GodShaveTheQueen
We mean it man, we love our queen!
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2018
- Messages
- 6,435
----------------------------------------- ENIGMA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JIM BEAM -----------------------------------
Enigma's write up:
Formation: 4-3-3, balanced defensive line.
TACTICS:
DEFENCE:
Originally intended to create an all time best German defensive back line we managed to get four of the five pieces. Vogts and Brehme are one of the very best in their position in history, whilst undoubtedly Kohler is the greatest stopper the game has seen. Sepp Maier stands on goal, whilst Chumpitaz, whilst obviously not at the same level as der Kaiser, bring some of the same traits - excellent on the ball, fast on the deck and tough in the tackle offering the needed qualities to counter Eto'o pace and agility.
Brehme will get more opportunities to go forward as the right side is the opposition weaker area with Bessonov the only natural wide defender on that side. Brehme ability as a natural overlapper and Rensenbrink's dexterity, agility and dribbling can cause the opposition all sorts of problems and open up a numerical advantage. On the other side we have a proven partnership between Vogts and Kalle in the national team.
MIDFIELD:
With the introduction of Di Stefano, we managed to push our spine to another level. Di Stefano's engine and ability to control the proceedings is well known and alongside Rijkaard and Van Hanegem makes is a very tough nut to break for even on of the greatest ones in Xaviesta, that we would face. Our midfield has a very good blend of playmaking ability, sheer physicality, ability on the ball and great engine to outrun and out-will the opposition. Without the initial intent to build around Di Stefano, I'd say that this team has all what it takes to make him shine, without clash of personalities. Van Hanegem and Rijkaard are players that had great individual ability, motor but first and foremost were team players that would let Di Stefano run the show. On top of that we have Rensenbrink and Kalle who are industrious forwards notorious for their excellent movement up front and ability to get the end of Di Stefano's passes.
ATTACK:
With Rensenbrink, Kalle and Puskas we have a trio that is capable of great off the ball movement, dribbling ability and one of the best finishers in the game in Puskas. Puskas, Rensenbrink and Kalle has it all in terms of movement, technique and will to win, whilst Van Hanegem and Di Stefano will play a key role in setting them up or exploiting their movement and finish chances on their own.
Why we would win:
Di Stefano - You can't let it slip. After like 100 drafts the great man hasn't won one and it's a darn shame. Here he has a great supportive cast and a team unit, which he would enjoy to steer to his first win. Everything set aside, he's the best player on the pitch and we're recreating a fantastic and proven partnership between him and Puskas as a focal point of our team.
Brehme / Rensenbrink - Although probably Rensenbrink tends to be underrated in historical sense - he's one of the greatest left forwards in history and with Brehme attacking output that partnership has it all to create a game winning advantage for us, considering IMO this being a weaker area for the opposition.
Well known pairings and partnerships across the team - whilst the opposition boasts with the Xaviesta tandem, we take it to the next level with proven partnerships like Di Stefano/Puskas, Van Hanegem/ Rensenbrink and Vogts/Kalle/Maier/Brehme who shared the pitch as duo's at some point.
Defence being a nice fit for their attack - Chumpitaz / Kohler is a nice fit for the opposition pair in Law and Eto'o - both in therms of class and quality, but also in terms of ability, agility and pace. Chumpitaz is one of the fastest CB's around, whilst Kohler's ability to handle one of the best CF's in the game in van Basten is well documented and produced some exciting battles. On top of that we have Rijkaard at the base and two of the best full backs around.
Jim Beam's write up:
Tactics: an unorthodox 3-5-2 formation
In the attacking phase, the team is capable of controlling the tempo of the game and most importantly creating either from deep positions, the centre of the pitch or from the flanks providing balls to that absolute live wire of an attack.
The shape also becomes a 3142 at times as the wing-backs push high up the attack, stretching the pitch and opening up space for the central midfielders to run into or pass easier, while also occupying opponent fullbacks so that the forward two can run into the vacant space between the opposition FB and CB.
In the defensive phase, everyone will drop back making a classical 532, extremely hard to break, both from the flanks and middle of the pitch which will ensure that Di Stefano can't get his foot on the match as much as he would like it.
The team is also more than capable to make a quick transition from the defensive phase and hit the opponent on the counter if and when the other team loses the ball in any area of the pitch.
Why Beam?
1. Why the hell not?
2. It was always on the card to finish the draft with this version of the team constantly changing it from the 1st round and was sealed once I got Krol and Cannavaro, so I could make that defensive wall in which everyone will feel comfortable in their role. Krol in LCB role and Cannavaro in RCB role which got him into the team of the tournament at Euro 2000 in that famous Italy backline which was practically unbreakable.
Anyway, if anyone can hold onto that enigma's attack it would be this gentleman's.
3. It is the final step from pulling Iniesta and Xavi out of that comfort zone and while previous tactics relied on real-life examples this one will require a bit of more persuading. However, since it is not a typical 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 I think it is very workable based on system characteristics as Xavi and Iniesta basically stay inside the same midfield three, but have also multiple options and adequate personnel to dominate the game.
So, what are the system characteristics?
- you have the centre-backs looking to step out, you've got wingbacks near the midfielders which enables you to play on the front foot and establish domination. Both the defenders and wingbacks are extremely important, defenders to step up forward and draw the opponent midfield and the wingbacks to provide that extra options for my midfield to have more control on the game. It is basically a knock-on effect on all phases of the game drawing midfielders toward defenders, drawing defenders and fullbacks forward;
- holding midfielder in Voronin protects the backline, but also has a great passing ability to play behind the lines while Xavi and Iniesta always provide the passing option along with wingbacks on the sides;
- Denis Law is extremely important puzzle too as he provides the link with the attack and he will be here in his favourite free-roaming role helping midfield and attacking the opponent backline along with Eto'o;
So, here you go Denis... Against Di Stefano of all people. Anyone who watched how Law played knows that he was an all attacking menace which loved to be involved in all phases and had a brilliant all-around game. A perfect partner to help Xaviesta. Both him and Eto'o will constantly interchange and have a licence to cause havoc in the attack.My favourite player was Alfredo di Stefano, the great Real Madrid star. He could score goals, but he could also perform all over the pitch. That's the way I wanted to play. I liked to play inside-forward. But Matt felt differently and I wasn't happy. Of course, I was delighted to score a goal or two but, in that role, you could miss a lot of the game. I always wanted to be involved.
- the team keeps its shape in the defensive phase but uses a high press against the opponent once the ball is lost. One player acts as the trigger immediately pressing the opposition player with the ball. As the same time the rest of the team press and stick to other players that might receive the ball. It results in quick retaining the ball and immediate attack or at least in pushing the opposition player backwards allowing the team to withdraw into 5-3-2 shape. Forward line with Eto'o and Law, accompanied with that midfield along with wingbacks couldn't be more suited to do so. Once they are in a 5-3-2 shape the team becomes almost impossible to break. The team still maintains it's aggressivity while being in 5-3-2 shape not allowing the other team much time on the ball;
- positional interchange and rotation in the attack which brings unpredictability and allows the team to hit you from anywhere and from any player on the pitch with attackers pulling wide allowing wingbacks or midfielders to push through the middle, midfielders going on the wing creating numerical advantage or pushing wingbacks to join the attack, wingbacks pushing all the way to the byline allowing forwards to attack the space between the FB and CB;
Inspirations: Gareth Southgate WC England & Gian Piero Gasperini Atalanta