Roulette Draft - QF: MJJ vs Moby/TRV

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

........................................... TEAM MJJ ..............................................


vs

............................................................ TEAM MOBY/TRV .........................................................

TEAM MJJ

Formation- 5-2-1-2 on paper but in reality, the side can easily and will transition to 4-3-3 at times with both kopa and baggio comfortable outwide.
Defensive Line- Normal
Playing Style- Direct, counterattacking football

Attack

A very fluid front three centered around one of the greatest strikers of all time Nordahl, both Nordahl and Kopa are famous for playing in an attacking trident and baggio would perfectly complement the two. Kopa's preference for the right wing augments baggio's for the left.


Midfield

A very technically sound midfield which can retain the ball or do a lot of damage with quick transitions. Tigana was a complete box to box midfield player, excelling in quick transitions and one-two play and voronin is the perfect DM to partner Tigana and kopa. Defensively solid but with excellent ball skills. The ball playing ability of my midfield means that any one of midfield can play a game-changing pass if afforded enough time.


Defense

The German Wall.

Why I would win

• Both sides are playing similar formations however, I feel like my side has a much better defense and striker which should prove the difference. "Well he can double that number, and then add another 26, then, and just then, he has passed Il Cannoniere." Thats what milan supporters have to say for both Shevchenko and Nordahl.

TEAM MOBY/TRV


Formation:- 5-3-2/3-4-3.
Defensive Line:- Normal.
Playing Style:- Direct & Counter-Attacking Football.

ATTACK:-

In attack, we have an attacking triumvirate of Andriy Shevchenko, Rivaldo & Michael Laudrup. Sheva will lead the line for us and run the channels, while Rivaldo will play off him in a free role as a second striker. He would come off the left flank like he used to with Brazil NT and at Barcelona and link up with Sheva and Laudrup. Laudrup will be the No 10. He would have complete license to orchestrate the attacks. Both Rivaldo and Laudrup were quite agile and mobile, so there would be plenty of link-up as well as interchange, making it immensely difficult for any defense to cope up with them.


MIDFIELD:-

We will play a double pivot of Fernando Redondo & Zito. Redondo would be the holding midfielder while Zito will be the destroyer. Redondo would control and dictate the tempo of the game while Zito would look cover for the full-backs whenever they overlap ensuring we don't leave behind any space that can be exploited on counters. Both were excellent defensively and would do a great job of covering the defense.

DEFENSE:-

We are playing a 5-man defensive wall of Nílton Santos, Javier Zanetti, Jaap Stam, Fabio Cannavaro & Armando Picchi. Nílton Santos and Javier Zanetti would be the wing-backs, whose role would be to consistently overlap and provide width down the flanks. Both were outstanding going forward and could single-handedly run the flanks and be the creative outlets. At the same time both were very good defensively as well. Armando Picchi will be the sweeper. The defensive linchpin of Helenio Herrera's La Grande Inter side, Picchi is considered one of the greatest Italian defenders of all-time. Although he wasn't as aggressive with his offensive runs like Beckenbauer and Scirea etc, Picchi was still a brilliant passer and was often the one who initiated attacks and swift counter-attacks from the back. Defensively is where he made a name for himself. An outstanding defender with immaculate reading of the game, Picchi in a way was the pioneer of the sweeper position of Italian football. His ability to sweep-up and stop the attacks would be priceless in our defensive system. Alongside him are two of the greatest stoppers of all-time, Cannavaro and Stam. Both excellent tacklers with no real weakness to their game. At their peaks, they were as good as any stopper to have played the game of football. Enrico Albertosi is our goalkeeper.


WHY WE WILL WIN:-

MJJ has a great team and we both will more or less be employing a similar set-up. However, we feel, we have the advantages, especially in the key areas which would propel us to win the game in the end.

• In a game where both sides are playing a narrow set-ups, full-backs/wing-backs often are the deciding factor and we have the superior full-back duo of Nílton Santos and Javier Zanetti vs Berti Vogts/Briegel and Andreas Brehme. Vogts was a great player and he was no dummy going forward but he can't be a consistent threat and be the attacking outlet that would be required here.

• In a vacuum, MJJ's central defense is better but our central defense is better equipped dealing with their attack than vice-versa. By having Cannavaro as the right-sided CB, we have ensured we have a pacy CB on that side to deal with Baggio. Cannavaro has the pace and the agility to keep up with Baggio even when he drops deeps and negate his impact. And especially with Picchi behind, we have an elite sweeper who would cover that extremely well. That leaves us with Nordahl. A great striker but his main strength was in the air. In Jaap Stam, we have an absolute beast with insane strength and aerial prowess who can handle Nordahl's aerial impact relatively well.

• Kopa won't be easy to handle but Zito is the perfect player to restrict him. We can't completely stop him. But with Redondo helping Zito out, we can negate his impact. Also Nordahl isn't the ideal striker to take the best out of Kopa. He isn't someone who can run the channels and get at the end of Kopa's through-balls.

• We have a superior attack. In terms of sheer quality as well as an attacking-unit, the trio of Shevchenko, Rivaldo and Laudrup would cause mayhem to any defense with their pace, link-up play and movement. Rivaldo and Laudrup can drift out wide if needed as well making it difficult for opposition defenders to keep track of them and taking them out of position and to the areas they won't be comfortable defending against.

• Just to mix it up, as Plan-B, we can shift to a 3-4-3 formation as well and create more mis-matches out wide. Sheva up-front with Rivaldo and Laudrup playing off him as withdrawn second-strikers. With Nílton Santos and Javier Zanetti overlapping, and Rivaldo as well as Laudup in the attack, we can often create 2 vs 1 situations on counters which MJJ's team would have no answer of.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

@MJJ @Moby @The Red Viper All the best!

 

[MJJ]

Good luck TRV/Moby.

Just highlighting a couple of things from the writeups.

• If Zito and Redondo are defending Kopa that gives tigana and voronin free reign to run midfield and basically take over the game.
• There isnt much between the fullbacks with all four being equally good at attacking and defending.
  
• The key difference is the central defense, sammer is a much superior player to picchi and will run riot here by contributing to the midfield and defense whereas picchi is going to be staying at the back. This will allow me to overload a midfield already trying to defend against kopa.
• Nordhal is one of the greatest headers of all time and in a narrow-ish side with wingbacks providing the width, the side which can better utilize crosses can often win.
• KH Forster is one of the best man-markers of all time and Kohler is one of the best stoppers, having a narrow attack against them is a sure fire way to lose the game.

 

[MJJ]

Posting this excellent post(article) by @Annahnomoss on Nordahl

Gunnar ''Il Bisonte" Nordahl
Position: Striker
Height: 1.80m (5’11”)
Weight: 92 kg (209 lbs.)
Achievements: 9x Top scorer of the league
Allsvenskan - 1943, 1945, 1946, 1948
Serie A - 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954 1955
Olympic Gold & Top scorer 1948
Swedish Footballer of the year 1947
Serie A - 1950-51, 1954-55
Latin Cup - 1950-51, 1955-56
Record holder as Serie A Top scorer (x5)

Career Statistics
Team--------Matches-------Goals-------
Club------------504-----------422--------
Sweden--------33------------43---------

Peak Statistics - 1947-51
Team--------Matches-------Goals-------Goals per game
Club------------121-----------109-------- 0.90
Sweden--------16------------28----------1.75
Total-----------137-----------137---------1.00

In his peak between 47-51(26-31 yo) Nordahl was maybe the greatest player in football, arguably the player of the year in '48 with the Olympics gold win as the top scorer, after just having won the Swedish league as the top scorer.

Just to move to Milan and score 16 goals in 15 league games to set the bar for his legendary Milan career.

49-50 - Again, the top scorer in Serie A with his 35 goals in 37 matches. Which had some of the best players in the world. One of the best players in the world as an individual but they failed to win anything as it was the first season for Grenoli to gel together with Milan.

In 50-51 he was also the stand out player of the year with Liedholm/Gren as he for the second consecutive time was the top scorer in Serie A with 34 goals in 37 matches and Milan won the league as well as the Latin Cup, the forerunner to the European Cup, in a historically domininant fashion.

After a 4-1 win against the Spanish champions they faced the French in the final where Nordahl with a hat-trick showed his brilliance, in what would be a 5-0 win to Milan. Certainly deserving of the Ballon with Liedholm had it existed that year.

Style of play

Record holder as the top scorer in Serie A after being the top scorer 5 times in just 6 seasons, which should be impossible as he went to Milan aged 27.

Technically limited but he epitomized the role of a poacher with some of the best natural goalscoring instincts football has ever seen. Accustomed of working against a packed defense, heavily outnumbered, yet he always read the balls trajectory and managed to be at the end of it whether it took a bounce on a defender or his teammate along the way.

He combined that predatory instinct with being able to finish with his first touch with both feet with equal ease. Half chances wasn't part of his vocabulary as he was a true master of scoring ugly goals. He struck half volleys, tap ins, volleys and off balance shots with pin point precision and if a ball wasn't perfectly cleared he had a knack for getting a toe on it and turning it to a goal.

What he lacked technically he made up for with an electric acceleration and good pace which he used to constantly beat the defenders and break free towards goal. Rarely dropping deep or standing still and instead almost solely focused on being a nuisance centrally.

Weighing in at 92 kg, his physical game earned him the nickname "Il Bisonte". Once in a game against Napoli the defender grabbed his jersey, but Nordahl dragged him along for nearly two dozen feet and scored a goal.

Inside the area he was a one man army battering ram and dominated the aerial duels and bullied the most fierce defenders with his strength. He didn't play ugly or foul but he made sure to enter every challenge at full intensity with all 92 kg of his body. Often knocking down the defenders to the ground as he won the 50-50 duels.

But he wasn't just a six-yard box poacher, he also packed a powerful shot for just outside the box that would punch a hole in the air as it rippled the net. He also had an understanding with Gren and Liedholm that surpassed their individual abilities.

With "Il Bisonte" inside the area and Gren and Liedholm making runs in to it the opponents defenders were often left short. Which meant he also played a major part in the 36 goals that Liedholm and Gren scored in one season in 49-50. Either from bullying his defenders with his strengths to set up a storming Gren/Liedholm.

Or from occupying several defenders on his own to create space for Liedholm and Gren. He was also more than capable of linking up with the two or lead the attack through carrying the ball forward at full speed.

Defensively as the team lost the ball his job under Raynor in particular was to press the defender in to making a long pass. Something far from the later tactical pressing and more like individual pressing from the wingers and forward.

Information

During this International break, I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at a Milan legend who gave up his right to represent his country in order to sign with Milan. If you’ve ever heard of the epic Gre-No-Li trio, he was the “No” in the Gre-No-Li. He is also the only player still to have won the capoconnoniere (top scorer) title five times in Serie A. So many goals, so many records, from such humble beginnings. Like other legendary players and coaches, Gunnar Nordahl is permanently etched into Milan history. In fact, he is known in Serie A as “Il Cannoniere,” or the gunner.

A giant of a man, a legend of a player


His national team career may have been cut short by ridiculous laws, but his statue in Sweden shows his value even today

It was at this point that Milan came calling for the robust 1.81m (5’11”) and 92 kg (209 lbs.) scoring machine. His size made him as feared as his skills, he was a danger in the air, was brilliant at scoring on the volley, as well as tap-ins and easy goals. But due to his size, he would become known as il Bisonte (the bison) in Italy. However, first he had to navigate Swedish laws, which may have been trickier than the toughest defense to unlock and allow him to play in Italy. Additionally, he would have to give up his chance to represent the Swedish national team anymore. This after 43 goals in 33 caps for Sweden. That includes helping lead Sweden to victory in the 1948 Olympics alongside two of his brothers, where he was also awarded the title of top scorer for that tournament.

Italy was different. Milan offered him a luxuriously furnished apartment in the heart of Milan, but instead he chose a simple, modest one on the outskirts of the city. When his teammates showed up for his first function in the most stylish suits of the day with luxury watches and nice shoes, he showed up in an inexpensive shirt and trousers. He was concerned about being able to fit into that world, but on the pitch it was no problem at all.


The legendary Swedish Milan trio: Gre-No-Li

In his first 15 games with Milan, he scored 16 goals, which led Milan to renegotiate and give him a better contract after only six months. Additionally, upon his recommendation, they would sign Swedish teammates Gunnar Gren and Niels Liedholm, who also forfeited their chance to represent Sweden anymore in order to help Milan win two Scudetti, in 1951 and 1955. Nordahl was capocannoniere in 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, and 1955. He still holds the record for the most Serie A goals scored post-war, with 35 goals in the 1949-50 season.

After his time at Milan, he went to Roma, where he played for two years and then stayed on for another year as a player-manager. Counting the goals he scored at Roma, he is the third highest all-time Serie A scorer, behind Silvio Piola and Francesco Totti, the latter of whom just passed him in 2012. Nordahl’s 210 goals scored in just seven years in Serie A has left his mark indelibly on Italy, and he is also AC Milan’s all time highest scorer, with 221 total goals for the club. But perhaps his most impressive feat is his scoring proficiency record, which he also holds for Serie A. Amazingly, he scored .77 goals per match. To put that in perspective, Piola’s scoring percentage is only .51. They just don’t make them like that anymore.


il Cannoniere

He went on to manage a number of clubs in Sweden, including IFK for two different spells. Sadly, he passed away in 1995 at the age of 73. But his legend in Sweden lives on, as IFK just recently named their supporters’ stands after him: the Curva Nordahl. The name blends his Italian legacy (“Curva Nord” is the north curve) and his Swedish and IFK legacies to honor a man who not only left his mark on Swedish and Italian football, but also paved the way for future Swedish players to be able to play in abroad today. Without Nordahl, there would be no Ibra. So let’s tip our hats to a true Milan legend and a great man, il Cannoniere.

Footage

Spoiler

Swedish Documentary about Grenoli and Nacka
Sweden 3-3 Denmark
Sweden 5-3 Norway(x5 Nordahl)
Compilation of Milans season 1950-54

Sources

Spoiler

Swedish Documentary about Grenoli and Nacka
http://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/landslagsdatabas/landslagsspelare/?fplid=658284
https://books.google.se/books?id=lWGFDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT229&dq=gunnar+nordahl&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjvie7W-5HTAhUFZCwKHQnuCMkQ6AEILDAC#v=onepage&q=gunnar nordahl&f=false
https://books.google.se/books?id=d2VQAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT204&dq=gunnar+nordahl&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP67fm-5HTAhXDWywKHcnbB_E4ChDoAQhDMAc#v=onepage&q=gunnar nordahl&f=false
https://books.google.se/books?id=rhIHBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT66&dq=gunnar+nordahl&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP67fm-5HTAhXDWywKHcnbB_E4ChDoAQhQMAk#v=onepage&q=gunnar nordahl&f=false

 

[harms]

Very even teams and quite similar in their set up. I was thinking that Moby's team would be a favourite in their next match up but it isn't the case.

The variety of roles that Sammer offers can be a match-winning difference here, since Picchi was an old-style sweeper who won't be able to help in midfield. And Nilton's position is not ideal (compared Brehme, Zanetti and Briegel, who are a perfect fit for those wingback roles), not that he can't play there.

On the other hand, I think that Sheva would have a better game than Nordahl.

 

[harms]

Redondo would be the holding midfielder while Zito will be the destroyer. Redondo would control and dictate the tempo of the game while Zito would look cover for the full-backs whenever they overlap ensuring we don't leave behind any space that can be exploited on counters. Both were excellent defensively and would do a great job of covering the defense.

Don't think that I've ever seen Zito covering for someone out wide. It's a pretty specific tactical instruction for which I'm not sure that he's well suited.

The upside of having Picchi though is that you don't really need that cover in the first place.

 

[MJJ]

Very even teams and quite similar in their set up. I was thinking that Moby's team would be a favourite in their next match up but it isn't the case.

The variety of roles that Sammer offers can be a match-winning difference here, since Picchi was an old-style sweeper who won't be able to help in midfield. And Nilton's position is not ideal (compared Brehme, Zanetti and Briegel, who are a perfect fit for those wingback roles), not that he can't play there.

On the other hand, I think that Sheva would have a better game than Nordahl.

I would argue that Nordahl is more used to playing against a back five and scoring in a tightly packed box, I am not sure how well sheva would do given the lack of space and quality of defenders he is up against.

From my post above:-

Technically limited but he epitomized the role of a poacher with some of the best natural goalscoring instincts football has ever seen. Accustomed of working against a packed defense, heavily outnumbered, yet he always read the balls trajectory and managed to be at the end of it whether it took a bounce on a defender or his teammate along the way.

He combined that predatory instinct with being able to finish with his first touch with both feet with equal ease. Half chances wasn't part of his vocabulary as he was a true master of scoring ugly goals. He struck half volleys, tap ins, volleys and off balance shots with pin point precision and if a ball wasn't perfectly cleared he had a knack for getting a toe on it and turning it to a goal.

What he lacked technically he made up for with an electric acceleration and good pace which he used to constantly beat the defenders and break free towards goal. Rarely dropping deep or standing still and instead almost solely focused on being a nuisance centrally.

Weighing in at 92 kg, his physical game earned him the nickname "Il Bisonte". Once in a game against Napoli the defender grabbed his jersey, but Nordahl dragged him along for nearly two dozen feet and scored a goal.

Inside the area he was a one man army battering ram and dominated the aerial duels and bullied the most fierce defenders with his strength. He didn't play ugly or foul but he made sure to enter every challenge at full intensity with all 92 kg of his body. Often knocking down the defenders to the ground as he won the 50-50 duels.

But he wasn't just a six-yard box poacher, he also packed a powerful shot for just outside the box that would punch a hole in the air as it rippled the net. He also had an understanding with Gren and Liedholm that surpassed their individual abilities.

With "Il Bisonte" inside the area and Gren and Liedholm making runs in to it the opponents defenders were often left short. Which meant he also played a major part in the 36 goals that Liedholm and Gren scored in one season in 49-50. Either from bullying his defenders with his strengths to set up a storming Gren/Liedholm.

It was due to his ability to play well as part of an attacking trio and physicallity that he was my second choice to lead the defense after seeler.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I like:

Kopa/Baggio more than Laudrup/Rivaldo
Redondo/Zito more than Tigana/Voronin
MJJs defence more than Moby/TRVs.

This is tough.

 

[Jim Beam]

Splitting hairs atm really. On first glance, I am not fully sold on Redondo - Zito partnership for some reason and would maybe prefer more classic, more energetic b2b along Redondo. Don't have any problems with Picchi as a conservative sweeper though. The more attacking one would just mess up the dynamics of the team and wouldn't suit Redondo.
On the other hand, rate Moby's fullbacks just a bit more in terms of having a better game here. Who takes control of the midfield probably wins the game imo.

Will vote after a bit more discussion.

 

[The Red Viper]

Good luck TRV/Moby.

Just highlighting a couple of things from the writeups.

• If Zito and Redondo are defending Kopa that gives tigana and voronin free reign to run midfield and basically take over the game.
• There isnt much between the fullbacks with all four being equally good at attacking and defending.
  
• The key difference is the central defense, sammer is a much superior player to picchi and will run riot here by contributing to the midfield and defense whereas picchi is going to be staying at the back. This will allow me to overload a midfield already trying to defend against kopa.
• Nordhal is one of the greatest headers of all time and in a narrow-ish side with wingbacks providing the width, the side which can better utilize crosses can often win.
• KH Forster is one of the best man-markers of all time and Kohler is one of the best stoppers, having a narrow attack against them is a sure fire way to lose the game.

Both Zito and Redondo aren't man-marking Kopa. Zito has the primary duty but Redondo will help him out if needed. It won't be Gentile'esque man-marking.

And, I completely disagree there isn't much between full-backs. There is a huge gap. Brehme could and did play as a right-back but his prime as a footballer was as a LB. Now, I am not saying he won't be good there. He would be but he won't be as good as Zanetti as a RB. It would be similar to playing Zanetti as a LB and saying he would be as good as Brehme as a LB. Which isn't true. Nilton Santos is on another level altogether compared to Briegel as a full-back.

As for Nordahl, we have Stam dealing with him. The perfect CB you need to deal against someone like Nordahl. He has the strength to match-up with Nordahl and in fact win the physical battle. As good as Nordahl was, he never faced a physical specimen like Stam.

 

[The Red Viper]

Very even teams and quite similar in their set up. I was thinking that Moby's team would be a favourite in their next match up but it isn't the case.

The variety of roles that Sammer offers can be a match-winning difference here, since Picchi was an old-style sweeper who won't be able to help in midfield. And Nilton's position is not ideal (compared Brehme, Zanetti and Briegel, who are a perfect fit for those wingback roles), not that he can't play there.

On the other hand, I think that Sheva would have a better game than Nordahl.

Why do you think Nilton's position isn't ideal? Just curious.

 

[The Red Viper]

I like:

Kopa/Baggio more than Laudrup/Rivaldo
Redondo/Zito more than Tigana/Voronin
MJJs defence more than Moby/TRVs.

This is tough.

I don't think there's much between Kopa-Baggio and Laudrup-Rivaldo but can understand if you like it more.

However, if we add the strikers, and we have to considering they will be the ones at the end of most chances, Sheva complements Rivaldo and Laudrup a lot more than Nordahl complements Kopa and Baggio.

Agree about MJJ's central defense being better than mine. But, I feel we have a superior advantage in the full-backs position. Nilton as a player is tier over other full-backs here. Zanetti as a RB is better than Brehme as a RB.

 

[The Red Viper]

Splitting hairs atm really. On first glance, I am not fully sold on Redondo - Zito partnership for some reason and would maybe prefer more classic, more energetic b2b along Redondo. Don't have any problems with Picchi as a more conservative sweeper though. The more attacking one would just mess up the dynamics of the team and wouldn't suit Redondo.
On the other hand, rate Moby's fullbacks just a bit more in terms of having a better game here. Who takes control of the midfield probably wins the game imo.

Will vote after a bit more discussion.

I agree Redondo - Zito isn't the perfect partnership. I also would prefer someone like a Roy Keane alongside Redondo. But when you think about it, a lot of Redondo's best performances came alongside someone like Karembeu and Helguera in midfield. None of them were exactly energetic box-box midfielders. So, its not something that will be a new territory for Redondo. If anything, Zito is a far more skilled footballer than either Karembeu and Helguera.

 

[MJJ]

Both Zito and Redondo aren't man-marking Kopa. Zito has the primary duty but Redondo will help him out if needed. It won't be Gentile'esque man-marking.

And, I completely disagree there isn't much between full-backs. There is a huge gap. Brehme could and did play as a right-back but his prime as a footballer was as a LB. Now, I am not saying he won't be good there. He would be but he won't be as good as Zanetti as a RB. It would be similar to playing Zanetti as a LB and saying he would be as good as Brehme as a LB. Which isn't true. Nilton Santos is on another level altogether compared to Briegel as a full-back.

As for Nordahl, we have Stam dealing with him. The perfect CB you need to deal against someone like Nordahl. He has the strength to match-up with Nordahl and in fact win the physical battle. As good as Nordahl was, he never faced a physical specimen like Stam.

That's why I used the word defending not man marking, if zito is covering both wings as well as having primary focus on kopa I really don't get how he will have time to contribute to the midfield battle.

Redondo is good but he can't handle tigana and Voronin alone, specially when sammer steps up. How are you dealing with this btw?

Brehme is proven at the highest level as a rb so no, it's not like playing Zanetti at lb. Given his two footedness and match credentials, he is fine there.

Nordahl played in an era when the game was much more physical and held his own. He will do fine here against stam, specially with his burst of acceleration. Strikers can also choose which defender to attack and is stam going to follow him to the right when he is on that side? Unless stam is man marking him I don't see how you can state with so much confidence that he will be nullified.

On the matter of not facing an opponent, how often has Shevchenko played and excelled againdt a back five? Nordahl made a living of it.

 

[harms]

Why do you think Nilton's position isn't ideal? Just curious.

From what I've seen of him, he wasn't a lung-busting wingback who covered the whole wing by himself like Cafu or Zanetti — but rather an intelligent defender who excelled in a back 4 (and even covered for center backs from time to time). His dribbling and passing (mostly long) was great, which was very unconventional for that time, and he became almost an auxiliary playmaker (which earned his reputation of one of the first attacking fullbacks), but he very rarely crossed the half-way line and I won't believe in him providing the width in 5-3-2. I think I myself tried to use him in a similar role and didn't like it as well.

Case in point

Plus, with him being right-footed, his natural development later saw him being transformed into a more playmaking version of himself who regularly cut inside and joined midfield as he was losing his pace.

 

[The Red Viper]

For me the main difference is the quality of full-backs. In a narrow game, they will be the difference maker.

Nilton who is Tier-1 full-back and Zanetti who is a better RB than Brehme have a considerable advantage there.

 

[The Red Viper]

Heading out for a bit. Will be back soon!

 

[Gio]

I agree Redondo - Zito isn't the perfect partnership. I also would prefer someone like a Roy Keane alongside Redondo. But when you think about it, a lot of Redondo's best performances came alongside someone like Karembeu and Helguera in midfield. None of them were exactly energetic box-box midfielders. So, its not something that will be a new territory for Redondo. If anything, Zito is a far more skilled footballer than either Karembeu and Helguera.

Dunno about that. When Karembeu was at Sampdoria nobody could believe how fit he was.

I had never seen anyone with a greater work capacity. When he ran intervals in training, nobody could keep up.

 

[Jim Beam]

I agree Redondo - Zito isn't the perfect partnership. I also would prefer someone like a Roy Keane alongside Redondo. But when you think about it, a lot of Redondo's best performances came alongside someone like Karembeu and Helguera in midfield. None of them were exactly energetic box-box midfielders. So, its not something that will be a new territory for Redondo. If anything, Zito is a far more skilled footballer than either Karembeu and Helguera.

Yep, someone like Keane or even Davids would be perfect. While being defensively sound and you don't lose anything in that sense (already have 5 at the back) it gives you a great option to stretch the game and add another threat for the opponent to worry about. Count those fullbacks and it would give Redondo and Laudrup just what they need to run the game.
Was thinking more in that sense. Not that is a bad partnership, just that it isn't an ideal one considering the opposition.

 

[idmanager]

Sammer seems to be the biggest difference maker here

 

[2mufc0]

Sammer seems to be the biggest difference maker here

Agree, two very close teams this is what decided it for me.

 

[Demyanenko_square_jaw]

Yes, Sammer driving forward would give the midfield edge to his side imo, also Redondo against Voronin reminds me of his struggles in the CL against Titov, who at the time was the supposed Voronin mark 2 of Russian football. In truth he was a more attacking, less defensively adept player, but there were a good amount of similiarities when he played deeper against the stronger sides in Europe. I think Redondo is the most likely of all the midfielders to have his creative game neutered here, though tbf despite being a great player i don't rate him quite as highly as many others seem to, i think at the time i saw him have one too many bad games against various EE midfielders i was following. In retrospect that probably speaks more to the talent some of those players had more than anything, but it leaves an impression.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Sammer seems to be the biggest difference maker here

Agree, two very close teams this is what decided it for me.

The teams are different. MJJ does not have a playmaker like Redondo and so Sammer will play a important role. For Moby, he does not need a libero there. Two solid defenders who can step on to tackle whoever has the ball knowing they have the brilliant Picchi to sweep behind. I think both fit their teams perfectly.

 

[MJJ]

The teams are different. MJJ does not have a playmaker like Redondo and so Sammer will play a important role. For Moby, he does not need a libero there. Two solid defenders who can step on to tackle whoever has the ball knowing they have the brilliant Picchi to sweep behind. I think both fit their teams perfectly.

True but sammer stepping into midfield creates an overload for me which will be harder to defend against whereas picchi makes him defensively solid but doesn't take over the match like sammer can and will.

 

[Don Alfredo]

Sammer as the match-winner, finally. Deserved.

Probably the most influential defensive player in the whole draft. Brilliant drafting by MJJ to pick him up in round 3.

 

[Ecstatic]

Sammer as the match-winner, finally. Deserved.

Probably the most influential defensive player in the whole draft. Brilliant drafting by MJJ to pick him up in round 3.

I fear that Picchi is a match-loser for some voters.

On a more serious note, 5 German defenders as a unit helps.

I'm not sure the tactical system is the best one given the players on the pitch.

 

[MJJ]

I fear that Picchi is a match-loser for some voters.

On a more serious note, 5 German defenders as a unit helps.

I'm not sure the tactical system is the best one given the players on the pitch.

Why do you think that ecstatic?

 

[Ecstatic]

Why do you think that ecstatic?

You have a brilliant defence

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I fear that Picchi is a match-loser for some voters.

On a more serious note, 5 German defenders as a unit helps.

I'm not sure the tactical system is the best one given the players on the pitch.

Not really. Picchi Redondo is a tad too defensive, though I would have voted for Moby in this game. Picchi with someone like Pasarella would be an optimal pairing, but in this game I think Moby defence is better than MJJs.

 

[MJJ]

You have a brilliant defence

I meant why the tactical system isnt ideal or were you talking about moby's.

 

[Ecstatic]

I meant why the tactical system isnt ideal or were you talking about moby's.

Ah! Let's say I'm not a big fan of the systems with 5 defenders even if it's a powerful tactical system against some teams.

What I would have done:

 

[Ecstatic]

Not really. Picchi Redondo is a tad too defensive, though I would have voted for Moby in this game. Picchi with someone like Pasarella would be an optimal pairing, but in this game I think Moby defence is better than MJJs.

Humm

I like both teams.

Regarding Moby, a box-to-box would have been the welcome if the required tactical system is 3-5-2