PROLIFIK:
SJOR BEPO:
PROLIFIK TACTICS:
Liability #1: Sergio Ramos
The primary concern with Ramos is his tendency to lose his head, so I've surrounded him with defenders who can be relied on to maintain their discipline. Both full-backs are conscientious and will tuck inside to cover when required. Koeman and Kanté provide additional security in front of the back four.
Liability #2: Ronald Koeman
Koeman's weakness is his lack of pace which can be more exploitable as a libero/centre-back. We've instead moved him into midfield where he can use his vision and distribution run the show from deep. Kanté's athleticism and defensive awareness complements him well in this setup. He will frequently drop back into defence to create an extra man, giving Bergomi and Cole more licence to get forward and create overloads with Conti and Pires.
Maverick: Paul Gascoigne
Our entire setup is devised to get the best out of Gazza. This setup is a bit more conservative with Koeman and Kanté alongside him. Although ostensibly more defensive players, they do offer some attacking qualitied to support Gazza: Koeman with his deep playmaking, and Kanté with his ball-carrying ability. Conti and Pires are both comfortable playing slightly more advanced roles, and Pires in particular is capable of weighing in with goals from the wing to help make up for what we lose with Dalglish being dropped. With his strength and hold-up play, Shearer will do fine as the lone striker, and will receive plenty of service both from Gazza and Koeman in midfield and from our stellar wide play.
SJOR BEPO TACTICS:
Tactics:
Flavor of the month, modern interpretation of WM/MW. Team that can mix it up a bit, can easily go high press and more possession based just like they can drop a bit deeper and play on the counter.
Not only can they mix it up in style but also in formations as they can easily switch to a back 4:
Juan Carlos Valeron
Crown jewel of the famous Deportivo side that was everyone favorite team in the early 00s. Fantastic side that played attractive football with little to no global stars which was refreshing in Spain at the time cause it was a Galatico Era at Madrid. Sadly they never done it in the league, went runners up twice in a row but at least they won the Copa del Rey in Real Madrid backyard to stop them completing a treble in their centenary season.
For two years on the spin they provided the winners of the Pichichi trophy for the top scorer in La Liga: Diego Tristan with 21 in 2001-2002 and Roy Makaay with 29 goals in 2002-2003.
With Valeron behind them, it was no coincidence. Makaay described the Canary Islander as the best player he ever played with.
They did their magic in Champions League as well taking scalps of great Arsenal side, Man United, Bayern and most famously Milan after overturning a 4:1 deficit from the first game with a 4:0 spectacle at Riazor.
Who is Valeron and what does he need?
A true number 10, there were plenty of better 10s in the history of the game but if you ever needed a textbook number 10 then he is your guy. Great spatial awareness, defenders just couldnt get near him even though he didnt run that much, nor was he fast or even strong - he was just too smart. Fantastic eye for a pass, matched with a great range of passing but unlike lets say Riquelme he wasnt trigger happy, he had that balance of what to do in every situation rather then forcing a killer pass too often. Player that loved a one two with his teammates, probably not a surprise David Silva adores him and was modelling his game on his idol - which is why he wore n21 during his whole career.
In this team i surrounded him with players with proven track record of being a great supporting cast. He has everything here that he needs to shine - 9 hardworking, defensively sound players that can cover his potential weaknesses alongside a 3 at the back system that gives the team a good amount of protection.
On the ball there is everything, players that are great in possession, plenty of players to play his "tiki taka" game and plenty of runners of the ball to offer him options for a through pass.
Fernando Hierro
Very odd player, at one point he can completely shut down peak Fenomeno but on another occasion he can be destroyed by some random average joe. Considering his pros and cons, decided to play him in a libero role with 4 players that are perfectly capable of playing in a back 4 in odd case he gets dragged away from the defensive shape. On the ball he can play it around with ease and find more advanced players even through potential high press of the opposition. He also had an insane goal record of 102 goals in 439 games at his time in Madrid which is insane.
SJOR BEPO:
PROLIFIK TACTICS:
Liability #1: Sergio Ramos
The primary concern with Ramos is his tendency to lose his head, so I've surrounded him with defenders who can be relied on to maintain their discipline. Both full-backs are conscientious and will tuck inside to cover when required. Koeman and Kanté provide additional security in front of the back four.
Liability #2: Ronald Koeman
Koeman's weakness is his lack of pace which can be more exploitable as a libero/centre-back. We've instead moved him into midfield where he can use his vision and distribution run the show from deep. Kanté's athleticism and defensive awareness complements him well in this setup. He will frequently drop back into defence to create an extra man, giving Bergomi and Cole more licence to get forward and create overloads with Conti and Pires.
Maverick: Paul Gascoigne
Our entire setup is devised to get the best out of Gazza. This setup is a bit more conservative with Koeman and Kanté alongside him. Although ostensibly more defensive players, they do offer some attacking qualitied to support Gazza: Koeman with his deep playmaking, and Kanté with his ball-carrying ability. Conti and Pires are both comfortable playing slightly more advanced roles, and Pires in particular is capable of weighing in with goals from the wing to help make up for what we lose with Dalglish being dropped. With his strength and hold-up play, Shearer will do fine as the lone striker, and will receive plenty of service both from Gazza and Koeman in midfield and from our stellar wide play.
SJOR BEPO TACTICS:
Tactics:
Flavor of the month, modern interpretation of WM/MW. Team that can mix it up a bit, can easily go high press and more possession based just like they can drop a bit deeper and play on the counter.
Not only can they mix it up in style but also in formations as they can easily switch to a back 4:
Juan Carlos Valeron
Crown jewel of the famous Deportivo side that was everyone favorite team in the early 00s. Fantastic side that played attractive football with little to no global stars which was refreshing in Spain at the time cause it was a Galatico Era at Madrid. Sadly they never done it in the league, went runners up twice in a row but at least they won the Copa del Rey in Real Madrid backyard to stop them completing a treble in their centenary season.
For two years on the spin they provided the winners of the Pichichi trophy for the top scorer in La Liga: Diego Tristan with 21 in 2001-2002 and Roy Makaay with 29 goals in 2002-2003.
With Valeron behind them, it was no coincidence. Makaay described the Canary Islander as the best player he ever played with.
They did their magic in Champions League as well taking scalps of great Arsenal side, Man United, Bayern and most famously Milan after overturning a 4:1 deficit from the first game with a 4:0 spectacle at Riazor.
Who is Valeron and what does he need?
A true number 10, there were plenty of better 10s in the history of the game but if you ever needed a textbook number 10 then he is your guy. Great spatial awareness, defenders just couldnt get near him even though he didnt run that much, nor was he fast or even strong - he was just too smart. Fantastic eye for a pass, matched with a great range of passing but unlike lets say Riquelme he wasnt trigger happy, he had that balance of what to do in every situation rather then forcing a killer pass too often. Player that loved a one two with his teammates, probably not a surprise David Silva adores him and was modelling his game on his idol - which is why he wore n21 during his whole career.
In this team i surrounded him with players with proven track record of being a great supporting cast. He has everything here that he needs to shine - 9 hardworking, defensively sound players that can cover his potential weaknesses alongside a 3 at the back system that gives the team a good amount of protection.
On the ball there is everything, players that are great in possession, plenty of players to play his "tiki taka" game and plenty of runners of the ball to offer him options for a through pass.
Fernando Hierro
Very odd player, at one point he can completely shut down peak Fenomeno but on another occasion he can be destroyed by some random average joe. Considering his pros and cons, decided to play him in a libero role with 4 players that are perfectly capable of playing in a back 4 in odd case he gets dragged away from the defensive shape. On the ball he can play it around with ease and find more advanced players even through potential high press of the opposition. He also had an insane goal record of 102 goals in 439 games at his time in Madrid which is insane.
). Also love to reunite the Pires-Cole combo.