Team VivaJanuzaj
Tactics: An homage to Manchester United's 4-4-2 led by Keane-Scholes midfield duo and improved in every other position(apart from goalkeeper), Scholes-Keane will get the freedom to run the show thanks to the brick wall of defense they've got behind them. A super strong defensive 4 with one attacking full back(Breitner), one defensive full back(Carlos Alberto), two hard working top class wingers(Figo & Nedved) and two strong and dominant strikers.
This is a mirror of how United used to play and won the 99' CL title, but the improved class in every position is just something that cannot be ignored. The team will play very offensively getting the ball forward with urgency like United used to play, with long balls to either Crespo or Batistuta and the wingers playing quick transitions from defense to attack using Baresi & Breitner's passing abilities.
Defense: The GK is the only position not upgraded, yet Peruzzi is a top class GK who has great command on the box and shot stopping abilities.
Carlos Alberto, probably the best defensive RB of all times, is a massive improvement for Gary Neville. Alberto will be ordered to choose his attacks wisely and be aware defensively, both to maximize his abilities and to look out from leaving Vierchowod-Baresi alone.
Breitner is another big improvement for Irwin, the German LB could do anything Irwin can do and more, and that's what I'm counting on. With Nedved helping him defend that wing with his work-rate, Brietner will get more freedom to burst forward and add another man forward with his immense class when joining the attack. Breitner was no stranger to defending either of course, so he won't be completely free in his roaming, but he'll burst forward often.
Baresi-Vierchowod is a duo I can't help admiring. Baresi is probably the best CB of all times, and Vierchowod is one of the best stoppers of all times. They are probably the biggest upgrade of Stam-Johnsen and that is the main reason I've went for the 4-4-2. With a defensive duo of these two, who compliment each perfectly, I don't see any strikers getting joy in this match, which allows the midfield to be a bit more adventurous.
Midfield: Keane-Scholes have stayed the beating heart of this United 99' setup, doing pretty much what they did back than. They may be accused of being over-offensive, but when you've got a defensive wall like they've got here, I don't see a problem. Scholes-Keane played in much weaker defensive setups and thrived nevertheless thanks to their impeccable understanding of the game, and they'll adjust themselves to find balance between defense and attack.
Figo is pretty much a better Giggs at his prime, and although this is probably the smallest upgrade, primed Figo will cause chaos to any full back with his pace and dribbling.
Nedved is my Beckham, and that's a big upgrade. Nedved and Beckham are completely different in their winger style of play, but they both share one important feature - work rate. Nedved will allow Breitner to attack and will seriously help him protect his wing. Nedved's role will sometimes make him move to central midfield/attacking midfield to help Keane-Scholes with the midfield battle, Nedved did these moves often and his work rate allows him to do in without causing any problems to his full back.
Attack: When you look at Yorke-Cole, the things that was most brilliant to watch is their understanding with each other and how much they could do - run with the ball and open space, receive long balls and beating their strong CBs to do that and kickstart attacks. Well, Batistuta & Crespo Can do all that and more. Two complete strikers who could score pretty much in any way wether it's aerially challenge, long shots by Batigol, off the ball runs between defenders and all of it. Batistuta and Crespo will have the power to receive long balls from either the defensive line or the midfield, bring them down and spread it either to the flanks or to each others creating goal chances from practically nothing.
My Opponent: Cutch has created a supreme team, I literally can say nothing bad about it. I do however believe, that against his 4-3-3 my 4-4-2 is the antidote. With Fontaine being pretty much the perfect fit for Vierchowod to defend, all Baresi/Keane need to do is try to limit Charlton's influence. Not an easy task of course, but a possible one surely. Gento will have his work cut out against Carlos Alberto, and when/if Santos does roam Figo will always track him back. Matthews-Pupi are exactly alike on my left side, with Nedved comfortably covering Breitner I think my wings are all round better.
*My strength is in the attack, and I believe I can outscore my opposition thanks to my manpower upfront. Nesta and Passarella are obviously two of the best in the business, but do they compliment each other as well as my CB duo? No. And they face not one but two strikers who've faced their calibre of defenders on a weekly basis in the Seria A and both finished as top scorers against the likes of them. Desailly will obviously help them, but I feel like my 2 strikers will outscore the opposition with their route to goal much more simple.
Good luck Cutch.
sub and tactical change after 60minutes:
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), Charlton (208 in 647 games), Gento (180 in 620 games) and even Passarella in defence (140 in 447 games) all prolific scorers.
. I'm not even sure I'd consider Passarella an upgrade, Krol was absolutely fantastic as a sweeper, both were easily the best central defenders at the World Cup in '78 and I would rank them damn close to each other in an alltime list.