@Gio @Joga Bonito @SirScholes
Gio and Joga win by default. Here is Gio's and Joga's line-up for discussion. I will now randomise for injuries to make it fair.
Tactics
The emphasis is on ball circulation, short crisp passing and fluidity. It's a 4-4-2/4-5-1 hybrid with the wide midfielders playing a key role. Everyone loves a good ol fashioned British 4-4-2 but this is different and strives to strike a fine balance between control and incisiveness.
The back line features players who are all comfortable on the ball, even the goalie -
Neuer. The full backs will be allowed to support the attack, with ample cover from the wide midfielders and DM, but overlapping runs aren't an integral component to my system.
The midfield is where it is at with
Xavi* being the crown jewel of the side. Deschamps offers great protection to the back line and provides the midfielders with the freedom to exhibit their creativity and fluidity - a
handy player on the ball too, esp with the ball circulation. Seedorf and Nedved, are two complete packages who offer both incisiveness and tactical nous in abundance. They suit my tactics to a tee and would look to combine with Xavi on the ball with their astute passing and movement, offer support in the final third, solidify the midfield by tucking in and offer threat out wide occasionally.
In comes Paul Scholes into the type of set-up he was born to play in. Xavi's hero adds another layer of ball mastery and busyness to the midfield, while translating some of that dominance into goal threat. He and Chapuisat are equally brilliant on the ball with their technique, creativity and link up play whilst being ruthless with their finishing. Their link-up play, off the ball movement, interchangability and ability to drag their markers around should be a treat for Xavi to work with, and the Wide Midfielders would cherish the openings and the link up ability that the deadly duo possess. Chapuisat makes his overdue draft debut having led the line so well for Champions League winning Dortmund during the 1990s and twice finished in the Ballon D'Or top 10. He plays here as a false 9 and should dovetail beautifully with the creative cast behind him.
XAVI
Make no mistake, the side is built around him with a complementary cast for the Spaniard to conduct his orchestra. Xavi in the 08-10 period was nothing short of amazing, with his incisiveness and ability to dominate the midfield. The man boasted nearly 50 assists during this period and was extremely incisive and capable of threading through balls like very few, all whilst boasting several decisive match winning moments (Euro 2008 POTT, assisting Torres's final winner and being the best player on the pitch, Messi's header and Pedro's opener in CL finals etc).
With the likes of Seedorf, Nedved, Scholes and Chapuisat - all technically and creatively gifted nimble and fluid players - to dovetail with, it would take some doing to stop Xavi - someone with unrivalled consistency which truly defined his peak.
SUBS: Moller, Van Persie, Brown
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Merry Christmas to you too mate!