Joga Bonito/Balu Tactics
OVERVIEW
The team employs a straightforward 4-2-3-1 - featuring an exciting and multi-faceted offense, a complete enigne room and a resolute defense. Tactically it's fairly simple with an emphasis on keeping things tight at the back, a facilitatory midfield unit bridging defense and offense; whilst playing a fairly direct game from which our attack would thrive in.
THE BACK LINE
Eike Immel broke through as a 17 year old in Dortmund and instantly became a success in goal. Having made his international debut at just 19 years old (a record at that time), he went on to be a part of the 1980 Euro winning German vintage as back up to Schumacher. After 8 solid years for Dortmund, he then transferred to Stuttgart for a record transfer for a goalie. He went to win the Bundesliga in 1992 and made the UEFA final in addition to starting in goal for Germany in Euro 1988.
Giuseppe Bergomi is tasked with marshalling the defense and together with his compatriot Ferri, he reforges and impregnable unit at the back - just as they did for two defensively formidable sides in Inter and Italy. An exceptional man-marker, the moustachioed hardman certainly knew a thing or two about about shutting down the opposition, and holding the fort like few others. His trusted lieutenant Riccardo Ferri was an excellent all-round defender who kept the likes of Vierchowod and Ferrara out of the Italian side. Pacy, robust and tactically astute, Ferri's versatility meant that he was equally at home as a side-back/sweeper.
Dani Alves was a real tour de force on the right flank, with his barnstorming runs and sheer creative output - 15 league assists in a single season at his peak for Barca. He simply added a whole new dimension to one of the greatest sides ever with his wingsmanship and quality stream of supply from the right - in addition to linking up brilliantly with the central players on the ball. You can expect him to dovetail well with Häßler, who is certainly no stranger to playing alongside a wing-back, and keep things ticking along from the back with the likes of Dunga and Alonso.
Dedê was a mainstay for more than a decade for Borussia Dortmund and his lung bursting runs were a regular feature of the Die Borussen. A fan favourite, he was a key figure in Dortmund's Bundesliga triumph in 2002, and it's a testament to his longevity that he was still present as a squad player, in Klopp's title winning side almost a decade later. Even during Dortmund's worst periods, he showed resilience and individual quality, providing 11 assists when they fought relegation in 07/08 along with the assist for the last minute equaliser in the cup final that season (which they lost in extra time against Bayern).
ENGINE ROOM
Arguably the best midfielder of his ilk in this draft, Spanish maestro Xabi Alonso is the creative metronome of this ensemble and he would be right at the heart of our team's plays. The Spaniard was an uncanny and a smooth operator capable of both excelling in a lower tempo possession set up (tiki-taka Spain) or being the creative lynchpin of a rapid high tempo side (Mourinho's counter attacking Real). Defensively he was excellent and whilst he excelled at cutting out passing lanes and playing the role of an interceptor, he was also capable of putting his foot down if need be.
The gritty destroyer Dunga screens the defense and plays his usual 'protect and serve' role in midfield as the unsung water-carrier. Tactically impeccable, Dunga's reading of the game in fine blend with his physicality and leadership qualities, made him a formidable presence in the middle. A fine passer of the ball, Dunga's no-frills direct passing was always a key feature for both club and country. In tandem with the central Alonso and Aimar, it most certainly would take some doing to dispossess that trio.
OFFENSE
A sublimely talented playmaker at his pomp, Pablo Aimar could scythe through a defense with both his trickery and vision. El Mago was a talismanic figure for the successful early noughties Valencia vintage which bagged two la ligas amongst several other trophies. The magical Argentine wizard sported a twin-pronged threat on the ball, pulling the strings in the final third or dazzling his opponents with his mesmerising trickery. A rapid trickster and an intuitive playmaker rolled into one, Aimar was damn near unplayable for Valencia.
Goalscoring machine Diego Forlan was amongst the best forwards in the world for Atletico and Villareal, with his fulminating long range missiles and predatory instincts coming right to the fore. 128 goals in seven seasons bagged him two pichichis (the highest for any individual in this draft) and 2 European Golden Shoes for good measure. Whilst his goalscoring exploits were a remarkable feat, it would do Forlan a huge disservice to reduce his la liga career to mere goals. The marauding forward was a inspirational figure for both club and country with his industry, link-up play and dynamism always on display for all to see.
Thomas Häßler was a real livewire whose creativity, incessant running and technical ingenuity made him stand out in a quality WC winning German generation. The pint sized dynamo was a real menace, with his bewildering low centre of gravity giving him the ability to whisk and jinx past players, and his grafting making him a truly pesky presence off the ball. Häßler's tactical malleability and all-round game meant that he was equally at ease at various roles and positions whilst his quality was undeniable.
The lethal hitman Hernan Crespo was a consummate goalscorer who boasted a stunning array of finishes in his arsenal. At his peak at Serie A for Parma and Lazio, Crespo bagged a whopping 101 goals in 170 games (including an incredible 39 goals in just 55 for Lazio), winning the golden boot and earning himself a then-world transfer record of £35 million to Lazio. His horizontal runs behind the defence and his clinical finishing made him a nightmare to face, and a joy to watch. It took him just four seasons to become Parma's all-time top goal scorer and it was no surprise that he was named as Parma’s greatest ever player. It speaks volumes that Crespo is still regarded as being of one of Serie A's deadliest ever strikers in an era where he vied with the likes of Shevchenko, Batistuta and Vieri for top billing.
KEY POINTS
1) Our proven and complementary CB duo and the deep screening midfield fulcrum should match up well against RedTiger's diamond. Esp Dunga, a pragmatic tactical mastermind whose organisational skills and ability to dominate and shut down the central areas, would prove to be invaluable in this match-up against the RedTiger's central threats.
2) A fluid and multi-faceted attack with Forlan's probing runs from his favourite left channels & goalscoring prowess and Crespo's all-round spearhead play, synchronising finely with Aimar's and Häßler's invention and ball carrying threat. All three are well-versed at interchanging roles and playing a fluid game if need be. Forlan, who was as to footed as they come, excelled both from a central position and as an inside left, Häßler was capable of playing anywhere alongside the advanced midfield line and Aimar whilst primarily a central #10, was excellent in the wider areas with his pace and trickery.
It's also notable that both Forlan and Häßler were true grafters in every sense of the word, whilst Aimar was no slouch in this regard too, having played in the exacting Benitez's off the ball system. It's fair to say that they will be quite the forward line to deal with in both basic phases.
3)Dani Alves. One of the greatest wing-backs of the modern era, his combination with Häßler would be a mouthwatering one.
With Alves's wingsmanship and Häßler craft and selflessness, it has all the makings of a threatening flank. Dede's adventurous game on the left ties in very well with Forlan's inside left role, constituting for two balanced flanks.
vs
I'll have Sensini man-mark Xabi Alonso.