vs
Team Beam
Tactics: 4-3-3/4-2-3-1; compact and with a moderate high line and high intensity in defence. Emphasis on high tempo, quick passing and quick transition in the attack with fullbacks pushing up the pitch and players interchanging positions.
Spine of the team: Lav Yashin - Bobby Moore - Zinedine Zidane - Robert Lewandowski which is complimented with some lovely peaces around them in Thiago Silva, Lizarazu, McGrain, Overath, Futre, Boniek and yes, Tyler Adams (but more about him later)
General idea: The team was built with the idea of ten Hag's tactics, so quite of few players are in the team with that in mind. Platini was there to do a Bruno role (kill me if I saw two players who were more similiar in the way they play). The twist of fate (or bepo deciding he will feck your team for no reason as usual) sent Platini in opposition team and me having Zidane. It is a shame because of that Bruno - Platini similarity, but it can still work to high effect and while you lose Hollywood passes from Platini you get much more penetrating ability from Zidane and probably even more control. And Overath is quite capable of playing those same Hollywood passes.
What I like the most about this ten Hag team is that it attacks and defends in numbers, it can press you high up the pitch or defend deeper and counter you, so we will also mix the two during the match, but emphasis is always on attacking and defending as a collective.
Some of the players roles explained:
Wolfgang Overath - always found his place in attacking number 10's strange. Overath loved to come deeper for the ball and initiate attacks. He would almost certainly play as an #8 today with a positional freedom. In this team Overath will operate in a deeper role as a free #8 linking the attack with defence. The bonus will be his absolutely killer long balls which will be send out to attackers on the counter, especially Boniek who will be ready to sprint in a free space at all time.
Paulo Futre - a dribbling wizard capable to wreck defences at all times. Not sure what he was doing among worst Ballon d'Or top 3 rankings, but no complaints with me. Will play as an inverted winger coming on his stronger left foot to threaten the opposition. He also had great ball retention skills and was an excellent assist provider which is a bonus.
Bobby Moore - the thing that strikes me most with Moore how much on the front foot defender he was and with how much controlled agressivity he played while being brilliant on the ball.
And last, but not least - Tyler Adams
Adams is a little gem of the player. Now, I know he will be seen as a weak link, but tbh am quite happy with him and is one of my favorite picks in the team. Part of that is because usual suspects who appear in the drafts are...well, boring as feck. Adams has a massive role here and Platini on his back, but in a system it is much more about players characteristics then individual quality (although Adams has both tbf).
I needed a great ball winner with exceptional positional sense and tenacity there and he is exactly that. Adams already has a brilliant WC behind him while being a captain of national team at the age of 23 and before that earning a big summer move from Leipzig to Leeds United.
His job is to shield the defence and shut opposition off wherever the danger occurs. Adams is no mug with the ball though. He is especially great in quick passes to start the transition and also always opens himself to recieve the ball and make his team thick going forward, but his ability to sense danger and react is what makes him such a valuable player. He has a bulldog like tenacity, but even greater ability of being in the right place at all the right times to block passes and opponent actions.
When he does play he is literally everywhere and am sure he would be extremely annoying to play against, even for someone as great as Platini.
Conclusion
Quite happy with the final product and think the team still captures well the intended thought of being able to cut you open through quick combination play if the opposition sits back or to just kill you in transition in a few seconds.
Team Physio
Tactics – Direct/ Mixed
Formation – 4213
Defensive Line – Balanced
Marking – Zonal
The heart of my side is the fantastic and complementary midfield 3 that all provide graft and creativity. Platini will especially have lots of passing options in the fluid front three – Denis Law seemed to enjoy the wide right channel and will fit in nicely there. Czibor’s trickery and crossing will be enjoyed by both Owen and Law – despite his height Owen was always pretty good in the air. Also Owen’s pace will be a huge threat with Platini providing expert through balls.
Mitoma played as a LWB at Union SG and he will play a similarly attacking game. Carlos Alberto will be a reserved RB forming a back three in possession to allow Mitoma to attack – this doesn’t really limit Alberto all that much as he was primarily a playmaker from deep rather than an overalapper. This too allows Bastian more licence to get forward and support Law on the right – Bastian began his career as a right-winger. On the other side Stielike will provide more defensive cover on Mitoma’s side.
33+ Nesta still played over 25 games a season for Milan for two years and was still his Rolls-Royce self; he will be a complementary, aggressive presence to Ricardo Carvalho’s sweeperish role. Finally in goal, the most complete goalkeeper of all-time: great shot stopper, assured aerial commander, sweepers of sweepers and excellent on the ball – Manuel Neuer.
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Me too.
