SJOR BEPO:
MICHAEL:
SJOR BEPO TACTICS:
Tactics:
352 with Valeron as the center piece. 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.
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.
MICHAEL TACTICS:
My team will play a 5-3-2 formation as follows:
GK: Jose Luis Chilavert
LIB: Ronald Koeman
RCB: Claudio Gentile
LCB: Pietro Vierchowod
LWB: Antonio Benarrivo
RCM: Marco Tardelli
LCM: Obdulio Varela
AM: Sandro Mazzola
RS (#9): Alberto Spencer
LS (Deeper): Enzo Francescoli
"Liability" - Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman was a brilliant attacking defender both in terms of long range passing and goal scoring (he is the top scoring defender of all time). In his three seasons at PSV Koeman scored 19 goals in 39 games, 26 goals in 46 games and 18 goals in 45 games before scoring 19 goals in 48 games in his first season at Barcelona. These numbers would be considered acceptable although not elite for strikers/inside forwards in our drafts never mind a defender. Koeman was particularly adept at free-kicks from both long and short range with journalist Rob Smyth describing his free-kicks as follows:
Koeman's main perceived defensive weakness on this forum and for most of his time at Barcelona was his lack of pace. However a post in this topic at PES Stats Database argues that this was due to achilles tendon surgery and that before this his pace wasn't slow but also wasn't quick either. In this 2017 article in the Manchester Evening News it is confirmed that Koeman injured his achilles in 1990. Koeman also played significantly less games both in the league and in total during the 1990-91 season than in his other seasons at Barcelona. Therefore, given that none of my opponent's attackers are renowned for their quickness and the strength of the defensive unit around him (Vierchowod in particular was one of the quickest defenders in the world), I am not worried about Koeman's pace in this match.
"Maverick" - Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli won many individual honours over a long career. He was South American Footballer of the Year in 1984 and 1995, Argentine Footballer of the Year in 1985 and 1995 (the first non-Argentine to win this award), Copa America player of the Tournament in 1983 and 1995, a member of the South American Team of the Year in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Foreign Player of the Year in France in 1990 and the Argentine Primera Division Top Scorer 3 times 10 years apart. Francescoli was a two footed playmaker who could play as a #10, SS or a ST who was renowned for his dribbling and passing skills as well as his ability to score goals (he scored 25 in 32 for River Plate in 1985-86 for example). He could also play deeper as he did at Cagliari where he did well enough to be included in a fans voted All-Time Cagliari XI. In my set up he can create chances for Spencer in a more advanced role and Mazzola from midfield. The inclusion of Mazzola also provides creative assistance for Enzo without taking away from his role as the main play maker. In my team he should also have an important goal scoring role.
Other Strengths and Advantages
MICHAEL:
SJOR BEPO TACTICS:
Tactics:
352 with Valeron as the center piece. 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.
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.
MICHAEL TACTICS:
My team will play a 5-3-2 formation as follows:
GK: Jose Luis Chilavert
LIB: Ronald Koeman
RCB: Claudio Gentile
LCB: Pietro Vierchowod
LWB: Antonio Benarrivo
RCM: Marco Tardelli
LCM: Obdulio Varela
AM: Sandro Mazzola
RS (#9): Alberto Spencer
LS (Deeper): Enzo Francescoli
"Liability" - Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman was a brilliant attacking defender both in terms of long range passing and goal scoring (he is the top scoring defender of all time). In his three seasons at PSV Koeman scored 19 goals in 39 games, 26 goals in 46 games and 18 goals in 45 games before scoring 19 goals in 48 games in his first season at Barcelona. These numbers would be considered acceptable although not elite for strikers/inside forwards in our drafts never mind a defender. Koeman was particularly adept at free-kicks from both long and short range with journalist Rob Smyth describing his free-kicks as follows:
My team takes advantage of Koeman's attacking strengths in a multitude of ways. Firstly the defensive set up around him gives him complete freedom to get forward and attack (Even if Koeman was removed from the team, the back 6 is still elite particularly in this draft where many ATG's have been blocked). Secondly, the pace of Alberto Spencer (who was used to playing in a counter attacking team with quick transitions at Penarol) will take full advantage of Koeman's long range passing. Thirdly, the opponent's defending will be effected by the knowledge that it is extremely dangerous to give away free-kicks in advanced positions which should make Mazzola, Francescoli and Spencer more difficult to defend against.
Koeman's main perceived defensive weakness on this forum and for most of his time at Barcelona was his lack of pace. However a post in this topic at PES Stats Database argues that this was due to achilles tendon surgery and that before this his pace wasn't slow but also wasn't quick either. In this 2017 article in the Manchester Evening News it is confirmed that Koeman injured his achilles in 1990. Koeman also played significantly less games both in the league and in total during the 1990-91 season than in his other seasons at Barcelona. Therefore, given that none of my opponent's attackers are renowned for their quickness and the strength of the defensive unit around him (Vierchowod in particular was one of the quickest defenders in the world), I am not worried about Koeman's pace in this match.
"Maverick" - Enzo Francescoli
Enzo Francescoli won many individual honours over a long career. He was South American Footballer of the Year in 1984 and 1995, Argentine Footballer of the Year in 1985 and 1995 (the first non-Argentine to win this award), Copa America player of the Tournament in 1983 and 1995, a member of the South American Team of the Year in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Foreign Player of the Year in France in 1990 and the Argentine Primera Division Top Scorer 3 times 10 years apart. Francescoli was a two footed playmaker who could play as a #10, SS or a ST who was renowned for his dribbling and passing skills as well as his ability to score goals (he scored 25 in 32 for River Plate in 1985-86 for example). He could also play deeper as he did at Cagliari where he did well enough to be included in a fans voted All-Time Cagliari XI. In my set up he can create chances for Spencer in a more advanced role and Mazzola from midfield. The inclusion of Mazzola also provides creative assistance for Enzo without taking away from his role as the main play maker. In my team he should also have an important goal scoring role.
Other Strengths and Advantages
- I see Leandro's crossing ability combined with Spencer's aerial ability as a good route to goal
- In a strong defensive unit I would like to highlight Pietro Vierchowod who was described by Maradona as his toughest opponent, by van Basten as one of the best defenders he ever faced (along with Riccardo Ferri) and in 1992 by Batistuta as the best defender in the world
