LONGEVITY
TACTICS
- A solid defence with 2 of the most complete fullbacks ever to have played the game, and in the centre a complete footballer alongside a complete defender.
- The creative hub is Jozsef Bozsik with the tireless Diego Simeone in close attendance providing the running, endeavour and tactical nous.
- The width further forward is provided by 2 legendary flying machines providing an outlet in behind for Bozsiks metronomic passing and also creating space for Bozsik carrying the ball forward. Matthews and Gento will run at and commit the opposition defenders and do what they do best, getting quality delivery into box for one of the most natural goalscorers to have played the game Just Fontaine to profit.
- Also in the thick of things none other than Sir Bobby Charlton, Man Utd and Englands record goalscorer.
Team Cutch
Team Kazi
General style of play
Spearheaded by a brilliant all round striker in Jurgen Klinsmann. I mean, who gets second place at the Ballon d’Or while playing for Tottenham? Iniesta, one of the great playmakers will be supplying Klinsmann with most of his chances. His pace and strength will work a treat with Iniesta’s through balls from midfield. Klinsmann was also great at finding space within the box and poaching, Bale from the wing will give him plenty of opportunities to do just that. Landa on the left will be making himself a nuisance for their backline; making runs to help make space for Klinsmann, getting involved in build-up play and looking to get on the end of chances, he 1 in 2 scoring rate for Chile is very good. Robson (who had numerous 15 goal seasons) and Schweinsteiger will also be busting a gut to be that final piece in a successful attack, although their first priority will be to help and protect Iniesta in setting up attacks and creating chances. Klinsmann can make magic happen from craps, even if we are struggling to control and create. I will also try taking advantage of set pieces. All of my back four are threats from set pieces, as is my centre forward, and most of the others aren’t bad either. I’ll also add that Bale has an extremely underrated strike-rate with the dead ball. He used to be known as a free-kick specialist, you know.
Defence
Probably my strength, led by the legend Scirea. He’ll be organising that fierce backline. Thiago Silva is proving to be the most talented defender of his generation, and with Scirea next to him, they’ll make quite a pairing. My full-backs are probably best known for playing in central areas. This has its advantages and disadvantages. But overall, it makes my wide areas more defensively solid and versatile, having two guys who are fit to adapt and excellent at reading a situation. Schweinsteiger and Robson provide excellent protection at the heart. On most occasions, I’ll be looking to have another bank of four in front of the back four, with one guy ahead to lead the counter and Klinsmann up top. That second bank of four will always consist of Schweinsteiger at Robson, and then two of Bale, Iniesta and Landa depending on which one of them is left highest up the pitch and/or way out of position after an attack. Preferably, Bale will always be on the right of the four with Landa/Iniesta on the left. Although, positions can change depending on the situation, e.g. if Landa is high up the pitch and Iniesta is central, Schweinsteiger can move over to the left of the four and Iniesta can drop in next to Robson. They’re all known to have great stamina, so I have the confidence that they’ll always cover each others backs. Shout-out to Cech, who is the man you want at the back of a defensive team with his brilliant concentration, decision making and general keeping skills.
Cutch / Why I will win
- 10 outfield players each considered to be a legend of the game in their respective countries.
Lets take a minute to reflect on the longevity of some of these careers:
Club
Nilton Santos - 723 games at Botafogo
Stanley Matthews - 700 career games
Zanetti - 19 years at Inter
Bozsik - 19 years at Honved
Gento - 18 years at Real
Charlton - 17 years at Man Utd
Sadurni 16 years at Barca
Krol - 12 years at Ajax
Country
Zanetti - 145 caps
Gamarra - 110 caps
Simeone - 106 caps
Charlton - 106 caps
Bozsik - 101 caps
Krol - 83 caps
Nilton Santos - 75 caps
Lets take a minute to reflect on the longevity of some of these careers:
Club
Nilton Santos - 723 games at Botafogo
Stanley Matthews - 700 career games
Zanetti - 19 years at Inter
Bozsik - 19 years at Honved
Gento - 18 years at Real
Charlton - 17 years at Man Utd
Sadurni 16 years at Barca
Krol - 12 years at Ajax
Country
Zanetti - 145 caps
Gamarra - 110 caps
Simeone - 106 caps
Charlton - 106 caps
Bozsik - 101 caps
Krol - 83 caps
Nilton Santos - 75 caps
- A solid defence with 2 of the most complete fullbacks ever to have played the game, and in the centre a complete footballer alongside a complete defender.
- The creative hub is Jozsef Bozsik with the tireless Diego Simeone in close attendance providing the running, endeavour and tactical nous.
- The width further forward is provided by 2 legendary flying machines providing an outlet in behind for Bozsiks metronomic passing and also creating space for Bozsik carrying the ball forward. Matthews and Gento will run at and commit the opposition defenders and do what they do best, getting quality delivery into box for one of the most natural goalscorers to have played the game Just Fontaine to profit.
- Also in the thick of things none other than Sir Bobby Charlton, Man Utd and Englands record goalscorer.
Team Cutch
Team Kazi
General style of play
- Happy to absorb pressure against teams who hold possession well, otherwise Iniesta will take hold of the game
- Generally attack in short, quick bursts when blood is smelt
- Counter quickly
- Overall superior fitness of the team will allow them to be patient and take control in the latter stages / strike late on in a tight game
Spearheaded by a brilliant all round striker in Jurgen Klinsmann. I mean, who gets second place at the Ballon d’Or while playing for Tottenham? Iniesta, one of the great playmakers will be supplying Klinsmann with most of his chances. His pace and strength will work a treat with Iniesta’s through balls from midfield. Klinsmann was also great at finding space within the box and poaching, Bale from the wing will give him plenty of opportunities to do just that. Landa on the left will be making himself a nuisance for their backline; making runs to help make space for Klinsmann, getting involved in build-up play and looking to get on the end of chances, he 1 in 2 scoring rate for Chile is very good. Robson (who had numerous 15 goal seasons) and Schweinsteiger will also be busting a gut to be that final piece in a successful attack, although their first priority will be to help and protect Iniesta in setting up attacks and creating chances. Klinsmann can make magic happen from craps, even if we are struggling to control and create. I will also try taking advantage of set pieces. All of my back four are threats from set pieces, as is my centre forward, and most of the others aren’t bad either. I’ll also add that Bale has an extremely underrated strike-rate with the dead ball. He used to be known as a free-kick specialist, you know.
Defence
Probably my strength, led by the legend Scirea. He’ll be organising that fierce backline. Thiago Silva is proving to be the most talented defender of his generation, and with Scirea next to him, they’ll make quite a pairing. My full-backs are probably best known for playing in central areas. This has its advantages and disadvantages. But overall, it makes my wide areas more defensively solid and versatile, having two guys who are fit to adapt and excellent at reading a situation. Schweinsteiger and Robson provide excellent protection at the heart. On most occasions, I’ll be looking to have another bank of four in front of the back four, with one guy ahead to lead the counter and Klinsmann up top. That second bank of four will always consist of Schweinsteiger at Robson, and then two of Bale, Iniesta and Landa depending on which one of them is left highest up the pitch and/or way out of position after an attack. Preferably, Bale will always be on the right of the four with Landa/Iniesta on the left. Although, positions can change depending on the situation, e.g. if Landa is high up the pitch and Iniesta is central, Schweinsteiger can move over to the left of the four and Iniesta can drop in next to Robson. They’re all known to have great stamina, so I have the confidence that they’ll always cover each others backs. Shout-out to Cech, who is the man you want at the back of a defensive team with his brilliant concentration, decision making and general keeping skills.
Cutch / Why I will win
- You’ve been quoted as having the ‘best team in the draft’ (Raees 2015, p.84) and an ‘amazing’ team (NM 2015, p.84). Your team is pretty good, but it’s met its match here. Perhaps not man for man (although I’d disagree here, give me Bale over any of his attackers) but definitely stylistically. My team will outwork you, out-heart you and most crucially, outscore you.
- I see your major strength coming down the wings with Matthews and Gento. But they are coming up against the type of full-backs wingers never want to come up against. They’re coming up against centre-backs. Centre-backs with bite. Centre-back with greatest positional sense and awareness than your average full-back. Ramos one on one eats up most wingers, he’s too fast and too strong. And you gotta be one clever motherfecker to get past de Boer.
- Your team’s old. Will they really be able to keep up with my modern team. These guys are supreme athletes. Nilton Santos is one of the great left-backs, but will his 1950s ass really be able to keep up with Gareth Bale? A Gareth Bale that probably bench presses 140kg and runs 100 metres in 10.5 seconds? There is too much talent and too much pure athleticism for my lot not to overwhelm you.
- I have the best playmaker on the pitch. You have a lot of talented players, there’s no doubt about that. But there’s no one who’s going to create chances as frequently and as consistently as Iniesta. There’s no one on the pitch that can touch him in that regard. You may have a man on him, but he’s the kind of playmaker that’ll not only make plays, but make space for himself to allow him to make those plays.
- Klinsmann vs your centre-backs, or more specifically, Gamarra. Ruud Krol is undeniably a legendary sweeper, but I believe that if Klinsmann keeps himself stuck to Gamarra, he’ll have him one on one when the opportunities arise.
