SirScholes.....................................................................................................................................BIG DUNK
..........VS...........
Team SirScholes (G. Hoddle dropped for M. van Bommel)
Defence
As mentioned in my first game the defence is absolutely solid, its got the classic Italian style of tight marking yet with comfortable ballplayers.
Tassotti (RB in AC Milans greatest ever defence) and our very own Tony Dunne (known for his lightning speed) have great athleticism to support the midfield when in control of the ball and then recover when without.
Beside Tassotti we have fellow his countryman Collovati regarded as one of Italy's greatest defenders and he is partnered by John Terry, both CBs are strong in the air, excellent man markers and very competent passers of the ball.
Midfield
Had a change around in midfield, there will be increased protection to prevent the ball getting to (i expect) Bergkamp, Casemiro is partnered with Van Bommel, out of the two Van Bommel will have a license to move further forward to help ball retention in the opposition half.
Due to the added ball-winning mentality of both these two players and increased physicality I don't see much chance of getting a pass between the lines.
Brady will play my link from midfield to attack, his runs from midfield will draw defenders creating space for runs from the forwards.
Forwards
Some South American flair up top, on the left we have Tostao, not blessed with speed or strength but incredibly intelligent, he can play anywhere across the front line, if Aguero drops deep Tostao can run in behind, 249 goals in 378 apps for a player that was not recognised as all out striker is not bad.
Where the left has a more “david silva” style player the right side has a speed demon, one of the greatest dribblers in his prime in Ariel Ortega, the highly talented playmaker who had an eye for goal with his little chips.
Tostao and Ortega are supplying the main man Aguero, needs little introduction, one of this generations finest strikers, a scorer of great goals and a great goal scorer.
The front 3 are incredibly mobile, their ability to create space will cause all manner of problems, wide players supported by fullbacks, should Aguero drop deep and followed by his marker Liam Brady can dart in the space created.
There is a solid structure to the team, the spine is very strong, this will allow the dangermen to play with freedom. The counter would be devastating, Van Bommel is a player i wish we signed, he had great vision and would set Ortega Aguero and Brady away.
Team BIG DUNK (L. Fernández and Z. Boban dropped for M. Olsen and Deco)
PLAYING STYLE:
A counter attacking 4-3-3, built upon an assured defensive spine, creative heart and lethal attack. Compact when defending, but looking to the wings when we attack. Our wingforwards will cut in, allowing the fullbacks to overlap and provide additional width and attacking support. The midfield three and Bergkamp will form our very own magic square: able to break up play, recycle possession and execute quick direct attacks given the game tempo or circumstance. With positional specialists who work between the lines, with no fixed position, we will aim to stretch our opponent's back line, penetrate spaces and pull defenders out of position: our movement will encourage direct vertical attacks, overlapping, underlapping, shooting from range, cutting in from the wings and late runs in to the box.
DEFENDING (a solid tenacious platform to break up play and deny space):
In the heart of my defence is Roberto Perfumo, regarded as Argentina’s greatest pure defender. His partner in crime is my stopper-centreback Guido Buchwald, one of the toughest man-markers of his era and all-time. His most notable defensive performance being his efficient marking job of Diego Maradona in the 1990 FIFA World Cup final. At the base of my magic square is Morten Olsen performing a modern interpretation of the libero role, utilised as a playmaking #6. When defending he can screen the back line, and join the back four when defending deep. Olsen excelled as a defensive midfielder possessing great determination, dedicated professionalism, strong leadership and organisational skills. As a libero in the 80s, Olsen demonstrated a wide variety of skills for a defensive player too, including attacking surges and technical dribbling, taking advantage of his acceleration and vision of the game. He provided long passes from his deep position, while his forward surges helped create numerical advantages in the midfield. My box-to-box midfield enforcer role belongs to Romeo Benetti, who will mediate his defensive/attacking movement via Olsen/Deco's positioning. "Nicknamed Panzer (tank), El Tigre (the tiger), and the Roccia (rock), Benetti was a tenacious, mobile, athletic, and complete midfielder, who was known in particular for his physical strength, stamina, charisma, determination, consistency, and leadership as footballer. His hard-tackling style of play in this role epitomised the catenaccio tactics made famous by Italy during the 1970s." At right back is Jorginho, the highly skilled Brazilian right-back was one of the most respected two-way fullbacks of the 90s: possessing excellent technique, pace, solid defensively, offering high workrate and accurate delivery from the wing. Gordillo will provide endless energy down the left flank, famous for his sharp and tough slide tackles, and impressive strength with and without the ball. Morten Olsen and Benetti's expert positioning and ferocious defensive cover allow both Gordillo and Jorginho the licence to attack down their respective wings. In goal is the greatest goalkeeper of all time, Lev Yashin. The Ballon d’Or winner will be a vital piece in how I want my team to play. "Yashin revolutionised the role of goalkeeper like no other before him, by always being ready to act as an extra defender and by starting dangerous counter-attacks with his positioning and quick throws.” Deco can provide defensive workrate in central areas and our own half too. The Portuguese playmaker never neglected his defensive responsibilities, possessing an amazing work ethic and grit.
PLAYMAKING (a team brimming with vision and creative outlets):
A crafty, creative and technical midfielder, Deco was influential in a variety of midfield roles. Despite his small figure it was nearly impossible to take the ball off him, and his ball control, agility and dribbling skills made him a difficult player to mark. Deco’s reading of the game and understanding of space elevated his game higher than the usual central playmakers who just knitted play together, Deco was very effective in the last attacking third too. Deco would also surprise you with his underrated strength and power: whether it be a powerful shot from range, a whipped cross from the wing, a surging run forward or the ability to shield the ball against a tall, strong opponent. Such was Jorginho's ability on the ball, he enjoyed moving inside as a creative inverted wingback, which will complement both Deco's and Bene's movement. Dennis Bergkamp is my technical genius, playing in a deep-lying forward role: linking up play, operating between the lines, able to hold the ball up for his wingforwards/attacking fullbacks/central midfielders, take on centrebacks with his worldclass control and dribbling skills, thread inch perfect thoughballs to my two wingforwards Heynckes and Bene, or being a clinical finisher himself from a direct counter attack or well-timed passing phase. Heynckes and Bene are not just prolific goalscorers, they were highly involved in build up play too. Bene will be encouraged to dribble. Morten Olsen will connect the defence to the attack seamlessly here , with his accurate long passing, worldclass vision, movement and vocal command. His one-twos with Deco and Bergkamp will be both efficient and balletic. Olsen's perfectly weighted long balls to both Heynckes and Bene will also be very effective. "Romeo Benetti possessed good technique and distribution, which enabled him to function as a deep-lying playmaker at times, and start attacking plays and create goalscoring opportunities after winning back the ball." Additional support and passing comes from the wings through our fullbacks Rafael Gordillo and Jorginho. One of the best attacking fullbacks/wingbacks from the 80s, Gordillo was a gifted footballer, enjoying great success in La Liga for Betis and Madrid, and with the Spanish national team. Very tough, yet so skillful, Gordillo will offer me plenty of width, endless workrate, penetrating runs and deliveries from the left flank, overlapping Heynckes. "Jorginho was brilliant going forward, so dangerous and capable of scoring fantastic goals. He was the kind of player fans would pay to watch, but he was also solid in defence and played brilliantly against Italy in the 1994 World Cup Final. He never let anyone down.” "He's a proper attacking full-back – very solid defensively and extremely intelligent".
GOALSCORING (lethal one-on-one, intelligent movement, pace and space penetration):
Our three-pronged attack is potent, creative and fluid. On the left, one of the finest wing forwards of all time, Jupp Heynckes. 'Jupp' was a complete forward: versatile (able to play on either wing, central or in a withdrawn role, cut in from the flank, get in behind or work the channels), deadly on the counter (possessing pace and deadly one-on-one with a goalkeeper), predator in the box (his reactions, positioning and goalscoring instincts were world-class, matched by his excellent striking technique and ability with both feet and head), creative (enjoyed being part of the build up), his movement and workrate were highly valued (his intelligent movement on and off the ball made him a headache for defenders). Between 1972 and 1975 he recorded Gerd Muller-esque numbers, scoring 130 goals in 139 games. Prolific. A technically brilliant forward, Ferenc Bene was deadly on the right wing or centrally. A skilled dribbler who was just as likely to bamboozle a fullback with his feints, agile turns and tricks or lose his marker in the box with a perfectly timed run. A prolific goalscorer who was undoubtedly one of the most feared forwards/outside rights in the mid to late 60s and early 70s. I feel Bergkamp’s vision and passing will maximise both Heycknes’ and Bene’s relentless workrate, link up play, intelligent movement and clinical finishing in the last third. Despite being a predominately defensive-minded player, Romeo Benetti was also known for his goal-scoring ability from midfield, due to his powerful and accurate striking ability from distance. Deco's movement outside the box and runs into the box were very intelligent - possessing a very powerful shot from range. Gordillo also chips in goals from the left flank, with his screamers from the flank or his intelligent late runs into the box. Not utilising a natural #9/target man will draw our opponent's centrebacks out of their line defensive line (high and wide) creating pockets of space for our attack/midfield to exploit, and help us to out-number our opponent in key areas out wide and in central areas. Moreover, our opponent’s fullbacks will need to second guess themselves when attacking higher up the field and leaving spaces behind on the flanks.
Good luck @SirScholes @BIG DUNK