........................................ TEAM IDMANAGER ................................................................................. TEAM P-NUT ........................................
Team idmanager
Formation: 4-2-3-1
I have tried to make a side which is rock solid defensively while still having a good number of outlets to score going forward.
Defense:
In goal is Walter Zenga, 3 continuous times winner of the World's best Goalkeeper award.
Ahead of him in the centre of the defence are Passarella and Bergomi, two of the greatest defenders of all time. While Passarella is easily the standout defender on the pitch, Bergomi was a warrior with an exceptional reading of the game, which allowed him to mark the likes of Rummenigge, van Basten, Gullit and Maradona completely out of games. Passarella would not venture forward with the ball and any support from him to initiate plays would be from the back. On the right of the defence is Burgnich who was a rock solid defender who was strong, large, quick, energitic player who was probably only next best to Bergomi when it came to defending his flank. Burgnich would not contribute anything offensively. His job would be to sit back and defend his flank. He would have support from Figo who was decent tracking back and Tardelli chipping in when required in 2 vs 1 situations. On the left of the defence is Roberto Carlos in the wing back role. He was probably one of the very few wingbacks in history who could own a flank on his own. He would have support from Passarella and Sammer to cover up when required. Burgnich was also equally adept at playing the role of a CB. When Carlos joins the attack, Burgnich would tuck inside to form a 3 CB defence at the back.
Midfield:
In midfield I have Tardelli and Sammer, two players who were not only brilliant defensively with high energy and stamina to cover large amounts of the ground, but were also technically sound and could contribute offensively. Both the players were capable of linking the midfield to the forward line and initiate attacks. Their primary job would be to sit in front of the CBs and sheild the defense when not in possesion and win the ball back. Depending on the situation, one of them would then bring the ball forward to link with the attack (either through the wings or through the inside forwards) while the other stays back in the holding role in front of the defense to protect the team from counters.
Attack:
The attack is setup in such a way to hit the opposition's biggest weaknesses and nullify their strengths, while using our attackers in their best suited roles with multiple routes to goal. While Carlos offers width from the left flank, Figo would be attacking and providing width from the right flank. Baggio would be playing in the inside left role, while Meazza would be playing from the inside right. Both of them are one of the GOATs of their respective positions. Both of them are capable of dropping a bit deep if required to receive the ball and link the attack. Leading the line in front of them would be Eto'o who was fast, strong, and energetic forward, who is known for his stamina, work-rate, ability in the air, and his accurate finishing ability both with his head and feet. He literally is one of the perfect strikers for this setup and foe the 4 major creators in the team in Meazza, Baggio, Figo and Carlos.
Carlos-Sammer-Baggio and Figo-Tardelli-Meazza are two beautiful triangles to build up attacks.
Thoughts on opposition:
Its clear that the opposition's defensive weakness lies in the fullback area (None of his options are defensively tight and can be exploited). While Carlos-Baggio is a brilliant flank which would terrorize most fullbacks, the right flank has to be looked at with more detail. Meazza in his peak in the 1934 and 1938 WCs, both of which Italy won, played this exact same role to devastating effect. He would be flanked by a winger on the right, a quick lethal striker up top and an inside left to work with.
This is the ideal setup for him to shine with Figo, Etoo and Baggio playing the aforementioned roles.
Meazza + Figo especially is going to be a nightmare for the opposition, especially if Marcelo starts at the left. Considering how often he went forward leaving gaps behind, he would be murdered and leak goals all through the game. Meazza although an inside forward, would exploit the gap behind Marcelo whenever possible considering he would leave lots of it with Figo to handle.
One of oppositions strengths that would need more attention is that of Makelele who would try to stop everything moving through the centre. The beauty of playing Baggio-Meazza in the inside left/right roles, leaves him with more than one creative player to deal with in the space just above the defense.
Its clear that the opposition attack is world class, but I feel I have the right setup and players to shut it down. While Gento with Marcelo looks tasty, Burgnich is capable and fast enough to handle them. Figo and Tardelli would help him out when required to avoid 2 vs 1 situations. While Sammer and Tardelli are defensively astute to handle Di Stefano, the argentine would have to drop deep for the ball considering Makelele would hardly contribute to the linking while Seedorf will have his hands full to help against my right sided attack. This leaves Puskas upfront who while being a brilliant shooter, was never really played in a single striker setup and excelled more as a SS. Not only would he not have too many chance to drop deep which he liked, he was not a tall guy with heading ability. Gento raked up his assists because he always had 2 options upfront. 1 to the feet of SS Puskas, the other to the main centre forward of the team who could head it in. I feel Gento's threat reduces a fair amount here without any head to target to most times. Not to forget, Puskas would be up against Passarella and Bergomi.
While Carlos was not a defensive liability, he might leave gaps behind for Robben to exploit. Robben's threat came from cutting inside where he would have to get past Passarella and Sammer to have an impact which would be no cake walk.
Team P-Nut
Defence
Casillias
Camacho Santamaria Hierro Marcelo
Attacking full backs flanking 2 completely solid centrebacks.
Camacho is probably the least known player of the lot, however was one of Real Madrids longest serving players spending his entire career there and making close to 600 appearances.
Midfield
----Makelele
-----------Seedorf
Di Stefano
The fulcrum of the side really. A midfield that has everything and allows one of the greatest ever players to make full use of his talents.
Makelele in the position he made his own. He'll be the sitter as usual and everyone knows what he'll bring to the game.
Seedorf will provide support both to the attack and defence. Endless stamina getting back and forwards makes this midfield a nightmare to play against.
Di Stefano - the star of the side. Everything has been tailor made to allow him to have the biggest influence on the game possible. There is no other true playmaker in my side so he can run the game as he sees fit. With Seedorf and Makelele in the side he won't need to work back as often as he usually does, and he can feel free to do as he chooses.
Attack
Robben - Puskas - Gento
A deadly front three. Puskas and Gento have amazing chemistry between them and will obviously be combining with Di Stefano constantly.
Robben brings something completely different to Gento on the opposite side and will be completely free to cut inside in his usual style whilst Gento provides the width on the opposite side.
Key relationships
Di Stefano - Gento - Puskas
Reals own version of the holy trinity are all capable of completely destroying teams. Natural chemistry between them means they will all be on the same wavelength.
Marcelo - Seedorf - Gento
The left side of the field is a defenders nightmare. Marcelo and Gento provide extreme width whilst Seedorf supports in both phases of the game.
great side though 
