Team KaziDefensive Phase
Probably best to start here first. When my team is defending, we’ll turn into a 4-4-1-1, defending with two banks of four with Batistuta and one other attacker (usually Bale) left up the pitch for the counter attack. Bale is the default player left up the pitch to support Batistuta when I lose the ball, with the second bank of four being De Rossi-Makelele-Toure-Beckham. If however Beckham is caught high up the field when I lose the ball, he can be kept up for the counter with the second bank of four now becoming Bale-De Rossi-Makelele-Toure. If Toure is caught high up the pitch, it becomes Bale-De Rossi-Makelele-Beckham. The beauty of it is that all five are so strong defensively and someone is always there to cover another.
My back four consists of Brehme, Stam, Ferdinand and Ramos. In Ferdinand and Stam, I have two huge blokes but both very different. Stam will be the stopper. As good as he is, he may have his hands full with Papin. Ferdinand is the right next to him to sweep up. Couldn’t ask for a better partner, Rio is excellent at anticipating the opposition’s forward play. He’ll lead the back line. Ramos who is a front foot centre-back should find his job relatively easy at right back – I still think that is the position he is best at, makes much less mistakes there. On the other side, I’ve gone for a naturally attacking left back. While he’ll help on the counter-attack, he’ll be given a disciplined role when the opposition has the ball. Paroling his area is his number one concern. His stamina is one of his big strengths and it’ll be key in his role as he looks so stop up shut his opponent while providing extra width on the left when needed. Both full backs are versatile to come inside when need be (Brehme has played centrally in the past – as a defensive midfielder) so they can keep tags on the midfielders and second striker Cutch’s team consists off. A quick mention to Cech, who is great at paroling his box, leading from the back, an excellent shot-stopper in his day and very rarely makes a mistake. Ideal keeper really.
The likes of Kaka, Pirlo and Ambrosini will find it difficult to work their magic in my packed midfield with cats like Makelele and De Rossi who are so disciplined defensively and always offer 100% concentration. While Brehme and even Ramos could be left out of position at times, De Rossi or Yaya Toure will be there to fill the void at full back when need be. Beckham and Bale who have always been box-to-box wingers for the majority of their careers will be more than able to carry out their defensive duties
Attacking Phase
Naturally, I will look to play 4-3-3 in attack, with two proper wingers. Bale and Beckham could be the key in this match. I think the full-back region is an area I can target. While both full-backs are two of the best ever, they’ll be relied upon to create width for their team, leaving spaces for Bale and Beckham to exploit. When going forward, Yaya Toure, De Rossi and even Ferdinand will be advised to play the ball out wide at every opportunity. I can see Bale and Beckham creating a lot of chances for the centre-forward and the two runners from midfield, and even looking to score themselves from wide positions.
Gattusp has a tough job trying to keep tabs on both Yaya Toure and De Rossi, two exceptionally well rounded midfielders. Gattuso is a workhorse but both De Rossi and Toure collectively are likely to cause him a lot of problems. Toure is big and strong, goes past players like they’re not there and has two exceptional feet. He may work in bursts but that brings a surprise factor to his play too. De Rossi is different – he may not be as threatening at Toure going forward, but he’ll keep coming with his tenaciousness and may well provide a distraction for Toure. De Rossi is more likely of the two to spread play to the wings and forward to Batistuta.
Batistuta. He’s going to absolutely thrive in this team, hard to pick more perfect players to have behind him. He’ll get on the end of every cross from Bale, Beckham and Brehme, and he’ll get on the end of every forward ball from De Rossi and Ferdinand. I see his main threat being in the air. I think that is where can achieve the most success against Nesta and Cannavaro. He has it all as a centre-forward, pace, drive, power, technical ability. He’s perfect for the counter-attack.
Talking of the counter-attack, it may well be my best route to goal. I don’t have a natural playmaker in midfielder – Beckham is the closest I have really. As I have already mentioned, I’ll switch to a 4-4-1-1 when defending, but when that ball becomes mine again, I have the players to get out quickly and will possibly find myself 1 on 2, 2 on 3 or even 2 on 2 at times. And then there’s Beckham too. And Yaya Toure. My threat on the counter is serious. If Bale is central, this gives Brehme the chance to provide the width down the left with De Rossi covering for him, his stamina makes him ideal and his technical ability makes him just as much a threat as the others.
Where the game will be won
· On the counter attack. My defence will not (hopefully) be penetrated by Cutch’s attacking players. I have too much fire power going forward to not catch Cutch out. My attacking players (Batistuta, Bale, Beckham, Toure) are built for this system and will continually open up Cutch’s attacking team with their quick direct play.
· Down the wings. Cafu and Maldini are legends of the game, but they’ll both be asked to create width for Cutch’s team, especially Cafu. This is where Bale and Brehme will be so dangerous. Any space he leaves will be quickly pounced upon by both.
· In midfield. I simply have better legs in midfield. Your midfield players will find it hard to create and space/pockets to create openings. My midfielders cover every blade of grass and while the same can be said about Gattuso, he is only one man and his work will be cut out.
Batistuta in the air. I really fancy Batistuta in the air vs either of your centre backs. Beckham, Bale and Brehme can be extreme accurate with their delivery and you have to fancy Batistuta’s chances there. One of the best in the air.
vs
Team Cutch
Sub: Christian Panucci
Tactics
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond
Personnel
A tribute to AC Milan and Italy, with a great dane between the sticks.
Not much to say that isn't already fairly obvious. A ridiculous back 5 consisting of arguably the best defence possible of players from the last 20 years. Over 600 caps between them, including 2 World Cup winning captains.
The midfield consists of a famous AC Milan diamond from recent years, while the attack is made up of an Italian World Cup legend, and another proven Milan performer.
Every player will be playing their usual game in a setup that suits them with personnel around them that they're familiar with.
- Cafu and Maldini will use their incredible engines to bomb up and down the pitch and provide what is usually the main disadvantage of a diamond formation, which is a lack of width.
- Pirlo will pull the strings in midfield infront of the back 4, and has the hard working ballwinners Gattuso and Ambrosini to do his running for him and enable him to shine.
- Kaka will play at the tip of the diamond and sometimes roam to the left as he likes to do so. He will of course be the main dribbling outlet through the middle.
- Upfront are 2 very mobile strikers that can work the channels, which is again important for a diamond formation. Crespo will be the one that will do more of the hold up, whereas Paulo Rossi will have a similar role to his 78 World Cup where he had the freedom to at times drift in from the right, and obviously will be the master poacher.
- Has he got the player in his ranks to stop Pirlo from bossing this game?
- Has he got anyone to keep a close watch on Kaka?
- How would Vidic and Popescu fare against the great Paulo Rossi. Crespo's strong running would already give these 2 a problem before we even account for Rossi's opportunism, mobility and finishing ability. Its very hard to see him not getting on the scoresheet.
- Nedved. Due to the restrictions Nedved will likely find himself in a deeper role here, and with a pest like Gattuso in close attendance. In a more attacking freed up role he would be expected to be more of a danger. Whatever set up is unlikely to play fully to his strengths here.
- Ibrahimovic is a class act when he feels like it but even he will find it extremely tough against a pairing as good as Nesta-Cannavaro. Will this be a big game he goes missing in?
- Stoitchkov. He appears to be the danger man and my side may have struggled if it wasn't the legendary Brazilian Cafu that he finds himself up against here.
