TEAM STOBZILLA
Formation/Gameplan
A slight modification from the previous rounds. There is a very obvious attacking threat with Edgar's side. The defence has had a reshuffle as a result. Demyanenko and Suurbier's attacking instincts are catered too slightly more Hierro takes the place of Reid in central midfield, he acts as an auxiliary 3rd centre back at times but is more than capable of bringing the ball out from the back to keep something comparable to the shape that we have had in the previous rounds.
Thuram takes his place at centre back slotting in at the RCB slot, should Dzajic get beyond Suurbier then there are few better equipped in history to move over to the right hand side to help snuff any immediate danger out.
Demyanenko, Coluna, Gerrard and Suurbier provide endless running, support and quality in key areas to help supplement one of the better balanced attacks in Caf Draft history.
The chance to place Hierro in the key holding role frees up our full backs genuinely for the first time during this draft. They add a new dimension to our attack and will open up additional space for Henry, Van Basten and most importantly Diego Maradona.
Defence
Key feature of my side is it's full backs, Demyanenko and one of the consensus best right backs of all time Wim Suurbier, both have the aforementioned pace, stamina and quality to not only be able to shut down the wide areas whilst still providing an attacking threat. In the middle we have Soviet legendAlbert Whatshisfacenevnyov, still a pain in the arse in terms of knowing how to spell his name but also an absolute wall defensively. To his right we World and European Cup winner Lillian Thuram, simply put one of the best all around defenders in the modern game. They are backed up by one Michael Konsel a solid Austrian international well thought of by Roma fans during his brief time in Italy and a key element of Rapid Vienna's European surges in the early - mid 80's
Midfield
Always a key area and I will start with Steven Gerrard here I think it is important to indulge his all action style, we all know his ability/penchant for firing balls from deep, this will allow him to do some of that still but also he gets to be a genuine box to box threat, but this time with slightly more licence to get forward, we have the former Real Madrid captain, multiple CL winner and general ball playing CB/DM animal Fernando Hierro. and Mario Coluna, who aside from being a perfect tactical fit is as capable of providing everything Gerrard does.
Attack
One of the better balanced attacks in Caf Draft history. Diego Maradona, Thierry Henry, Marco Van Basten give you everything you would ever want in an attack it has no weakness and even without the able company behind them they could probably win games on their own
TEAM EDGAR ALLAN PILLOW / CTP
Formation: 5-3-2 / 3-5-2
Overall Tactics: For this game, we will play a slightly defensive style in the midfield with emphasis on lightning quick attack through the flanks.
Attacking Gameplay:
The relatively weakest area in my opponent's team is his flanks.
- Suurbier's attacking instincts will land him out of position throughout the match. Dzajic will have a field day against him. Thuram is there to lend support, but Dzajic is class enough to occupy Thuram's focus and open up space for Sarosi to sneak in a goal.
- Demyanenko is a good fullback in the Soviet Union, but not in Gerets class. I hold a clear advantage here. Hierro is a class defender, but again Eusebio is a better attacker. My pair holds a clear advantage over his.
By playing a back 3:
+ I emphasize my strength through the flanks.
+ Both Bennarivo and Gerets are well known for their attacking output and this set up frees them to operate at their full efficiency. They are better talents than my opponent's fullbacks and will peg them back.
Midfield:
+ If you look at central midfield, the best player is Neeskens followed by Monti.
+ Workrate, creativity, defensive skills...my duo trumps his trio on all three and his extra man is not an advantage any more.
Defensive Gameplay:
Stobz has a fantastic attack and it is not possible to stop his players one vs one. So the best defence is to crowd them out with an extra player and ensure the do not have time not space to operate at full effectiveness.
+ Luis Monti is a old school half-back who specializes in handling opponents attacking midfielder.
+ Neeskens started his career as a right back before moving to midfield and is prime placed to operate in same spaces as Henry.
+ Tresor is a defender par excellence and will be up to whatever Van Basten can throw at him.
The back 3 ensures that Tresor can aggressively tackle whoever has the ball knowing that he has a solid defensive shape behind him. De Boer will pitch in to help whilst Lui Pereira and Nesskens can handle Henry comfortable between them.
Possession:
- Though Stobz may enjoy a bit of possession in his own half, none of his midfield trio are creative play-makers from the deep. He will be better off getting the ball to Maradona and my defensive duo of Monti-Neeskens will be there to keep a hold on that.
- His attackers have great dribbling skills but none are specialists at retaining the ball and when they lose it in the crowd, my wing backs and wingers will be waiting to take it forward.
- Neither Gerrard nor Coluna are comfortable out wide (nor are they as good defensively as Monti or Neeskens) in the middle and will not be able to provide support to his fullbacks.
Conclusion:
+ Despite oppositions more stellar attacking players, my defence is geared up to handle them.
+ My advantage in flanks over his fullbacks is emphatic and will serve to score themselves or pull his CB's out of position leaving Sarosi to sneak in a goal.
It will be a low scoring game which I'll win 1-0.
