Billy No Mates Draft: R1 - Balu/crappy vs Sjor/Viva

[Physiocrat]

Team Balu & Crappy
​

The idea behind the team is really easy. We tried to get the best out of the two all time great players we picked first. 1. The attack is set up so that Eusebio can play the direct football he loved and has the space and freedom to roam freely, run down that right channel with or without the ball as he sees fit. 2. The defense is set-up the way Scirea played all his career with a smart covering centerback on his left and a defensive rightback on his right, who's comfortable to tuck in and allow Scirea to move forward. The rest of the team is filled with elite players, who balance the side perfectly.

Tactics:

Nothing too complicated. We defend with two banks of four in a disciplined and well organised manner. We play a direct game going forward, trying to exploit the pace of Eusebio in that right inside channel with support of Seeler centrally and Czibor down the left. In attack we make full use of our versatility in all areas. We can score down the wings, down the middle, from set pieces, with headers or long range shots or just poach a goal in the box.

The forwards: Seeler is the perfect all around centerforward, who can keep the centerbacks busy, linking up play and offers a massive aerial threat additionally to Eusebio's physical and dynamic game. They're a match made in heaven. I'll post a video of Seeler's performance against Santos further down the page that shows how wonderfully he suits Eusebio's style of play. It's so easy to imagine how they'd move forward together, how they'd play off each other, complement each other.
The wings: It's all about balance. The left is a rather traditional wing pair. Czibor as the brilliant attacking wing forward, who can dribble, cross and score with Lizarazu behind him, who's pretty much the archetype of a well balanced fullback. He knows how to defend, has endless stamina and is still a great threat going forward (which might be a bit limited here if Messi plays on the wing). The right wing is built to get the best out of our star players. A clear defensive rightback in Burgnich to balance Scirea's play and in front of him with Beckham arguably the greatest crosser of all time, who can also tuck in to help the central midfielders. The beauty of Beckham is that he can stay deeper without his delivery losing any impact, dragging the opposing fullback out of defense and opening up a gap in that right channel between centerback and fullback for Eusebio to exploit.
The central midfield: It's a brilliant two man midfield lead by the wonderful Josef Masopust, one of only two central midfielders to win a Ballon d'Or, which he fully deserved for his overall impact from defense to attack, when he dragged the clear underdog Czechoslovakia to a World Cup final. Next to him Duncan Edwards, who needs no introduction. Both should balance each other wonderfully, take turns going forward and with Beckham tucking in or Scirea stepping forward make for a fantastic midfield battle against the excellent competition in that area. If you don't know much about the genius that is Josef Masopust, here's a great article about him to get started and it's hopefully worth following the discussion in this thread to learn more about him:
http://www.czefootball.com/2015/08/josef-masopust-the-czech-knight
The defense: The 3 generations of Italian excellence in defense should work perfectly with each other. Burgnich is basically the original Gentile, so there shouldn't be any questionmark around his fit next to Scirea. Costacurta's performances next to Baresi in what was probably the greatest defense of all time suggest that he's also a perfect partner for a libero. Behind them in goal Gordon Banks, arguably the greatest British goalkeeper of all time.
Substitution: On the bench, Nemanja Vidic cheers the team forward and is ready to come in to turn the side into even more of a defensive fortress, which might be an option to kill off the game on the counter towards the end.

A few thoughts on our opponent:

There's really one major flaw we see in their team. It sounds a bit like a cliche, but it's really true in this case. It lacks width. The best player on the pitch is Messi, we won't deny that. But he's the only one in Sjor&Viva's side who can provide true width and is therefore limited in his freedom. Their attack is built with central players, who maybe can do a job as inside forwards cutting in or wide midfielders, who actually prefer to play central, but it's incredibly narrow nevertheless. And both his fullbacks are foremost defensive players. I don't want to downplay the technical ability of Djalma Santos and Schnellinger, because I think both were excellent players, no doubt greats of the game, and both had good ability on the ball in the build-up from deep. But they didn't have an attacking game based on running down the wing and stretching the play, they're simply a bad fit for what his side needs. It further increases the problem of the attack being too narrow and it plays in our hands, because with Scirea we have the most intelligent defender of all time, who excelled in perfect organisation. It gets much easier to execute that perfectly against a narrow side. If Enrique starts on the wing, it helps a little bit to counter that problem, but he's individually not a big enough threat to solve the issue.

While we built a side that gives Eusebio all the freedom he enjoyed throughout his career to excel, Messi is really limited in his game through the set-up in his side. He either runs into a heavily crowded central area defended by a flawless Italian defense or he drifts out wide and plays as a provider for a set of forwards that will struggle quite a bit against our excellent defense.

Here's the link to our short player profiles to give you a bit more information on the players.

Balu and Crappy

Sjor and Viva

 

[Physiocrat]

Sjor and Viva

Tactics:
The plan is to get the best of Messi in his right wing position, so lets say we would play something similar to the current Barca side, not the same but simple. The difference would be that we intend to play with more direct style then they and our game will be runned by two CMs and not DM. We are probably the only side that will play without a sub as our 12th man will be in a suit.

Spoiler: Great to see that he was happy with our decision.

Getting the best out of Messi:

• Fullback who is a great defender but is also capable of combining with him - Djalma Santos.

Spoiler: Djalma Santos Special

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

• Workhorse in midfield - GOAT box2box midfielder, Roy Keane.

• Two partners up front that offer movement, pace and ability to combine in tight spaces - Maradona of the Sixties, Omar Sivori and Preben Elkjaer. If Jurgen Klopp teams play rock and roll football i feel free to say that Elkjaer was a one man Rock and Roll band.

Defence:
Every defence starts with a great keeper and we have one, feck in weight we could have two in Big Nev Southall. One of the greatest goalkeepers in the 80s and early 90s. In front we have a centerback pair of Hansen and Schwarzenbeck. This would be a great partnership as Hansen is pretty similar to Beckenbauer in terms of playing style and Schwarzenbeck dominated world of football with Der Kaiser in the 70s. Schwarzenbeck was a shining example of the craft. The "Kaiser's Bodyguard" harried, tackled and hoofed clear whatever the opposition sent in the direction of the goal he was defending, a role never likely to earn stardom but which he carried out with tireless efficiency. As for Hansen, probably the greatest Scotland and Liverpool defender. Great reading of the game and flawless positioning in defensive side of the game but he also had excellent vision and footballing brain which was a real asset to his game. He always seemed to be able to dribble out of trouble, setting that all important pass to midfield and lending support to the attack. A virtue that was hardly evident in centre-backs then. Perhaps that virtue sets Alan apart from the rest. It was also hardly a surprise that he was compared to the German master, Franz Beckenbauer. On both sides we have GOAT fullbacks in Schnellinger and Djalma which will give a lot of freedom to our wide forwards.


Midfield:
Could comfortably put him in defence section of the write up. Claude Makelele as our DM. The guy that was the key player in Real Madrid Galacticos, heart and soul of that team. If he stayed they would probably won more then just one CL in that period, CL that they won when Makelele was there. Zidane had similar view: "Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?"
In his second season with Chelsea after leaving Madrid he was declared "Player of the Year." by Mourinho. The season where Chelsea broke defensive record of the league with conceding only 15 goals in 38 games! *** guy will anchor our midfield and give the freedom to our 2 midfielders in front if him.
Makalele's role is important in order to give his partners the freedom they need, especially to Sir Bobby who will have the freedom to do his magic. Fantastic football brain, incredible technique and vision and fearsome shots from outside the box. Sir Bobby Charlton combining with Messi is football porn.

Spoiler: Bobby Charlton shots from outside the box

With him and Messi on the pitch there is one thing you can take for granted, there will be goals! Ballon d'Or winner in 66 and greatest england player in history, also has a good case for the same title in Manchester United colors. Partnering this two giants is another giant, Roy Keane. Think we all know who he is and what he can offer. Born winner, hardmen and a brilliant player - one of the greatest in his position.


Attack:
On the right is the guy who is at this time - best midfielder, best winger and best striker in the world. From the left we have Omar Sivori, the 1961 Ballon d'Or winner that will help little Leo to provide spark and the player that is capable of individual brilliance at the highest stage. And in the middle we have Elkjaer who will make runs all day long, chase the ball for 90 minutes but he is not just a workhorse. He is also a brilliant on the ball, great all-around game with fantastic dribbling skills - a complete forward package.[/QUOTE]

 

[Physiocrat]

@VivaJanuzaj @Šjor Bepo @Balu @crappycraperson

 

[Physiocrat]

@Rado_N

Please can you put a poll with the following options on?

Balu/crappy wins by 1 goal
Balu/crappy wins by 2 goals
Balu/crappy wins by 3 goals
Sjor/Viva wins by 1 goal
Sjor/Viva wins by 2 goals
Sjor/Viva wins by 3 goals

 

[Rado_N]

Poll added.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

@Balu dont agree that we lack width in the team, we picked this front three/two(even though there were plenty of flashier names out there) because they are all comfortable out wide and we wanted a mobile, fluid front three that can interchange during the game. As for fullbacks, Djalma wont be bombing forward like Cafu but after overlapping, if he gets the chance his delivery is very good. On the left we also have Sir Bobby who likes to float to the left(similar to Iniesta) so i think we are covered well.
But even if we had width problems, we have numerical advantage in midfield + so many players that love to be in central areas as you said. Who will stop them? Beckham tucking in wont be enough im afraid.

 

[Physiocrat]

First thoughts. Sjor's full backs really need to be of a more attacking type to provide width. I'm not sure how Beckham would fair without an overlapping full-back or winger in front of him either of those would provide a distraction and give him space to cross it in.

 

[Balu]

But even if we had width problems, we have numerical advantage in midfield + so many players that love to be in central areas as you said. Who will stop them? Beckham tucking in wont be enough im afraid.

Well you clearly have width problems. Denying that is just silly. Players drifting wide into positions where they aren't at their best isn't the same as players constantly stretching the play to open gaps between defenders. Your central midfield core always played in teams with traditional wingers doing just that, often with traditional wingers and overlapping fullbacks. I don't get the 'getting the best out of Messi' chapter in your write-up at all. Neither Keane nor Charlton are in any way players who excelled in tight spaces, in crowded midfield battles. Quite the opposite actually. Neither is Djalma in any way capable of replicating the brilliant Messi - Alves partnership. He's pretty much the polar opposite of Alves in terms of Brazilian rightbacks.

If I had to put the great Brazilian rightbacks in order from attacking with lack of defensive discipline to defensive brilliance with a lack of attacking output, it would go:

Alves -> Cafu -> Alberto -> Djalma

And that's not meant as a slight on Djalma, who's actually the only one of the four I can see shutting out Czibor, almost completely. At least when he's told to do that and not provide width in the final third. In a way Djalma's contribution on the ball is a bit underrated, similar to how Vogts' ability on the ball is underrated. Both faced a similar fate in their biggest games, because they had to cover for the attacking leftback and sacrifice a bit of their attacking game for the good of the team. That being said, they were chosen to do that because that was still their main strength.

Oh and numerical advantage only gets you so far. Once an area on the pitch becomes too crowded, few defenders can shut out more attackers simply because you just can't pass the ball through anymore. If we look at the Barca side of the past 8 years, you either have the ulitmate shortpassing midfield under Pep with Busquets actually playing a truely important role that Makelele isn't capable of. Or you have the version we see now with two ultra attacking fullbacks who turn their formation into an almost 235 set-up in possession, because both Alba and Alves often enter the final third at the same time. Your team isn't capable of doing either.

Again, I don't mind your set-up in general, it has its strength, it'll be fecking difficult to break down for my team. There's quite a bit to like about it. Getting the best out of Messi isn't part of it though, not in the slightest bit.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

First of all good luck @crappycraperson & @Balu .

First thoughts. Sjor's full backs really need to be of a more attacking type to provide width.

Now, I disagree about the lack of width in our team. Djalma is very good at charging forward and will work wonders with Messi on that RW giving him exactly that sort of freedom the opponent mentioned was lacking:

The best player on the pitch is Messi, we won't deny that. But he's the only one in Sjor&Viva's side who can provide true width and is therefore limited in his freedom

Djalma can definitely bomb forward and create the width on the RW.


As for our LW, Schnellinger may not have the arrow indicating he'll move forward, but with the opponent's 4-4-1-1 and Beckham partnered with a RCB to cover for Scirea, Schnellinger will definitely be able to push forward occasionally and pair up with Sivori.


Our opponent's team is superb, but I don't agree with the pointers they chose as our supposed weaknesses in our team. We have more than enough width, with the attacking flair of Sir Bobby and Messi and the movement of Sivori-Elkjaer I don't think goals will be our problem.

 

[Balu]

First thoughts. Sjor's full backs really need to be of a more attacking type to provide width. I'm not sure how Beckham would fair without an overlapping full-back or winger in front of him either of those would provide a distraction and give him space to cross it in.

It's a point we considered about Beckham, but we're quite happy to make that trade. If Schnellinger comes out and limits Beckham's influence (because Beckham didn't have to run into the final third to put crosses in, his delivery is sensational from deeper as well), it opens up space for Eusebio to dribble into. It's not a set-up to get the best out of Beckham, it's more a set-up that uses Beckham's rather unique ability and workrate to get the best out of Eusebio.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

Well you clearly have width problems. Denying that is just silly. Players drifting wide into positions where they aren't at their best isn't the same as players constantly stretching the play to open gaps between defenders. Your central midfield core always played in teams with traditional wingers doing just that, often with traditional wingers and overlapping fullbacks. I don't get the 'getting the best out of Messi' chapter in your write-up at all. Neither Keane nor Charlton are in any way players who excelled in tight spaces, in crowded midfield battles. Quite the opposite actually. Neither is Djalma in any way capable of replicating the brilliant Messi - Alves partnership. He's pretty much the polar opposite of Alves in terms of Brazilian rightbacks.

If I had to put the great Brazilian rightbacks in order from attacking with lack of defensive discipline to defensive brilliance with a lack of attacking output, it would go:

Alves -> Cafu -> Alberto -> Djalma

And that's not meant as a slight on Djalma, who's actually the only one of the four I can see shutting out Czibor, almost completely. At least when he's told to do that and not provide width in the final third. In a way Djalma's contribution on the ball is a bit underrated, similar to how Vogts' ability on the ball is underrated. Both faced a similar fate in their biggest games, because they had to cover for the attacking leftback and sacrifice a bit of their attacking game for the good of the team. That being said, they were chosen to do that because that was still their main strength.

Oh and numerical advantage only gets you so far. Once an area on the pitch becomes too crowded, few defenders can shut out more attackers simply because you just can't pass the ball through anymore. If we look at the Barca side of the past 8 years, you either have the ulitmate shortpassing midfield under Pep with Busquets actually playing a truely important role that Makelele isn't capable of. Or you have the version we see now with two ultra attacking fullbacks who turn their formation into an almost 235 set-up in possession, because both Alba and Alves often enter the final third at the same time. Your team isn't capable of doing either.

Again, I don't mind your set-up in general, it has its strength, it'll be fecking difficult to break down for my team. There's quite a bit to like about it. Getting the best out of Messi isn't part of it though, not in the slightest bit.

Lets assume you are right(although I might argue that Djalma and Alberto might need to switch around), if that's true than I highly doubt Lizarazu, who was a undeniably a wonderful all round LB but not as good as Djalma at RB, will be able to push forward with Messi there? I highly doubt it. That means that you'd have 0 attacking full backs, and 1 attacking Scirea. So Scirea should come up to face Sir Bobby presumably, leaving Sivori-Messi-Elkjaer against Lizarazu-Costacurta-Burgnich? Fine by me.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

It's a point we considered about Beckham, but we're quite happy to make that trade. If Schnellinger comes out and limits Beckham's influence (because Beckham didn't have to run into the final third to put crosses in, his delivery is sensational from deeper as well), it opens up space for Eusebio to dribble into. It's not a set-up to get the best out of Beckham, it's more a set-up that uses Beckham's rather unique ability and workrate to get the best out of Eusebio.

We have one of the best stoppers in the history exactly to sweep up these exact balls as LCB, if that's your major goal threat I concede it might cause us problems for time to time, but it's hardly a match winning goal threat.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

@Balu can I vote for 1:0 win for us and you'll do the opposite so we can see the scores?

 

[Balu]

Lets assume you are right(although I might argue that Djalma and Alberto might need to switch around), if that's true than I highly doubt Lizarazu, who was a undeniably a wonderful all round LB but not as good as Djalma at RB, will be able to push forward with Messi there? I highly doubt it. That means that you'd have 0 attacking full backs, and 1 attacking Scirea. So Scirea should come up to face Sir Bobby presumably, leaving Sivori-Messi-Elkjaer against Lizarazu-Costacurta-Burgnich? Fine by me.

Well we're not as much dependent on Lizarazu providing width because I have true wingers on both sides. I also have an additional forward on the pitch in Eusebio, so our set-ups aren't comparable at all. I did mention in the write-up that Lizarazu won't impact the attack as much as he usually does, because Messi needs lots of attention no matter what.

I don't think Scirea needs to step out when we're defending actually. In our defensive shape I definitely prefer him in his favourite free sweeper role, making sure that anyone who breaks the defense faces an additional defender. There's a great video of his performance against Barca, which shows his brilliance doing that, from leftback to rightback.


It's exactly the kind of defending you need, make sure that if Messi gets past his markers, someone can still interfere. And there's arguably no one ever you'd want to be there over Scirea.

I've thought about a tactic to limit Sir Bobby. The obvious choice would be to use Masopust, who truely resembles the young Beckenbauer we saw in 1966, both in style and quality. There's an argument to be had that both could cancel each other out in a similar way, but I'd rather see both being a bit influential, getting away from each other more often than not and trusting the signficantly stronger defense on show here than what we saw in the final in 1966.

 

[Physiocrat]

It's a point we considered about Beckham, but we're quite happy to make that trade. If Schnellinger comes out and limits Beckham's influence (because Beckham didn't have to run into the final third to put crosses in, his delivery is sensational from deeper as well), it opens up space for Eusebio to dribble into. It's not a set-up to get the best out of Beckham, it's more a set-up that uses Beckham's rather unique ability and workrate to get the best out of Eusebio.

That's fair and makes sense trying to get the best out of Eusebio but there may not be as many quality balls in the from the right as it may first appear.

 

[Balu]

@Balu can I vote for 1:0 win for us and you'll do the opposite so we can see the scores?

I'd rather not to be honest. I usually avoid seeing the score until very late.

 

[Balu]

That's fair and makes sense trying to get the best out of Eusebio but there may not be as many quality balls in the from the right as it may first appear.

Well, maybe. I personally think Schnellinger is needed to help the centerbacks against Seeler + Eusebio. Him and Djalma are actually the best defenders in that back four after all. That would mean that Charlton has to do a job on Beckham though. Again, like I said, it's a trade we're happy to make if they choose to use Schnellinger against Beckham. In that case, Beckham will have a quiet game, no doubt about that. Eusebio with more space on the other hand

 

[crappycraperson]

I won't be posting for a while so it is all on @Balu

Good luck @Šjor Bepo @VivaJanuzaj

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Well you clearly have width problems. Denying that is just silly. Players drifting wide into positions where they aren't at their best isn't the same as players constantly stretching the play to open gaps between defenders. Your central midfield core always played in teams with traditional wingers doing just that, often with traditional wingers and overlapping fullbacks.

We picked players that love drifting wide and that is in their natural game. Just like in Enrique side, wingers will stay wide until they get the ball, then they go inside and combine. They wont be making constant runs inside without the ball like Pedro did for example. If we had 2 of them out wide then i would agree with your assessment.

I don't get the 'getting the best out of Messi' chapter in your write-up at all. Neither Keane nor Charlton are in any way players who excelled in tight spaces, in crowded midfield battles. Quite the opposite actually. Neither is Djalma in any way capable of replicating the brilliant Messi - Alves partnership. He's pretty much the polar opposite of Alves in terms of Brazilian rightbacks.

We aint playing tiki taka balu, as we said in our OP, our game will be more direct, similar to the current Barca side. Get it to the front three and let them do their magic. Keane is playing in Rakitic role and he is 5 classes above him in every segment of the game. If he can do it in tight spaces, i bet my house on it that Keano can as well.

If I had to put the great Brazilian rightbacks in order from attacking with lack of defensive discipline to defensive brilliance with a lack of attacking output, it would go:

Alves -> Cafu -> Alberto -> Djalma

And that's not meant as a slight on Djalma, who's actually the only one of the four I can see shutting out Czibor, almost completely. At least when he's told to do that and not provide width in the final third. In a way Djalma's contribution on the ball is a bit underrated, similar to how Vogts' ability on the ball is underrated. Both faced a similar fate in their biggest games, because they had to cover for the attacking leftback and sacrifice a bit of their attacking game for the good of the team. That being said, they were chosen to do that because that was still their main strength.

Dani Alves changed his game under Enrique and he isnt bombing forward on every occasion. Yes he is still better then Djalma going forward but its much more closer to the Djalma playing style then it would be if we tried to play in Pep style. Djalma will combine with Messi, wont get any help from him in defence and will occasionally offer his overlapping services, but lets face it. Czibor wont help much just like Messi and Messi doesnt need help 1v1.....

Oh and numerical advantage only gets you so far. Once an area on the pitch becomes too crowded, few defenders can shut out more attackers simply because you just can't pass the ball through anymore. If we look at the Barca side of the past 8 years, you either have the ulitmate shortpassing midfield under Pep with Busquets actually playing a truely important role that Makelele isn't capable of. Or you have the version we see now with two ultra attacking fullbacks who turn their formation into an almost 235 set-up in possession, because both Alba and Alves often enter the final third at the same time. Your team isn't capable of doing either.

We can only look this current Barca side because they are similar to our team, Pep Barcelona is night and day from the style we intend to play so its pointless to bring them up in debate. As i said, the current Barca side is much more direct and they base their game on the genius moves by Messi and Neymar and the constant menace of Suarez who is making runs all game long.

 

[Balu]

I have to leave for a while. I hope I didn't sound too critical in regards to Schnellinger and Djalma on an individual level, love both to bits.

In case someone didn't see the video of Seeler vs Santos in the draft thread, here it is again:


Sensational performance and truely shows his individual brilliance.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

I won't be posting for a while so it is all on @Balu

Good luck @Šjor Bepo @VivaJanuzaj

good luck to you guys as well

 

[Moby]

Not sure why you went for a 4-4-2, Balu? A few players in your team have never played in that formation. I'm looking at Burgnich and his role as compared to Neville's is pretty contrasting.

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

Our striker:
The idea was to pick a striker that can play with RW Messi, a striker that can beat his defender easily, top notch movement and the fluidity and game understanding to move around the area and roam about, and this is why we went for this guy:


Preben Elkjaer's abilities to beat his man was incredible as you can see at this video, his first step is thunder quick and loves moving between the lines, basically - perfect striker to finish off Messi's wonder passes. A major part in the Denmark NT's success in the 80s, leading the NT team to a Euro 1984 semi final loss(in penalties) that earned him 3rd place in that year's Ballon d'Or, only to be followed by a next year 2nd place Ballon d'Or. In the 86 WC he led Denmark with a hattrick against Uruguay that made Mexican fans declare their team "The Brazil of Europe" for their fluid attacking style and rapid pace, led by our very own Elkjaer and Michael Laudrup.

Denmark's thrashing of Uruguay:


All of that is to have someone to get on the end of who might be the best passer of all times - Leo Messi. Messi's passing is usually not what people get excited about, because his technical and shooting skills are so amazing, but his passing is Barcelona's biggest defence breaker.
And this is a must see video:

That's the beauty of Messi, the defenders come out to him and press him yet he keeps the ball and manages to pass it beautifully!

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

I'd rather not to be honest. I usually avoid seeing the score until very late.

No problem

 

[Moby]

It's a point we considered about Beckham, but we're quite happy to make that trade. If Schnellinger comes out and limits Beckham's influence (because Beckham didn't have to run into the final third to put crosses in, his delivery is sensational from deeper as well), it opens up space for Eusebio to dribble into. It's not a set-up to get the best out of Beckham, it's more a set-up that uses Beckham's rather unique ability and workrate to get the best out of Eusebio.

Nah Schnellinger or any other fullback would never follow him if he's spraying balls from midfield - it automatically becomes a midfielder's job to stop that.

 

[Balu]

We can only look this current Barca side because they are similar to our team, Pep Barcelona is night and day from the style we intend to play so its pointless to bring them up in debate. As i said, the current Barca side is much more direct and they base their game on the genius moves by Messi and Neymar and the constant menace of Suarez who is making runs all game long.

Well I did mention the importance of Alba and Alves to current Barca's attacking game. It's huge, truely huge. I don't think your team resembles this new Barca side in any way.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Here you can see Sivori's brilliant all-around play and the fact he will also help in defending. He can combine perfectly with Elkjaer and Messi.
And here is another video and the reason why he was later called Maradona of the sixties.....

 

[VivaJanuzaj]

Well I did mention the importance of Alba and Alves to current Barca's attacking game. It's huge, truely huge. I don't think your team resembles this new Barca side in any way.

The style of play doesn't need to be exactly the same. If that was true I could say that Beckham won't be able to pass his killer balls because he doesn't have Neville.
Elkjaer is similar to Suarez from his work rate, his threat from every point in the pitch to his movement between the lines, his relentless pressure and even his controversy instinct. The work with Messi and Charlton will work wonders.

 

[Balu]

Not sure why you went for a 4-4-2, Balu? A few players in your team have never played in that formation. I'm looking at Burgnich and his role as compared to Neville's is pretty contrasting.

There's no formation to choose that all the players played. I do think that all players fit the roles they have to play though. I'm not in any way interested in Burgnich playing a role comparable to Neville just like I don't want Scirea to play a role comparable to any of United's centerbacks. Burgnich tucking in to defend against Sivori is the perfect fit in defense and keeps Scirea free to help out where he needs to. That's much more important for our side in this game.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Well I did mention the importance of Alba and Alves to current Barca's attacking game. It's huge, truely huge. I don't think your team resembles this new Barca side in any way.

As i said, dont think Dani Alves overlapping duties are so huge in this current Barca side. Alba on the other hand is bombing down the line on every occasion i agree, so i accept that Schnellinger wont be able to replicate that, not even close but we will have Sir Bobby at his peak instead of past his best Iniesta so that helps. Plus we aint replicating this current Barca side, our tactic would have a lot of similarities but the plan is to play even more direct then they are playing.

 

[Moby]

There's no formation to choose that all the players played. I do think that all players fit the roles they have to play though. I'm not in any way interested in Burgnich playing a role comparable to Neville just like I don't want Scirea to play a role comparable to any of United's centerbacks. Burgnich tucking in to defend against Sivori is the perfect fit in defense and keeps Scirea free to help out where he needs to. That's much more important for our side in this game.

That's fine when you are defending but pretty much falls apart if you plan to take the ball down the right flank. Beckham isn't someone I'd give a Conti-esque role of running an entire flank, despite him never lacking work rate.

 

[Moby]

Two frenchman having key responsibilities here:

What is Lizarazu doing to stop Messi running at him?
What is Makelele doing to stop Eusebio running at him?

A lot in the game depends on how much they can restrict the two attackers.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Two frenchman having key responsibilities here:

What is Lizarazu doing to stop Messi running at him?
What is Makelele doing to stop Eusebio running at him?

A lot in the game depends on how much they can restrict the two attackers.

Makelele is playing his natural game, as i expect both of my fullbacks having a good game against balu wingers he can be solely focused on the middle of the park, specifically the pocket between defence and midfield. Same area where is Eusebio.

 

[Moby]

Makelele is playing his natural game, as i expect both of my fullbacks having a good game against balu wingers he can be solely focused on the middle of the park, specifically the pocket between defence and midfield. Same area where is Eusebio.

Yes, that much is given. How do his qualities stack up against Eusebio's, is the question - pace, strength, agility, reading of the game, passing under pressure, positional discipline, etc.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Yes, that much is given. How do his qualities stack up against Eusebio's, is the question - pace, strength, agility, reading of the game, passing under pressure, positional discipline, etc.

thats for you to decide
All i can say, of the 4 players you mentioned. We have 3 GOATs and Lizarazu and he is up against best player in history of the game in my opinion.

 

[PedroMendez]

@Physiocrat
you should probably remove the "Good luck Sjor & Viva" under the first write-up. It could confuse scan-voter which line-up belongs to whom.

 

[Moby]

@Physiocrat
you should probably remove the "Good luck Sjor & Viva" under the first write-up. It could confuse scan-voter which line-up belongs to whom.

Aye, and put the team names over the team sheets.

 

[Enigma_87]

Two frenchman having key responsibilities here:

What is Lizarazu doing to stop Messi running at him?
What is Makelele doing to stop Eusebio running at him?

A lot in the game depends on how much they can restrict the two attackers.

Basically I agree with this as key points on the field.

@Šjor Bepo is Elkjaer play as a some kind of a false 9 in this formation, I'm a bit confused by the arrows?

seconded on putting the names above the formations. With Schnellinger and Schwartzenbeck I almost confused that for Balu's side.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Basically I agree with this as key points on the field.

@Šjor Bepo is Elkjaer play as a some kind of a false 9 in this formation, I'm a bit confused by the arrows?

seconded on putting the names above the formations. With Schnellinger and Schwartzenbeck I almost confused that for Balu's side.

no, he would have the arrows towards the midfield if that was the case
He plays his natural game, which is basically that he will be everywhere.....can drop back, will make appearance on both sides of the field and will make constant runs behind the defence and there is no better to pick him out then Messi.

 

[Moby]

no, he would have the arrows towards the midfield if that was the case
He plays his natural game, which is basically that he will be everywhere.....can drop back, will make appearance on both sides of the field and will make constant runs behind the defence and there is no better to pick him out then Messi.

The two front twos are incredibly tasty. However not a man better than good old Gaetano to read Leo's mind - impossible as that may seem. He's got decent training doing that while playing against none other than Diego Maradona.