Isotope VS Raees/Invictus - NT peak draft

[green_smiley]

Only the players performance in the chosen tournament should be considered.

Isotope

Formation: 4-3-1-2
Style: Compact – Narrow – Midfield Dominance

I'm not This team rely on their excellent defence, hardworking with flair midfield, and deadly attack.

On attack, this team has 3 of the most famous attackers that have their name tied to certain World Cup who can win the game by their own.

This team composes of two of the best midfields from South America in Maradona, and Eastern Europe in Netto. With Netto controlling the midfield tempo ala Xavi, and Maradona as the Iniesta for creative force. The midfield grit is added by the strength of Vidal and Deschamps, who are capable passers on their own merit.

Although the team mostly focus on midfield dominance, the width on the left is covered by Tarantini and Netto; where the right would be Baggio and Vidal on occasion. (take a look of Vidal sending good cross at min. 1:14)

I believe this team has one of the best defence on the whole Draft, which is not worth explaining further. With this mean defence, and hardworking but creative midfield; winning the battle is within the grasp.

VS.

​

Raees

TACTICAL OUTLINE

FORMATION: 4-2-1-3
STRATEGY: COUNTER-ATTACK (FLUID FRONT 4)

1. Khan (WC 2002) - Goalkeeper - Strong, vocal presence, long-range distribution key for fast counter-attacks
2. Bergomi (EU 1988) - Defensive full-back, intuitive, muscular and in his prime, will be marking Baggio
3. Chumpitaz (CA 1975) - Sweeper, coming out of defence to meet Maradona if he evades Varela
4. Desailly (WC 1998) - Stopper, will be instrumental against Kocsis
5. Brehme (WC 1990) - Attacking wing-back, will provide GOAT quality width down the left
6. Varela (WC 1950) - Destroyer, will man mark Diego Maradona
7. Tigana (EU 1984) - Box to Box Controller, dictate the tempo, feed the forwards and provide defensive security
8. Zizinho (WC 1950) - 'Pele's Idol' genius of an AM/IR/RM, with the silk of Dinho and work rate of Nedved
9. Suarez (CA 2011) - Fluid 9, at his most aggressive, quick.. nightmare to defend against
10. Eusebio (WC 1966) - IR/RW/CF/SS - Indefinable, inexhaustable turbo-charged powerhouse forward
11. Robben (WC 2014) - LW/LF - Most influential and consistent international WF of modern era, will provide width, stretch the backline on counter, commit defenders

OUR STORY BEGINS WITH THE MARACANA AND YEAR IS 1950 AD...

The Uruguayan party weren’t just wary. They were petrified. The Brazilians had, after all, put seven past Sweden and six past Spain in their last two games. And there was high expectation that the hosts would do the same to Uruguay. That day’s Rio papers had printed a photo of the side with the headline “Today, Brazil wins the World Cup”.

But, in the highly intimidating surroundings of a packed Maracana, Varela’s influence went beyond mere instruction and inspiration. There’s arguably never been a single player that has so dominated a World Cup final. Varela had a huge psychological effect on his team.

Certainly, Varela was winning the battle. As Brian Glanville wrote “it was now Varela who bestrode the field, nonchalant and indomitable, masterfully breaking up and launching attacks, the old-school centre-half par excellence.”

Curtailing the influence of a peerless international tournament attacker necessitates the presence of a peerless international tournament disruptor - in a paradoxical meeting of an unstoppable force and an immovable object - and it's hard to envision a more potent player in that aspect than OBDULIO VARELA - the man who brought Brazil to its knees, and led Uruguay to the summit of the football world in front of a hostile 200,000 strong Maracanã Stadium. Given the counter-attacking nature of our team, the talismanic Varela is going to be the center of gravity player - involved in both breaking down the opposition moves and instigating the build-up play from the back with efficient and quick passes.

Alongside him is another gold standard of international tournament performance as a box-to-box midfielder in JEAN TIGANA - a perfect amalgam of technique and stamina, the French midfielder was also renowned for his scything runs as the Robin to Platini's Batman in France's legendary Carré Magique setup. Indeed, so influential was Tigana through the tournament that he ended 2nd in the Ballon D'Or voting - with UEFA rating him alongside Platini (who scored a record 9 goals in '84):

Spoiler

Tigana '84 final assist:


Assist in the last minute of extra time in the semis vs Portugal:

Despite Santillana's continued aerial defiance, there was no way back, Yvon Le Roux's sending off five minutes from time coming too late. Instead Jean Tigana, the player of the tournament despite Platini's goals, sent Bellone through to chip Arconada for the only one of France's 14 goals to have been scored by a striker, a statistic the new champions could live with.

That strong midfield setup is going to act as the transitional platform for both offense and defense.

ATTACKING PHASE

The aim was to build a versatile, quick and free-scoring attack with players capable of blitzing the opposition defense in transitions.

Just ahead of Varela and Tigana is the 1950 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner ZIZINHO - who was at the heart of a Brazil team that scored 22 goals in 6 games en route to the final. Lauded as a 'complete player, renowned for his incredible array of offensive skills such as his dribbling, passing, and shooting ability with both feet, as well as his accuracy from dead ball situations and extraordinary vision' - Zizinho's comprehensive skillset allows us to shuffle between 3 and 4 man offensive setups in-game, apart from solidifying the midfield given his defensive workrate on and off the ball.

Spoiler: 1950 FOOTAGE OF MASTER ZIZA

The star, unquestionably, was Zizinho. The idol of a young Pele, he epitomised what is today regarded as the Brazilian style of football, with his mazy dribbles and defence splitting throughballs.

To the left is one of the most direct attackers in World Cup history in ARJEN ROBBEN. Considered by many to be the most threatening player of the 2014 edition of the tournament:

Robben was the most valuable player of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He opened up with a brace in the Netherlands' 5-1 thrashing of Spain, scoring the go-ahead goal and then humiliating the Spanish defence as he raced pass Sergio Ramos, breaking the World Cup’s all-time speed record in the process with some sources reporting a top speed of 37km/h, one that rivals some of the top olympic sprinters.

Robben scored three times for the Dutch at this World Cup and made one assist, but his contributions didn’t stop there. He made 19 deliveries into the penalty area, 95% of his shots were on target, he won 2 penalties, and made an incredible 38 solo runs into the opposing penalty area, more than any other player.

Robben also drew fouls aplenty with his pace and relentlessness in open space (a potential sore spot vs. Gentile):

Spoiler

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Clocked the fastest sprint in World Cup history:


And is the perfect fit given his role for the Netherlands as a wide attacker/pseudo second striker behind the 9:

Spoiler

On the opposite side is the equally direct one man army - EUSÈBIO- who dominated the 1966 World Cup and ended up as the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner.

Eusebio, the 'Black Panther' who lit up 1966 World Cup

Eusebio's nine goals in England propelled Portugal to a third-place finish, and a succession of opposing teams simply had no answer to the power and pace of his play. He scored twice in the 3-1 victory which sent holders Brazil out of the competition, showing great technique to lash home a spectacular volley for his second goal.

In the quarter-finals Eusebio was unstoppable, pulling off a one-man rescue act after Portugal went 3-0 down against North Korea after just 20 minutes. The Koreans were blown away by a four-goal display from Eusebio as the Portuguese won 5-3.

In the quarter-finals Eusebio was unstoppable, pulling off a one-man rescue act after Portugal went 3-0 down against North Korea after just 20 minutes. The Koreans were blown away by a four-goal display from Eusebio as the Portuguese won 5-3.

Given Robben and Eusébio's devastating pace and positional versatility, they offer the option of exchanging sides and operating in the channels wide of the 9.

And spearheading it all is the 2011 Copa América Player of the Tournament LUIS SUAREZ - a player renowned for his zestful demeanor, workrate and explosiveness in attack.

With pace, surprising strength, and precision - as infuriating as Luis Suarez's constant complaining can be - there is no doubt he is one of the most talented strikers in world football at the moment. Bagged four goals altogether, including a brace in the semis against Peru and the opener in the final.

DEFENSIVE PHASE

The aim was to build a rugged, athletic and defensively sound backline with a comprehensive wide offensive threat on the left channel.

The spare man in defense is ANDREAS BREHME - considered by many to be the most influential wingback in a single World Cup tournament for his mesmerizing performances in 1990 - where he was elected to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (apart from 3rd in the Ballon d'Or):


Scoring 3 goals, assisting 3 goals and converting the decisive penalty to lead West Germany to the title vs. Argentina.

France Football 1990 World Cup ratings:

Salvatore Schillaci (4,5,5,4,4) 4.4
Gascoigne (3,5,5,4,4,5) 4.3
Lothar Matthäus (6,5,4,5,3,3,4) 4.3
Andreas Brehme (4,4,5,3,5,5) 4.3

On the far right is GIUSEPPE BERGOMI - Italian national team captain in EURO 1988. A bastion of consistency and versatility in the backline, Bergomi was considered to be the best man-marker in the world at his peak, and was an immovable presence for Italy as a defensive fullback/cover central defender - while being elected to the 1988 UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament - excelling vs Denmark (facing Laudrup at his pomp), Spain and West Germany in the championship.

To the left is "The Rock" MARCEL DESAILLY - who formed the bedrock of France's central defensive dominance through the late '90s and early 2000s with Laurent Blanc. One of the most accomplished, strong and athletically complete stoppers in the history of international tournaments, Desailly was an indomitable presence in 1998 when he was elected to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team and 2000 when he elected to the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament as part of France's fabled defense.

Team of the tournament from the Times:

Centre back: Marcel Desailly (France)

The best player in the tournament, despite his foolish sending-off 20 minutes from the end of the final (when the game was done and he had seen off the threat of Ronaldo in Blanc's absence). Desailly kept France in the competition with his tackling and his interventions when its attack was misfiring. The most commanding player in the most assured defence, it will be a treat to watch him with Chelsea in the FA Carling Premiership.

Between Bergomi and Desailly is El Capitán de America HÈCTOR CHUMPITAZ- who was voted to the 1975 Copa América Team of the Tournament, rated as the best player for winners Peru behind Cubillas, and elected to the Copa America All-Star team, all-time - whilst being a stalwart for the team that conceded 0 goals vs Colombia in 3 final matches of 1975 Copa América. Chumpitaz's leadership ability gives us a valuable marshal in defense to organize the unit, his technical presence gives us the option of having another builder in possession from the back, and his combativeness when stepping up can be an auxiliary limiting influence on Maradona. Plus, Chumpitaz's short stature and reading ability is a good fit with Maradona's evasiveness.

Rounding off the defensive unit is one of the very, very, very few goalkeepers to overshadow an international tournament like a Goliath while dragging his team all the way to the final in OLIVER KHAN:

Spoiler: KHAN IN WORLD CUP 2002

Who shone like no other player in 2002 - winning the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball ahead of Fenómeno and Ballack and Ronaldinho and Rivaldo - conceding only 1 goal prior to the final. Kahn's inspired, herculian presence is the ultimate stumbling block for an attack led by Maradona.

 

[green_smiley]

@Isotope @Raees @Invictus good luck

 

[Raees]

Thanks @green_smiley @Annahnomoss. Best of luck @Isotope.

 

[Annahnomoss]

A team without a left flank against a team without a right flank. You guys are lucky to face each other as now it won't matter. Looking forward to hear the discussion on how that will go down.

 

[Raees]

@green_smiley - our quotes are missing

 

[Annahnomoss]

Thanks GS for starting the match!

 

[Raees]

A team without a left flank against a team without a right flank. You guys are lucky to face each other as now it won't matter. Looking forward to hear the discussion on how that will go down.

We have genuine game stretching width down the left.. and on the right, Ziza/Eusebio can dribble to all-time great levels on the flank. Admittedly the right flank isn't perfect from a width perspective, but his side looks super narrow to me and Baggio is on the wrong side. Even if Baggio is on the left, he loves to cut in.. so where is the width on either flank from his perspective?

 

[green_smiley]

@green_smiley - our quotes are missing

Done

 

[Raees]

Done

Thanks bud x

 

[Annahnomoss]

We have genuine game stretching width down the left.. and on the right, Ziza/Eusebio can dribble to all-time great levels on the flank. Admittedly the right flank isn't perfect from a width perspective, but his side looks super narrow to me and Baggio is on the wrong side. Even if Baggio is on the left, he loves to cut in.. so where is the width on either flank from his perspective?

Yup. Already voted for you guys for that reason.

 

[Invictus]

This seems to be well set up for Brehme to be a big difference maker in the opposition's half like in Italia '90:

Plenty of room for him to exploit, especially in tandem with Robben - who can drag Gentile from the backline and disrupt its integrity.

 

[Enigma_87]

@Raees have you guys thought of switching Eusebio and Robben?

Robben on the right is natural as you get and Eusebio inside left with Brehme on the flank solves a lot of your problems.

Also can you give me a bit more info on Chumpitaz in 1975 Copa? I was looking at him for the exact same tournament. It couldn't find more than generic info on him.

 

[Tuppet]

Kocsis is so wasted here !!

Zoltan Czibor sauntered into the dressing room, wholly satisfied by his first-half exhibition. Hungary led Sweden 3-0 in their Men's Olympic Football Tournament Helsinki 1952 semi-final. He had put the first-minute opener on a plate for Ferenc Puskas, witnessed the same player cannon a shot against the crossbar from his teasing centre, and then saw another of his crosses, which was en route to the infallible left boot of 'The Galloping Major', diverted into his own goal by Gosta Lindh.

"Congratulation was expected. Condemnation arrived. Directing it was a team-mate - Kocsis. 'He told me to stop crossing low for Puskas, that if I'd put more crosses in the air we'd have scored even more,' explained Czibor. 'Puskas was the greatest player in the world. I don't think anybody else would have dared take issue'. The protester nevertheless had a voice that commanded attention. Czibor took heed and began to alternate between low and high crosses. The critic duly vindicated his half-time outburst by scoring twice en route to a 6-0 victory."

 

[Invictus]

@Raees have you guys thought of switching Eusebio and Robben?

Yep, that bit was included in the OP:

Given Robben and Eusébio's devastating pace and positional versatility, they offer the option of exchanging sides and operating in the channels wide of the 9.

Since we're a counter-based team, and both Eusébio and Robben had relatively spread out heat maps from right to left, they aren't going to adhere to the exact setup in the graphic - but be more fluid in terms of positional exchange. If we look at some of their games from '66 and '14, they attacked through both sides of the pitch:



Though Robben will start on the left to unsettle Gentile a bit using his peak World Cup pace.

 

[Joga Bonito]

Not exactly a fan of either sides here. Straight off the bat, both sides look far too narrow, but Brehme does negate that a lot for Raees/Invictus side.

Don't really get R/I's attack-midfield dynamics here. Zizinho playing fairly deep doesn't sit right with me and he was more of a part of the famed attacking trio of Jair-Ademir-Zizinho, and whilst he could be relied on to drop deep and conduct attacking play once in a while (Bauer-Alvim reportedly took care of the majority of the build-up play), him starting this deep as part of the midfield, doesn't seem right to me. Also with Robben in his free roaming relatively more central SS role (although he can be relied on to work the channels and flanks), and Eusebio it doesn't exactly seem conducive to me. Would also like more info on Suarez's 2011 CA, as by my reckoning he was still a fairly roaming SS-ish player at this point of time (forging a nice partership with Forlan), as opposed to the matured spear-head that we see now. Perhaps @antohan could provide more first hand info there. Love the back 6 though, and it's extremely solid with Brehme being given the ideal platform to shine, which is quite significant given his WC form. Nedved should have played here imo and going by his Euros form, he was better than Robben for me.


Isotope's set-up has almost non-existent width too although his side-midfielders and Baggio-Maradona should help to some extent with that, with their ease on the flanks. Think Maradona would work pretty well here, with that direct yet solid midfield and alognside Baggio (on his wrong side here) which should be a joy to watch. Though Varela, Tigana are a solid midfield pairing who wouldn't make it easy for Maradona here.

I've gone with Isotope with the slightest of margins as I can't see RI's midfield and attack being cohesive here as it stands but I'm bloody tempted to change my vote just on the basis of Davids and bloody Junior (for Tarantini ffs) being benched here.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Not sure about Khan's credentials at this level.

Well, if it's Shere - he does have the jump. Aga, however, strikes me as a bit too rigid.

 

[Ecstatic]

Has the game started?

Tonight, I will have the time to find something to say about the confrontation.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Yes, Tarantini. I remember spending some rather dull hours researching him a while ago.

Peaked early, bit of a playboy, notable for doing a Cantona while playing in England (he physically assaulted a man in the crowd who mocked him for being sent off), easily most famous for being part of the '78 WC team.

Can't question his «tournament peak», of course, but he didn't strike me as being anything special as a player (not least in an all-time context).

 

[Gio]

Two fairly strong teams. I don't think either teamsheet helps to counter the width concern. Isotope's is too long and narrow - if going for the symmetrical look, pair Kocsis and Baggio across the same line (and stick an arrow on Netto to get him pushing out wide left). Netto should be a good asset on the left here, but he needs some freedom from the CM duties to do so (already well covered by Deschamps and Vidal). He could be a game changer if unleashed IMO. Like the counter-attacking approach that Raees/Invictus have adopted, should play to the strengths of the front trio. I rate Robben's 2014 World Cup very highly (probably the player of the tournament) where he played in a front two, effectively free-roaming off Van Persie.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Eusebio inside left

Eusebio on left will look as sore as Baggio on the right.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Raees team will act more like a 4-2-4 may get out muscled in the midfield. Brehme crossing from the midfield will be a very potent outlet for them and I don't see Iso stopping that at all.

As to Iso's team, it'll be only half as effective without width. Also the Maradona/Baggio dynamic needs more thought. Baggio will have to sacrifice a bit and create openings with his movement. Should be OK, I suppose.

Gone for Iso as I think he'll control the midfield a bit more and moments of brilliance from Maradona/Baggio to take him past this game.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Interesting choice of Euro Gentile over the WC winning incarnation. Can't say I've studied his Euro performances in detail, so it strikes me as a surprising choice, not least since the WC version should be extremely easy to sell.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Interesting choice of Euro Gentile over the WC winning incarnation. Can't say I've studied his Euro performances in detail, so it strikes me as a surprising choice, not least since the WC version should be extremely easy to sell.

Yeah would also like to hear more about that choice.

 

[Invictus]

Raees team will act more like a 4-2-4 may get out muscled in the midfield.

Don't see how a midfield with Varela and Tigana:

...no one could begrudge that French midfield its greatest day, especially Platini and the unquenchable Tigana, who made the winner on his 29th birthday.

Can get outmuscled by the opposition, to be honest - if anything, Varela is going to an even bigger factor against the odds of a slight numerical advantage. You could argue that these two had the greatest tournament peaks of all the central midfielders on display with their performances in '50 and '84. There seems to be some conflation between the general career performances rather than more tangible tournament peaks in this case, IMO. For reference, Netto played 2 games in the tournament proper in the '60 European Nations' Cup - can that be used to adequately judge him against someone like Tigana (who played 5 games and dominated EURO 1984 - including the semi-final and final stage)?

 

[Tuppet]

So I went back and read some more about Zizinho, and his positioning on the team sheet looks really wrong to me now. From what I've read he was a right inside forward, more like a Meazza or Eusebio himself. Here he is placed like a central midfielder, isn't he going to play in same areas as Eusebio ? @Invictus @Raees

 

[Invictus]

So I went back and read some more about Zizinho, and his positioning on the team sheet looks really wrong to me now. From what I've read he was a right inside forward, more like a Meazza or Eusebio himself. Here he is placed like a central midfielder, isn't he going to play in same areas as Eusebio ? @Invictus @Raees

Shouldn't be a big problem, IMO. '50 Zizinho interpreted the IF role as a mix of attacker and midfielder who dropped slightly deeper and helped build ahead of Danilo and Beuer (kinda replicated by Varela and Tigana) whereas Jair was more direct and Ademir was a target of sorts - reflected by other tournaments, too. eg. Copa América '49:

9 Goals Jair
7 Goals Ademir
5 Goals Zizinho

And '66 Eusébio roamed around - doing a bit of everything.

So he could release Zizinho with a pass when he drops:


He could attack through the left when Robben goes slightly wide:


He could go wide left and release Robben or Brehme:



The graphic signifies their staring position, but since the attack in based on counter approach - the players are going to spread out. So Eusébio can attack through the middle when Zizinho goes right - Zizinho could attack through the center when Eusébio and Robben switch flanks, etc. That was kind of the approach we were aiming for.

The aim was to build a versatile, quick and free-scoring attack with players capable of blitzing the opposition defense in transitions.

Zizinho's comprehensive skillset allows us to shuffle between 3 and 4 man offensive setups in-game, apart from solidifying the midfield given his defensive workrate on and off the ball.

In Pele’s words when asked about his idol during his playing days with Santos, “Zizinho was the complete article. Played as well in the midfield as he did in the attack. He was offensive, and new how to mark. He wasn’t afraid to get ugly either [reference to the often physical and intimidating nature of games at the time].”

In that sense, he's not too different from someone like Valentino Mazzola, as opposed to a Meazza - who was more of a forward.

 

[antohan]

If we are talking those specific WCs I'd have Baggio roaming on the left and Maradona on the right.

 

[Ecstatic]

Isotope has a superb offensive trio I would have put Baggio slightly on the left though.

Given his first picks, I thought Isotope would deploy a 3-5-2 with a player like Juan Pablo Sorin instead of Tarantini. Nesta 2000 played in a 3-5-2 system.

On the other hand, I can understand the rationale: Passarella 78 and Tarantini 78 won the WC in a system with 4 defenders.

The flanks lack offensive-minded players while a player like Kocsis shone in a system with golden wingers.

Maradona is the super star so he would have deserved the system in which he reached his peak. Same for Cruyff who has been sacrificed to please Seeler.


**********************************

Team Raees has a strong defence. Surprised not to see Robben on the right.

I would have used Suarez on the left, Eusebio as a false 9, and Robben on the right

**********************************

I vote for Raees

 

[Ecstatic]

If we are talking those specific WCs I'd have Baggio roaming on the left and Maradona on the right.

I agree about Baggio.

Maradona was pretty mobile so I can understand the choice of Iso

 

[antohan]

@Joga Bonito Suárez was the support striker version we saw at Pool, able to drop back and create or step forth as striker.

Our frontline was quite fluid and used him in both roles. Against Argentina he was all by himself upfront with Cavani at RM and Forlán very deep. Other times it would be Suarez-Cavani with Diego behind them. I'd say the role here with Eusebio and Robben would work well with that Suárez.

 

[antohan]

Isotope has a superb offensive trio I would have put Baggio slightly on the left though.

Given his first picks, I thought Isotope would deploy a 3-5-2 with a player like Juan Pablo Sorin instead of Tarantini. Nesta 2000 played in a 3-5-2 system.

On the other hand, I can understand the rationale: Passarella 78 and Tarantini 78 won the WC in a system with 4 defenders.

The flanks lack offensive-minded players while a player like Kocsis shone in a system with golden wingers.

Maradona is the super star so he would have deserved the system in which he reached his peak. Same for Cruyff who has been sacrificed to please Seeler.


**********************************

Team Raees has a strong defence. Surprised not to see Robben on the right.

I would have used Suarez on the left, Eusebio as a false 9, and Robben on the right

**********************************

I vote for Raees

Iso asked me about it and was mulling over a 3-5-2.

The problem was Angloma whom he picked off him being in the 92 Euro XI and I couldn't remember him even being a starter. As it turns out he had started only one game, which left him needing to field Netto on the right (which we know he could do but obviously have feck all idea if he did successfully in a tourno).

I think that would have worked really well myself (or at least better than Angloma on the right).

 

[Gio]

Iso is crying out for a 3-5-2 here.

Why the hell is Davids not on the park? He was sensational in 1998 and 2000.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Iso asked me about it and was mulling over a 3-5-2.

The problem was Angloma whom he picked off him being in the 92 Euro XI and I couldn't remember him even being a starter. As it turns out he had started only one game, which left him needing to field Netto on the right (which we know he could do but obviously have feck all idea if he did successfully in a tourno).

I think that would have worked really well myself (or at least better than Angloma on the right).

Better than Angloma but I believe Netto was left footed and primarily played on the left in general through out his career. Tricky situation with Angloma and it is noticeable that something went wrong along the way.

 

[Gio]

Iso asked me about it and was mulling over a 3-5-2.

The problem was Angloma whom he picked off him being in the 92 Euro XI and I couldn't remember him even being a starter. As it turns out he had started only one game, which left him needing to field Netto on the right (which we know he could do but obviously have feck all idea if he did successfully in a tourno).

I think that would have worked really well myself (or at least better than Angloma on the right).

Angloma is a weird one in that he got in the Team of the Tournament despite only appearing for 112 minutes. He was a fine player at the time and France played a 3-5-2 so you could almost wing it with him there. In your team above I'd even be tempted to sacrifice Vidal for Baggio to inject some more pizzazz into the attack, given Davids and Deschamps will do all the heavy lifting required.

 

[Balu]

Iso asked me about it and was mulling over a 3-5-2.

The problem was Angloma whom he picked off him being in the 92 Euro XI and I couldn't remember him even being a starter. As it turns out he had started only one game, which left him needing to field Netto on the right (which we know he could do but obviously have feck all idea if he did successfully in a tourno).

I think that would have worked really well myself (or at least better than Angloma on the right).

I actually don't mind Vidal in that right midfield position from the op if you pick him for his 2010 role under Bielsa instead of his 2015 Copa version. He actually played as a right wingback a few times in the qualification if I remember correctly and switched from leftback in his first game at the World Cup 2010 to a right midfield/right wingback hybrid role for the rest of the tournament and did really well, mostly running down the wing and providing good support for a free roaming Sanchez, who was more a 2nd forward than a right winger. Not necessarily his individual peak compared to his midfield roles in later tournaments, but I could see it working in a somewhat lopsided 433ish/343ish formation with Maradona, Baggio part of the 3 attackers.

 

[Annahnomoss]

I actually don't mind Vidal in that right midfield position from the op if you pick him for his 2010 role under Bielsa instead of his 2015 Copa version. He actually played as a right wingback a few times in the qualification if I remember correctly and switched from leftback in his first game at the World Cup 2010 to a right midfield/right wingback hybrid role for the rest of the tournament and did really well, mostly running down the wing and providing good support for a free roaming Sanchez, who was more a 2nd forward than a right winger. Not necessarily his individual peak compared to his midfield roles in later tournaments, but I could see it working in a somewhat lopsided 433ish/343ish formation with Maradona, Baggio part of the 3 attackers.

Now that is a legit solution!

 

[Ecstatic]

I vote for Raees

@Raees

The smiley wasn't about you: I forgot to write the sentence 'Where is Isotope? '

 

[Ecstatic]

@Joga Bonito Suárez was the support striker version we saw at Pool, able to drop back and create or step forth as striker.

Our frontline was quite fluid and used him in both roles. Against Argentina he was all by himself upfront with Cavani at RM and Forlán very deep. Other times it would be Suarez-Cavani with Diego behind them. I'd say the role here with Eusebio and Robben would work well with that Suárez.

Something like that?

 

[Ecstatic]

Iso is crying out for a 3-5-2 here.

Why the hell is Davids not on the park? He was sensational in 1998 and 2000.

Oh! Davids on the bench, unbelievable

 

[Šjor Bepo]

I wouldnt even mind a 2016 Copa version of Vidal as a RWB in that antohan formation and then you can have the midfield of Netto and Davids.
Its not the greatest solution but it could work, i was doing a research for Vidal before for my Total Football team and he was perfect for the RCM role so a bit modified RWB role would be a decent option for me.