Physiocrat
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antohan
Isotope
antohan Tactics
Underlying philosophy
The era in question could be summarised as “the coronation of the attacking fullback”, with two players increasingly being deployed as a better alternative to having four out there on the flanks. The upside being more room for control and variations down the spine. As such, my drafting and teams revolve around making full use of two of the best attacking fullbacks ever, not just in this era. Last time out it was a Parma-style 5-3-2/3-5-2, this time it’s closer to Milan’s 4-3-2-1, but with some tweaks.
Default tactics and style
The formation indicates how we go about things in possession. The arrows indicate the instructions for default defensive shape. It looks 4-3-3 but is effectively a 2-1-4-3 in possession and 5-3-1-1 in defensive shape.
We again work on quick transitions. Much like SAF once famously played 7 defenders, we could in theory swamp the midfield to try control possession. Other than Chiellini and Puyol, every player out there is comfortable in midfield and even our three forwards have a higher workrate than your average midfielder.
Why on earth would we want to do that though? We are facing an attacking side that will come at us, while sporting a backline which looks vulnerable, has lost its best defender and is completely inadequate for the job. The goalie is stuck in the goalmouth area and, other than Panucci (the attacking fullback venturing up the pitch), they are all pretty one-paced. These are players we know would rather sit deep, and will have to, as Cavani will pin them back or destroy them running onto a ball over the top. That in turn will leave oceans of space between the lines, the sort of space few can exploit as well as Raúl, Rooney and Roberto Carlos/Zanetti on either flank, with the best execution possible: Pirlo’s.
Most players and their roles are pretty straight-forward but a few deserve further light:
Player profiles and peak: LINK
Subs: Óscar Córdoba, Manuel Sanchís, Krasimir Balakov, Gianfranco Zola, Hernán Crespo
Injured: Luis Enrique
Isotope Tactics
Thanks for setting the game up, Physio and Synco.
The Team lined up in a normal 4-4-2 formation that turn into 4-2-3-1 when having the ball. The Team has tactical identity of devastating pace, ability to make key passes from almost every position, the use of inside runs from wide, and drifting position of forwards.
The attack are led by Ronaldo, Kaka, and Figo. All are Ballon d’Or winners within their stated peak periods.
Ronaldo: Ballon d'Or 1997, 2002; World Player of the Year 1996, 1997, 2002
Kaka: Ballon d'Or 2007; UEFA Team of the Year 2006, 2007, 2009
Luis Figo: Ballon d'Or 2000, World Player of the Year 2001
More than just wingers, both Donadoni and Figo can also move inside to either pressing or controlling the game as both are capable playing as midfielders.
Other than superb in protecting defence, Vieira as a ball playing central/defensive midfielder will help dictating the play (like he did for Arsenal) and Schweinsteiger as a metronomic deeper influence.
Behind the midfield are a solid back four, that includes Bergomi, Helguera, Montero, and Pannuci. They are all also good passers of the ball. And the experienced Zubizaretta, guarding the net.
Defending
When the ball got into the Team’s midfield, Kaka dropped between the lines & Ronaldo drifted to the left, preparing for counter attack.
Behind these two, the Team defended with two banks of four with Vieira and Schweinsteiger dropping deep to shield the back four. With these two ball playing midfielders, the Team will be able to get out from opponents pressing by quickly passing between the line to quickly turn defence into attack. Also having a hardworking winger in Donadoni, will help nullify opponents right-side attacking threat.
Attacking
The Team is not an all-out counter-attacking side, but still make use of attacking players devastating pace and movement. Ronaldo could either run between CBs or drift left and make runs into the box, or divert the opposition CB’s creating space for others. Joined Ronaldo is one of the best winger in Figo, and best no. 10 in Kaka.
Isotope
antohan Tactics
Underlying philosophy
The era in question could be summarised as “the coronation of the attacking fullback”, with two players increasingly being deployed as a better alternative to having four out there on the flanks. The upside being more room for control and variations down the spine. As such, my drafting and teams revolve around making full use of two of the best attacking fullbacks ever, not just in this era. Last time out it was a Parma-style 5-3-2/3-5-2, this time it’s closer to Milan’s 4-3-2-1, but with some tweaks.
Default tactics and style
The formation indicates how we go about things in possession. The arrows indicate the instructions for default defensive shape. It looks 4-3-3 but is effectively a 2-1-4-3 in possession and 5-3-1-1 in defensive shape.
We again work on quick transitions. Much like SAF once famously played 7 defenders, we could in theory swamp the midfield to try control possession. Other than Chiellini and Puyol, every player out there is comfortable in midfield and even our three forwards have a higher workrate than your average midfielder.
Why on earth would we want to do that though? We are facing an attacking side that will come at us, while sporting a backline which looks vulnerable, has lost its best defender and is completely inadequate for the job. The goalie is stuck in the goalmouth area and, other than Panucci (the attacking fullback venturing up the pitch), they are all pretty one-paced. These are players we know would rather sit deep, and will have to, as Cavani will pin them back or destroy them running onto a ball over the top. That in turn will leave oceans of space between the lines, the sort of space few can exploit as well as Raúl, Rooney and Roberto Carlos/Zanetti on either flank, with the best execution possible: Pirlo’s.
Most players and their roles are pretty straight-forward but a few deserve further light:
- Why Cavani and not Crespo? It’s not just about drive and the spunk needed when Bergomi and Montero will kick you to pieces. He was also scoring 30+ goals a season in a 3-4-3 with wingbacks and his movement with Lavezzi/Hamsik either side of him made them unplayable at times. Imagine that being Raúl and Rooney. I don’t want a static striker they service, I want those three working the channels, interchanging, dragging defenders all over the place and any one of them providing the assist or finishing the move from anywhere inside or outside the box. While Crespo’s scoring record was similar but against tougher defences, what Cavani has on him is that he will make that trio more fluid and unpredictable.
- Raúl and Rooney in defensive phase. Raúl may harass a midfielder at times or try nick a ball or two, but is primarily dropping to link up and start moves from midfield, as he did in two Champions League final wins. Rooney is asked to do the exact same job he was tasked with in the 2008 CL Final: when defending, drop deep to support Scholes on that side, in the process free up Scholes as he was the primary outlet, and upon recovery give them hell on the break. Boy I miss the sight of Rooney darting through the midfield alongside Cristiano and with options either side or in front, edge of your seat stuff.
- Why is Pirlo not in the pivot? He is when it matters: in the defensive phase and immediately after turnover. The latter is when with a single swing of his boot he leaves us on the brink of a goal scoring opportunity. The former is often overlooked. Pirlo may not be an aggressive type flying into tackles, but what he does have is the same brain and awareness that makes him effective executing the transition. In the very heart of the action, you have a guy who can spot and put himself about to snuff out emerging danger. His tackles and interceptions in that area are not at all insignificant (~4/game), more so when the follow up on those immediately puts rivals on the backfoot.
- Why is Sammer a DM dropping into defence and not a sweeper coming out? It’s effectively the exact same libero role, he may not even drop straight into sweeper, just a case that the formation shows us with the ball and that’s where he usually is with the ball. That said, if Iso were to keep his wingers conservative to “beef up the midfield battle” (when in fact they are matched all the way by Carlos and Zanetti), or we needed to take on more risks after falling behind (unlikely, but always a dangerous twist when you plan to counter) he could venture further up in possession.
Player profiles and peak: LINK
Subs: Óscar Córdoba, Manuel Sanchís, Krasimir Balakov, Gianfranco Zola, Hernán Crespo
Injured: Luis Enrique
Isotope Tactics
Thanks for setting the game up, Physio and Synco.
The Team lined up in a normal 4-4-2 formation that turn into 4-2-3-1 when having the ball. The Team has tactical identity of devastating pace, ability to make key passes from almost every position, the use of inside runs from wide, and drifting position of forwards.
The attack are led by Ronaldo, Kaka, and Figo. All are Ballon d’Or winners within their stated peak periods.
Ronaldo: Ballon d'Or 1997, 2002; World Player of the Year 1996, 1997, 2002
Year | Game | Goal | Assist |
1996-97 | 57 | 56 | 12 |
1997-98 | 65 | 46 | 10 |
1998-99 | 36 | 19 | 7 |
Kaka: Ballon d'Or 2007; UEFA Team of the Year 2006, 2007, 2009
Year | Game | Goal | Assist |
2006-07 | 62 | 24 | 13 |
2007-08 | 50 | 23 | 17 |
2008-09 | 40 | 17 | 15 |
Luis Figo: Ballon d'Or 2000, World Player of the Year 2001
Year | Game | Goal | Assist |
1999-00 | 61 | 21 | 17 |
2000-01 | 65 | 22 | 27 |
2001-02 | 56 | 17 | 17 |
More than just wingers, both Donadoni and Figo can also move inside to either pressing or controlling the game as both are capable playing as midfielders.
Other than superb in protecting defence, Vieira as a ball playing central/defensive midfielder will help dictating the play (like he did for Arsenal) and Schweinsteiger as a metronomic deeper influence.
Behind the midfield are a solid back four, that includes Bergomi, Helguera, Montero, and Pannuci. They are all also good passers of the ball. And the experienced Zubizaretta, guarding the net.
Defending
When the ball got into the Team’s midfield, Kaka dropped between the lines & Ronaldo drifted to the left, preparing for counter attack.
Behind these two, the Team defended with two banks of four with Vieira and Schweinsteiger dropping deep to shield the back four. With these two ball playing midfielders, the Team will be able to get out from opponents pressing by quickly passing between the line to quickly turn defence into attack. Also having a hardworking winger in Donadoni, will help nullify opponents right-side attacking threat.
Attacking
The Team is not an all-out counter-attacking side, but still make use of attacking players devastating pace and movement. Ronaldo could either run between CBs or drift left and make runs into the box, or divert the opposition CB’s creating space for others. Joined Ronaldo is one of the best winger in Figo, and best no. 10 in Kaka.