............................................TEAM HARMS..................................................................TEAM TUPPET
TEAM HARMS TACTICS
The team is built around Pelé — the greatest player of all-time. He was slightly unlucky on the international stage, if you can say that about a man who won 3 World Cups, as he missed 2 tournaments at his physical peak — we can only imagine how devastating he might have been had he not been injured in 1962 and kicked out of 1966. But when you look at his club side — Santos, you can see that they've used a similar (mirrored) loop sided formation that transformed from 4-2-4 (4-4-2) to 4-3-3, due to the roles of Zagallo and Dorval — a formation, that brought out the best in Pelé, a free-roaming second striker.
The additions of 2 Ballon d'Or winners, Figo and Suárez, helps the transition of my team from a "British" 4-4-2 to a more fluid and possession-friendly tactics, which should maximise Pelé's influence on this game.
I want to highlight that Pelé was not only a goalscorer, but also a creator and probably the most complete attacking player in football's history — here's a good post by Raees on the matter. In Denis Law — a ridiculously all-rounded and unselfish, yet prolific striker, and Rob Rensenbrink, a brilliant entertainer and goalscorer who shined both in a supporting role for Cruyff's Netherlands and as a main man for Anderlecht and 1978 Dutch side, he has the perfect supporting unit, that combines goals and creativity needed to highlight all facets of Pelé's game.
Thoughts on the game
Nemanja Vidić gets a mixed reception on here but it's hard to find a player better suited to defend against Kocsis (his partnership with Czibor is one of Tuppet's strongest selling points) in the air — I'd go out on a limb and say that in that particular component Vidić is one of the all-time greats.
Der Kaiser is a magnificent player but even his presence doesn't make Tuppet's defence good enough to handle my front 4. For example, this is Rob Rensenbrink — my arguably weakest (that doesn't sound right, does it) attacker, destroying Beckenbauer's Bayern in the Super Cup — 2 goals and 2 assists in a 4:1 win:
Pelé proved time and again that it doesn't matter who plays against him, he will always have an upper hand, even if it's Franz Beckenbauer himself (who, unsurprisingly, names Pelé as the GOAT and the most complete player he ever saw).
TEAM TUPPET TACTICS
I am playing a 4-1-4-1 formation. Our defensive line up is slightly higher and my team would try to control the game but still play fast and purposeful football and not go crazy for possession.
I slightly varied from 4-2-3-1 to add another more technically gifted attacking player in Hassler to try and take control of the midfield. Desailly's unmatched defensive game and Hassler's grafting allows me to combine them as midfield partners to Di stefano. Hassler was a real livewire with the ball and incessant & tenacious runner off it. 2 times German player of the year, he is one of the best midfielder of 90s. He is also perfect for a sidekick playmaker role who can create when needed but could also defend. He played this role to perfection in Germany's world cup win in 90. If harms persist with 4-4-2 I feel my trio should be able to take control of the midfield. While we are attacking containing both Hassler & Di Stefano is going to be tough ask from Lerby & Suarez.
Desailly is the DM shielding the defense and marking Pele in our Half. As one of the GOAT DM he is the perfect player for the job and matches well with Pele with his pace, physicality and tactical positioning. He would also have help form Beckenbauer and together they provide as good a counter you can think of to contain Pele.
Rest of the tactic is similar to previous rounds. Kocsis - Czibor still remain my most potent weapon outside Di Stefano's magnificance. Bene completes the Hungarion trio and provides a direct and potent goalscoring threat on the right side. Di Stefano has been given the full freedom to run the game. He is both my midfield general and biggest goal threat after Kocsis. He is going to be my most attacking midfielder and Hassler is supposed to more defensive heavy lifting but Di stefano would do his defensive duties as he has always done.
In defense Bossis faces another tough challenge in Figo and would stay more disciplined and defensive. Mcneill & Beckenbauer brings stopper-sweeper combination and is a high caliber defensive unit, excellent both in ground & air. Beckenbauer is the leader of defense and has been given freedom to run from his libero position. He would join the midfield when we are attacking overloading it further and his excellent passing and technique would help to bring ball out of defense. Benarrivo on right side is another defender who was excellent with ball and was solid defensively while still being capable of supporting the attack.
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), El Arquitecto was simply a playmaking maestro who had exquisite technique; possessed extraordinary footwork; exhibited an acute sense of tactical intelligence; was unrivalled when it came to his inch-perfect passing; thrived with creativity; and scored impressive goals.
