---------------------------------------PAT MUSTARD-------------------------------------------------------------------MICHAEL---------------------------------------
TEAM PAT MUSTARD
Formation: 4-3-3
A mercifully kind injury list and a good reinforcement round means that I'm able to field something close to my original vision, vague as it was. Beckenbauer is restored the libero role, with the outstanding Voronin coming back from injury to assume the DM position. As a bulwark against Michael's GOAT pairing of Platini and Di Stefano, assuming he doesn't drop one of them for balance, it doesn't get much better than that.
The only minor tactical note is my left wing, where the arrows signify firstly that Facchetti is free to bomb forward, on the wing and infield, in his own unique fashion. Secondly, Baggio's positioning on the left is merely nominal when we're in possession - he's an inside forward who will roam into the hole to create, and use his excellent off-the-ball runs to get on the end of passes from others. Finally, and most crucially, Brady was a magnificent ball-carrier and creator from wide areas, and his ability to occupy that space is an important component of making that left-sided unit complete. Even in this exalted company, Brady carving an opportunity for Spencer with that sumptuous left foot looks a highly viable route to goal.
Defence:
Moderate defensive line that will obviously push up when we're in possession. Mindful of what the opposition is fielding here, and with us having an abundance of creativity further up the park, Beckenbauer will ration his forays into attack here, instead contributing to the build up with his excellent playmaking from deeper areas. Beside him, Walter Samuel is his stopper foil, a tank of a defender who looks a good stylistic match for John Charles if and when he appears up front for the opposition. Facchetti, clearly, is as good as it gets as an attacking LB, while on the other side Danny McGrain has impressed me greatly with his poise and skill on the ball as well as his resolute defending. He'll play a fairly restrained role here, with Gullit providing most of the attacking width on that flank. Behind them, Schmeichel comes into the team, and whoever the opposition field in goal, we're going to have a substantial advantage in relative quality there.
Midfield:
I've elaborated on Brady's role on balancing the left flank in the introduction, so I'll merely wax lyrical about the midfield unit in general here. An absolutely top-class DM with a knack of neutering world class opponents in Voronin, a consumate all-rounder who can dictate a match in Falcao, and Brady himself, who provides plenty of graft to complement his lavish gifts as a creator on the ball.
Attack:
The lethal Alberto Spencer spearheads the attack. Fast, mobile and utterly lethal in the air and on the deck, he's proved his stripes in the Copa Libertadores when it was at it's strongest, and the Intercontinental Cup against formidable Real Madrid and Benfica outfits. Baggio operates as our final third talisman from an inside-left position. Gullit, probably my favourite human being in the world for the duration of this draft for his ability to play everywhere excellently, lines up on the right wing for this match. An excellent dribbler with a peach of a cross, he will of course be a menace when attacking the far post from deliveries from our left side. As ever, his ability to support the midfield and defend his flank out of possession is a massive asset.
TEAM MICHAEL
My team will play a 4-2-1-3 formation with a fluid interchanging front 4 of Rensenbrink, Stoichkov, Di Stefano and Platini all of whom are highly capable at both creating and finishing. I'd also like to point out the defensive solidity of my back line which contains three of the all time elite defensive players in Krol, Nesta and Vogts and one of Brazil's greatest leftbacks in Junior.