TEAM RAEES - SUMMARY
My team will line up in a 4-3-3, which out of possession will be a 4-4-2 with Kopa coming back to join the trio of midfielders to produce two banks of 4 whilst Meazza and Puskas are absolved of any defensive responsibility. The team will play with the midfield trio with the triangle facing up allowing the attacking mid the freedom to roam as he sees fit when the team has possession, out of possession he will help form the shield in front of the defence and the LCDM will help support Schenillinger on the left.
THE DEFENCE
My man between the sticks is Lev YASHIN (60-63), who is universally acclaimed the greatest keeper of all time. First and last keeper to win the Ballon D’or, he was magnificent in leading Russia to the European Championship and Gordon Banks referred to him as the reference point for all those aspiring to be legendary keepers. While his time with the Soviets was littered with success, perhaps his greatest moment came in 1963 when he appeared as part of the Rest of the World XI against England in the FA’s centenary match. The ‘Black Panther’, as he was now known, due to his distinctive black outfit, made a string of sensational saves, fully justifying his more fearsome ‘Black Spider’ moniker to his opponents.
In the heart of defence is the arguably the greatest man marker of the draft Jurgen KOHLER (90-93), He was famed for his defensive perception, physical strength and prowess in the air leading Germany to World Cup glory in Italia 90, the final of euro 92, starring for Juve during the 90’s and winning the European cup with Dortmund.
He will be complemented in defence by the legendary Ajax sweeper Velibor VASOVIC (68-71). A complete defender. Quick, tactically astute, never-say-die attitude, excellent in the air, always in the right place at the right time. Vasovic is in an elite club of defenders (e.g. Beckenbauer, Facchetti) who revolutionised the game and the art of defending in the 60s and early 70s. A leader as well, he captained both Partizan Belgrade and Ajax to three European Cup finals, winning one and scoring his side's only goal in the two he lost.
At right back we have the modern day reference point for the position Marcos CAFU (98-02). At left back we have the defensively astute left-back cum sweeper, legendary German Karl-Heinze SCHNELLINGER (full profile found here).
THE MIDFIELD
In midfield we have a brilliant trio of complete footballers.Lothar MATTHÄUS(88-91)and DIDI (58-62) are the two best central midfielders of all time, the ones who match their brilliance with high level trophies to back them up.. each one is capable of leading a nation on their back but combined, which midfield would be able to compete with such a duo. World cup winners and the leading players for their side (1958, 1962 and 1990).
In addition to the dynamic duo I have what was arguably the first proper global footballing superstar, Pele before his time… Jose Leandro ANDRADE (1924-28)- the star of the 1930 Uruguay world cup, a team which dominated international football in the 1920’s with ’The Black Marvel’ at the forefront. He played on the right side of a three man midfield, equivalent to a wing/back/right midfielder of a diamond in modern parlance and mixed brilliant defensive skills such as anticipation/timing of the tackle with exemplary skill, athleticism and technique going forwards.
THE ATTACK
Up front we have the sensational trio of Raymond KOPA (55-58) (full profile found here), Giuseppe MEAZZA (1934-1938) and Ferenc PUSKAS (52-55). All three were mesmeric virtuosos, all time great dribbling/passing/scoring hybrids who could do it all single-handedly and were the main stars in their respective sides. Puskas if he hadn’t got injured during the early stages of the 1954 tournament would no doubt have led Hungary to the World cup and cemented his status as arguably the best striker of all time, as it was.. he is up there but surpassed by Pele. Best footballer of the 1950’s easily. Meazza is considered by some as the best player in Italian history and was the catalyst for back to back world cups in 1934 and 1938, Kopa was the star of world cup 1958.
TACTICAL BATTLE (Defending against EAP)
EAP has some brilliant names in midfield and attack, brilliant wing backs too but if I had to pick out a weakness in his attack it is pace which in a titanic duel between top quality sides might be the telling point. Rivelino, Kocsis weren’t reknowned for their pace and Jairzinho his best direct match-winning threat is up against Schnellinger whose the perfect full back to take on a goalscoring wideman.
In midfield he has the likes of Schuster/Charlton who can drive at the heart of my defence but once again with the likes of Didi/Andrade/Matthaus I have such a dynamic trio of midfielders that is unlikely they will be found wanting in terms of tracking their men.
His best shot is probably using his wing backs in Djalma (one of the all time greats) and Lizarazu out wide to try and stretch my side, firing in crosses to the golden head Kocsis renowned for his aerial prowess but that plays into my hands as I have Vasovic/Kohler.. extremely comfortable in dealing with aerial threats and Schneillinger is one of the leading full backs at heading the ball, he was a beast in the air.
TACTICS (Attacking against EAP)
EAP has a strong defence, Sammer as sweeper, Forster/Burgnich are rock solid and he has quality full backs but the question ultimately is if the defence as strong as it is of the right calibre to defend against the likes of Kopa, Meazza and Puskas. It is a very similar trio to Messi, Neymar, Suarez in that you have three extremely dynamic attackers all who can do everything.. in contrast to the slower static attack of EAP, I have three main men and virtuosos.. legends of their nation and it would take an all time great defence to keep them quiet, you would need Baresi, Beckenbauer level defensive greats to keep them schtum. His defence is very strong though so it could go either way here but outside of Pele/Ronaldo, I couldn’t really do more here.
The support from midfield and full back is also incredibly strong.. You have Cafu out wide on the right, the drive and power of Matthaus, Andrade, Didi (all multiple world cup winners).. all three of them can drive from wide positions or carve through the centre.. score goals themselves and it is scary to think what this team is capable of when it gets going and moves the ball about. My attack is very unpredictable, especially strong down the right (Cafu, Andrade, Kopa) and you can’t imagine a clean sheet being kept against a side like mine as that is one example of a clear route to goal.
KEY BATTLES
· MATTHAUS, DIDi, ANDRADE V SAMMER, SCHUSTER, CHARLTON
· KOPA, MEAZZA, PUSKAS v SAMMER, BURGNICH, FORSTER
· RIVELINO, JAIRZINHO, KOCIS v CAFU, KOHLER, VASOVIC, SCHNELLINGER.
-------------------------------TEAM RAEES
----------------------------------VERSUS
---------------------------------TEAM EAP
My team will line up in a 4-3-3, which out of possession will be a 4-4-2 with Kopa coming back to join the trio of midfielders to produce two banks of 4 whilst Meazza and Puskas are absolved of any defensive responsibility. The team will play with the midfield trio with the triangle facing up allowing the attacking mid the freedom to roam as he sees fit when the team has possession, out of possession he will help form the shield in front of the defence and the LCDM will help support Schenillinger on the left.
THE DEFENCE
My man between the sticks is Lev YASHIN (60-63), who is universally acclaimed the greatest keeper of all time. First and last keeper to win the Ballon D’or, he was magnificent in leading Russia to the European Championship and Gordon Banks referred to him as the reference point for all those aspiring to be legendary keepers. While his time with the Soviets was littered with success, perhaps his greatest moment came in 1963 when he appeared as part of the Rest of the World XI against England in the FA’s centenary match. The ‘Black Panther’, as he was now known, due to his distinctive black outfit, made a string of sensational saves, fully justifying his more fearsome ‘Black Spider’ moniker to his opponents.
In the heart of defence is the arguably the greatest man marker of the draft Jurgen KOHLER (90-93), He was famed for his defensive perception, physical strength and prowess in the air leading Germany to World Cup glory in Italia 90, the final of euro 92, starring for Juve during the 90’s and winning the European cup with Dortmund.
He will be complemented in defence by the legendary Ajax sweeper Velibor VASOVIC (68-71). A complete defender. Quick, tactically astute, never-say-die attitude, excellent in the air, always in the right place at the right time. Vasovic is in an elite club of defenders (e.g. Beckenbauer, Facchetti) who revolutionised the game and the art of defending in the 60s and early 70s. A leader as well, he captained both Partizan Belgrade and Ajax to three European Cup finals, winning one and scoring his side's only goal in the two he lost.
At right back we have the modern day reference point for the position Marcos CAFU (98-02). At left back we have the defensively astute left-back cum sweeper, legendary German Karl-Heinze SCHNELLINGER (full profile found here).
THE MIDFIELD
In midfield we have a brilliant trio of complete footballers.Lothar MATTHÄUS(88-91)and DIDI (58-62) are the two best central midfielders of all time, the ones who match their brilliance with high level trophies to back them up.. each one is capable of leading a nation on their back but combined, which midfield would be able to compete with such a duo. World cup winners and the leading players for their side (1958, 1962 and 1990).
In addition to the dynamic duo I have what was arguably the first proper global footballing superstar, Pele before his time… Jose Leandro ANDRADE (1924-28)- the star of the 1930 Uruguay world cup, a team which dominated international football in the 1920’s with ’The Black Marvel’ at the forefront. He played on the right side of a three man midfield, equivalent to a wing/back/right midfielder of a diamond in modern parlance and mixed brilliant defensive skills such as anticipation/timing of the tackle with exemplary skill, athleticism and technique going forwards.
THE ATTACK
Up front we have the sensational trio of Raymond KOPA (55-58) (full profile found here), Giuseppe MEAZZA (1934-1938) and Ferenc PUSKAS (52-55). All three were mesmeric virtuosos, all time great dribbling/passing/scoring hybrids who could do it all single-handedly and were the main stars in their respective sides. Puskas if he hadn’t got injured during the early stages of the 1954 tournament would no doubt have led Hungary to the World cup and cemented his status as arguably the best striker of all time, as it was.. he is up there but surpassed by Pele. Best footballer of the 1950’s easily. Meazza is considered by some as the best player in Italian history and was the catalyst for back to back world cups in 1934 and 1938, Kopa was the star of world cup 1958.
TACTICAL BATTLE (Defending against EAP)
EAP has some brilliant names in midfield and attack, brilliant wing backs too but if I had to pick out a weakness in his attack it is pace which in a titanic duel between top quality sides might be the telling point. Rivelino, Kocsis weren’t reknowned for their pace and Jairzinho his best direct match-winning threat is up against Schnellinger whose the perfect full back to take on a goalscoring wideman.
In midfield he has the likes of Schuster/Charlton who can drive at the heart of my defence but once again with the likes of Didi/Andrade/Matthaus I have such a dynamic trio of midfielders that is unlikely they will be found wanting in terms of tracking their men.
His best shot is probably using his wing backs in Djalma (one of the all time greats) and Lizarazu out wide to try and stretch my side, firing in crosses to the golden head Kocsis renowned for his aerial prowess but that plays into my hands as I have Vasovic/Kohler.. extremely comfortable in dealing with aerial threats and Schneillinger is one of the leading full backs at heading the ball, he was a beast in the air.
TACTICS (Attacking against EAP)
EAP has a strong defence, Sammer as sweeper, Forster/Burgnich are rock solid and he has quality full backs but the question ultimately is if the defence as strong as it is of the right calibre to defend against the likes of Kopa, Meazza and Puskas. It is a very similar trio to Messi, Neymar, Suarez in that you have three extremely dynamic attackers all who can do everything.. in contrast to the slower static attack of EAP, I have three main men and virtuosos.. legends of their nation and it would take an all time great defence to keep them quiet, you would need Baresi, Beckenbauer level defensive greats to keep them schtum. His defence is very strong though so it could go either way here but outside of Pele/Ronaldo, I couldn’t really do more here.
The support from midfield and full back is also incredibly strong.. You have Cafu out wide on the right, the drive and power of Matthaus, Andrade, Didi (all multiple world cup winners).. all three of them can drive from wide positions or carve through the centre.. score goals themselves and it is scary to think what this team is capable of when it gets going and moves the ball about. My attack is very unpredictable, especially strong down the right (Cafu, Andrade, Kopa) and you can’t imagine a clean sheet being kept against a side like mine as that is one example of a clear route to goal.
KEY BATTLES
· MATTHAUS, DIDi, ANDRADE V SAMMER, SCHUSTER, CHARLTON
· KOPA, MEAZZA, PUSKAS v SAMMER, BURGNICH, FORSTER
· RIVELINO, JAIRZINHO, KOCIS v CAFU, KOHLER, VASOVIC, SCHNELLINGER.
-------------------------------TEAM RAEES
----------------------------------VERSUS
---------------------------------TEAM EAP
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. I like it easy, the less complicate the better. But it's not my draft.