The aim of this poll is to decide which team will win based on all the players being at their respective peaks. The player profiles have been linked in both tactics so please go through them to read a brief description about all the players involved in the game!
The central defender pairing of Stam and Silva is perfect. Both of them are ridiculously quick but Stam is a monster in the air and not shy of making tackles whereas Silva is also very complete adept at doing the dirty stuff and taking the ball out of the defense.
Gerets and Schnellinger are both attacking modern full backs who don't forget their defensive reponsibility. Both of them have utmost stamina and my formation needs that, as both Laudrup and Hamrin will attack at every moment leaving plenty of width for my fullbacks.
Beckenbauer as a midfielder will provide loads of controversy but he was still the best at this position also and was one of the best players in WC 1966 at the age of 21. He is the best at Libero, but Beckenbauer as a defensive midfielder is still better than 99% of the defensive midfielders in this draft. He'll dictate the game and will have great support from Micheal Ballack who was very powerful in his prime. He'll run all day and won't shy away from the tackle. Ballack and Beckenbauer has the perfect mixture of passing, defensive nous, power, pace and goal scoring ability.
The wide players in Hamrin and Laudrup apart from providing creativity are excellent goalscorers themselves. Hamrin had a goal record of nearly 1 in 2 in a notoriously defensive Serie A at his prime and is still the 7th highest goal scorer of all time. Laudrup will play the Iniesta role in my team, dictating the game from the wide position and will have the same impact or probably a better one than what Iniesta have for Spain.
Dalglish will be playing as a second striker and will be a perfect foil for someone like Romario who was an absolutely lethal finisher. Both of them were absolutely world class and will thrive from playing off each other.
A beautifully balanced side, with a strong spine, defensive solidity and a tough as nails midfield with Zito anchoring and the magnificent Robson playing his favoured box-to-box role.
In attack there is a focus on pace, dribbling and creativity, with Giggs' superb crossing, Kopa's passing ability and the prodigious skills of George Best all combining to create goals for the arch-poacher Denis Law.
This combination of skills and styles of the front 4 will make them very difficult to stop, and with the rock solid pairing of Robson and Zito behind them they have the freedom to be at their devasting attacking best.
Further back, Cafu supporting Best forms arguably the best right flank in the draft, while on the other side Irwin and Giggs will resume their partnership which was so effective for United down the years. In central defence the athleticism and strength of Tresor coupled with the composed tackling and passing ability of Blanc forms an outstanding partnership. Backed up by the superb shot stopping and lightning quick reflexes of Iker Casillas in goal; it won't be easy to score against my team.
A pacey, creative and balanced attack featuring 3 Ballon d'or winners.
No square pegs in round holes - every player is in their favoured position and will be allowed to do what they do best.
Unmatched Flanks - even the best fullbacks in the world struggled to contain Best, and here they have to contend with the Northern Irishman as well as the best rightback of the modern era backing him up. Not to mention the proven combination of Irwin and Giggs on the opposite side.
Goals all across the pitch - Kopa's ablility to slow the game down and pick a pass, coupled with the excellent finishing and outstanding movement of my front 3 means all of them will be dangerous goal threats. Not to mention Kopa himself, who with 18 goals in 45 games for France is no slouch in that department. Further back, Zito's defensive prowess in midfield will allow Robson the freedom to get forward and add yet another goal threat, whilst the defence has plenty of goals in them as well with Tresor and Blanc both notching very respectable tallies for France, along with the always dangerous set-pieces of Denis Irwin.
Pat Jennings: One of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era, he was a class act. This from Arsenal.com, summarizes him perfectly- “Calm and assured, Jennings was blessed with a positional sense which meant he barely needed to resort to the spectacular. He was simply in the right place at the right time to pluck crosses out of the air or push shots aside. Jennings was a master of the one-on-one, standing up long enough to narrow the angle and make things as difficult as possible for onrushing strikers.”
Eric Gerets: One of the Belgium’s greatest ever player, he was an extremely important part and captain of the greatest Belgium National Team. An attacking minded right full back, he was also defensively secure and kept Maradona quiet in the 1982 WC Match. Also captain of the great PSV team which won the European Cup in 1988 and won the Eredvisie 5 times in 6 years.
Jaap Stam: At his peak one of the best central defenders we’ve ever had, the man so good that even Fergie admitted that he regret selling Jaap Stam.
Thiago Silva: The best central defender in the world right now, he should form an excellent pair with Stam.
Schnellinger: One of the greatest left backs in the history of football. He was an instrumental part in the very successful German and AC Milan teams of the 1960’s. He had everything what is needed in a full back. Having the technical skill which rivaled the best players along with the German Mentality.
Beckenbaur: He would be played as a midfielder in my team. Comprising superior defensive ability and technique to nearly everyone in the draft, the Kaiser will be the captain of my team and will marshall the midfield and dictate the game.
Micheal Ballack: One of the best midfielders in the last twenty years along with Keane and Vieira, just simply a class act. Along with the usual qualities, his goal scoring ability is simply stunning.
Kurt Hamrin: One of the greatest Swedish Players in the history of the game. He was a right-winger who liked to induce the ball into the inside forward area and make scores on his own. He was best known for his dribbling and finishing. Inspite of being a winger, he is still the 7th Highest Scorer in Serie A history so far with an astonishing 190 goals in 400 appearances, nearly a goal in every other game.
Kenny Dalglish: Despite the Tshirt gate, still one of the greatest players ever from Britain. Was a very important part of the all conquering Liverpool team and IS the greatest player in Liverpool’s history. Was voted the 1st position in player who rocked the Kop.
Laudrup: I would say nothing and just post you the quotes about this guy.
·
Romário: "The best player I have ever played with and the 4th best in the history of the game"[16]
· Raúl: "The best I have ever played with."[15]
· Zamorano: "Un genio!", "The reason why I make so many goals, is Laudrup."[50]
· Iniesta: "Who is the best player in history? Laudrup."[51]
· Messi: "I fully understand why he is considered one of the best players in Barcelona's history and even the world."[52]
· Cruyff: "One of the most difficult players I have worked with. When he gives 80–90% he is still by far the best, but I want 100%, and he rarely does that."[53]
· Cruyff (After Real Madrid with Laudrup had won 5–0 over Cruyff's Barcelona): "When Michael plays like a dream, a magic illusion, determined to show his new team his extreme abilities, no one in the world comes anywhere near his level."[54]
· Cruyff (Cruyff on Laudrup's lack of killer instinct during matches): "Had Michael been born in a poor ghetto in Brazil or Argentina with the ball being his only way out of poverty he would today be recognised as the biggest genius of the game ever. He had all the abilities to reach it but lacked this ghetto-instinct, which could have driven him there."[55]
· Platini: "One of the biggest talents ever. The best in the world on the training pitch, but never used his talent to its full during matches.[54]
· Platini: "Michael had everything except for one thing: he wasn't selfish enough."[14]
· Guardiola: "The best player in the world, I can't believe he hasn't won the title as best player."[citation needed]
· Beckenbauer: "Pelé was the best in the 60s, Cruyff in the 70s, Maradona in the 80s and Laudrup in the 90s."[54]
· Roberto Galia: "I have played against Maradona, Platini and Baggio. But the player I saw do the most indescribable things was Michael Laudrup."[56]
· Clemente: "To me, Michael Laudrup is the most genius player the world has ever seen. He will always be my numero uno. Always."[54]
· Bakero: "No one has given the club [Barcelona] as much inspiration as Michael. We all look up to him. It is a privilege to have your day enriched by a genius."[54]
Romario: Possibly the greatest goal scoring forward to come out of Brazil. Romario guaranteed goals and had a stunning goal scoring record wherever he went. Just a complete center forward. With the likes of Hamrin, Laudrup and Dalglish supporting him, he’ll have enough chances to score goals which he will.
How good are Zito and Kopa? Never seen any tapes of them and could be the clincher for me. Would appreciate some comparisions to modern players rather than won x and did y
I don't like how Beckenbauer has been utilised, if he's to play in midfield I think you need a proper defensive mid with some steel next to him, not a hardworking cm/am.
How good are Zito and Kopa? Never seen any tapes of them and could be the clincher for me. Would appreciate some comparisions to modern players rather than won x and did y
I don't like how Beckenbauer has been utilised, if he's to play in midfield I think you need a proper defensive mid with some steel next to him, not a hardworking cm/am.
Ballack was one of the most power central midfielders in the last two decades or so. Not the proper of the defensive midfielders like Makelele or something but had a ferocious tackle. Proper box to box midfielder.
Ballack was one of the most power central midfielders in the last two decades or so. Not the proper of the defensive midfielders like Makelele or something but had a ferocious tackle. Proper box to box midfielder.
I understand that but don't think he's the right foil for Beckenbauer, you want Beckenbauer to have the freedom to be box to box and not be overly concerned with defensive duties, alongside Ballack he appear to be the more defensively sound which is a shame.
Giggs and Best will tear you a new one if Laudrup and Hamrin are attacking at every opportunity. As good as Schnellinger was, I can't see him coping with Best and Cafu on his own.
Giggs and Best will tear you a new one if Laudrup and Hamrin are attacking at every opportunity. As good as Schnellinger was, I can't see him coping with Best and Cafu on his own.
Particularly since Best has a history of tearing Schnellinger a new one when he faced him. Although the German was quite a solid defender himself, but you are right he would need some help in coping with Best, just as most other defenders.
I understand that but don't think he's the right foil for Beckenbauer, you want Beckenbauer to have the freedom to be box to box and not be overly concerned with defensive duties, alongside Ballack he appear to be the more defensively sound which is a shame.
I think Beckenbauer is more Scholes circa '08 than Roy Keane. He'll get forward to force the game when need be but most of the time he'll be sitting deep while his partner moves forward. Hence the successful Beckenbauer-Overath partnership. Obviously he's somewhere in between the two as he had Keane's ability to read the play and cut out opposition attacks and Scholes was still a predominantly attacking midfielder, so perhaps that's the wrong comparison...basically I'd say he took up a similar role to Pirlo when in midfield. More bursts forward but they definitely weren't the main part of his game, IMO.
Giggs and Best will tear you a new one if Laudrup and Hamrin are attacking at every opportunity. As good as Schnellinger was, I can't see him coping with Best and Cafu on his own.
Do you think George Best was the one to help defenders?
I can be wrong but I've always imagined him as a Ronaldo type of player who will just focus on attacking.
Btw, I've voted just to see the vote results, you should so too.
I think Beckenbauer is more Scholes circa '08 than Roy Keane. He'll get forward to force the game when need be but most of the time he'll be sitting deep while his partner moves forward. Hence the successful Beckenbauer-Overath partnership. Obviously he's somewhere in between the two as he had Keane's ability to read the play and cut out opposition attacks and Scholes was still a predominantly attacking midfielder, so perhaps that's the wrong comparison...basically I'd say he took up a similar role to Pirlo when in midfield. More bursts forward but they definitely weren't the main part of his game, IMO.
Yeah, can't disagree with that but it doesn't really detract from my point, I wouldn't be comfortable with Ballack alongside Pirlo or Scholes circa 08.
Best was much more hard working than Ronaldo! At the moment I see KM dominating midfield and his attack having too much for Jayvin's defence. Just not sure whether Jayvin on the break will do even more damage. Think KM's back 6 are left to defend on their own in what is essentially an old-fashioned 424 and I can see those wingers wreaking havoc.
Yeah, can't disagree with that but it doesn't really detract from my point, I wouldn't be comfortable with Ballack alongside Pirlo or Scholes circa 08.
I was only talking positionally. Defensively he's far better than them. He's no specialist DM but he doesn't need someone mopping up after him in midfield, IMO.
I was only talking positionally. Defensively he's far better than them. He's no specialist DM but he doesn't need someone mopping up after him in midfield, IMO.
What is that based on though? None of his midfield partnerships were like that. I don't disagree that Rijkaard-Beckenbauer is a terrific combination but it's main strength is its defensive robustness because Rijkaard's not left to do it all on his own. It has a nice blend of styles of course but I don't see how it's necessary for Beckenbauer to have that kind of partner.
How good are Zito and Kopa? Never seen any tapes of them and could be the clincher for me. Would appreciate some comparisions to modern players rather than won x and did y
I'm clear Jayvin picked them thinking about Charlton replacing Kopa and Edwards replacing Zito and, while that would be game over for everyone, I actually think Zito balances Robson better than Edwards would. I've only seen Kopa on the right for Madrid but it's always pointed out how he was a central player who adapted to that role and his skillset is very much aligned to the role he is asked to perform here in a company he will be very comfortable with.
If no one took any reinforcements this would be Jayvin's draft to lose really. No chinks there at all.
What is that based on though? None of his midfield partnerships were like that. I don't disagree that Rijkaard-Beckenbauer is a terrific combination but it's main strength is its defensive robustness because Rijkaard's not left to do it all on his own. It has a nice blend of styles of course but I don't see how it's necessary for Beckenbauer to have that kind of partner.
The way I see it, if you play him in midfield you are doing so to get the best out of his playmaking and attacking game whilst still maintaining a good defensive base, so someone alongside him who can at least share the defensive duties equally (not Ballack) is ideal. Rather than play him as a pure defensive midfielder I'd just opt to play him as libero.
What is that based on though? None of his midfield partnerships were like that. I don't disagree that Rijkaard-Beckenbauer is a terrific combination but it's main strength is its defensive robustness because Rijkaard's not left to do it all on his own. It has a nice blend of styles of course but I don't see how it's necessary for Beckenbauer to have that kind of partner.
I certainly partnered them that way thinking of your Scholes comparison and him dictating the play (but also much better defensively).
I can see where Fergus is coming from though. Going back to Venn diagrams: there's nothing Ballack does which Beckenbauer couldn't do, so it feels a bit unfair he is left to dictate AND mop up while the other goes for the glory charges forward. I think that midfield can work but it is excessively reliant on Beckenbauer doing both the playmaking from deep and the defending. Laudrup's support is key.
I certainly partnered them that way thinking of your Scholes comparison and him dictating the play (but also much better defensively).
I can see where Fergus is coming from though. Going back to Venn diagrams: there's nothing Ballack does which Beckenbauer couldn't do, so it feels a bit unfair he is left to dictate AND mop up while the other goes for the glory charges forward. I think that midfield can work but it is excessively reliant on Beckenbauer doing both the playmaking from deep and the defending. Laudrup's support is key.
I think Beckenbauer should be allowed that license to charge forward, he loved doing that and playing intricate one twos with the forward players and with Romario in the team it would've worked brilliantly. As it is, if Beck does charge forward he's relying on Ballack to cover for him which I'm not sure is enough. Fair enough if you restrict Beck from charging forward but it seems like a bit of a waste.
How good are Zito and Kopa? Never seen any tapes of them and could be the clincher for me. Would appreciate some comparisions to modern players rather than won x and did y
Kopa - much like Zidane - seems to have had that innate ability to slow down the tempo of a match and control it with superb passing, but he also had a physique which was much more typical of a #10, which made him better at gliding past players and getting into scoring positions.
Zito I'm less sure of, but by all accounts he was very strong defensively, and his pragmatic style of play was the perfect foil for the more attacking members of Brazils 58 and 62 sides (which was pretty much everyone else). Perhaps he is comparable to someone like Didier Deschamps.
I think Beckenbauer should be allowed that license to charge forward, he loved doing that and playing intricate one twos with the forward players and with Romario in the team it would've worked brilliantly. As it is, if Beck does charge forward he's relying on Ballack to cover for him which I'm not sure is enough. Fair enough if you restrict Beck from charging forward but it seems like a bit of a waste.
I agree, I would rather see him play that way. He could do with being the one with Zito next to him.
BTW, Interval, never answered your question the way you wanted it: for Kopa think an older fashioned Platini contributing very little in midfield (i.e. defensively, the way Brwned sees it as an old-fashioned 4-2-4 is spot on), Zito think a reliable if unspectacular mopping up man who can play better than just square balls. Deschamps may be too good a comparison, Gilberto Silva feels more appropriate.
Think this is a really close one, probably the closest game yet. KM has two brilliant fullbacks and Beckenbauer marshalling in the middle who can negate Kope severely. Then he has the Laurdup-Romario partnership up front.
Kopa - much like Zidane - seems to have had that innate ability to slow down the tempo of a match and control it with superb passing, but he also had a physique which was much more typical of a #10, which made him better at gliding past players and getting into scoring positions.
Zito I'm less sure of, but by all accounts he was very strong defensively, and his pragmatic style of play was the perfect foil for the more attacking members of Brazils 58 and 62 sides (which was pretty much everyone else). Perhaps he is comparable to someone like Didier Deschamps.
Yeah, I think Deschamps would get him rated where he deserves while Gilberto Silva would make him underrated. Deschamps was actually a better player though.
Think this is a really close one, probably the closest game yet. KM has two brilliant fullbacks and Beckenbauer marshalling in the middle who can negate Kope severely. Then he has the Laurdup-Romario partnership up front.
Probably hasn't emphasised that enough. I was so focused on Laudrup's role taking pressure off Beckenbauer that I completely overlooked one of my favourite partnerships!
Think this is a really close one, probably the closest game yet. KM has two brilliant fullbacks and Beckenbauer marshalling in the middle who can negate Kope severely. Then he has the Laurdup-Romario partnership up front.
I'm a little unsure of Kopa myself. No question he was considered one of the outstanding playmakers of his day but for someone who's so often heralded for his passing, I've never found it that impressive (and nowhere near Didi's, for example). Lovely ball control and a classy dribbler but exceptional passer? Not sure. I thought Fontaine was the more impressive in the couple of World Cup '58 games I saw France play. In fact I think Zito did well up against Kopa from what I remember. Agree with others that Zito was excellent but went about his business with little fuss.
Zito think a reliable if unspectacular mopping up man who can play better than just square balls. Deschamps may be too good a comparison, Gilberto Silva feels more appropriate.
Better than Zito. Better passing array, more likely to go on a run/take on men, more of a leader/winner/heart and soul of a team. That's why I think Gilberto is the more appropriate comparison, an understated guy who goes quietly about his business.
The more I think about it the more I see Brwned being right that the midfield will get run over. I wasn't too fussed as I saw it as an open end-to-end game, but Jayvin may be a bit broken in the attacking transition here. Too much may be falling on Robbo's shoulders. But then, you would expect Best and Giggs to drop back to start the moves, wouldn't you?
This is actually a lot closer than I thought it would be, same in the other match when you see the teams lined up properly it can really change your views.
I like the Beckenbauer/Ballack midfield, its solid enough as despite Ballack getting forward and playing box to box he was physically imposing defensively as well. Don't see an issue there, though Fergus might have a point that it restricts Beckenbauer its not something I know enough about.
Laudrup/Romario is perfect, Dalglish will be hugely underrated on a United forum but he was exceptional, then Hamrin on the right has a phenomenal record that speaks for itself.
Did his job though. This is exactly what I meant by the Deschamps comparison getting him rated appropriately on here, he was certainly on par as far as the defensive job is concerned, but not once the ball is recovered. He was by no means a Vieira or someone who would box-to-box, which is why out of the Premiership DMs people would be familiar with Gilberto was about right. Maybe Mascherano. That sort.
Did his job though. This is exactly what I meant by the Deschamps comparison getting him rated appropriately on here, he was certainly on par as far as the defensive job is concerned, but not once the ball is recovered. He was by no means a Vieira or someone who would box-to-box, which is why out of the Premiership DMs people would be familiar with Gilberto was about right. Maybe Mascherano. That sort.
Exactly, he isn't an All-Time monster DM but he is doing exactly the sort of job he was familiar with, i.e. be the only one doing most of the defending in midfield for a top-heavy attacking side. Which is why I'm not clear if it would be a good move to replace him with Edwards later. Of course, on here it will be assumed it's Keane, Robbo and Scholes wrapped into one and playing Zito would be insane, but he's more like a better Robbo IMO. I would prefer Brwned's approach of playing Charlton with Edwards and AN Other holding. No Robson.
For all the talk about Best and Giggs, I'm not sure if my wide players are any less than them. Laudrup at his prime was hailed one of the best where as Hamrin has an amazing goalscoring record, made even more remarkable that he was a winger.
Dalglish was arguably the best player of one of the best club teams in history. I think pound for pound my attacking four is better than that of Jayvin.
