothing wrong with Mendieta mate nor having lesser players in general.
"Choose the best player for every position and you'll end up not with strong XI but with 11 strong 1's"

 

[Enigma_87]

na, not having that. VVD has enough body of work and is a champions league winning defender Who was ridiculously close to winning the ballon d’Or

As I said, I probably might overrate him a bit as I quite like him as a player and to me he's a bit forgotten how good he was at the time. To me this Liverpool team is based on team mechanics and the Klopp effect. Naturally VVD is a star of that team and should receive the proper plaudits, but in all time I still don't rate him that highly and Klopp's tactics boosts his players strengths.

In this game for example Himannv I think is not playing a high line, intensive pressing game and a lot of pressure will come under the CB's which is not that similar to the setup VVD is used to and has been familiar with so far.

except Van Dijk did all that and more.....
Driving Pool to back to back CL finals and actually winning one.
Made a record in the league for number of points in not a title winning season in the league.
Won the league for Liverpool after feck knows how long in a fashion that the league was over by december.....
In the same period he was comfortably the best defender in the world.

As I said, he's not up there for me yet. If we rate VVD that high on the back of those couple of years then players like Mane and Salah would get picked ahead of many other regulars, which is still not the case.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

As I said, he's not up there for me yet. If we rate VVD that high on the back of those couple of years then players like Mane and Salah would get picked ahead of many other regulars, which is still not the case.

fair enough, for you its not for some of us he is. To be precise ideally id want another season to categorically say he belongs here though im confident a lot of oldies dont have a proper 3 year peak and we base their quality on one, two competitions etc.
Nothing wrong with Mane either, Salah no.
Its not the case and never will be as we all like to romanticize how before everything was better(not just football), most of us have the most fond memories of late 90s and that generation of footballers, i wonder why? While it really was a great era for football we were also kids and didnt watch football as often as we did later nor did you analyze every single movement of every single player like you do today so its a no surprise we underrate the current lot while we wank ourself silly for the old bastards.
While doing match compilations for Gazza watched a fair share of Serie A 90s, big games as well and while its a common knowledge how that league was great etc. i can tell you that most of the games were utter shit and level of football was very poor.

 

[Enigma_87]

fair enough, for you its not for some of us he is. To be precise ideally id want another season to categorically say he belongs here though im confident a lot of oldies dont have a proper 3 year peak and we base their quality on one, two competitions etc.
Nothing wrong with Mane either, Salah no.
Its not the case and never will be as we all like to romanticize how before everything was better(not just football), most of us have the most fond memories of late 90s and that generation of footballers, i wonder why? While it really was a great era for football we were also kids and didnt watch football as often as we did later nor did you analyze every single movement of every single player like you do today so its a no surprise we underrate the current lot while we wank ourself silly for the old bastards.

To me, the reason is - we didn't really had that many super teams pre-Galactico era(who didn't really do all that well at the time). Take a look at Serie A in the 80's and 90's. Milan and Juve had some super teams, along with fantastic managers, yet teams like Napoli, Sampdoria, Roma, Lazio, Verona, Inter - all won the title and had some greats of their own. On those years you had more individual talent spread through the leagues, compared to today.

It's easier to win those trophies today playing for City, Barca, Juve and Real(after Klopp came to Pool you can include them too), compared to the old days. If we decide on individual quality in draft games, I'd say this is the main reason for me why the oldies get a bit more love.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

To me, the reason is - we didn't really had that many super teams pre-Galactico era(who didn't really do all that well at the time). Take a look at Serie A in the 80's and 90's. Milan and Juve had some super teams, along with fantastic managers, yet teams like Napoli, Sampdoria, Roma, Lazio, Verona, Inter - all won the title and had some greats of their own. On those years you had more individual talent spread through the leagues, compared to today.

It's easier to win those trophies today playing for City, Barca, Juve and Real(after Klopp came to Pool you can include them too), compared to the old days. If we decide on individual quality in draft games, I'd say this is the main reason for me why the oldies get a bit more love.

This. A thousand times this.

 

[Gio]

Might sound that I overrate a bit Mendieta, but to me - yes. He was top class at the turn of the century, driving Valencia to back to back CL finals, was one of the best Spanish players in the 02 WC and also was voted 2 times in a row best midfielder in Europe back to back when that award had a lot more value compared to nowadays. VVD IMO hasn't reached similar level yet as CB.

This. Let's not forgot he won those UEFA awards whilst going head-to-head with both Keane and Davids in their pomp.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

To me, the reason is - we didn't really had that many super teams pre-Galactico era(who didn't really do all that well at the time). Take a look at Serie A in the 80's and 90's. Milan and Juve had some super teams, along with fantastic managers, yet teams like Napoli, Sampdoria, Roma, Lazio, Verona, Inter - all won the title and had some greats of their own. On those years you had more individual talent spread through the leagues, compared to today.

It's easier to win those trophies today playing for City, Barca, Juve and Real(after Klopp came to Pool you can include them too), compared to the old days. If we decide on individual quality in draft games, I'd say this is the main reason for me why the oldies get a bit more love.

i agree with that, though you would assume when a great players breaks the domination of a super team would get a bit more love for the same reasons you numbered as advantages of the 90s and before.
Plus its not super teams are a new thing....they are here from the stone age.
Check Di Stefanos Madrid or even better Milan from the 90s, probably the biggest assemble of GOATs at one place.

 

[Gio]

na, not having that. VVD has enough body of work and is a champions league winning defender Who was ridiculously close to winning the ballon d’Or

I agree. He's been top class since 2015. It's a lighter portfolio than most draft picks (although there are certain favourites who get a free pass on longevity), but his 3-year peak is clearly right up there. Cracking fit here for me too in a defence that can use the ball well, defend high, with a midfield that can press high and make the game compact. Nice combination with Bergomi who could do that Gomez style covering of Amoros when he pushes on.

 

[GodShaveTheQueen]

I think he needs to rake up some great performances against individual greats. To push them up a tier, you need those. I don't think he has had plenty and that comes with longevity which is why I wouldn't say the body of work is good enough as of now.

He should have enough opportunities in the years to come.