Green_Smiley
VS
Diarm
TACTICS
Team Green_Smiley
Formation
VS
Diarm
TACTICS
Team Green_Smiley
4-2-4
Tactics
Counter-attacking football
Back 4 and 2 central midfielders sitting deep to absorb opponent's attack and initiate counter at any given chance
Front 4 stays upfront to keep opponent's defense occupied
Defenses
1) Iker Casillas (keeper) - outstanding agility and shot-stopping. His fantastic distribution will help to launch quick counter from the back
2) Claudio Gentile (right back-cum-centre back) - strong, tenacious and uncompromising defender
- Man-mark Ronaldinho
4) Jurgen Kohler (stopper) - physically dominant (ground/air)
- Man-mark Batistuta
- Compliments well with Kohler and Gentile
- Defensive phase: Sweeps up any danger if opponent manages to breach the defensive line
- Attacking phase: Initiates counter with long pass from the back
Midfields
6) Pep Guardiola (deep-lying playmaker) - creative, excellent vision, close control and passing range
- Attacking phase: Setting game tempo and create chances from deep in midfield
- Defensive phase: Pressing Bergkamp when he has the ball
- Compliments well with Guardiola
- Breaks up opposition's attacks, winning the ball back for other attacking teammates
Forwards
8) Johnny Rep (right winger) - skillful, blistering pace and a cracking right foot
9) Luis Ronaldo (striker) - "O Fenomeno". Virtually unstoppable with his dribbling skill, speed, feints and clinical finishing
10) George Weah (target man) - powerful physique, fierce shooting power and deadly finishing skillsThiery Henry said:
11) Ryan Giggs (left winger) - excellent speed, agility and dribbling skill
Team Diarm
We will retain the asymmetrical 433 which served us so well against Raees's outstanding opponent in the first round. Deschamps will hold the midfield from deep, Seedorf will offer energy and industry on the right hand side of the midfield with Kaltz an ever willing option providing width and thrust down the right flank. Luis Suarez Miramontes brings creativity, tenacity, style and cutting edge to the left of centre - himself and Ronaldinho will dovetail nicely while protected and supported by the predominantly defensive (but always dangerous on the overlap) Denis Irwin.
A defence built on teak tough, intelligent and uncompromising German legends plus the excellent Irwin, one of Europes greatest ever keepers and the industrious Deschamps in front will provide us with a brutally solid platform at the back. Each of our defenders is comfortable and talented on the ball which will allow us to build attacks from deep and spring a beautifully balanced midfield and ruthlessly talented attack line secure in the knowledge there is a world class safety net behind.
Ours is an attack which boasts everything. Flair, trickery, dribbling and finesse from the left through Ronaldinho. Guile, intelligence, incisiveness and creativity in the hole from Bergkamp and then power, pace, presence and explosive finishing from the ultimate number 9 up top in Batistuta. Batigol was superb in the last round against a defence made up of Cannavaro, Lucio and Ferdinand so the thought what he will do in this game, now with the service of Kaltz from the right is frightening!
Another great game awaits. Again I feel it is our midfield which will give us the edge in this one as our opponent comes up against a very different proposition to his last round game. The work rate and effectiveness of Deschamps and Seedorf (especially now with Kaltz on the flank) in these roles is going to give Suarez the licence to wreck havoc.
Our opponent can employ Gatusso to attempt to stifle the Spaniard but then will be looking to Guardiola to focus on Bergkamp which will take from his effectiveness and leave Seedorf or Suarez room to attack the edge of the area from deep. Gentile is going to have more than his hands full with Ronny - realistically Happel is going to spend a lot of time assisting him in that, leaving space for Batistuta to attack Kohler one on one or Irwin outflanking him on the overlap. I also foresee Kaltz getting the better of Abidal and providing the Argentine with all sorts of wonderful service throughout the 90 minutes.
I simply feel the variation in our attack and the sheer number of goalscorers and creators - be they set piece specialists (Suarez, Ronaldinho, Irwin, Augenthaler and Waltz) or simply gifted and prolific attackers (Batigol, Bergkamp, Ronny, Suarez, Seedorf) will be overwhelming for our opponent today. They are a dangerous side and will draw blood from us, but we will score more and finish victorious!
Team Profiles
Michel Preud'homme
Belgiums greatest ever keeper and for me, one of the top 10 goalies of all time. The best keeper at the 1994 World Cup where he famously did for the Dutch in one of the great goalkeeping performances, the Belgian was renowned for his agility and exceptional reflexes. Known best as a superb shot stopper, he also offered calm leadership and consistency from the back.
Manfred Kaltz
One of the finest attacking right backs of all time, Kaltz was a wizard at crossing a ball from the flank, either from deep or further forward on the overlap. A superb defender with a love of getting forward and a keen eye for a goal, Kaltz will offer genuine width and threat on our right flank.
Following a humdinger of a battle between himself and Schnellinger in our first round match, I will link to my opponents post and a brief background of this great German defender: Dominoes draft: R1 - Diarm vs Raees
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Germanys greatest ever natural defender, Schnellinger was renowned for his pace, power, consistency and an insatiable winning mentality. World class at left back or in the centre of defence, he is known as one of the hardest and most uncompromising defenders in the history of German and Serie A football. He reached World Cup finals and semi finals but having arrived a few years earlier than the glory years of German football, never managed to secure the trophy. As a Ballon D'Or finalist and multiple member of the Fifa World XI however, his status and reputation is unquestionable among all time defenders.
Klaus Augenthaler
They called him "The Eye", as his ability to see and read a game from the back allowed him to defend against even the greatest attacks and attackers with a seemingly effortless style. The most successful individual in Bundesliga history, Augenthaler captained Bayern Munich during one of their greatest ever periods and was at the heart of the German World Cup winning side of 1990. Aside from being one of Germanys finest ever defenders, Klaus was a renowned goal scorer. With a rocket of a right foot, free kicks and screamers from outside the box were his speciality but he was also adept at arriving late to the box and powering headers past the keeper. With more than 50 career goals for Bayern Munich, he will provide yet another headache from set pieces for a defence already occupied by our more illustrious attackers.
Denis Irwin
When Sir Alex Ferguson names a fullback as the first name down on his Greatest Ever XI teamsheet, you sit up and take notice. He wasn't alone either, with Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs both including the Irishman in their XI's and Alan Hansen naming him at both Right and Left Back in his team of the decade. A wonderful defender; Irwin was quick, smart and industrious and dealt effortlessly with some of the great attackers of his time. A mainstay of the Alex Ferguson revolution from the early premiership days to the great treble winning campaign, Irwin was also a menace in attack - offering width on the overlap and a cracking delivery from wide. He was also an accomplished penalty and short freekick taker.
Belgiums greatest ever keeper and for me, one of the top 10 goalies of all time. The best keeper at the 1994 World Cup where he famously did for the Dutch in one of the great goalkeeping performances, the Belgian was renowned for his agility and exceptional reflexes. Known best as a superb shot stopper, he also offered calm leadership and consistency from the back.
Manfred Kaltz
One of the finest attacking right backs of all time, Kaltz was a wizard at crossing a ball from the flank, either from deep or further forward on the overlap. A superb defender with a love of getting forward and a keen eye for a goal, Kaltz will offer genuine width and threat on our right flank.
Following a humdinger of a battle between himself and Schnellinger in our first round match, I will link to my opponents post and a brief background of this great German defender: Dominoes draft: R1 - Diarm vs Raees
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger
Germanys greatest ever natural defender, Schnellinger was renowned for his pace, power, consistency and an insatiable winning mentality. World class at left back or in the centre of defence, he is known as one of the hardest and most uncompromising defenders in the history of German and Serie A football. He reached World Cup finals and semi finals but having arrived a few years earlier than the glory years of German football, never managed to secure the trophy. As a Ballon D'Or finalist and multiple member of the Fifa World XI however, his status and reputation is unquestionable among all time defenders.
Klaus Augenthaler
They called him "The Eye", as his ability to see and read a game from the back allowed him to defend against even the greatest attacks and attackers with a seemingly effortless style. The most successful individual in Bundesliga history, Augenthaler captained Bayern Munich during one of their greatest ever periods and was at the heart of the German World Cup winning side of 1990. Aside from being one of Germanys finest ever defenders, Klaus was a renowned goal scorer. With a rocket of a right foot, free kicks and screamers from outside the box were his speciality but he was also adept at arriving late to the box and powering headers past the keeper. With more than 50 career goals for Bayern Munich, he will provide yet another headache from set pieces for a defence already occupied by our more illustrious attackers.
Denis Irwin
When Sir Alex Ferguson names a fullback as the first name down on his Greatest Ever XI teamsheet, you sit up and take notice. He wasn't alone either, with Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs both including the Irishman in their XI's and Alan Hansen naming him at both Right and Left Back in his team of the decade. A wonderful defender; Irwin was quick, smart and industrious and dealt effortlessly with some of the great attackers of his time. A mainstay of the Alex Ferguson revolution from the early premiership days to the great treble winning campaign, Irwin was also a menace in attack - offering width on the overlap and a cracking delivery from wide. He was also an accomplished penalty and short freekick taker.
Didier Deschamps
Tagged as "The Water Carrier" by our very own King Eric, Deschamps was that and so much more. French footballs greatest ever captain, he was a tactical genius and relentless engine at the heart of the 1998 World Cup winning side. Wherever he went; he led sides that won league titles, domestic cups, Champions Leagues, World Cups and European Cups and he paved the way for the holding midfielder who has become so important in the modern game. Here, he will provide the work rate and balance to allow the genius of Suarez, Ronaldinho, Berkamp and Batistuta to flourish.
Clarence Seedorf
A born winner. Seedorf remains the only man to have won the Champions League (4 times) with 3 different clubs. His huge engine and work rate on the right hand side of our midfield will allow him to get forward and use his strong shooting ability while also adding a robust physical presence in deeper areas. He will benefit from the attacking mindset of Denis Irwin outside him and dovetail nicely with the creative genius of Suarez beside him.
Luis Suarez Miramontes
Spains greatest ever player. "The Architect" remains the only Spanish player ever to win the Ballon D'Or. That he did so and was a finalist 3 more times in an era of players such as Di Stefano, Puskas and Kopa speaks volumes of his talent and impact on the game. Creator, technical genius and prolific goalscorer - Luis Monti will be the heartbeat of this side, providing the creative focal point through which we will tick. His graceful style and composure on the ball, perceptive and incisive passing and his explosive shooting will be key in winning this match.
Tagged as "The Water Carrier" by our very own King Eric, Deschamps was that and so much more. French footballs greatest ever captain, he was a tactical genius and relentless engine at the heart of the 1998 World Cup winning side. Wherever he went; he led sides that won league titles, domestic cups, Champions Leagues, World Cups and European Cups and he paved the way for the holding midfielder who has become so important in the modern game. Here, he will provide the work rate and balance to allow the genius of Suarez, Ronaldinho, Berkamp and Batistuta to flourish.
Clarence Seedorf
A born winner. Seedorf remains the only man to have won the Champions League (4 times) with 3 different clubs. His huge engine and work rate on the right hand side of our midfield will allow him to get forward and use his strong shooting ability while also adding a robust physical presence in deeper areas. He will benefit from the attacking mindset of Denis Irwin outside him and dovetail nicely with the creative genius of Suarez beside him.
Luis Suarez Miramontes
Spains greatest ever player. "The Architect" remains the only Spanish player ever to win the Ballon D'Or. That he did so and was a finalist 3 more times in an era of players such as Di Stefano, Puskas and Kopa speaks volumes of his talent and impact on the game. Creator, technical genius and prolific goalscorer - Luis Monti will be the heartbeat of this side, providing the creative focal point through which we will tick. His graceful style and composure on the ball, perceptive and incisive passing and his explosive shooting will be key in winning this match.
Ronaldinho
World Cup winner. Ballon D'Or winner. Genius. The gifted, smiling messer of Brazil who could do things with a football anyone else could only dream of while always looking as though he was kicking an old ball around the park with his mates. His dribbling ability, eye for a brilliant but unexpected pass and goal scoring prowess will give us a ruthless advantage on the left. Ronaldinho is the unlicensed weapon we will be afforded by the industry of guys like Deschamps and Seedorf behind.
Dennis Bergkamp
Possibly my favourite ever footballer - Bergkamp was not blessed with great pace, power or other physical attributes. What God did give him however, was one of the keenest footballing brains ever to grace the game. A mind that simply saw the game 2 seconds quicker than anyone he ever played against, Bergkamp could destroy a defence before they realised they were in danger. His ability in the hole here, will allow Ronaldinho, Batistuta and Luis Suarez to flourish within a potent attack that boasts everything.
Gabriel Batistuta
The complete striker.
Diego Maradona called "Batigol" the greatest striker he ever saw play the game and it's not hard to see why. He was one of those rare players who matched incredible talent, technical ability and natural physical attributes with an incredible work rate and competitive drive to give him an almost wild and animalistic edge on the field. With brutal power, pace and anticipation, Batistuta bullied even the greatest defenders in Italy and South America before punishing them with instinctive, accurate and powerful finishing.
World Cup winner. Ballon D'Or winner. Genius. The gifted, smiling messer of Brazil who could do things with a football anyone else could only dream of while always looking as though he was kicking an old ball around the park with his mates. His dribbling ability, eye for a brilliant but unexpected pass and goal scoring prowess will give us a ruthless advantage on the left. Ronaldinho is the unlicensed weapon we will be afforded by the industry of guys like Deschamps and Seedorf behind.
Dennis Bergkamp
Possibly my favourite ever footballer - Bergkamp was not blessed with great pace, power or other physical attributes. What God did give him however, was one of the keenest footballing brains ever to grace the game. A mind that simply saw the game 2 seconds quicker than anyone he ever played against, Bergkamp could destroy a defence before they realised they were in danger. His ability in the hole here, will allow Ronaldinho, Batistuta and Luis Suarez to flourish within a potent attack that boasts everything.
Gabriel Batistuta
The complete striker.
Diego Maradona called "Batigol" the greatest striker he ever saw play the game and it's not hard to see why. He was one of those rare players who matched incredible talent, technical ability and natural physical attributes with an incredible work rate and competitive drive to give him an almost wild and animalistic edge on the field. With brutal power, pace and anticipation, Batistuta bullied even the greatest defenders in Italy and South America before punishing them with instinctive, accurate and powerful finishing.
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really needs another midfielder there. Poor Gattuso.