Synco
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TEAM 2MUFC0 (José Mourinho)
Inspiration/blueprint
Jose's first Chelsea team (04-06)
Playing style, tactics
Before his United stint Jose Mourinho was an incredible manager who took on some of the best teams and managers of all time and bettered them, sometimes even with lesser teams (e.g RM vs Pep's Barca and his Inter and Porto teams), he also built on and established a resurgent Chelsea team after Roman Abramovich took over.
Mourinho's best teams were pretty dominant, he also knew when to park the plane as he would say and when to just let the hand brake off. In terms of tactics and play style, much like Sir Alex it was pretty simple, direct, pacey and at times physical. However, unlike Sir Alex, Mourinho didn't particularly rely on traditional wing play, although he did utilise wingers he also had no issues with wing forwards and play makers playing out wide (Joe Cole, Robben, Eto'o, Ronaldo, Willian, Hazard etc).
The attacking play didn't have a particular focus, but playing off a centre forward who was good at holding up the ball was a key feature, allowing the wide men and attacking midfielders to push forward and get into goal scoring positions. Pacey wide men were also a feature making them deadly when running into space during counter attacks.
In terms of defence, he normally lined up with two physically dominate central defenders, he also wasn't afraid to use an attacking full back on one side and a more defensive on the other, the goal keeper is required to be a good shot stopper with good reflexes. The midfield normally required bundles of energy and tenacity but he also wasn't averse to playing technical play makers in the middle (Alonso, Motta, Fabregas etc), however a key feature is the attacking midfielder or 8 who is given more freedom to attack and push forward but still required to put a defensive shift in.
A strong spine is essential with organisers/leaders in defence and midfield required as the defensive system was a collective effort for Mourinho teams, keeping it compact with high work rate across the park and then being able to release the ball quickly and directly to the forward line.
The attack was normally spear headed by a more physical centre forward who is good in the air and able to occupy the centre backs allowing surging runs from the B2B midfielders to be more effective. As discussed above the wide men can be both traditional and play making wide-men, however he did expect work rate from all attackers.
Player roles
GK: Gordon Banks - one of the best goal keepers of all time, great shot stopper and great reflexes.
CB: Jurgen Kohler - Physical, dominant and had some decent pace, an upgrade on John Terry.
CB: Marius Tresor - Like Carvalho a great all round defender, physically imposing but good on the ball.
LB: Ruud Krol - One of the best left backs of all time, was better going forward than Cole but just as good in defence.
RB: Djalma Santos - A bit more defensive than Krol, but can also contribute when going forward as required.
CM: Graeme Souness- Midfield enforcer in front of the defence but also good enough on the ball to pass around from deeper areas, because of his physicality he would be an upgrade on Makelele.
CM: Bernd Schuster - Technically brilliant footballer but also handy in the defensive phase. Moved forward into the attacking CM role where his creativity can be fully utilised.
CM: Lothar Matthaus - A beast of a midfielder who is asked to play the B2B powerhouse, his leadership will also be in the middle of the park
LW: Hristo Stoichkov - Attacking ability wise most would say he's up there with Robben, imo he's better, but offers a bit more work rate so would be home in a Jose team.
RW: Zbigniew Boniek - An excellent versatile winger able to cut in and go out wide, fantastic dribbler and great pace on the counter and has a great knack of getting into goal scoring positions, an upgrade on Joe Cole here. A hard worker off the ball with a great engine - the ideal Jose winger.
CF: Robert Lewandowski - like Drogba a striker that is great at being the target man, good in the air and physically strong and will keep the opposition CB's on their toes, also a bit better on the ball than the Ivorian so offers that bit more up front.
CB: Jurgen Kohler - Physical, dominant and had some decent pace, an upgrade on John Terry.
CB: Marius Tresor - Like Carvalho a great all round defender, physically imposing but good on the ball.
LB: Ruud Krol - One of the best left backs of all time, was better going forward than Cole but just as good in defence.
RB: Djalma Santos - A bit more defensive than Krol, but can also contribute when going forward as required.
CM: Graeme Souness- Midfield enforcer in front of the defence but also good enough on the ball to pass around from deeper areas, because of his physicality he would be an upgrade on Makelele.
CM: Bernd Schuster - Technically brilliant footballer but also handy in the defensive phase. Moved forward into the attacking CM role where his creativity can be fully utilised.
CM: Lothar Matthaus - A beast of a midfielder who is asked to play the B2B powerhouse, his leadership will also be in the middle of the park
LW: Hristo Stoichkov - Attacking ability wise most would say he's up there with Robben, imo he's better, but offers a bit more work rate so would be home in a Jose team.
RW: Zbigniew Boniek - An excellent versatile winger able to cut in and go out wide, fantastic dribbler and great pace on the counter and has a great knack of getting into goal scoring positions, an upgrade on Joe Cole here. A hard worker off the ball with a great engine - the ideal Jose winger.
CF: Robert Lewandowski - like Drogba a striker that is great at being the target man, good in the air and physically strong and will keep the opposition CB's on their toes, also a bit better on the ball than the Ivorian so offers that bit more up front.
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TEAM ENIGMA (Ernst Happel)
Inspiration
Ernst Happel Feyenoord side that was predecessor of total football and its success domestically and winning the EC
Formation
4-3-3
Classic Happel formation - flat back four with a holder protecting the back four, AM in Platini who interchanges with Henry and breaking the lines, as Happel's blueprint.
Tactics
High press, high tempo, quick transition
- High line, offside trap: Happel was one of the first players to employ some sort of offside trap even as a player. The aim of the team is to put the opposition on the backfoot pressing him in midfield and his own half, get the ball back and start a counter. The back four consists of 4 defenders that are very good on the ball and able to play in different setups. All defenders are adapt on the ball and able to play it out of the back. Redondo is in his natural holder role linking the defence with midfield. The wingers are required to put pressure on opposition full backs and one of them tracking his man in defence when the opposition are attacking on the side or keeping shape when we are off the ball.
- High press: whilst Happel's sides were very technical and attacking, they were also physical. We aim to play a high intense game and not allow the opposition many gaps or voids to find space when we lose the ball. The press is done as a collective unit and the team overloads especially the midfield. Nedved game will certainly be appreciated in his high intense style, whilst Platini is a no stranger putting his authority and control in the middle. Vieira and Redondo have solid frames that also add the physical side and height in midfield, able to win challenges both on the deck and in the air.
- AM/CF interchange: Notorious innovation of Happel's Feyenord was the AM and CF swapping position. Can't think of better player to do so than Platini who strived in such setups and Henry is the type of player that has the off the ball movement and lightning pace to get the end of his passes. Henry is not a fox in the box type of striker that would only occupy the opposition defender but also a very fluid attacker that can pull the defenders out of their comfort zone.
- Offensive patterns: quick incisive passing, a lot of movement off and on the ball. Platini is the key here with his ability to unlock tight defences and probably the GOAT with the greatest range and passing ability. He will also attack the box when has the opportunity and the space to do so. Neymar will bring his link up game and movement on the outside channel, whilst also pull defenders all over the place to create numerical advantage. The mixture of dribbling, pace, work rate makes the attack unpredictable and also gives a lot of options to break down the opposition if we pin them down.
GK - Lev Yashin - The first sweeper keeper and GOAT keeper. He is known for leaving his line and preventing goal and opposition threat before it happens.
LB - Roberto Carlos - one of the very best in history in his role - attacking full back. He will be a constant nuisance for the opposition defence, fluent in possession and having a great engine to cover in defence.
RB - Carlos Alberto - pretty much in his natural role. He will be an overlapping full back who can also close down the opposition winger and negate his influence.
CB - Fabio Cannavaro - alongside Nesta he was one of the best CB's in Italy at the turn of the century. At Parma he was very adapt in playing in a higher line and very capable defender on the ball, combined with a top notch pace and awareness. On top of that,despite his size his jump allowed him to win most of the aerial challenges against forwards higher than him.
CB - Ricardo Carvalho - elegant on and off the ball, excellent in the air.
DM - Fernando Redondo - if we are to describe the holder position and pick the greatest of them all - that's probably him. He will initiate moves from the back, distribute the ball and protect the back four. The holder was key for Happel's tactics and he would relish the chance to have someone like Redondo executing it.
B2B - Patrick Vieira - One of the best in his category. Adds physical presence to midfield. His understanding with Henry should also be appreciated, alongside his eye for a pass and his unparalleled combination of flair, skill, stamina, physical presence.
LW - Neymar - great link up play, confident in possession, great off the ball movement and ability to beat his man and create space.
RW - Pavel Nedved - Equally adept in both phases he will help the midfield and also attack, whilst adding endless amount of stamina in the midfield battle
CF - Thierry Henry - Fantastic all round forward that will exploit the opposition gaps, pull defenders outside their comfort zone and be at the end of Platini passes.
LB - Roberto Carlos - one of the very best in history in his role - attacking full back. He will be a constant nuisance for the opposition defence, fluent in possession and having a great engine to cover in defence.
RB - Carlos Alberto - pretty much in his natural role. He will be an overlapping full back who can also close down the opposition winger and negate his influence.
CB - Fabio Cannavaro - alongside Nesta he was one of the best CB's in Italy at the turn of the century. At Parma he was very adapt in playing in a higher line and very capable defender on the ball, combined with a top notch pace and awareness. On top of that,despite his size his jump allowed him to win most of the aerial challenges against forwards higher than him.
CB - Ricardo Carvalho - elegant on and off the ball, excellent in the air.
DM - Fernando Redondo - if we are to describe the holder position and pick the greatest of them all - that's probably him. He will initiate moves from the back, distribute the ball and protect the back four. The holder was key for Happel's tactics and he would relish the chance to have someone like Redondo executing it.
B2B - Patrick Vieira - One of the best in his category. Adds physical presence to midfield. His understanding with Henry should also be appreciated, alongside his eye for a pass and his unparalleled combination of flair, skill, stamina, physical presence.
LW - Neymar - great link up play, confident in possession, great off the ball movement and ability to beat his man and create space.
RW - Pavel Nedved - Equally adept in both phases he will help the midfield and also attack, whilst adding endless amount of stamina in the midfield battle
CF - Thierry Henry - Fantastic all round forward that will exploit the opposition gaps, pull defenders outside their comfort zone and be at the end of Platini passes.
Alterations from the original
Not many changes. The biggest improvement is Platini who is a player that Happel would've relished to build around. The biggest issue his Feyenord had was breaking down opposition sides that camped back and defended in deep line. What we have done to improve that was the introduction of Neymar, Henry, Platini and Nedved. Whilst all stay true to the intensive style and creative side of our attack, that quartet has it all in terms of off the ball movement, picking up a pass and also scoring the much needed goal to break the deadlock.
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