Joga Bonito
The team is built around an exciting and complete attack with Maradona as its crown jewel, and El Pibe will have full reign over the side and a free role here. Naturally the idea was to build a sturdy foundation and a complete and fluid forward line which is capable of excelling in various aspects.
Tactics
It's a fairly straightforward team with two excellent attacking full-backs who excelled at both basic phases of the game, a complementary and solid French CB pairing, an impasse of an midfield trio with Monti in a custom role* and a fluid and interchanging forward trio with Maradona in a free role.
*
I believe Monti would thrive in this more nuanced role, rather than the straightforward DM role - which he was brilliant at for Argentina too, leading them to a Copa America trophy and a Olympics and World Cup final. Firstly, I believe Monti's intelligence and versatility could prove to be a good counter-measure against the opposition's fluid but a tad bit centrally oriented attack with wing-forwards such as Kubala, Hamrin/Francescoli who loved cutting in. Secondly, the midfield duo of Breitner-Tardelli is as fearsome and complete as it gets which would allow Monti to play his custom role to perfection here. Finally, it also allows Krol and Gerets more freedom to venture forward (not that they needed Monti playing a custom role to do so, but it helps), which in turn gives more freedom to my roaming forward trio positionally.
Defense - The 'Iron Curtain' Dasayev takes his place in between the sticks. The full-back duo of Krol and Gerets were both capable of manning their flanks single-handedly and they will be given freedom to impose themselves here. Tresor-Thuram is a duo that is as complete as it gets in terms of their physicality and defensive prowess. Both are the rare breed of defenders who didn't have a chink in their armour which could be exploited by a specific type of attacker, nor did they require a certain type of defensive parter to complement them defensively.
Midfield - Monti would play his custom role here both influencing the 'midfield battle' and dropping deeper to sweep up anything in front of the defense. Naturally he will frequently lock horns with Laudrup and he will look to restrict the Dane's influence as best as he can. Breitner plays his trademark all-conquering B2B role and will also pose a significant goal threat (44 goals in 83 app at his peak) in addition to his defensive prowess and all-round threat on the ball. Tardelli would play the relatively more defensive B2B role, frequently harrying the opposition and being a solid presence in the middle of the pitch. It's key to note that it's not black and white, with both players being brilliant at both phases of the game and could very well easily exchange roles.
Offense - A fluid forward trio, with Maradona in a free role. Well, he'll just go out and do what he has to do really. In Stoichkov, I have the perfect wing-forward capable of capitalising on the chaos that Maradona would create. His movement off the ball and his predatory instincts meant that he was always capable of pouncing on the tiniest of gaps/cracks that could appear. The Dagger's fluid game-play and versatility meant that he was at ease on either flank and centrally, meaning he could roam alongside the forward line, frequently probing for opening and pop up anywhere. Just watch 5 minutes from any point of this & this and you'd get the point I'm trying to make. He was a master at eluding defenders and an apex predator of the highest order. In Law I have the perfect spearhead for the roaming forward role, who offers just about everything you'd want from a centre-forward. It's hard to think of a phenomenal goalscorer who was equally at ease at both flanks, in deeper areas and of course, in the box. He'd be a dream alongside Maradona and Stoichkov
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IMPOSING SPINE with a cage like central midfield and defense featuring Tresor-Thuram-Monti-Tardelli-Breitner. Tresor is arguably the greatest French CB after one Larry White and he was a true leader for the late 70s-early 80s French vintage. Thuram is regarded as one of the greatest stoppers to ever grace the game and his bronze ball winning exploits in the 1998 WC was nothing short of incredible to say the least. Monti was the backbone of the Argentine side which won a Copa America and made an Olympics (considered as a pre-cursor to WC) and a WC final, in addition to marshalling the Italian side to a WC and a CEIC (Euros) triumph. Tardelli is widely regarded as the greatest Italian defensive/b2b midfielder of all time and was an integral component of the successful Juventus and WC winning Italian sides. Likewise Breitner, one of the greatest B2B midfielders ever, was an immense figure for both Germany and Bayern, leading them to several titles.
Stobzilla has a great side and a fantastic defense which will be a tough nut to crack. I do think I could eek out an advantage in the midfield stakes and with Maradona at the head of it all, in what I believe to be a complementary set-up, I do think I might just edge this one.
Joga
Stobz
The team is built around an exciting and complete attack with Maradona as its crown jewel, and El Pibe will have full reign over the side and a free role here. Naturally the idea was to build a sturdy foundation and a complete and fluid forward line which is capable of excelling in various aspects.
Tactics
It's a fairly straightforward team with two excellent attacking full-backs who excelled at both basic phases of the game, a complementary and solid French CB pairing, an impasse of an midfield trio with Monti in a custom role* and a fluid and interchanging forward trio with Maradona in a free role.
*
Monti will play his revolutionary centro mediano (halfway house) role which he did to great effect for Pozzo's metodo.
I believe Monti would thrive in this more nuanced role, rather than the straightforward DM role - which he was brilliant at for Argentina too, leading them to a Copa America trophy and a Olympics and World Cup final. Firstly, I believe Monti's intelligence and versatility could prove to be a good counter-measure against the opposition's fluid but a tad bit centrally oriented attack with wing-forwards such as Kubala, Hamrin/Francescoli who loved cutting in. Secondly, the midfield duo of Breitner-Tardelli is as fearsome and complete as it gets which would allow Monti to play his custom role to perfection here. Finally, it also allows Krol and Gerets more freedom to venture forward (not that they needed Monti playing a custom role to do so, but it helps), which in turn gives more freedom to my roaming forward trio positionally.
Defense - The 'Iron Curtain' Dasayev takes his place in between the sticks. The full-back duo of Krol and Gerets were both capable of manning their flanks single-handedly and they will be given freedom to impose themselves here. Tresor-Thuram is a duo that is as complete as it gets in terms of their physicality and defensive prowess. Both are the rare breed of defenders who didn't have a chink in their armour which could be exploited by a specific type of attacker, nor did they require a certain type of defensive parter to complement them defensively.
Midfield - Monti would play his custom role here both influencing the 'midfield battle' and dropping deeper to sweep up anything in front of the defense. Naturally he will frequently lock horns with Laudrup and he will look to restrict the Dane's influence as best as he can. Breitner plays his trademark all-conquering B2B role and will also pose a significant goal threat (44 goals in 83 app at his peak) in addition to his defensive prowess and all-round threat on the ball. Tardelli would play the relatively more defensive B2B role, frequently harrying the opposition and being a solid presence in the middle of the pitch. It's key to note that it's not black and white, with both players being brilliant at both phases of the game and could very well easily exchange roles.
Whilst Monti-Tardelli-Breitner is truly a 'fearsome' midfield trident to behold, their talents on the ball should be underrated at your own peril. All three were great at carrying the ball forward and were excellent passers on the ball. Italy's WC team heavily relied on Monti to be both their backbone whilst also relying on him to bridge the attack and defense with his passing abilities. Tardelli provided the legs and dynamism for both the Juventus and Italian sides whilst also frequently carrying the ball forward and even helping provide width at times. The tigerish Breitner dominated the centre of the field like very few others for both club and country, but was also a brilliant goalscorer and passer of the ball.
Offense - A fluid forward trio, with Maradona in a free role. Well, he'll just go out and do what he has to do really. In Stoichkov, I have the perfect wing-forward capable of capitalising on the chaos that Maradona would create. His movement off the ball and his predatory instincts meant that he was always capable of pouncing on the tiniest of gaps/cracks that could appear. The Dagger's fluid game-play and versatility meant that he was at ease on either flank and centrally, meaning he could roam alongside the forward line, frequently probing for opening and pop up anywhere. Just watch 5 minutes from any point of this & this and you'd get the point I'm trying to make. He was a master at eluding defenders and an apex predator of the highest order. In Law I have the perfect spearhead for the roaming forward role, who offers just about everything you'd want from a centre-forward. It's hard to think of a phenomenal goalscorer who was equally at ease at both flanks, in deeper areas and of course, in the box. He'd be a dream alongside Maradona and Stoichkov
.Once again, just like my midfield, it is important to note that all three were fantastically well-rounded players. Maradona isn't just a 'creator' nor is Stoichkov just a 'goalscorer' and of course Law isn't just a 'goalscoring spearhead'. I don't quite need to say much about Maradona's game but I do think his goalscoring exploits get underrated a wee bit. Granted he scored a fair amount of penalties and free-kicks but it is no mean feat scoring 5 goals in a WC and of course being Napoli's top scorer of all time - 81 goals in 188 games - in the ridiculously strong Italian Serie A, where he had to come up against the likes of Rijkaard, Scirea, Baresi, Matthäus, Bergomi, Maldini etc and even finished as a top scorer once in Serie A. Stoichkov was as likely to pop up out of nowhere to score a goal as he was to skinning his man and delivering a pearler with his left peg. Law was your consummate forward who had just about everything in his arsenal.
IMPOSING SPINE with a cage like central midfield and defense featuring Tresor-Thuram-Monti-Tardelli-Breitner. Tresor is arguably the greatest French CB after one Larry White and he was a true leader for the late 70s-early 80s French vintage. Thuram is regarded as one of the greatest stoppers to ever grace the game and his bronze ball winning exploits in the 1998 WC was nothing short of incredible to say the least. Monti was the backbone of the Argentine side which won a Copa America and made an Olympics (considered as a pre-cursor to WC) and a WC final, in addition to marshalling the Italian side to a WC and a CEIC (Euros) triumph. Tardelli is widely regarded as the greatest Italian defensive/b2b midfielder of all time and was an integral component of the successful Juventus and WC winning Italian sides. Likewise Breitner, one of the greatest B2B midfielders ever, was an immense figure for both Germany and Bayern, leading them to several titles.
Stobzilla has a great side and a fantastic defense which will be a tough nut to crack. I do think I could eek out an advantage in the midfield stakes and with Maradona at the head of it all, in what I believe to be a complementary set-up, I do think I might just edge this one.
Joga
Stobz
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. Also a great move using Kubala in that role as I figured you'd have started with a 4-2-3-1 and the current attack makes much more sense. Initially had reservations as to how Laudrup might work there but given his intelligence, versatility and tactical nous he'll probably play pretty well as a buffer of sorts between Didi and Kubala, although I do believe he could have been given a greater role with more responsibilities That being said I do think Monti's custom role is well suited for this match-up and gives me additional solidity against Kubala in his withdrawn forward role. Also, my FBs have an additional layer of security with both my CBs (esp Thuram) being comfortable in the channels, with Monti capable of dropping back when needed.
