DP Draft - R1: Enigma vs Isotope

Who will win the match?


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GodShaveTheQueen

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-----------------------------------------------ENIGMA-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ISOTOPE---------------------------------------

ENIGMA TACTICS

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Defence:
Concentrated of keeping it compact with also the help of our midfielders and hard working wingers our aim is to reduce the space and time on on the ball that Finney, Garrincha and Van Basten will get. Sensini will be tasked to mind Garrincha most of the time and he will get a helping hand from Vidal on the side in a role that isn't too unfamiliar to him minding another great dribbler in Messi when facing him couple of times in the Copa. Iso's full backs are predominantly defensive ones and unlikely to provide much support going forward - hence we will be looking to double up on Garrincha / Finney to reduce the service Van Basten will get. Speaking of Van Basten there's unlikely a better duo to come against him in Figueroa and Tresor - two physical specimen who are fantastic in the air but also strong and defensively astute to counter his goalscoring nous. On the right Armfield plays his natural role as a balanced right back and occasionally he might support Boniek going forward, whilst he will get the same support back when we're off the ball.

Midfield: a high energy unit composed of the best box to box player in the game in Matthaus and his natural successor in Vidal will form an great foundation of our midfield base that would help both in defence and link with the attacking unit. On the side they have two very hard working wingers in Boniek and Stoichkov, whilst Rivellino will pull the strings in his natural #10 role.

Attack: Puskas is one of the greatest finishers and all round forwards, who will get plenty of support on either side and through the middle with Rivellino, Boniek, Stoichkov providing ammo from behind. His movement will provide the space which Stoichkov and Boniek need to do their damage when cutting in and open up goalscoring opportunities.

Key points:
- the way to neutralize the opponent is to limit the service van Basten will get and double up the flanks leaving their wingers with no space.
- Sensini in defensive role with main task to neutralize Garrincha, Vidal will cover for him as well off the ball when the ball is directed to Garrincha.
- Armfield will mind Finney and will get Boniek's support when off the ball.
- hit opposition on a counter as soon as we get the ball back. Puskas will drag opposition CB's and make space for incoming wing forwards.
Serie A has been lucky enough to witness some of the best South American footballing talent ever produced. From Il fenomeno Ronaldo to Gabriel Batistuta, or Cafu to Kaka, Italy really has been spoiled over the years. So often it is the entertainers like Diego Maradona or goal scorers like Hernan Crespo who grab the headlines. However, we should never forget the importance of the players who go under the radar – just ask any Udinese or Parma fan, or for that matter any Argentine, how important Roberto Nestor Sensini was to their respective teams. As Sir Alex Fergusson famously said: “strikers win you games, defences win you titles”.

When Udinese brought the 23-year-old defender to Serie A in the summer of 1989, they weren’t signing a rookie. This was an Argentine champion, a natural leader on the verge of breaking into his national side having won the Argentine championship with Newell’s Old Boys. During his four-year spell in Udine, Sensini mainly played in a defensive role. However, later in his career, he demonstrated how much more he had to offer. The versatile Argentine was one of the most technically gifted players in Serie A, whose reading of the game was second to none and his ability to time a tackle made the art of defending look simple. Sensini’s consistency was such that when he happened to miss a game, his importance became glaringly obvious.After close to 150 appearances for Udinese, Sensini was on the move. His destination was European Cup Winners Cup holders Parma, who were on something of a spending spree as they prepared for the 1993-94 season. Nevio Scala had already added Gianfranco Zola from Napoli and ensured Sensini was the next to arrive at the Stadio Tardini. Sensini spent six years with Parma, and they were the most successful years of his footballing career.


It was at the Tardini that Sensini showcased his versatility, as Scala opted to play him in midfield and sometimes as an attacking full-back. Sensini effortlessly played each role as if it were his natural position. The Argentine helped guide Parma to two UEFA Cups, two Italian Cups and a UEFA Supercup in what became the most successful era of the Gialloblu’s history. Despite coming close, Sensini failed to win his first Scudetto with Parma, yet that would change as Sensini swapped Emilia Romagna for Rome.


A brief spell under Sven Goran Eriksson saw Sensini collect another host of medals with Lazio. During the 1999-00 season, Sensini finally got his hands on the Scudetto as the Biancocelesti pipped Juventus to the title on the last day of the season. The triumph completed a historic double for Eriksson’s men, who also beat Inter in the Coppa Italia final. Despite such a successful season however, Sensini wasn’t a regular, playing only a bit part role under the Swedish tactician. As a result, the Argentine swiftly returned to Parma for the 2000-01 season.


The Parma to which Sensini returned was a different team, as the Crociati had to make do without star striker Hernan Crespo, who had left for Sensini’s former club Lazio for a world record fee. Nevertheless, the Gialloblu still had a relatively strong season, finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League. The following campaign saw Parma lose yet more star performers. Goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, and defender, Lilian Thuram, both departed for Juventus and this left a huge void that could not be filled. As a result, the club only managed a mediocre tenth place finish, as well as going through three head coaches during the season.


Luciano Spalletti managed to lure Sensini back to Udine to see out the final years of his playing career. The Italian tactician made Sensini the leader of his team, and the veteran Argentine helped the Friuliani secure a surprise Champions League qualification spot in 2005. Once again, Sensini had been part of a club’s most successful season in history. As Sensini fast approached 40-years-of-age, he finally announced his retirement, hanging up his boots after over 400 appearances in Italian football.


When Calcio ruled the world, Roberto Nestor Sensini was one of the toughest, yet most gifted players to grace the Serie A stage.

ISOTOPE TACTICS

It’s a standard 4-3-3 formation, with easy to picture system: Great in attack, midfield that just work, and astute defence.

All players are in their natural positions. Main strategy is to have Garrincha, a GOAT winger, to have plenty of time on the ball, as he’s up against a non-natural fullback there.

Midfield are controlled by two hardworking box to box playmakers. Defence is self explanatory.
 

harms

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Wow, that’s some teams right there. Were they even hit by injuries at all? :lol:
 

GodShaveTheQueen

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Don't really rate Puskas as CF in 4231
I like Puskas there, especially with Stoichkov there, both can exchange roles quite well which should get more out of Puskas. Also dont feel the team needs a proper orthodox No.9 with so many goal scorers on the pitch.

Went for Isotope
Doing the same. I like Enigma's quite a lot too, but Isotope's just looks top notch team build wise.
 
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Isotope

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Edgar Allan Pillow

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I like Puskas there, especially with Stoichkov there, both can exchange roles quite well which should get more out of Puskas. Also dont feel the team needs a proper orthodox No.9 with so many goal scorers on the pitch.
Imo, everyone of the goal scorers will be better if they had a 9 occupying the CBs. You had Kocsis physically occupying the defenders and being a header threat, which left Puskas freedom to run from behind. That aspect is a bit unbalanced here, I felt.
 

Enigma_87

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Imo, everyone of the goal scorers will be better if they had a 9 occupying the CBs. You had Kocsis physically occupying the defenders and being a header threat, which left Puskas freedom to run from behind. That aspect is a bit unbalanced here, I felt.
not really no. Especially in terms of modern game how many pure strikers are there that are left? When you have wide forwards able to bomb inside the box you don’t really need someone just to stick around both CBs. Most of the modern and complete #9 take part in build up, drop deep, drag defenders out of position and that’s exactly what you would expect someone like Puskas to do.
 

Šjor Bepo

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not really no. Especially in terms of modern game how many pure strikers are there that are left? When you have wide forwards able to bomb inside the box you don’t really need someone just to stick around both CBs. Most of the modern and complete #9 take part in build up, drop deep, drag defenders out of position and that’s exactly what you would expect someone like Puskas to do.
how many teams play with a n10 in the modern game? :D
 

Enigma_87

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how many teams play with a n10 in the modern game? :D
Rivelino is not the typical #10 though :) he can work hard and really not much different in a role as AM in 4-3-3. A Bruno like #10 if you like with much superior technique :D
 

Šjor Bepo

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Rivelino is not the typical #10 though :) he can work hard and really not much different in a role as AM in 4-3-3. A Bruno like #10 if you like with much superior technique :D
then why not play him in the 433? The whole dynamic is different between two formations.
 

Enigma_87

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then why not play him in the 433? The whole dynamic is different between two formations.
To me 4-2-3-1 in this game works out better considering the opposition. I don’t want the holder to drop wide to cover the flank, ideally it’s a job for the more defensive minded midfielder.

Besides it’s nominal formation that shows the average position most of the time. Vidal will take most of the defensive duties and help out wide, Matthaus in his forte as B2B and Rivelino as the most advanced - attacking midfielder. Both wingers will help in the defensive phase forming a 4-5-1 in the defensive phase.
 

Šjor Bepo

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To me 4-2-3-1 in this game works out better considering the opposition. I don’t want the holder to drop wide to cover the flank, ideally it’s a job for the more defensive minded midfielder.

Besides it’s nominal formation that shows the average position most of the time. Vidal will take most of the defensive duties and help out wide, Matthaus in his forte as B2B and Rivelino as the most advanced - attacking midfielder. Both wingers will help in the defensive phase forming a 4-5-1 in the defensive phase.
true to a degree, its still important because different formations will allow your players different things even if personnel is the same.
 

Physiocrat

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I'm not sold on Engima's front 6 but the Tresor and Figueroa partnership looks excellent - fantastic amounts of physicality as well as ball playing skill.
 

Isotope

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To me 4-2-3-1 in this game works out better considering the opposition. I don’t want the holder to drop wide to cover the flank, ideally it’s a job for the more defensive minded midfielder.

Besides it’s nominal formation that shows the average position most of the time. Vidal will take most of the defensive duties and help out wide, Matthaus in his forte as B2B and Rivelino as the most advanced - attacking midfielder. Both wingers will help in the defensive phase forming a 4-5-1 in the defensive phase.
I'm not sure Rivelino works hard. True that your wingers are hardworkers but maybe not down to protecting their fullbacks. You'll need Vidal and Matthaus to do that. Otherwise, Garrincha and Finney would have a field day against your fullbacks.
 

Isotope

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I'm not sold on Engima's front 6 but the Tresor and Figueroa partnership looks excellent - fantastic amounts of physicality as well as ball playing skill.
Yeh. It's hard to get better than that combo.
 

Enigma_87

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I'm not sure Rivelino works hard. True that your wingers are hardworkers but maybe not down to protecting their fullbacks. You'll need Vidal and Matthaus to do that. Otherwise, Garrincha and Finney would have a field day against your fullbacks.
Rivelino is someone that brings balance to a midfield and drops back a lot to help. Seen it both in the NT and for his clubs.

on the left side I have Vidal helping out as noted in the OP and on the right I definitely see Boniek perfectly capable of filling in. Besides I wouldn’t expect much from your full backs going forward so we should have enough numbers at the back when off the ball. Especially since Camacho is also on not his best flank.
 

Pat_Mustard

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A never-nude? I thought he just liked cut-offs.
Deary me what a brutal draw. Both teams would have went through quite easily against most of the other first round teams. This was more or less a coin toss for me but opted for Enigma for now. The formation pick makes his midfield duo look quite isolated but in reality I think Rivelino will do his bit against the ball, and Stoichkov/Boniek will certainly contribute. I generally think Puskas is well-used as the main striker, so a Figueroa-Lothar-Puskas core is something special. Iso's front three though :drool:. And you couldn't rule out Schuster in that role in a proper midfield three running the match...wish I didn't have to vote on this one as I'm doomed to second-guessing myself and feeling guilty no matter what :D
 

Gio

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Like Enigma's high calibre attack and spine. Iso's attack is something else as well and has a solid defensive core too. Both managers have done well to achieve balance despite injuries, owing much to clever picks like Sensini, Camacho, Vidal and Finney. Overall I slightly prefer Enigma's quality going forwards, but Garrincha could clearly have a good game at the other end.
 

Pat_Mustard

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A never-nude? I thought he just liked cut-offs.
Like Enigma's high calibre attack and spine. Iso's attack is something else as well and has a solid defensive core too. Both managers have done well to achieve balance despite injuries, owing much to clever picks like Sensini, Camacho, Vidal and Finney. Overall I slightly prefer Enigma's quality going forwards, but Garrincha could clearly have a good game at the other end.
Aye, some excellent injury-proofing picks by both managers.

Garrincha's potential impact has me questioning my vote. Sensini isn't the worst man to field against him by any means - strong, dogged defender who will stick to the task at hand, but he's short on pace. Vidal and, to a certain extent, Stoichkov tracking back are fairly credible covering options though.
 

harms

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Never thought that Stoickhov or Boniek are the type of defending down to fullback level. They both usually act as the attacking outlet, no?
Boniek was certainly capable of that if needed, Stoichkov was fairly hard-working as well.
 

Isotope

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Deary me what a brutal draw. Both teams would have went through quite easily against most of the other first round teams. This was more or less a coin toss for me but opted for Enigma for now. The formation pick makes his midfield duo look quite isolated but in reality I think Rivelino will do his bit against the ball, and Stoichkov/Boniek will certainly contribute. I generally think Puskas is well-used as the main striker, so a Figueroa-Lothar-Puskas core is something special. Iso's front three though :drool:. And you couldn't rule out Schuster in that role in a proper midfield three running the match...wish I didn't have to vote on this one as I'm doomed to second-guessing myself and feeling guilty no matter what :D
If not by the lure of picking 3rd/4th, I wouldn't vote for maybe half of the matches.
 

Pat_Mustard

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A never-nude? I thought he just liked cut-offs.
If not by the lure of picking 3rd/4th, I wouldn't vote for maybe half of the matches.
:lol: Me too mate, although it's been a genius idea by @GodShaveTheQueen for that very reason. Voting numbers were getting far too low and a carrot and stick policy for culprits like me was a great way to address that.
 

Isotope

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Boniek was certainly capable of that if needed, Stoichkov was fairly hard-working as well.
Yeh. Maybe not down to fullback in Stoickhov case, but he did often drop deep to midfield with Bulgaria.
 

Isotope

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:lol: Me too mate, although it's been a genius idea by @GodShaveTheQueen for that very reason. Voting numbers were getting far too low and a carrot and stick policy for culprits like me was a great way to address that.
Semi Final and Final are usually the worst. Full of GOATs. Unless the manager gets Pep's moment of madness on Final formation, it's hard to vote the winner.

Maybe not on this Draft, though. Your team is as good as lord randomizer allowed.
 

Enigma_87

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Yeh. Maybe not down to fullback in Stoickhov case, but he did often drop deep to midfield with Bulgaria.
Yep. That's why I have Vidal helping the fullback on the side. Although he did track back occasionally all the way to the byline on occasions he was more adept in dropping and filling numbers in midfield, basically in the role I have him here.

As for Boniek, he played in a side midfielder role (one of the many in Juve) and has all the energy and acumen to help the fullback on the side, especially if he doesn't have to face a more attacking full back to mind him also.
 

Enigma_87

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Good turnout, but this game definitely needs a bit more votes :D