Skizzo/Gio
Pat_Mustard
Skizzo/Gio Tactics
I think this is a tough game that looks like a potential stalemate. To break the deadlock, it's worth emphasising the various players we have who have pedigree of deciding big games. Guys with a track record of scoring in finals and the business end of tournaments:
Van Basten - Euro 88 - semi-final, last-minute winner against West Germany, getting the better of Kohler; and in the final that volley to clinch the game.
Rivera - 2 assists in the 2-1 win over Benfica in the 1963 European Cup Final; and a man-of-the-match display with two assists in the 4-1 win over Ajax in the 1969 European Cup Final
Breitner - 2 goals in 2 World Cup Finals
Gento - 2 goals in 2 European Cup Finals
Brehme - 3 goals in World Cup Semi-Finals and Finals
That is half of the team who have a track record in making the vital difference in the biggest games of their careers.
Defensive Tactics:
The counter-attacking threat posed by the opposition should be limited somewhat by the presence of premium insurance package Scirea who mastered the space between the defensive line and Buffon. If Kocsis starts, McGrath's potent aerial ability and sharp reading of the game should mitigate some of the threat. Meanwhile, both Brehme and Lahm excelled in pro-active defences and ensure all-round quality across the back five.
Attacking Tactics:
Released by Rivera's precision passing, Gento and Figo would both look to trouble their full backs and provide their own threat, before taking their ability to assist into consideration.
As well as going wide, Breitner and Edwards combine to provide a rock-solid midfield platform that should give us some measure of midfield control. Breitner is one of several players (Brehme, Van Basten, Gento, Rivera) who have a track record of scoring and/or deciding big games and major finals.
Through the middle Marco Van Basten can score in a multitude of ways and should be well serviced through a range of supply lines. Gento and Figo can generate chances from out wide to complement Rivera’s creativity in the centre.
Pat_Mustard Tactics
Formation: Zona Mista
- Balanced play style.
- After facing our stylistic nightmare in Beam's Spalletti-influenced 4-3-3/4-6-0 last round, we feel we're on safer ground tactically now. As great as the opposition attack is, it doesn't present us with quite the same kaleidoscope of options that will befuddle our Zona Mista, which is so capable of sliding into a 4-2-3-1 to mirror the opposition shape as necessary.
- If anything we see our team as having more control over the match here As great as the Edwards/Breitner duo is, it's tough to argue their case in terms of playmaking and match control over Souness and van Hanegem.
- Goal Threat: In Kocsis and van Basten we're both fielding an all-time great CF, but with sturdy defences all-around Baggio and Stoichkov look like likelier match-winners than Rivera and Gento.
Pat_Mustard
Skizzo/Gio Tactics
I think this is a tough game that looks like a potential stalemate. To break the deadlock, it's worth emphasising the various players we have who have pedigree of deciding big games. Guys with a track record of scoring in finals and the business end of tournaments:
Van Basten - Euro 88 - semi-final, last-minute winner against West Germany, getting the better of Kohler; and in the final that volley to clinch the game.
Rivera - 2 assists in the 2-1 win over Benfica in the 1963 European Cup Final; and a man-of-the-match display with two assists in the 4-1 win over Ajax in the 1969 European Cup Final
Breitner - 2 goals in 2 World Cup Finals
Gento - 2 goals in 2 European Cup Finals
Brehme - 3 goals in World Cup Semi-Finals and Finals
That is half of the team who have a track record in making the vital difference in the biggest games of their careers.
Defensive Tactics:
The counter-attacking threat posed by the opposition should be limited somewhat by the presence of premium insurance package Scirea who mastered the space between the defensive line and Buffon. If Kocsis starts, McGrath's potent aerial ability and sharp reading of the game should mitigate some of the threat. Meanwhile, both Brehme and Lahm excelled in pro-active defences and ensure all-round quality across the back five.
Attacking Tactics:
Released by Rivera's precision passing, Gento and Figo would both look to trouble their full backs and provide their own threat, before taking their ability to assist into consideration.
As well as going wide, Breitner and Edwards combine to provide a rock-solid midfield platform that should give us some measure of midfield control. Breitner is one of several players (Brehme, Van Basten, Gento, Rivera) who have a track record of scoring and/or deciding big games and major finals.
Through the middle Marco Van Basten can score in a multitude of ways and should be well serviced through a range of supply lines. Gento and Figo can generate chances from out wide to complement Rivera’s creativity in the centre.
Pat_Mustard Tactics
Formation: Zona Mista
- Balanced play style.
- After facing our stylistic nightmare in Beam's Spalletti-influenced 4-3-3/4-6-0 last round, we feel we're on safer ground tactically now. As great as the opposition attack is, it doesn't present us with quite the same kaleidoscope of options that will befuddle our Zona Mista, which is so capable of sliding into a 4-2-3-1 to mirror the opposition shape as necessary.
- If anything we see our team as having more control over the match here As great as the Edwards/Breitner duo is, it's tough to argue their case in terms of playmaking and match control over Souness and van Hanegem.
- Goal Threat: In Kocsis and van Basten we're both fielding an all-time great CF, but with sturdy defences all-around Baggio and Stoichkov look like likelier match-winners than Rivera and Gento.
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. The first action in this video demonstrates what I'm getting at with Stoichkov's workrate, and typifies him as a player in some ways - the graft, the flair, and of course the almost impossible level of snarkiness:
