Šjor Bepo
Wout is love, Wout is life; all hail Wout!
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2011
- Messages
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Team Harms
Tactics
My inspiration is one of the most iconic teams of the decade – Chilean national team of the 2010’s. Its foundations were laid by Marselo Bielsa, who had transformed a traditionally run-of-the-mill, defensive and physical side into a modern proactive high-pressing attacking unit that punched above their weight so consistently that we’ve had to reevaluate our scales. He insisted upon an alarmingly high defensive line, where he often played converted midfielders. Bielsa left them after the 2010 World Cup, when they were eliminated by Brazil, but the revolution continued (after a short horrific break by the name of Claudio Borghi) until finally the team had reached its peak under Jorge Sampaoli – performing admirably in 2014 World Cup (essentially ending Spain’s dominance of world football after three straight successes) and winning 2 Copa Americas in a row, in 2015 and 2016, denying Lionel Messi his dream of international success in 2 consecutive finals.
Sampaoli was more tactically flexible than Bielsa, which eventually led to better results:
- He used a 4-3-3 with a false nine, 3-4-1-2 and 3-5-2 at World Cup 2014
- Whereas Bielsa insisted on a front three, Sampaoli tended to play Sanchez and Vargas as an ultra-mobile front two, starting in wide positions and making darts into the channels. When combined with a creative No 10/false 9 in Valdivia, who was perhaps Chile’s best performer in 2015, it made for an incredible spectacle
Thoughts on the opponent
Edgar's team looks to be enormously physical and quite competent on the ball, but overall I doubt that this is the best set up for his star player Platini. Unless he pulls something out of his hat, he'd have issues with the lack of width as well as a slight overlap in roles of his central midfielders. Everything would be focused on Platini – whenever he does manage to perform at his best of he doesn't.
In focus
Paul McGrath. Bryan Robson had to miss out on the semi-finals on 1983/84 Cup Winners Cup after his historical performance at Camp Nou – while Manchester United had to face arguably an even greater opponent, Trapattoni's Juventus with Platini & co at the height of their powers. Paul McGrath had to step up – United's midfield would've been overran by Platini, Tardelli, Boniek & Bonini in the middle otherwise, so he was moved further forward. His Roy of the Rovers performances over the two semi-finals were the stuff of legends – somehow he was able to keep tabs on Juve's creative players as well as providing quality passes and attacking runs from time to time – thankfully, @Joga Bonito had documented that well:
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/classic-players-paul-mcgrath-le-god.430204/#post-21107199
Bobby Murdoch. I can't stress enough how consistently great he was over the second half of the 60's and early 70's. He had dominated West Germany with Beckenbauer & Overath, United with the whole Trinity present & even the cocky Bremner - Giles Leeds United in the 1970. I'll post some more on him since I jumped right into the rabbit hole of old match-reports and newspaper articles. He had always stepped up in big games as well.
Gary Medel. Before posting on point, I'd love to quote ESPN's article on him from 2014 World Cup preview as I found that description absolutely hilarious.
Medel was one of the key players for that Chile side – mostly playing in defense, despite being a natural midfielder. His performances in the 2015 & 2016 finals were quite outstanding, especially in 2015. To quote Michael Cox, probably the best tactical journalist there is:
Michael Laudrup. He plays a hybrid false 9/number 10 role of Jorge Valdivia and you couldn't ask for a better tactical fit (and, obviously, an insane individual upgrade in quality). As Jonathan Wilson wrote in his book Inverting the Pyramid
Jonathan Wilson said:In terms of his role Laudrup was perhaps the forerunner of Lionel Messi: the term ‘false nine’ wasn’t in common usage then but that was essentially what he was
Team Edgar
Formation: 4-3-1-2. Solid defensively with a strong spine providing a stellar platform for Platini and forwards to shine.
Defence:
+ Gary Bailey - one of United's best keepers in mid-80s. Phenomenal talent who filled the big shoes left by Alex Stepney!
+ Proven complementary central defensive duo in Terry / Carvalho.
+ Evra and Cohen well suited to provide width and have operated in teams without traditional/good wide players.
+ Monster Defensive shield in Desailly, Rijkaard and Edwards.
Offence:
+ Great platform for Platini and surrounded by talent who can enhance his game.
+ All GOAT midfield that will dominate any opponent! Dynamic Edwards & Rijkaard are an incomparable midfield engine providing ample support to attack.
+ Battering rams of CF's in Kempes and Drogba. Powerful, dynamic, complete CF's able to score and provide assists.