Team 2Mufc0/Theon
Vs.
Team Enigma/Red Viper
Tactics Team 2Mufc0/Theon
FORMATION: Dutch 3-4-3
Our team is based on the Dutch total football philosophy and all players have been carefully selected to play in this system - with a focus on the ability to interchange positions and contribute to all phases of the game. The team has been built around Cruyff in terms of personal, formation and philosophy - we have proven partnerships all over the pitch and are setup to dominate the match against the opposition.
In attack Ruud Gullit, Hristo Stoichkov and Faas Wilkes act as fluid, roaming forwards - the physicality and technical quality of Stoichkov ('94 Ballon d'Or winner who scored 91 goals in 174 games for Cruyff at Barcelona) well complimented by the goalscoring dynamism of Wilkes (Cruyff's hero growing up, who rattled 35 goals in 38 games for Holland) and the gold-standard when it comes to 'total football' Ruud Gullit ('87 Ballon d'Or winner and Captain of the Dutch '88 Euro winning side). As the heartbeat of the team, we have moved Cruyff to a central attacking position with a full licence to influence the game - regularly interchanging with the front three in a fluid set-up. In midfield Neeskens/Van Hanegem/Davids provide the perfect total football base - set to dominate possession whilst also providing immense defensive steel in the middle of the park. It would be difficult for any midfield composition to better this three, as a unit it simply has it all and should run rings around the opposition.
Probably the single most important aspect of our 3-4-3 is the fluidity of the players and ability to switch positions instinctively, whether it be Cruyff interchanging with Stoichkov/Gullit or Davids switching with Van Hanegem - there is an absolute abundance of players comfortable in multiple roles and that total football style of football, which promises to be a nightmare for any team to contain. It also allows freedom for our attackers to find space and influence the game esp Cruyff who will be looked to be man marked, in this sort of system man marking will rip the opposition shape into pieces.
Defensively the team is marshalled by Ronald Koeman - arguably the finest defensive passer in the history of the game and the archetypical sweeper for this style. He will replicate the role he played in Cruyff's Barcelona, running the game from the back and launching counter attacks with his exquisite passing. On the right we have moved Haan back into his '74 defensive role where he provides a more natural fit for this philosophy and most importantly allows us to play the Cruyff high-line to constantly pressurise the opposition.
Partnering Koeman in the left is Paolo Montero, a physically gifted defender in terms of speed and power who was excellent in a high-line for Menotti's Peñarol - both Montero and Haan were comfortable in the CB position and will cover Koeman when he moves forward. In goal is Andreas Kopke, IFFHS World's best keeper in 1996 and German footballer of the year 1993.
WHY WE WILL WIN:
Formation: 4-2-3-1 fluid, counter attacking.
Defensive line: normal - zona mista-ish
Style: very direct, fast tempo. More attacking left wing with Marcelo and Ronaldinho, equal goal threat both through the middle and on the flanks. Compact in midfield and at the back.
Short team profiles:
(GK) De Gea - steadily becoming one of the best keepers to have graced the game. Imperious for United and probably the outstanding player we have had since Fergie retired.
(LB/LWB) Marcelo Vieira - Probably the best attacking modern day full back. Marcelo has won 4 La Liga titles and 3 CL medals to his name, being absolutely vital for both attack and defence at Real. Another big game player who doesn't shy under pressure.
(RB/RCB) Claudio Gentile - Rugged ruthless defender - one of the centerpieces in the most successful Juve side in the late 70's, early 80's. Excellent defender becoming notorious for marking out players like Maradona and Zico quite successfully and limiting their game and effect on the match at the highest level.
(Libero) Matthias Sammer - not many defenders have won the Ballon D'or on the back of great defensive displays both for club and country. A colossal figure and modern day Beckenbauer he wasn't that far off from his predecessor in terms of quality.
(LCB) Rune Bratseth - the best Norwegian player of all time. Led Norway to the WC in 94. World class in three seasons according to Kicker in the late 80's early 90's. Fast as hell, comfortable on the ball and rock solid at the back. A complete defender in a class of his own.
(LCM) Jean Tigana - From Claude Makelele to Didier Deschamps and even now N'Golo Kante, France have had some geniuses in this position, but none finer than Jean Tigana. A really classy central midfielder, Tigana had it all; stamina, technique, vision. He won 52 caps for the national team, winning the European Championships and making two World Cup semi-finals. Tigana was runner-up to compatriot Michel Platini in the 1984 Ballon d'Or.
(RCM) Marco Tardelli - Hard tackling midfielder, epitomizing the Catenaccio era, but very skillful on the ball and excellent in transition, alongside Tigana forms a top notch midfield unit.
(AM) Rivellino - Integral part of Brazil's best team ever he was one of those players who can dribble you in a phone booth and was an example for the younger generation. He possessed enormous flair and talent with a cannonball of a shot(named “The Atomic Kick”).
(LWF) Ronaldinho - Another Ballon D'or winner and at his peak there are very few that can claim to be better. True artist of the game who could take any defence apart in his heyday.
(RWF) Arjen Robben - one of the best right wingers in the game second only to Figo in the last 20-30 years. Explosive, with tons of pace and great goalscoring output.
(CF) Gerd Müller - One of Europe's elite. Probably the most deadly finisher the game has seen. Simple quote from Beckenbauer says it all:
Team tactics and style:
Defence - marshaled by Sammer, our defence is complimented a rugged defender in Gentile who will tuck in centrally to counter Stoichkov's threat and a complete defender in Bratseth - equally adapt in the air and on the ground. Marcelo will be an attacking LB stretching the opposition defence and providing width on the left. Sammer will play in his natural role whilst Bratseth and Gentile will stay back when he surges in and one of our double pivot midfielders will cover for him when he overloads the midfield.
Midfield - Tigana and Tardelli will form the double pivot midfield base - both solid in the defensive phase and able to contribute forward. Rivellino will be no stranger to the midfield battle as his work rate is well appreciated.
Attack - a GOAT striker in Müller who will get plenty of support both from the flanks and Marcelo on the left. A great attacking unit with plenty of flair - Ronaldinho, Rivelino, Robben, top class finisher in the box in Muller and goalscoring threats out wide in our wingers. Our attack would be very difficult to handle with plenty of pace, technique and ruthless finishing.
Advantages:
Attack - 2mufc/Theon obviously have great attack led by Cruyff, but IMO we're taking it even a bit further. Muller is the best finisher on the pitch and he's getting plenty of service. 2mufc/Theon are most likely playing a back three and his defenders will get stretched on numerous occasions by Ronaldinho/Marcelo and Robben. It's not only the flanks but through the middle we have one of the best Brazillian playmakers and #10 in Rivelino who has a solid base in midfield protected by Tardelli and Tigana. With so much variety and obviously quality we would provide to be too much for a narrow back three for 2/T.
Midfield - we'd probably share that considering the quality in both teams. Davids/Neeskens is a great player but Tardelli and Tigana don't fall behind either. Both teams have additional players who could influence the midfield - Gullit/van Hanegem for 2/T and Sammer, Rivelino for us. We will be compact there, especially against a more narrow opposition set up and hit them on the counter, whilst obviously not fall back very deep.
Defence - We have the best defender on the pitch in Sammer who is also a very good fit to limit Cruyff's influence - both stylistically and in terms of quality. Gentile also is the right type to counter Stoichkov - defensively great RB/RCB who also tucks in when Stoichkov cuts centrally. Bratseth/Marcelo also compliment really well with Bratseth covering the LCB channel when Marcelo goes further up the pitch.
Individual battles - Robben and Ronaldinho IMO have an advantage against Montero and whoever the makeshift RCB 2/T will pick. Robben especially is not a good fit for Montero considering his rash temperament and that he's up against a fast, tricky winger, whilst also covering centrally. Koeman is a obviously excellent defender with top credentials, but Muller has advantage both in the air and on the deck. Koeman wasn't one of the fastest CB around and neither that particularly good in the air. His strengths was the distribution and organization at the back. Muller would get plenty of chances especially with the service he gets and he doesn't need many to put the ball in the net.
Our wingers and their pace and trickery - Ronaldinho and Robben are two of the best one-on-one players of all time. Trickery and close control combined with great turn of pace, Montero and Haan/Jansen/Neeskens will have a nightmare dealing with Robben and Ronaldinho respectively.
Goalkeepers - worth mentioning that we have the superior keeper for this. DDG is fast becoming one of the best in history and is level above his counterpart.
Vs.
Team Enigma/Red Viper
Tactics Team 2Mufc0/Theon
FORMATION: Dutch 3-4-3
Our team is based on the Dutch total football philosophy and all players have been carefully selected to play in this system - with a focus on the ability to interchange positions and contribute to all phases of the game. The team has been built around Cruyff in terms of personal, formation and philosophy - we have proven partnerships all over the pitch and are setup to dominate the match against the opposition.
In attack Ruud Gullit, Hristo Stoichkov and Faas Wilkes act as fluid, roaming forwards - the physicality and technical quality of Stoichkov ('94 Ballon d'Or winner who scored 91 goals in 174 games for Cruyff at Barcelona) well complimented by the goalscoring dynamism of Wilkes (Cruyff's hero growing up, who rattled 35 goals in 38 games for Holland) and the gold-standard when it comes to 'total football' Ruud Gullit ('87 Ballon d'Or winner and Captain of the Dutch '88 Euro winning side). As the heartbeat of the team, we have moved Cruyff to a central attacking position with a full licence to influence the game - regularly interchanging with the front three in a fluid set-up. In midfield Neeskens/Van Hanegem/Davids provide the perfect total football base - set to dominate possession whilst also providing immense defensive steel in the middle of the park. It would be difficult for any midfield composition to better this three, as a unit it simply has it all and should run rings around the opposition.
Probably the single most important aspect of our 3-4-3 is the fluidity of the players and ability to switch positions instinctively, whether it be Cruyff interchanging with Stoichkov/Gullit or Davids switching with Van Hanegem - there is an absolute abundance of players comfortable in multiple roles and that total football style of football, which promises to be a nightmare for any team to contain. It also allows freedom for our attackers to find space and influence the game esp Cruyff who will be looked to be man marked, in this sort of system man marking will rip the opposition shape into pieces.
Defensively the team is marshalled by Ronald Koeman - arguably the finest defensive passer in the history of the game and the archetypical sweeper for this style. He will replicate the role he played in Cruyff's Barcelona, running the game from the back and launching counter attacks with his exquisite passing. On the right we have moved Haan back into his '74 defensive role where he provides a more natural fit for this philosophy and most importantly allows us to play the Cruyff high-line to constantly pressurise the opposition.
Partnering Koeman in the left is Paolo Montero, a physically gifted defender in terms of speed and power who was excellent in a high-line for Menotti's Peñarol - both Montero and Haan were comfortable in the CB position and will cover Koeman when he moves forward. In goal is Andreas Kopke, IFFHS World's best keeper in 1996 and German footballer of the year 1993.
WHY WE WILL WIN:
- Dominance of possession: With an abundance of ball-playing ability throughout the side we will look to dominate territory and dictate the game, suffocating the supply to their attackers and with offensive quality throughout the side we are bound to create chances and score.
- Fluidity on the ball: The movement in this team is unparalleled - players are capable of playing a multitude of positions and will look to create space and drag defenders out of position, led by the irrepressible Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens. For periods of the game the opposition will be chasing shadows.
- High-Line and Dutch pressing - With the introduction of Davids, Haan is free to move back to defence which enables the Dutch high-line and pressing (as seen for 70's Ajax, '74-'78 Holland, Dream Team Barcelona, as well as disciples of Cruyff such as Pep's Barca)
- Complimentary style: The core of our team is made up of players who know and succeeded in the total football philosophy - this chemistry throughout the side enhances the performance of the team as it did in ‘74 and Cruyff's Dream Team.
- Distribution from deep: An undoubted legend of the game and regular one man defence for Cruyff’s Barcelona, in this sort of set-up Koeman becomes turbo-charged in terms of his influence. With Haan and Montero tucking in, Koeman has the perfect platform to instigate attacks and provide the platform for our possession based style in midfield and attack.
Formation: 4-2-3-1 fluid, counter attacking.
Defensive line: normal - zona mista-ish
Style: very direct, fast tempo. More attacking left wing with Marcelo and Ronaldinho, equal goal threat both through the middle and on the flanks. Compact in midfield and at the back.
Short team profiles:
(GK) De Gea - steadily becoming one of the best keepers to have graced the game. Imperious for United and probably the outstanding player we have had since Fergie retired.
(LB/LWB) Marcelo Vieira - Probably the best attacking modern day full back. Marcelo has won 4 La Liga titles and 3 CL medals to his name, being absolutely vital for both attack and defence at Real. Another big game player who doesn't shy under pressure.
(RB/RCB) Claudio Gentile - Rugged ruthless defender - one of the centerpieces in the most successful Juve side in the late 70's, early 80's. Excellent defender becoming notorious for marking out players like Maradona and Zico quite successfully and limiting their game and effect on the match at the highest level.
(Libero) Matthias Sammer - not many defenders have won the Ballon D'or on the back of great defensive displays both for club and country. A colossal figure and modern day Beckenbauer he wasn't that far off from his predecessor in terms of quality.
(LCB) Rune Bratseth - the best Norwegian player of all time. Led Norway to the WC in 94. World class in three seasons according to Kicker in the late 80's early 90's. Fast as hell, comfortable on the ball and rock solid at the back. A complete defender in a class of his own.
(LCM) Jean Tigana - From Claude Makelele to Didier Deschamps and even now N'Golo Kante, France have had some geniuses in this position, but none finer than Jean Tigana. A really classy central midfielder, Tigana had it all; stamina, technique, vision. He won 52 caps for the national team, winning the European Championships and making two World Cup semi-finals. Tigana was runner-up to compatriot Michel Platini in the 1984 Ballon d'Or.
(RCM) Marco Tardelli - Hard tackling midfielder, epitomizing the Catenaccio era, but very skillful on the ball and excellent in transition, alongside Tigana forms a top notch midfield unit.
(AM) Rivellino - Integral part of Brazil's best team ever he was one of those players who can dribble you in a phone booth and was an example for the younger generation. He possessed enormous flair and talent with a cannonball of a shot(named “The Atomic Kick”).
(LWF) Ronaldinho - Another Ballon D'or winner and at his peak there are very few that can claim to be better. True artist of the game who could take any defence apart in his heyday.
(RWF) Arjen Robben - one of the best right wingers in the game second only to Figo in the last 20-30 years. Explosive, with tons of pace and great goalscoring output.
(CF) Gerd Müller - One of Europe's elite. Probably the most deadly finisher the game has seen. Simple quote from Beckenbauer says it all:
Team tactics and style:
Defence - marshaled by Sammer, our defence is complimented a rugged defender in Gentile who will tuck in centrally to counter Stoichkov's threat and a complete defender in Bratseth - equally adapt in the air and on the ground. Marcelo will be an attacking LB stretching the opposition defence and providing width on the left. Sammer will play in his natural role whilst Bratseth and Gentile will stay back when he surges in and one of our double pivot midfielders will cover for him when he overloads the midfield.
Midfield - Tigana and Tardelli will form the double pivot midfield base - both solid in the defensive phase and able to contribute forward. Rivellino will be no stranger to the midfield battle as his work rate is well appreciated.
Attack - a GOAT striker in Müller who will get plenty of support both from the flanks and Marcelo on the left. A great attacking unit with plenty of flair - Ronaldinho, Rivelino, Robben, top class finisher in the box in Muller and goalscoring threats out wide in our wingers. Our attack would be very difficult to handle with plenty of pace, technique and ruthless finishing.
Advantages:
Attack - 2mufc/Theon obviously have great attack led by Cruyff, but IMO we're taking it even a bit further. Muller is the best finisher on the pitch and he's getting plenty of service. 2mufc/Theon are most likely playing a back three and his defenders will get stretched on numerous occasions by Ronaldinho/Marcelo and Robben. It's not only the flanks but through the middle we have one of the best Brazillian playmakers and #10 in Rivelino who has a solid base in midfield protected by Tardelli and Tigana. With so much variety and obviously quality we would provide to be too much for a narrow back three for 2/T.
Midfield - we'd probably share that considering the quality in both teams. Davids/Neeskens is a great player but Tardelli and Tigana don't fall behind either. Both teams have additional players who could influence the midfield - Gullit/van Hanegem for 2/T and Sammer, Rivelino for us. We will be compact there, especially against a more narrow opposition set up and hit them on the counter, whilst obviously not fall back very deep.
Defence - We have the best defender on the pitch in Sammer who is also a very good fit to limit Cruyff's influence - both stylistically and in terms of quality. Gentile also is the right type to counter Stoichkov - defensively great RB/RCB who also tucks in when Stoichkov cuts centrally. Bratseth/Marcelo also compliment really well with Bratseth covering the LCB channel when Marcelo goes further up the pitch.
Individual battles - Robben and Ronaldinho IMO have an advantage against Montero and whoever the makeshift RCB 2/T will pick. Robben especially is not a good fit for Montero considering his rash temperament and that he's up against a fast, tricky winger, whilst also covering centrally. Koeman is a obviously excellent defender with top credentials, but Muller has advantage both in the air and on the deck. Koeman wasn't one of the fastest CB around and neither that particularly good in the air. His strengths was the distribution and organization at the back. Muller would get plenty of chances especially with the service he gets and he doesn't need many to put the ball in the net.
Our wingers and their pace and trickery - Ronaldinho and Robben are two of the best one-on-one players of all time. Trickery and close control combined with great turn of pace, Montero and Haan/Jansen/Neeskens will have a nightmare dealing with Robben and Ronaldinho respectively.
Goalkeepers - worth mentioning that we have the superior keeper for this. DDG is fast becoming one of the best in history and is level above his counterpart.
