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Team Gio
ON THE BALL:
The gameplan revolves around getting Best, Puskas, Gullit and Maradona onto the ball in dangerous positions to run at 2mufc0/Theon's defence. . On the flanks the trickery of Best is as good as it gets and he is complemented in style by the athleticism and directness of Gullit, who, like Puskas, will relish attacking Best's deliveries, particularly against Cole. Both players too will seek out the service provided by the driving Maradona through the heart of the opposition team.
OFF THE BALL:
Defensively I expect solid work rate from the front through Gullit and Best with Tardelli and Tigana squeezing space to limit the service to cancel out the build up from deep. Gullit will drop into the midfield effort to make best use of his supreme athleticism and all-round game. Midfield will be a battlezone with Tardelli reprising his head-to-head showdown and man-of-the-match performance in the 1982 World Cup Final against Breitner. His double pivot with Tigana will provide a strong platform for Maradona, whilst limiting service into Messi between the lines.
Defending Messi requires some planning. At left-back not only is Nilton Santos top 3 of all time, but he is an excellent fit for Messi - two-footed, defends well on his right-hand side, and proven at LCB in a three (where he was in Team of the Tournament at the 1954 World Cup). He also offers class on the ball and defensive acumen off it. Inside Nilton Santos we have specifically introduced Hector Chumpitaz whose powerful low centre of gravity and razor-sharp reading of the game is custom-designed for the type of on-the-ground threats Messi poses.
Beckenbauer leads the defence to provide quality and control. He will engage in a battle of wits with Van Basten and has the intelligence and resourcefulness to respond to the Dutchman's wide range of tools. The quality team that 2mufc0 and Theon have assembled is not one based on crossing with two in-cutting wide forwards and two full-backs who prefer to link-up play on the ground. Therefore both Messi and Carlos Alberto will look to play it into his feet - where Chumpitaz will use his powerful low build to attack the first ball - and the channels where Beckenbauer will be covering. On the right McGrain is defensively rock solid and will feed the ball early up to Gullit. His rapid pace and experience of defending centrally makes him a tough task for Blokhin. Together we are well covered across the likely lines of attack.
KEY POINTS:
- Midfield will be a battlezone but Maradona is likeliest to emerge with the ball on his toe. He will love playing ahead of such a hard-working and tenacious midfield who were so formidable fetching and carrying for Platini in the 1980s.
- Stopping one of Best and Maradona might be achievable on a rare day. Stopping both of them is highly unlikely, despite the quality of opposition they are facing.
- Most clear-cut penalty-box route to goal is Gullit attacking crosses from Best (or Maradona, Nilton or Puskas), getting above Cole with his bigger frame and superior leap. Cole was famously outjumped by Thomas Muller at the back post in a Champions League Final no less and I can only imagine the sort of mismatch that Gullit will impose on him gambling on crosses from the left side.
Team 2mufc0/theon
DEFENCE
The backline is marshalled by two of the greatest defenders of all time in Gaetano Scirea and Elias Figueroa – both provide world class distribution from the back whilst remaining the gold-standard defensively (in our opinion only Nesta and Baresi match them in a defensive sense). Despite both leading their respective backlines it’s a partnership we see working well, Scirea more of a natural sweeping, covering defender whilst Figueroa offers greater physicality and aerial dominance. The great Carlos Alberto comes into the team at right back (Captain of Brazil 1970 and virtually unmatched as a defensive play-maker), along with Ashley Cole on the opposite side they provide elite defensive cover and also offer support in the attacking phases. Rounding off the defence is Preud'homme who remains the best Belgian keeper of all time and was twice voted the second best goalkeeper in the world by the IFFHS during this period (later winning the award in '94).
MIDFIELD
With the upgraded Voronin the midfield looks monstrous to play-through, filled with technical quality, work-rate and physicality which looks tailor-made to curb the influence of Maradona. The heart of the team remains our two box-to-box machines who we expect to wrestle control of game and provide the platform for our offence - of the two the dynamic Paul Breitner (in his later midfield incarnation, runner-up in the Ballon d'Or, 1-in-2 goal record for Bayern) will be given more freedom to break forward to utilise his goal scoring strengths while Roy Keane sits deeper as a controlling, defensive box-to-box player. One of the best defensive midfielders of all time in Valery Voronin has been selected as a dominant defensive presence, he will screen in front of the back-line whilst spraying the ball from deep with his passing range. Whilst dominant off-the ball, all three also possess excellent passing skills and are well suited to playing sharp passes between the lines to feed our attackers - both Keane and in particular Breitner were also known for bursting forward and scoring goals and have the perfect platform to do that here.
ATTACK
Whilst he has various GOAT versions, in attack we have selected the MSN version of Lionel Messi which is probably Messi at his best in terms of complimenting other star attackers and utilises his peak-playmaking whilst maintaining the overall goal threat. In terms of role Messi has the freedom to roam across the pitch and we see him slicing through central areas (exploiting the lack of a pure holding player with both Tardelli / Tigana being more box-to-box) before feeding MVB / Blokhin or running straight at the opposition back line.
Cutting in from the left wing is the explosive Ballon d’Or winner Oleg Blokhin whose speed and incision looks tailor-made for Messi's passing (that cross-field right-to-left pass to Alba was one of the signature characteristics of Messi's playmaking) – with 72 goals in 120 games over this period he offers huge offensive threat whilst also being extremely hard-working and dynamic off the ball (a core facet of Lobanovsky's style) - whilst we rate the defensive qualities of McGrain we think it's one of the stronger 1 vs 1 battles on the park and the sheer speed and off-the-ball movement of Blokhin to pose real problems.
Rounding off our attack is arguably the most complete striker of all time in Marco Van Basten – his combination of physicality, technical quality and aerial ability is probably only bettered by Pele and we see him linking up well with Blokhin in particular with his ability to receive the ball in tight areas and hold off defenders. Ultimately though his main role here is to finish off the chances which are carved out for him by Messi and co – despite the quality of the defence that he is up against it’s hard to bet against Van Basten with this level of service, and we think he probably edges out those centre backs aerially (particularly the 5 ft 7 Chumpitaz) which could prove vital given Van Basten's ability in the air and deliveries from wide areas.
THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
1. OPPOSITION THREATS WELL COUNTERED – This looks like a tight game given the quality of both sides, but overall we feel like we match slightly better against the opposition threats than Gio with our forwards. Our central core of Breitner / Keane / Voronin / Figueroa/ Scirea is as rock-solid as it gets defensively and looks perfectly setup to counter the threat of Maradona - the work-rate and ball-winning of Voronin and Keane in particular should pressure him in possession, whilst the overall area looks highly congested anyway (Puskas dropped deep at his best, Gullit was a second striker in this period) which should blunt some of Maradona's threat - in our view an off-the-ball pitch runner or chalk-on-their-boots wide presence would stretch the our central core and probably provide more for the side.
The trickery of Best and physicality of Gullit is well countered by Carlos Alberto (superb reading of the game, comfortable at centre back with the character and mentality to relish the challenge) and Cole (often underrated as a modern player, but defensively Cole stuck to a task like glue and outside Maldini it’s hard to think of a better defensive shackler). Then Puskas as a #9 looks perfectly countered by Figueroa / Scirea, both exceptional positionally which should counter his movement in the box which is probably the biggest threat from Puskas in this #9 role (lacking the raw explosiveness to pose a problem physically).
2. THE MARADONA / BEST CONUNDRUM - Whilst a partnership between GOATS look great on paper we don't feel like this one is a particularly complementary partnership in terms of personality or tactical fit - both were individual, flair players who performed most effectively with the team built around them. They also both looked to get on the ball as much as possible and act as primary playmakers, which we see causing a clash here - tactically Maradona would be better suited with Blokhin than Best for the opposition side (selfless off-the ball runner, looking to get on the end of Maradona's passes as opposed to battling for influence).
3. ADVANTAGE AT GOALKEEPER - Thomas Ravelli was a decent keeper and well-known for his exploits in the 94 World Cup (particularly the penalty saves) but it should be noted many GK's have had good international tournaments (Ochoa, Ospina, Howard, Keller etc) and that over a three year peak period there needs to be a sustained level of strong performance which we feel is lacking here. Ultimately playing in Sweden for his club career Ravelli has rarely faced goalscorers like Messi, Van Basten and Blokhin and with the long-range shooting from players like Breitner we feel its an area we can exploit. Even in WC94 Romario was the only comparable top tier #9 that Ravelli faced who scored in both of his games against Sweden (the second a good header, but the first a shot that should have been saved) - in the sole game Ravelli played against Van Basten he was hit for four goals which adds to the match-up in our favour.
Michel Preud'homme (88-91) GK- Belgian 1st Division, UEFA Cup Winners Cup, European Super Cup, Belgian Golden Shoe, Belgian GK of the Year x 3.
Gaetano Scirea (79-82) CB - Seria A x 2, Copa Italia, Fifa World Cup 1982, UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament 1980.
Elias Figueroa (74-77) CB - Campeonato Gaúcho (5): 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (2): 1975, 1976, All-Star Team of 1974 FIFA World Cup & Best defense of the tournament,South American Footballer of the Year 1974, 1975, 1976, South American defense of the year 77,75,76,77, Best global defense of the year 74,75,76,77, Bola de Ouro Brazil's Best Player 1976, Bola de Prata Brazil's best defence of the year 74,75,76.
Carlos Alberto (68-71) RB - Recopa Sul-Americana: 1968, Taça de Prata: 1968, Paulista Championship:1968, 1969, FIFA World Cup: 1970, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1970, World Team of the 20th Century: 1998, National Soccer Hall of Fame: 2003, FIFA 100: 2004,The Best of The Best – Player of the Century: Top 50, Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame
Ashley Cole (08-11) LB - Premier League 09-10, FA Cup x 3, FA Community Shield 09, UEFA Champions League 11-12, PFA Team of the Year 10-11, UEFA Team of the Year 2010, Chelsea Players Player of the Year x 2, England Player of the Year 2010, Premier League 20 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2011–12).
Valery Voronin (64-66) DM – Soviet Footballer of the Year 1964, 1965; Soviet Top league 1965;
Roy Keane (98-01) CM - Premier League: 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, FA Cup: 1998–99, UEFA Champions League 98-99, Intercontinental Cup 1999, PFA Team of the Year 99-00, 00-01, 01-02, PFA Team of the Century: (1907–2007), FAI Senior International Player of the Year: 2001, Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 1999, 2000, RTÉ Sports Person of the Year: 1999, FWA Footballer of the Year: 2000, PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2000, ESM Team of the Year: 1999–2000, Premier League 10 Seasons Awards: (1992–93 to 2001–02), Premier League 20 Seasons Awards: (1992–93 to 2011–12).
Paul Breitner (79-82) CM - Bundesliga: 1979–80, 1980–81, DFB-Pokal: 1981–82, kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season:1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, Footballer of the Year in Germany: 1981, Ballon d'Or: 1981 (Runner-up), IOC European Footballer of the Season 1980–81, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, FIFA 100, Bayern Munich All-time XI.
Lionel Messi (14-17) RW - La Liga: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, Copa del Rey: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, Supercopa de España: 2016, UEFA Champions League: 2014–15, UEFA Super Cup: 2015, FIFA Club World Cup: 2015, FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2015, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, European Golden Shoe: 2016–17, 2017–18, Copa América Golden Ball: 2015, UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2015, La Liga Best Player: 2014–15, La Liga Best Forward: 2014–15, 2015–16, Pichichi Trophy: 2016–17, 2017–18, FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: 2015, IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2015, 2016, 2017, Olimpia de Plata (Argentine Footballer of the Year): 2015, 2016, 2017, FIFA FIFPro World11: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, UEFA Team of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, La Liga Team of the Season: 2014–15, 2015–16, FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2014, Copa América Dream Team: 2015, 2016, Argentine Football Assn. Team of All Time (published 2015).
Marco van Basten (86-89) CF - KNVB Cup 86, UEFA Cup Winners Cup 86-87, Serie A 87-89, Copa Italia 88, UEFA CL 89-89, 89-90, Euro Supercup 89, Intercontinental Cup 89, UEFA EURO Championship 88, Ballon d'OR 88,89, UEFA Best Player, Ballon d'Or: 1988, 1989, UEFA Best Player of the Year: 1989, European Cup Top Scorer: 1988–89, Serie A Golden Boot: 1989–90, Eredivisie Top Scorer: 1986–87, Bravo Award: 1987, Onze d'Argent: 1987, Onze d'Or: 1988, 1989, IFFHS World’s Best Player: 1988, 1989, World Soccer Player of the Year: 1988, UEFA Euro 1988: Top Scorer and Best Player with 5 goals, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1988, FIFA 100, UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: #4,Italian Football Hall of Fame, UEFA Euro All-time XI (published 2016), A.C. Milan Hall of Fame, IFFHS Legends.
Oleg Blokhin (73-75) – Hardworking wide forward – Soviet Top League 1974, 1975; Soviet Cup 1974; UEFA Cup Winners Cup 1975; UEFA Super Cup 1975; ; Soviet Top League top scorer 1973, 1974, 1975; Ballon d'Or 1974 – 19th, 1975 – 1st
Gaetano Scirea (79-82) CB - Seria A x 2, Copa Italia, Fifa World Cup 1982, UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament 1980.
Elias Figueroa (74-77) CB - Campeonato Gaúcho (5): 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (2): 1975, 1976, All-Star Team of 1974 FIFA World Cup & Best defense of the tournament,South American Footballer of the Year 1974, 1975, 1976, South American defense of the year 77,75,76,77, Best global defense of the year 74,75,76,77, Bola de Ouro Brazil's Best Player 1976, Bola de Prata Brazil's best defence of the year 74,75,76.
Carlos Alberto (68-71) RB - Recopa Sul-Americana: 1968, Taça de Prata: 1968, Paulista Championship:1968, 1969, FIFA World Cup: 1970, FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1970, World Team of the 20th Century: 1998, National Soccer Hall of Fame: 2003, FIFA 100: 2004,The Best of The Best – Player of the Century: Top 50, Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame
Ashley Cole (08-11) LB - Premier League 09-10, FA Cup x 3, FA Community Shield 09, UEFA Champions League 11-12, PFA Team of the Year 10-11, UEFA Team of the Year 2010, Chelsea Players Player of the Year x 2, England Player of the Year 2010, Premier League 20 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2011–12).
Valery Voronin (64-66) DM – Soviet Footballer of the Year 1964, 1965; Soviet Top league 1965;
Roy Keane (98-01) CM - Premier League: 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, FA Cup: 1998–99, UEFA Champions League 98-99, Intercontinental Cup 1999, PFA Team of the Year 99-00, 00-01, 01-02, PFA Team of the Century: (1907–2007), FAI Senior International Player of the Year: 2001, Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year: 1999, 2000, RTÉ Sports Person of the Year: 1999, FWA Footballer of the Year: 2000, PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2000, ESM Team of the Year: 1999–2000, Premier League 10 Seasons Awards: (1992–93 to 2001–02), Premier League 20 Seasons Awards: (1992–93 to 2011–12).
Paul Breitner (79-82) CM - Bundesliga: 1979–80, 1980–81, DFB-Pokal: 1981–82, kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season:1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, Footballer of the Year in Germany: 1981, Ballon d'Or: 1981 (Runner-up), IOC European Footballer of the Season 1980–81, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, FIFA 100, Bayern Munich All-time XI.
Lionel Messi (14-17) RW - La Liga: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, Copa del Rey: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, Supercopa de España: 2016, UEFA Champions League: 2014–15, UEFA Super Cup: 2015, FIFA Club World Cup: 2015, FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2015, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball: 2014, European Golden Shoe: 2016–17, 2017–18, Copa América Golden Ball: 2015, UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award: 2015, La Liga Best Player: 2014–15, La Liga Best Forward: 2014–15, 2015–16, Pichichi Trophy: 2016–17, 2017–18, FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball: 2015, IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: 2015, 2016, 2017, Olimpia de Plata (Argentine Footballer of the Year): 2015, 2016, 2017, FIFA FIFPro World11: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, UEFA Team of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, La Liga Team of the Season: 2014–15, 2015–16, FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2014, Copa América Dream Team: 2015, 2016, Argentine Football Assn. Team of All Time (published 2015).
Marco van Basten (86-89) CF - KNVB Cup 86, UEFA Cup Winners Cup 86-87, Serie A 87-89, Copa Italia 88, UEFA CL 89-89, 89-90, Euro Supercup 89, Intercontinental Cup 89, UEFA EURO Championship 88, Ballon d'OR 88,89, UEFA Best Player, Ballon d'Or: 1988, 1989, UEFA Best Player of the Year: 1989, European Cup Top Scorer: 1988–89, Serie A Golden Boot: 1989–90, Eredivisie Top Scorer: 1986–87, Bravo Award: 1987, Onze d'Argent: 1987, Onze d'Or: 1988, 1989, IFFHS World’s Best Player: 1988, 1989, World Soccer Player of the Year: 1988, UEFA Euro 1988: Top Scorer and Best Player with 5 goals, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1988, FIFA 100, UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: #4,Italian Football Hall of Fame, UEFA Euro All-time XI (published 2016), A.C. Milan Hall of Fame, IFFHS Legends.
Oleg Blokhin (73-75) – Hardworking wide forward – Soviet Top League 1974, 1975; Soviet Cup 1974; UEFA Cup Winners Cup 1975; UEFA Super Cup 1975; ; Soviet Top League top scorer 1973, 1974, 1975; Ballon d'Or 1974 – 19th, 1975 – 1st