Who would win based solely on their performance in the chosen tournaments?
-----------Raees/Invictus--------------------------Gio/Theon
RAAES/INVICTUSACTICAL OUTLINE
FORMATION: 5-2-3
STRATEGY: COUNTER-ATTACK (FLUID FRONT 3)
At this stage of the tournament, after two rounds of reinforcement, every team is packed to the rafters with incredible players boasting incredible résumés - Player(s) of the Tournament, Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Team(s) of the Tournament - and so forth, so squabbling about personnel quality will be an antagonistic and fruitless endeavor. We will still detail the player accomplishments, but in our opinion, what will ultimately separate the teams is interpersonal cohesion between the players from a qualitative and tactical standpoint - in a way that heightens the effectiveness of the players with the greatest peaks and seamlessly harmonizes the tournament peak of each player with those around him into the grander framework of the team in line with the vision of the managers - maybe not to the optimal level since that's next to impossible, but bloody close to it. With that in mind, we'd like to delve into our selection, and illustrate how it's perfectly set up to extract every bit of quality from the XI.
DEFENSE
The plan was to build a water-right central defensive core with a defensive sweeper to tidy things up betwixt two rugged stoppers/man markers when an attacker evades the initial barrier. That stronghold will in turn allow the wingbacks to steam up and down the flanks with relative freedom to open up the field for the attackers (who thrive in space), and in our opinion - we have the perfect blend of defensive nous, athleticism, tactical know-how and peak performance to accomplish that.
Between the sticks is one of the very, very, very few goalkeepers to overshadow an international tournament like a Goliath while dragging his team all the way to the final in OLIVER KHAN - who shone like no other player in 2002 - winning the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball ahead of Fenómeno and Ballack and Ronaldinho and Rivaldo and Klose for his part in leading an unfancied Germany team to the final of the tournament.
For the right wingback position we needed someone who offers irrepressible qualities in both the attacking and defensive phases of the game - and the athletic skillset to maintain that level for 90 minutes on both ends of the pitch. With that in mind, there's no better player in the entire pool than the only man to reach 3 consecutive World Cup finals, and the captain of 2002 World Cup winning Brazilian Team - CAFÚ - who formed one half of the breathtaking Brazilian wingback engine in their World Cup travails.
For the right centerback position, the plan was to have someone who can cover for the right wingback, and also mark the inside left sided attacker when the sweeper slides to a defensive position. It's a highly specialized role - because the player would need to have experience as what would essentially translate to a tucked in central defender position and would need to be an accomplished defender in that phase of the game, and the slightest error in the judgement of the player's tournament peak could make a big difference in our ability to extract the best out of him. Luckily, we acquired the perfect fit and player for the role - 1988 UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament selection - GIUSEPPE BERGOMI - who masterfully filled in as the tucked in man-marking right center back alongside Franco Baresi with Ferri floating around in a Burgnich/Gentile man-marking fullback role, and Bergomi is arguably the best fit in this particular format with Djalma Santos for Brazil, and Kohler for West Germany. On a slightly tangential note, we suspect that a certain Frenchman from the opposition is going to be sold in this role, and that should be very interesting given his role in 1998 - because there could be a dissonance between tournament peak (not career record) and what is going to be asked of him here.
For the sweeper position, we needed a consummate defenders' defender first and foremost - with offensive qualities being a neat bonus more than anything else, and certainly not THE overriding quality - because in bigger game with bigger stakes and condensed spaces - the sweeper will be asked to do more defensive than offensive work. We were initially tempted to go with more offensive technical liberos, but a lot of those players can cause great disruption in the back-line when others are asked to cover for them (eg. the underrated Dieter Elits in 1996 with the way he intuitively dropped from midfield to defense), and can't always be harmonized in teams where the primary focus in that attacking phase is on the wingbacks and the final third players (who need more of the ball to hit peak levels). We had the center-half to execute the scheme in Varela, but didn't want to distract him from his primary man-marking and disruptive and 'instigator of counter-attack' duties in deep midfield, and didn't want to place greater strain on our central markers and wingbacks. With all of that in mind, we were lucky to select FRANCO BARESI - who was a defensive titan for Italy in the 1990 World Cup - conceding 0 goals in the group stages, and only 1 goal in he tournament overall - in the semi-finals in Napoli against Maradona's Argentina. Because Baresi was an extraordinary defender first and foremost, the central defensive spine is extremely stronk and can thwart most attacks. The technical qualities of his offensive game are a neat bonus - and will help in the distribution from the back. Here Baresi is going to be in his elements - flanked on both sides by consummate defenders, minding his defensive duties, quenching attacks, sweeping up attackers that bypass the right and left central defenders using his god tier defensive IQ, and launching the attack every once in a while.
For the left centerback position, we needed a towering and muscle bound central defensive stopper to be the second lieutenant of Baresi. This player would have to boast a considerable athletic skillset, strength, stamina and physique with a dogged mentality. And in our estimation, there's none better for the role in this format than the aptly nicknamed (The Rock) MARCEL DESAILLY - who was a force of nature as the central defensive stopper for France in the 1998 World Cup and was duly elected to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. Desailly also offers a slightly varied approach to Bergomi. The latter was a uncompromising and cunning man-marker, and Desailly is going to be the more direct and bruising enforcer in chief - which should theoratically bring out the best in each player, and provide the best combo for Baresi as a blend of distinct defensive qualities.
On the far left is the gold standard of tournament wingback performance in ANDREAS BREHME - who dominated the flank in an offensive and defensive sense, and was a ubiquitous presence for West Germany in both phases of the game with 3 goals and 3 assists - getting named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (apart from 3rd in the Ballon d'Or):
MIDFIELD
The primary objective was two fold - set the stage for THE GOAT #10 with very little interference on the ball from ultra fancy midfield players that look good on paper but would detract from said #10, and stop the opposition #10. If we build the platform to do those two things, it's mission accomplished and we can sit back and take a deep breath of relief. And coincidentally, we have the personnel to do just that.
The nominal defensive box-to-box midfielder JEAN TIGANA is one of very, very few players of his nature to thrive with a GOAT level #10 in this format given his partnership with Platini in EURO '84. There's a propensity to select the biggest name box-to-box midfielder, but they didn't always have a fruitful combination with #10 players in terms of tournament peak, and too much improvisation from said box-to-box could have a stifling effect on the #10. No such concerns with Tigana - not only was he extraordinarily good in 1984 (Ballon d'Or – Runner-up: 1984, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1984), he excelled in a symbiotic way a behemoth of a #10 in Platini (Jean lead the tournament for assists and Michel for goals). A nigh perfect fit as the foundation setter for our #10 because of his selfless and tireless peak style of play.
Behind him is the greatest disruptive presence in World Cup history in OBDULIO VARELA - who blew Brazilian dreams to smithereens in 1950, and is THE perfect defensive midfield anchor in this format considering that Rijkaard was a roaming stopper centerback in 1988. Wherever the opposition #10 goes, he'll be haunted by the specter of El Negro Jefe (The Black Chief):
THE WIZARD
Complete tactical independence - complete freedom to improvise - will receive the high percentage of the ball - room created by the wingbacks to exploit spaces - platform laid by the central midfield - field stretched by a striker and a second striker - in his elements. THE GOD of tournament format needs no introduction, and any flowery prose to highlight his qualities is unnecessary.
The plan was to build a striker-second striker combination, and in our opinion, we've got the perfect combo to accomplish that given their tournament peaks.
ATTACK
At IL/LW/CF/SS is EUSÉBIO - FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 1966, FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball: 1966 - whose nine goals in England propelled Portugal to a third-place finish, and a succession of opposing teams simply had no answer to the power and pace of his play. Indefinable, inexhaustable turbo-charged powerhouse forward who will take men away from Diego as a secondary threat.
Eusébio could release Maradona with a pass when he drops:
He could attack through the left when Maradona goes slightly wide:
He could go wide left and release an onrushing Maradona or Brehme:
And spearheading the attack is MARCO VAN BASTEN - the premier target striker in this format given his grace, power, close control, quickness on the turn, and dominance in the air - who boasts a superlative record in 1998 against the best teams around:
UEFA Euro All-time XI, IFFHS World’s Best Player: 1988, Ballon d'Or: 1988.
As a point of interest - it's worth noting that a towering #9 in Van Basten thrived with a powerhouse forward in Ruud Gullit, and a powerhouse forward in Eusébio thrived with a towering #9 in José Augusto Torres - and as a combination, they could further stretch the field vertically and horizontally for Diego Maradona. And Marco's ability in the air will be a frightening combination with the faultless Andreas Brehme - who is the best crossing and passing wingback in this format for his exploits in 1990. Complementary combinations all around, in our opinion.
TEAM GIO/THEON
PETER SCHMEICHEL, EURO 1992
Regarded as the most influential goalkeeping performance of all time, Schmeichel dragged a workmanlike Danish side to success in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Having dispatched France and England in the group stages, he became increasingly unbeatable as the tournament wore on, producing two man-mountain displays against holders Holland in the semi-finals and world champions Germany in the final.
MATTHIAS SAMMER, EURO 1996
In what was perhaps the greatest libero tournament display of all, Sammer was Germany's best defender, midfielder and attacker all rolled into one package at Euro '96. Sammer's organisation saw Germany keep three clean sheets to stroll what had been coined the 'group of death' as a stacked Italy squad tumbled out of the tournament. The libero stepped up another gear in the quarter finals, almost single-handedly dismantling a brilliant Croatia side, winning the penalty for the opener then scoring the winner - both goals coming after trademark bursts forward to cut open the opposition like a hot knife through butter. His performances saw him fend off peak Ronaldo to earn the 1996 Ballon D'Or later that year.
FABIO CANNAVARO, WORLD CUP 2006
The Berlin Wall drove Italy to the title with an impeccable series of flawless performances throughout the tournament. The highlight was a man-mountain display in the famous semi-final to overcome hosts Germany. But Cannavaro's overall tournament portfolio is arguably unmatched in its defensive prowess. Joins Sammer as one of only three defenders to win the Ballon D'Or.
LILLIAN THURAM, WORLD CUP 1998
Thuram was the highest rated player at the 1998 World Cup and the standout for a dominant and defensively bulletproof French outfit. A key tactical feature of Aime Jacquet's side was the overload of the midfield with an extra defender. All four of the defensive line including Thuram took turns at creating that midfield dominance and, in turn, spent the majority of the game, when on the ball, forming a tight back three. Thuram was exceptional at both - defensively rock solid and swashbuckling when moving forward - generating the type of influential performances that made him the highest rated defender in the 1998 Ballon D'Or.
ROBERTO CARLOS, WORLD CUP 2002
Twice in the team of the tournament, it is the 2002 version which is on show here. That Roberto Carlos played in a 3-5-2, liberated to own the flank in the same way he did every week alongside Zidane for Real Madrid. Called El Hombre Bala - the bullet man - in Spain for his searing pace, tree-trunk thighs and cannonball shot.
JAVIER ZANETTI, COPA AMERICA 2004
Argentina's most capped player started off his international career scoring the best set-piece goal of the 1998 World Cup in a rollercoaster match against England. His best international tournament though was the 2004 Copa America where his endless stamina, power and poise dominated his right flank in every game, gaining high praise:
The man who made it a personal crusade to win the World Cup as ultimately shown by his man-of-the-match efforts in the 2014 final. Went very close in 2010 where he dictated games with aplomp, using his brilliant passing range, physicality and positional discipline to give Germany a solid platform to go forward. Special mention to his second-round performance in making mincemeat out of Maradona's wayward Argentina while marking Messi out of the game. An obvious choice for team of the tournament with 3 assists to his name.
LOTHAR MATTHAUS, WORLD CUP 1990
In what was surely the most influential central midfield performance of any World Cup, Matthaus was in dominant form in 1990 scoring 4 goals from the heart of midfield (the 3rd top scorer in the competition). The apex was the 4-1 demolition of pre-tournament dark horses Yugoslavia, as the box-to-box dynamo netted two bristling goals from outside the area. A step ahead of the game throughout as he not only won all those little battles that are the bread-and-butter fare of the proper central midfielder, but also made repeated match-winning impacts.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE, EURO 2000
In the summer of 2000, Zidane reached a tournament pinnacle that in the modern era was only clearly bettered by Maradona 14 years earlier. At the peak of his powers, he married that characteristic elegance with the decisiveness that he occasionally lacked during his domestic league career. His mastery of the ball was thrilling to watch and he delivered the knockout blows to both Spain (a 30-yard free-kick) and Portugal (the golden goal penalty) in the knockout stages.
In 1974 Cruyff reached heights that had arguably never been seen before in a major tournament. He was the turbocharged driving force behind the unforgettable Dutch side, buzzing around the full breadth of the attack, cutting open and thrusting through the channels with a level of unprecedented intensity and penetration. Little wonder he created a whopping 36 chances in the summer of 1974 - by some distance the most anyone has provided in the World Cup - a greater contribution than even Maradona in 1986 and Xavi in 2010.
RONALDO, WORLD CUP 1998
Golden Ball winner thanks to a number of electric displays from the Brazilian at the peak of his powers. Scored 5 goals in 1998 on his way to 15 World Cup goals, he created countless chances for himself and was the very definition of a one-man attack who tore a generation of great defenders to bits.
-----------Raees/Invictus--------------------------Gio/Theon
RAAES/INVICTUSACTICAL OUTLINE
FORMATION: 5-2-3
STRATEGY: COUNTER-ATTACK (FLUID FRONT 3)
At this stage of the tournament, after two rounds of reinforcement, every team is packed to the rafters with incredible players boasting incredible résumés - Player(s) of the Tournament, Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Team(s) of the Tournament - and so forth, so squabbling about personnel quality will be an antagonistic and fruitless endeavor. We will still detail the player accomplishments, but in our opinion, what will ultimately separate the teams is interpersonal cohesion between the players from a qualitative and tactical standpoint - in a way that heightens the effectiveness of the players with the greatest peaks and seamlessly harmonizes the tournament peak of each player with those around him into the grander framework of the team in line with the vision of the managers - maybe not to the optimal level since that's next to impossible, but bloody close to it. With that in mind, we'd like to delve into our selection, and illustrate how it's perfectly set up to extract every bit of quality from the XI.
DEFENSE
The plan was to build a water-right central defensive core with a defensive sweeper to tidy things up betwixt two rugged stoppers/man markers when an attacker evades the initial barrier. That stronghold will in turn allow the wingbacks to steam up and down the flanks with relative freedom to open up the field for the attackers (who thrive in space), and in our opinion - we have the perfect blend of defensive nous, athleticism, tactical know-how and peak performance to accomplish that.
Between the sticks is one of the very, very, very few goalkeepers to overshadow an international tournament like a Goliath while dragging his team all the way to the final in OLIVER KHAN - who shone like no other player in 2002 - winning the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball ahead of Fenómeno and Ballack and Ronaldinho and Rivaldo and Klose for his part in leading an unfancied Germany team to the final of the tournament.
For the right wingback position we needed someone who offers irrepressible qualities in both the attacking and defensive phases of the game - and the athletic skillset to maintain that level for 90 minutes on both ends of the pitch. With that in mind, there's no better player in the entire pool than the only man to reach 3 consecutive World Cup finals, and the captain of 2002 World Cup winning Brazilian Team - CAFÚ - who formed one half of the breathtaking Brazilian wingback engine in their World Cup travails.
For the right centerback position, the plan was to have someone who can cover for the right wingback, and also mark the inside left sided attacker when the sweeper slides to a defensive position. It's a highly specialized role - because the player would need to have experience as what would essentially translate to a tucked in central defender position and would need to be an accomplished defender in that phase of the game, and the slightest error in the judgement of the player's tournament peak could make a big difference in our ability to extract the best out of him. Luckily, we acquired the perfect fit and player for the role - 1988 UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament selection - GIUSEPPE BERGOMI - who masterfully filled in as the tucked in man-marking right center back alongside Franco Baresi with Ferri floating around in a Burgnich/Gentile man-marking fullback role, and Bergomi is arguably the best fit in this particular format with Djalma Santos for Brazil, and Kohler for West Germany. On a slightly tangential note, we suspect that a certain Frenchman from the opposition is going to be sold in this role, and that should be very interesting given his role in 1998 - because there could be a dissonance between tournament peak (not career record) and what is going to be asked of him here.
For the sweeper position, we needed a consummate defenders' defender first and foremost - with offensive qualities being a neat bonus more than anything else, and certainly not THE overriding quality - because in bigger game with bigger stakes and condensed spaces - the sweeper will be asked to do more defensive than offensive work. We were initially tempted to go with more offensive technical liberos, but a lot of those players can cause great disruption in the back-line when others are asked to cover for them (eg. the underrated Dieter Elits in 1996 with the way he intuitively dropped from midfield to defense), and can't always be harmonized in teams where the primary focus in that attacking phase is on the wingbacks and the final third players (who need more of the ball to hit peak levels). We had the center-half to execute the scheme in Varela, but didn't want to distract him from his primary man-marking and disruptive and 'instigator of counter-attack' duties in deep midfield, and didn't want to place greater strain on our central markers and wingbacks. With all of that in mind, we were lucky to select FRANCO BARESI - who was a defensive titan for Italy in the 1990 World Cup - conceding 0 goals in the group stages, and only 1 goal in he tournament overall - in the semi-finals in Napoli against Maradona's Argentina. Because Baresi was an extraordinary defender first and foremost, the central defensive spine is extremely stronk and can thwart most attacks. The technical qualities of his offensive game are a neat bonus - and will help in the distribution from the back. Here Baresi is going to be in his elements - flanked on both sides by consummate defenders, minding his defensive duties, quenching attacks, sweeping up attackers that bypass the right and left central defenders using his god tier defensive IQ, and launching the attack every once in a while.
For the left centerback position, we needed a towering and muscle bound central defensive stopper to be the second lieutenant of Baresi. This player would have to boast a considerable athletic skillset, strength, stamina and physique with a dogged mentality. And in our estimation, there's none better for the role in this format than the aptly nicknamed (The Rock) MARCEL DESAILLY - who was a force of nature as the central defensive stopper for France in the 1998 World Cup and was duly elected to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team. Desailly also offers a slightly varied approach to Bergomi. The latter was a uncompromising and cunning man-marker, and Desailly is going to be the more direct and bruising enforcer in chief - which should theoratically bring out the best in each player, and provide the best combo for Baresi as a blend of distinct defensive qualities.
On the far left is the gold standard of tournament wingback performance in ANDREAS BREHME - who dominated the flank in an offensive and defensive sense, and was a ubiquitous presence for West Germany in both phases of the game with 3 goals and 3 assists - getting named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (apart from 3rd in the Ballon d'Or):
MIDFIELD
The primary objective was two fold - set the stage for THE GOAT #10 with very little interference on the ball from ultra fancy midfield players that look good on paper but would detract from said #10, and stop the opposition #10. If we build the platform to do those two things, it's mission accomplished and we can sit back and take a deep breath of relief. And coincidentally, we have the personnel to do just that.
The nominal defensive box-to-box midfielder JEAN TIGANA is one of very, very few players of his nature to thrive with a GOAT level #10 in this format given his partnership with Platini in EURO '84. There's a propensity to select the biggest name box-to-box midfielder, but they didn't always have a fruitful combination with #10 players in terms of tournament peak, and too much improvisation from said box-to-box could have a stifling effect on the #10. No such concerns with Tigana - not only was he extraordinarily good in 1984 (Ballon d'Or – Runner-up: 1984, UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1984), he excelled in a symbiotic way a behemoth of a #10 in Platini (Jean lead the tournament for assists and Michel for goals). A nigh perfect fit as the foundation setter for our #10 because of his selfless and tireless peak style of play.
Behind him is the greatest disruptive presence in World Cup history in OBDULIO VARELA - who blew Brazilian dreams to smithereens in 1950, and is THE perfect defensive midfield anchor in this format considering that Rijkaard was a roaming stopper centerback in 1988. Wherever the opposition #10 goes, he'll be haunted by the specter of El Negro Jefe (The Black Chief):
THE WIZARD
Complete tactical independence - complete freedom to improvise - will receive the high percentage of the ball - room created by the wingbacks to exploit spaces - platform laid by the central midfield - field stretched by a striker and a second striker - in his elements. THE GOD of tournament format needs no introduction, and any flowery prose to highlight his qualities is unnecessary.
The plan was to build a striker-second striker combination, and in our opinion, we've got the perfect combo to accomplish that given their tournament peaks.
ATTACK
At IL/LW/CF/SS is EUSÉBIO - FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 1966, FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball: 1966 - whose nine goals in England propelled Portugal to a third-place finish, and a succession of opposing teams simply had no answer to the power and pace of his play. Indefinable, inexhaustable turbo-charged powerhouse forward who will take men away from Diego as a secondary threat.
Eusébio could release Maradona with a pass when he drops:
He could attack through the left when Maradona goes slightly wide:
He could go wide left and release an onrushing Maradona or Brehme:
And spearheading the attack is MARCO VAN BASTEN - the premier target striker in this format given his grace, power, close control, quickness on the turn, and dominance in the air - who boasts a superlative record in 1998 against the best teams around:
UEFA Euro All-time XI, IFFHS World’s Best Player: 1988, Ballon d'Or: 1988.
As a point of interest - it's worth noting that a towering #9 in Van Basten thrived with a powerhouse forward in Ruud Gullit, and a powerhouse forward in Eusébio thrived with a towering #9 in José Augusto Torres - and as a combination, they could further stretch the field vertically and horizontally for Diego Maradona. And Marco's ability in the air will be a frightening combination with the faultless Andreas Brehme - who is the best crossing and passing wingback in this format for his exploits in 1990. Complementary combinations all around, in our opinion.
TEAM GIO/THEON
PLAYER PROFILES
PETER SCHMEICHEL, EURO 1992
Regarded as the most influential goalkeeping performance of all time, Schmeichel dragged a workmanlike Danish side to success in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Having dispatched France and England in the group stages, he became increasingly unbeatable as the tournament wore on, producing two man-mountain displays against holders Holland in the semi-finals and world champions Germany in the final.
MATTHIAS SAMMER, EURO 1996
In what was perhaps the greatest libero tournament display of all, Sammer was Germany's best defender, midfielder and attacker all rolled into one package at Euro '96. Sammer's organisation saw Germany keep three clean sheets to stroll what had been coined the 'group of death' as a stacked Italy squad tumbled out of the tournament. The libero stepped up another gear in the quarter finals, almost single-handedly dismantling a brilliant Croatia side, winning the penalty for the opener then scoring the winner - both goals coming after trademark bursts forward to cut open the opposition like a hot knife through butter. His performances saw him fend off peak Ronaldo to earn the 1996 Ballon D'Or later that year.
FABIO CANNAVARO, WORLD CUP 2006
The Berlin Wall drove Italy to the title with an impeccable series of flawless performances throughout the tournament. The highlight was a man-mountain display in the famous semi-final to overcome hosts Germany. But Cannavaro's overall tournament portfolio is arguably unmatched in its defensive prowess. Joins Sammer as one of only three defenders to win the Ballon D'Or.
LILLIAN THURAM, WORLD CUP 1998
Thuram was the highest rated player at the 1998 World Cup and the standout for a dominant and defensively bulletproof French outfit. A key tactical feature of Aime Jacquet's side was the overload of the midfield with an extra defender. All four of the defensive line including Thuram took turns at creating that midfield dominance and, in turn, spent the majority of the game, when on the ball, forming a tight back three. Thuram was exceptional at both - defensively rock solid and swashbuckling when moving forward - generating the type of influential performances that made him the highest rated defender in the 1998 Ballon D'Or.
ROBERTO CARLOS, WORLD CUP 2002
Twice in the team of the tournament, it is the 2002 version which is on show here. That Roberto Carlos played in a 3-5-2, liberated to own the flank in the same way he did every week alongside Zidane for Real Madrid. Called El Hombre Bala - the bullet man - in Spain for his searing pace, tree-trunk thighs and cannonball shot.
JAVIER ZANETTI, COPA AMERICA 2004
Argentina's most capped player started off his international career scoring the best set-piece goal of the 1998 World Cup in a rollercoaster match against England. His best international tournament though was the 2004 Copa America where his endless stamina, power and poise dominated his right flank in every game, gaining high praise:
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER, WORLD CUP 2010
The man who made it a personal crusade to win the World Cup as ultimately shown by his man-of-the-match efforts in the 2014 final. Went very close in 2010 where he dictated games with aplomp, using his brilliant passing range, physicality and positional discipline to give Germany a solid platform to go forward. Special mention to his second-round performance in making mincemeat out of Maradona's wayward Argentina while marking Messi out of the game. An obvious choice for team of the tournament with 3 assists to his name.
LOTHAR MATTHAUS, WORLD CUP 1990
In what was surely the most influential central midfield performance of any World Cup, Matthaus was in dominant form in 1990 scoring 4 goals from the heart of midfield (the 3rd top scorer in the competition). The apex was the 4-1 demolition of pre-tournament dark horses Yugoslavia, as the box-to-box dynamo netted two bristling goals from outside the area. A step ahead of the game throughout as he not only won all those little battles that are the bread-and-butter fare of the proper central midfielder, but also made repeated match-winning impacts.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE, EURO 2000
In the summer of 2000, Zidane reached a tournament pinnacle that in the modern era was only clearly bettered by Maradona 14 years earlier. At the peak of his powers, he married that characteristic elegance with the decisiveness that he occasionally lacked during his domestic league career. His mastery of the ball was thrilling to watch and he delivered the knockout blows to both Spain (a 30-yard free-kick) and Portugal (the golden goal penalty) in the knockout stages.
JOHAN CRUYFF - 1974 WORLD CUP
In 1974 Cruyff reached heights that had arguably never been seen before in a major tournament. He was the turbocharged driving force behind the unforgettable Dutch side, buzzing around the full breadth of the attack, cutting open and thrusting through the channels with a level of unprecedented intensity and penetration. Little wonder he created a whopping 36 chances in the summer of 1974 - by some distance the most anyone has provided in the World Cup - a greater contribution than even Maradona in 1986 and Xavi in 2010.
RONALDO, WORLD CUP 1998
Golden Ball winner thanks to a number of electric displays from the Brazilian at the peak of his powers. Scored 5 goals in 1998 on his way to 15 World Cup goals, he created countless chances for himself and was the very definition of a one-man attack who tore a generation of great defenders to bits.
WHY WE WILL WIN:
- Exceptional tournament defence marshalled by Matthias Sammer, Fabio Cannavaro, Lillian Thuram and Peter Schmeichel, each of whom have a strong case to have delivered the greatest tournament performance in their respective positions - Matthias Sammer was voted the best player of the tournament in '96, Cannavaro the second best player in '06 (missing out to his teammate Zidane) and Thuram the third best player in '98 (missing out to his teammate Ronaldo). In contrast none of the opposition defenders were one of the top three players in their respective tournaments - All told we look to have the better tournament defence which is well suited to matching the considerable strength of Raees/Invictus in attack.
- Our midfield is well set up to contain Maradona. One half of the containing strategy is Bastian Schweinsteiger who twice nullified Lionel Messi in 2010 and 2014. The other half is Lothar Matthaus, who gave Maradona the quietest 45 minutes of his raucous summer of 1986, and who worked in tandem with Buchwald to shut him out completely in 1990. No wonder Maradona sees him as his greatest rival and toughest opponent.
- Incredible attack illuminated by some sensational tournament showings from Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo. In particular the synergy between Cruyff and Ronaldo will be off the charts - Cruyff created a World Cup record number of chances in '74 and in a prime Ronaldo there isn't a better man to finish those chances off. R/I have a fine defence, but there's too much electricity in this attack to stop it.
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