Post by Kieran on Jun 14, 2013 20:38:21 GMT
Hello, welcome to the 00s World Football Draft Game. Basically, 16 players have spent the last few weeks picking players to make a team (you can see how they did it in this thread pldraftgame.freeforums.net/thread/26/world-football-draft-game-round ) and they are now ready to go head-to-head against each other to win your vote - which do you think is the better team? The voter has both the squad-sheet and the bios/tactics to consider!
The key rule for this edition of the game is that players are to be judged on the basis of their performances in the 2000s - so what they did pre 2000 is not directly relevant here.
Additionally, voters are requested to please justify the votes you cast: an explanation of why you voted for the team you did would be much appreciated and would add to the game as a whole. If you vote but don't justify your selection, then that vote may be discarded when totting up the final results. Please vote and adhere to the rules on each match thread.
Scroobiusmac- Formation/bio/tactics
Everyonelovesvic- Formation/bio/tactics
The key rule for this edition of the game is that players are to be judged on the basis of their performances in the 2000s - so what they did pre 2000 is not directly relevant here.
Additionally, voters are requested to please justify the votes you cast: an explanation of why you voted for the team you did would be much appreciated and would add to the game as a whole. If you vote but don't justify your selection, then that vote may be discarded when totting up the final results. Please vote and adhere to the rules on each match thread.
Scroobiusmac- Formation/bio/tactics
Team
Oliver Kahn
A behemoth between the sticks and a genuine match winner. Nicknamed ‘Titan’, Kahn’s greatest strengths lay as much with his presence and organisation as with his shot-stopping. His leadership lead him to being handed the German and Bayern captaincy. His shot-stopping saw Kahn awarded Man of the Match in Champions League final. He was also named Player of the Tournament at the 2002 World Cup after keeping 5 clean sheets – the only goalkeeper ever to achieve this feat. He also holds the Bundesliga record for most clean sheets in Bundesliga history with 197.
Honours: 2001 Champions League winner and MOTM in the final, 2002 World Cup finalist, Golden Ball winner and Team of the Tournament, 2000 & 2001 German footballer of the year, 2000, 2001, 2002 European Goalkeeper of the year, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 Bundesliga winner, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 DFB-Pokal, 2000, 2004, 2007 DFB-LigaPokal.
Cristian Chivu
A player in the Ajax tradition of being strong on the ball and proficient in multiple positions. After forming part of the Roma defence which kept 20 clean sheets in 34 games in the 03/04 season Chivu went onto great success at Inter. A centre-back by trade Chivu went on to play at left-back for 4 years for Inter Milan most importantly figuring in the Champions League run and final of the treble winning season. Comfortable carrying the ball out of defence and an excellent passer as well.
Honours: 2001 Ballon D’or Nominee, 2001 UEFA Team of the Season 2001, 2002 Dutch Golden Shoe winner, 2002 Treble winner with Ajax, 2006 Copa Italia with Roma, 2010 Champions League winner, 2010, 09 & 08 Serie A winner, 2011 & 2010 Coppa Italia Winner.
Carlos Marchena
For Spain Marchena won Euro 2008 where they conceded only two goals in five games and was picked in the team of the tournament. He also holds the record for the longest undefeated streak in international football with a massive 57 game streak from 2002 to 2010. Stylistically he was the more aggressive and reactive defender to partner Ayala. With a high work-rate and physical tackling style the two complimented each other. He also featured as a holding midfielder on a semi-regular basis where he was used to man-mark opposition playmakers.
Honours: Euro 2008 winner and Team of the tournament, 2004 & 2002 La Liga, 2004 UEFA Cup, 2008 Copa Del Rey, 2004 UEFA Super Cup, 2000 Olympic Silver medallist.
Roberto Ayala
A complete defenders and arguably La Liga’s finest. Strong, quick and able to read attacks Ayala was adept at dealing with a variety of threats. He was characterised by excellent positional ability, tactical discipline and reading of the game. He was able to combine excellent ability to know how to win the ball cleanly and to foul 'cleverly' as the occasion arose. Partnered with Marchena at the heart of the Valencia’s defence they were the most formidable defence in La Liga. In the 7 seasons they were together Valencia conceded 237 goals in 266 games, kept 106 clean sheets and conceded the least goals in La Liga in 5 out of 7 seasons. Valencia experienced their most successful period with the pair together winning La Liga in 2004 and 2001, a UEFA Cup in 2004 and reaching the Champions League final in 2001. During this period Ayala was crowned Best Defender by UEFA in 2001. Internationally he captained Argentina more times than any other player. He won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics. In 2006 a series of brilliant displays at the World Cup saw Ayala named in the team of the tournament.
Honours 2001 UEFA Club Defender of the Year, 2004 & 2002 La Liga winner, 2004 UEFA Cup, 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist.
Gianluca Zambrotta
Zambrotta combined superb athleticism with discipline and first-rate tackling and positional sense. The rare breed of full-back who was as proficient in attack as he was in defence. He developed his game to the point where he could play at both left-back and right-back to equal aplomb. His near two-footedness allowed him to beat full-backs on both sides or cut in with a threatening shot. He also offered an option on the overlap from where he was able to deliver crosses into the box.
Honours 2006 World Cup & Team of the tournament, 2006 UEFA and FIFA team of the year, Euro 2004 Team of the tournament, 2003, 2002 Serie A with Juventus, 2011 Serie A with Milan.
Daniele De Rossi
Filling the box-to-box role in the midfield is Daniele De Rossi. Oft described as a complete midfielder De Rossi possesses excellent passing, shooting, stamina, tough tackling and is strong as an ox. Although employed in a variety of roles for both club and country De Rossi puts in his best displays when taking the game by the scruff of the neck and imposing his all-action style on the midfield.
Honours 2006 World Cup, 2012 Euro runner-up and team of the tournament, 2009 Italian Footballer of the year, 2008, 2007 Coppa Italia.
Michael Carrick
At the base of the midfield is Michael Carrick. A consistent performer for Manchester United for 7 seasons – whilst the Ferguson has rotated all others Carrick remains a starter over 40 games in all 7 seasons. Both Xavi and Iniesta have commented on his technical ability and this would surely have seen him flourish in other national set-ups. His passing range is impressive – he utilises short passes to other midfielders in order to keep possession but is adept at a more expansive passes in order to start attacks down the flanks. Defensively he relies on interceptions to break up opposition play rather than crunching tackles. This result in less dangerous set-pieces conceded and he is less likely to be playing this defensive position on a yellow. This is demonstrated in Carrick’s disciplinary record where he has received only one red card and averages 3 yellow cards per season in all competitions.
Honours 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 Premier League, 2008 Champions League, 2008 World Club Cup, 20013 PFA Team of the Year, 2010 League Cup.
Luis Figo
Starting the millennium with one of the most controversial transfers in football history Figo enjoyed an enormous amount of success at Madrid and later Inter. Figo relied on superb ball control and movement to beat players rather than pure pace (though he was no sloth). Very hard to dispossess when on the ball Figo relied on a treasure chest of tricks to beat opponents. Once past he was able to deliver crosses, through balls and shots all to a high level of technical proficiency. Arriving at Inter later in his career Figo is nonetheless credited with reinstating a winning mentality which saw Inter win 4 straight Serie A titles whilst he was there.
Honours 2000 Ballon d’Or, 2001 FIFA World Players of the Year, 2002 Champions League, 2001, 2003 La Liga, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Serie A, UEFA team of the year 2003, 2000, 2004 Euro team of the tournament, 2006 World Cup team of the tournament.
Andres Iniesta
A wonderful technician and one of the finest exponents of the passing game in Europe, Iniesta also has an admirable willingness to work ceaselessly for his team. His dribbling, vision and poise all catch the eye while his versatility also marks him out as the complete midfielder. He is adept at passing and moving into space in dangerous areas in order to pick the opposition apart. Whilst being on the smaller side Iniesta is able to use guile and experience to disrupt the opposition’s attacking play. His glittering career has seen him score some massive goals including winning goals in both World Cup final and Champions League semi-finals.
Honours 2010 World Cup Team of the Tournament and MOTM in Final, 2008, 2010, European Championship, Team of the Tournament in both MOTM and Player of the Tournament in 2012, 2006, 2009, 2011 Champions League, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 La Liga.
Diego Forlan
A lethal finisher with either foot, Forlan was also capable of the spectacular as well as poaching. His excellent work-rate marks him out as a rare striker, who is both a ruthless predator and a team player. He is one of four players to win the European Golden Boot twice in this period (joining Messi, C. Ronaldo and Henry – he’s in decent company). Named player of the tournament at World Cup 2010 as well as winning Copa America with Uruguay. Forlan also played both as an out-and-out striker and as a trequartista off of Suarez, Cavani and Aguero where he was able to drop deep and create as well as keeping up his impressive strike rate.
Honours 2010 World Cup Golden Ball, 2010 World Cup team of the tournament, 2005 & 2009 European Golden Shoe, 2011 Copa America, 2010 World Cup Semi-finalist, 2010 Europa League, 2003 Premier League, 2004 FA Cup.
Didier Drogba
Drogba was strong, quick and a composed finisher. Ideally suited to play as a lone striker displaying superb hold-up play allowing other players to be brought into play. This is demonstrated by Drogba’s excellent assist record of 79 recorded assists in addition to 302 goals for club and country. A robust, bustling centre forward who harasses his markers. But he is excellent with the ball on the deck and a strong finisher with the ability to use both feet. Drogba was another big match player earning Man of the Match in League cup, FA Cup and Champions League finals.
Honours 2012 Champions League and MOTM in final, 2010, 2006, 2005 Premier League, 20012, 2010, 2009, 2007 FA Cup, 2007, 2005 League Cup, 2010 & 2007 Premier League Golden Boot, 2007 FIFA & UEFA team of the year, 2012, 2008, 2006 AFCON team of the tournament, 2009 & 2006 African Footballer of the Year
Oliver Kahn
A behemoth between the sticks and a genuine match winner. Nicknamed ‘Titan’, Kahn’s greatest strengths lay as much with his presence and organisation as with his shot-stopping. His leadership lead him to being handed the German and Bayern captaincy. His shot-stopping saw Kahn awarded Man of the Match in Champions League final. He was also named Player of the Tournament at the 2002 World Cup after keeping 5 clean sheets – the only goalkeeper ever to achieve this feat. He also holds the Bundesliga record for most clean sheets in Bundesliga history with 197.
Honours: 2001 Champions League winner and MOTM in the final, 2002 World Cup finalist, Golden Ball winner and Team of the Tournament, 2000 & 2001 German footballer of the year, 2000, 2001, 2002 European Goalkeeper of the year, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 Bundesliga winner, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 DFB-Pokal, 2000, 2004, 2007 DFB-LigaPokal.
Cristian Chivu
A player in the Ajax tradition of being strong on the ball and proficient in multiple positions. After forming part of the Roma defence which kept 20 clean sheets in 34 games in the 03/04 season Chivu went onto great success at Inter. A centre-back by trade Chivu went on to play at left-back for 4 years for Inter Milan most importantly figuring in the Champions League run and final of the treble winning season. Comfortable carrying the ball out of defence and an excellent passer as well.
Honours: 2001 Ballon D’or Nominee, 2001 UEFA Team of the Season 2001, 2002 Dutch Golden Shoe winner, 2002 Treble winner with Ajax, 2006 Copa Italia with Roma, 2010 Champions League winner, 2010, 09 & 08 Serie A winner, 2011 & 2010 Coppa Italia Winner.
Carlos Marchena
For Spain Marchena won Euro 2008 where they conceded only two goals in five games and was picked in the team of the tournament. He also holds the record for the longest undefeated streak in international football with a massive 57 game streak from 2002 to 2010. Stylistically he was the more aggressive and reactive defender to partner Ayala. With a high work-rate and physical tackling style the two complimented each other. He also featured as a holding midfielder on a semi-regular basis where he was used to man-mark opposition playmakers.
Honours: Euro 2008 winner and Team of the tournament, 2004 & 2002 La Liga, 2004 UEFA Cup, 2008 Copa Del Rey, 2004 UEFA Super Cup, 2000 Olympic Silver medallist.
Roberto Ayala
A complete defenders and arguably La Liga’s finest. Strong, quick and able to read attacks Ayala was adept at dealing with a variety of threats. He was characterised by excellent positional ability, tactical discipline and reading of the game. He was able to combine excellent ability to know how to win the ball cleanly and to foul 'cleverly' as the occasion arose. Partnered with Marchena at the heart of the Valencia’s defence they were the most formidable defence in La Liga. In the 7 seasons they were together Valencia conceded 237 goals in 266 games, kept 106 clean sheets and conceded the least goals in La Liga in 5 out of 7 seasons. Valencia experienced their most successful period with the pair together winning La Liga in 2004 and 2001, a UEFA Cup in 2004 and reaching the Champions League final in 2001. During this period Ayala was crowned Best Defender by UEFA in 2001. Internationally he captained Argentina more times than any other player. He won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics. In 2006 a series of brilliant displays at the World Cup saw Ayala named in the team of the tournament.
Honours 2001 UEFA Club Defender of the Year, 2004 & 2002 La Liga winner, 2004 UEFA Cup, 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist.
Gianluca Zambrotta
Zambrotta combined superb athleticism with discipline and first-rate tackling and positional sense. The rare breed of full-back who was as proficient in attack as he was in defence. He developed his game to the point where he could play at both left-back and right-back to equal aplomb. His near two-footedness allowed him to beat full-backs on both sides or cut in with a threatening shot. He also offered an option on the overlap from where he was able to deliver crosses into the box.
Honours 2006 World Cup & Team of the tournament, 2006 UEFA and FIFA team of the year, Euro 2004 Team of the tournament, 2003, 2002 Serie A with Juventus, 2011 Serie A with Milan.
Daniele De Rossi
Filling the box-to-box role in the midfield is Daniele De Rossi. Oft described as a complete midfielder De Rossi possesses excellent passing, shooting, stamina, tough tackling and is strong as an ox. Although employed in a variety of roles for both club and country De Rossi puts in his best displays when taking the game by the scruff of the neck and imposing his all-action style on the midfield.
Honours 2006 World Cup, 2012 Euro runner-up and team of the tournament, 2009 Italian Footballer of the year, 2008, 2007 Coppa Italia.
Michael Carrick
At the base of the midfield is Michael Carrick. A consistent performer for Manchester United for 7 seasons – whilst the Ferguson has rotated all others Carrick remains a starter over 40 games in all 7 seasons. Both Xavi and Iniesta have commented on his technical ability and this would surely have seen him flourish in other national set-ups. His passing range is impressive – he utilises short passes to other midfielders in order to keep possession but is adept at a more expansive passes in order to start attacks down the flanks. Defensively he relies on interceptions to break up opposition play rather than crunching tackles. This result in less dangerous set-pieces conceded and he is less likely to be playing this defensive position on a yellow. This is demonstrated in Carrick’s disciplinary record where he has received only one red card and averages 3 yellow cards per season in all competitions.
Honours 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 Premier League, 2008 Champions League, 2008 World Club Cup, 20013 PFA Team of the Year, 2010 League Cup.
Luis Figo
Starting the millennium with one of the most controversial transfers in football history Figo enjoyed an enormous amount of success at Madrid and later Inter. Figo relied on superb ball control and movement to beat players rather than pure pace (though he was no sloth). Very hard to dispossess when on the ball Figo relied on a treasure chest of tricks to beat opponents. Once past he was able to deliver crosses, through balls and shots all to a high level of technical proficiency. Arriving at Inter later in his career Figo is nonetheless credited with reinstating a winning mentality which saw Inter win 4 straight Serie A titles whilst he was there.
Honours 2000 Ballon d’Or, 2001 FIFA World Players of the Year, 2002 Champions League, 2001, 2003 La Liga, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Serie A, UEFA team of the year 2003, 2000, 2004 Euro team of the tournament, 2006 World Cup team of the tournament.
Andres Iniesta
A wonderful technician and one of the finest exponents of the passing game in Europe, Iniesta also has an admirable willingness to work ceaselessly for his team. His dribbling, vision and poise all catch the eye while his versatility also marks him out as the complete midfielder. He is adept at passing and moving into space in dangerous areas in order to pick the opposition apart. Whilst being on the smaller side Iniesta is able to use guile and experience to disrupt the opposition’s attacking play. His glittering career has seen him score some massive goals including winning goals in both World Cup final and Champions League semi-finals.
Honours 2010 World Cup Team of the Tournament and MOTM in Final, 2008, 2010, European Championship, Team of the Tournament in both MOTM and Player of the Tournament in 2012, 2006, 2009, 2011 Champions League, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 La Liga.
Diego Forlan
A lethal finisher with either foot, Forlan was also capable of the spectacular as well as poaching. His excellent work-rate marks him out as a rare striker, who is both a ruthless predator and a team player. He is one of four players to win the European Golden Boot twice in this period (joining Messi, C. Ronaldo and Henry – he’s in decent company). Named player of the tournament at World Cup 2010 as well as winning Copa America with Uruguay. Forlan also played both as an out-and-out striker and as a trequartista off of Suarez, Cavani and Aguero where he was able to drop deep and create as well as keeping up his impressive strike rate.
Honours 2010 World Cup Golden Ball, 2010 World Cup team of the tournament, 2005 & 2009 European Golden Shoe, 2011 Copa America, 2010 World Cup Semi-finalist, 2010 Europa League, 2003 Premier League, 2004 FA Cup.
Didier Drogba
Drogba was strong, quick and a composed finisher. Ideally suited to play as a lone striker displaying superb hold-up play allowing other players to be brought into play. This is demonstrated by Drogba’s excellent assist record of 79 recorded assists in addition to 302 goals for club and country. A robust, bustling centre forward who harasses his markers. But he is excellent with the ball on the deck and a strong finisher with the ability to use both feet. Drogba was another big match player earning Man of the Match in League cup, FA Cup and Champions League finals.
Honours 2012 Champions League and MOTM in final, 2010, 2006, 2005 Premier League, 20012, 2010, 2009, 2007 FA Cup, 2007, 2005 League Cup, 2010 & 2007 Premier League Golden Boot, 2007 FIFA & UEFA team of the year, 2012, 2008, 2006 AFCON team of the tournament, 2009 & 2006 African Footballer of the Year
Tactics
The team will be set up in a 4-3-3 formation. Starting from the front, Drogba is the ideal lone-striker. He is too strong and quick to be simply man-marked out the game – he’d win too many long-balls, turn his marker and be in on goal far too often to make this a viable counter-strategy. Alongside Drogba Figo and Forlan both possessed excellent stamina to run the channels. Figo was able to pick up the ball deep and beat multiple men whilst Forlan offers a direct goal threat from the wings. If, as expected, everyonelovesvic sets up with wing-backs then he’ll have to decide whether to assign CBs to Forlan/Figo or pull-his wing-backs in to track the wingers. If he opts to pick them up with CBs then this a) leaves Drogba 1-on-1 b) risks having Figo/Forlan beat either CB and be in on goal. If he opts for his wing-backs to pick up Forlan/Figo then this will leave him without any width in attack and encourage my full-backs to get forward.
In midfield Iniesta will be charged with providing the creative spark whilst De Rossi provides the hustle, bustle and muscle and Carrick acting as the anchor. Offensively Iniesta will be given a largely free role, encouraged to pass and move into space and pick out passes to send the forwards into space. Going forwards De Rossi will be encouraged to drive attacks in a direct manner forcing eln’s defenders to drop deeper. If defenders sit off then De Rossi won’t be discouraged from unleashing his potent long-shot. Carrick will recycle the ball into Iniesta and De Rossi when they are free as well as using longer balls towards Drogba or the wingers when desired.
Defensively De Rossi and Iniesta will be charged with pressing Pirlo zonally not allowing the Italian playmaker much time on the ball. De Rossi will also work alongside Carrick to disrupt Riquelme’s game. Carrick will play his usual game of intercepting the Argentinean’s attempts to play Trezeguet or Torres through whilst De Rossi will use his considerable physical presence to disrupt these attacks.
The defence will play a relatively deep line to counter Torres and Trezeguet’s threat of breaking through. Ayala and Marchena are a proven centre-back pairing whose strengths compliment each other and provided a solid base for Valencia to form the best defence in La Liga. Marchena’s physicality combined with Ayala’s greater tactical awareness will deny Trezeguet and Torres many chance to score. Kahn will be in charge of marshalling the defence and will utilise his speed and size off the line to close down any through balls to the strikers. At full-back Zambrotta will be encouraged to play at full-throttle pushing Riise back and offering Figo support by cutting inside and out as well as tracking back to stop dangerous attacks. Recognising Chivu’s more limited abilities he will not given quite the same licence to bomb forward – instead his strengths will be played to and he will be encouraged to carry the ball out of defence and use his passing range.
The strengths of my team here are first, suitability to the formation. 4-3-3 requires each player to be good on the ball, have excellent fitness to press, have movement required to pull the opposition apart and perhaps most importantly a central striker who can hold the ball up and be a threat. Second, defensively there is a very strong platform – all 4 defenders and Kahn have been key parts of some of the stingiest defences of the decade that have provided the platform for success. In addition to this my midfield contains two fairly defensively minded players in Carrick and De Rossi and so should be tough to break down and create chances from. Finally, in attack my strength is great variability – able to attack using short, patient passing, a wider game based on crossing or even more direct football with Drogba as the focal point.
May the best team win.
The team will be set up in a 4-3-3 formation. Starting from the front, Drogba is the ideal lone-striker. He is too strong and quick to be simply man-marked out the game – he’d win too many long-balls, turn his marker and be in on goal far too often to make this a viable counter-strategy. Alongside Drogba Figo and Forlan both possessed excellent stamina to run the channels. Figo was able to pick up the ball deep and beat multiple men whilst Forlan offers a direct goal threat from the wings. If, as expected, everyonelovesvic sets up with wing-backs then he’ll have to decide whether to assign CBs to Forlan/Figo or pull-his wing-backs in to track the wingers. If he opts to pick them up with CBs then this a) leaves Drogba 1-on-1 b) risks having Figo/Forlan beat either CB and be in on goal. If he opts for his wing-backs to pick up Forlan/Figo then this will leave him without any width in attack and encourage my full-backs to get forward.
In midfield Iniesta will be charged with providing the creative spark whilst De Rossi provides the hustle, bustle and muscle and Carrick acting as the anchor. Offensively Iniesta will be given a largely free role, encouraged to pass and move into space and pick out passes to send the forwards into space. Going forwards De Rossi will be encouraged to drive attacks in a direct manner forcing eln’s defenders to drop deeper. If defenders sit off then De Rossi won’t be discouraged from unleashing his potent long-shot. Carrick will recycle the ball into Iniesta and De Rossi when they are free as well as using longer balls towards Drogba or the wingers when desired.
Defensively De Rossi and Iniesta will be charged with pressing Pirlo zonally not allowing the Italian playmaker much time on the ball. De Rossi will also work alongside Carrick to disrupt Riquelme’s game. Carrick will play his usual game of intercepting the Argentinean’s attempts to play Trezeguet or Torres through whilst De Rossi will use his considerable physical presence to disrupt these attacks.
The defence will play a relatively deep line to counter Torres and Trezeguet’s threat of breaking through. Ayala and Marchena are a proven centre-back pairing whose strengths compliment each other and provided a solid base for Valencia to form the best defence in La Liga. Marchena’s physicality combined with Ayala’s greater tactical awareness will deny Trezeguet and Torres many chance to score. Kahn will be in charge of marshalling the defence and will utilise his speed and size off the line to close down any through balls to the strikers. At full-back Zambrotta will be encouraged to play at full-throttle pushing Riise back and offering Figo support by cutting inside and out as well as tracking back to stop dangerous attacks. Recognising Chivu’s more limited abilities he will not given quite the same licence to bomb forward – instead his strengths will be played to and he will be encouraged to carry the ball out of defence and use his passing range.
The strengths of my team here are first, suitability to the formation. 4-3-3 requires each player to be good on the ball, have excellent fitness to press, have movement required to pull the opposition apart and perhaps most importantly a central striker who can hold the ball up and be a threat. Second, defensively there is a very strong platform – all 4 defenders and Kahn have been key parts of some of the stingiest defences of the decade that have provided the platform for success. In addition to this my midfield contains two fairly defensively minded players in Carrick and De Rossi and so should be tough to break down and create chances from. Finally, in attack my strength is great variability – able to attack using short, patient passing, a wider game based on crossing or even more direct football with Drogba as the focal point.
May the best team win.
Everyonelovesvic- Formation/bio/tactics
Player Bios
For my keeper, I chose the German, Jens Lehmann. In his first season with Arsenal, he featured in all 38 games, as they went the whole season undefeated as "The Invincibles". In the following season, he played a vital part in Arsenal's FA Cup win, after saving a penalty in the penalty shootout in the final against Manchester United. The 2005-06 season was a great season for him individually, keeping 10 consecutive clean sheets on the way to their Champions League final run and won the UEFA Goalkeeper of the year, but eventually lost the final to Barcelona. Other than his time at Arsenal, he has also won the UEFA Cup, Serie A and Bundesliga.
In a 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation, I needed 2 traditional stoppers, along with an attacking minded sweeper. First is a player who has been at the heart of the one of the most successful club teams and county, Carlos Puyol. He has won everything that is to be won at Barcelona, including a historic treble in the 2008-09 season. For his national team, he has won a European Championship and a World Cup in recent years, for a country that had only 1 major trophy before 2008. He is a no-nonsense defender, with his main strengths being his reactions and strength. Next to him is a player who Liverpool fans still consider to be a legend, Sami Hyypiä. Signed for £2.6, he made a great start to his Anfield career and appeared in the PFA Team of the Year in his first season. He featured in at least 32 games from seasons 99-00 to 05-06, and again appeared in another PFA Team of the Year. In his 10 seasons at Liverpool, he became a Champions League winner and won 2 FA Cups. His man marking ability is a main strength of his. Operating as a sweeper, enabling him to make forward runs is Mats Hummels who will also provide cover for Puyol and Hyypiä, using his pace. Mats has great composure and technique, and is known for starting attacks for the team. At the age of 24, he has 24 caps for Germany, and has won 2 Bundesliga titles for Dortmund.
For my wing backs, I have chosen Maicon and John Arne Riise. These are key positions to my formation and decided I needed to pick players with pace and stamina. I feel both players have these attributes in abundance. Maicon has proved to be one of the best right backs defensively enjoying his best time at Inter, where he won UEFA defender of the year in the 2009-10 season. This season would also be the most successful in Inter's history, winning the treble. Maicon has also been known for his attacking ability for club and country e.g his goal against North Korea in the 2010 world cup ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9mDPOnJpoU ). On the left is another Champions League winner, John Arne Riise. The Norwegian also bombs forward often and became a fans favourite at Anfield, however has the pace to get back and defend for the team. For 3 consecutive seasons at Liverpool, he helped them keep the most clean sheets in the league. He would of course be designated long range free kick taker, as he has scored a number goals from range in career. He has shown great consistency over the years, reaching over 100 caps for Norway and 6 trophies in his time at Liverpool, which he played over 300 times for the club.
In the first round of the draft, I chose Andrea Pirlo. The deep lying playmaker will be key to my keeping-possession style of possession with his unbelievable ability for both short and long range passes. Also, when the team are changing from defence to attack, he will be able to feed the wingbacks, who should cause the opposition full backs problems. It was with Milan where he became a world class player, after a move from rivals Inter, as he was a key part of their midfield as well as for Italy. He won 2 Serie A titles here along with 2 Champions Leagues. Individually he has appeared in the Serie A and UEFA team of the year, and the FIFPro World XI. Next to him, is another key member of Arsenal's invincibles, Gilberto Silva. The defensive midfield player will be able to cover when the wingbacks are attacking and be able to break up the opposition's play. Unlike most players in this position, he is not known for diving into challenges, he has gone 45+ games without picking up a card twice. Other than the Premier League, he also won 2 FA Cups for Arsenal for the bargain fee of just £4.5million. For his national team he got 93 caps and helped Brazil to the 2002 World Cup. Playing in front of these, in an advanced playmaker role, is the King of Flair (that's for you Demi) Juan Roman Riquelme. The Argentine has a great ability of skills and trickery as well as a good goalscoring record from midfield. He moved to Europe, but didn't have the best of times at Barcelona, however was a success at his next club, Villareal, scoring 12 goals in a season where they finished in the last 4 of the Champions League.
My first striker, is my second member from the World Cup winning Spain team, Fernando Torres. I have picked the Liverpool and Spain Torres, who used his phenomenal pace to run in behind the defence and create chances out of nothing. A fine example of this would be his 2008 European Championships winning goal in which he ran behind 2 defenders and did a sublime finish over Lehmann ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBRUHAyUmjc at 3:17 ). Prior to this, he scored 24 goals in 33 games for Liverpool in his 1st season and had a better than 1 in 2 record overall. A player who I feel will thrive playing alongside El Nino is David Trezeguet. In his prime, around the 2000 European Championships, he was one of the best goal poachers in the world and would make the most of any created chances. As stated, his best times were early 2000s, in which he won the European Championships, 2 Serie A titles and a top goalscorer in the competition.
For my keeper, I chose the German, Jens Lehmann. In his first season with Arsenal, he featured in all 38 games, as they went the whole season undefeated as "The Invincibles". In the following season, he played a vital part in Arsenal's FA Cup win, after saving a penalty in the penalty shootout in the final against Manchester United. The 2005-06 season was a great season for him individually, keeping 10 consecutive clean sheets on the way to their Champions League final run and won the UEFA Goalkeeper of the year, but eventually lost the final to Barcelona. Other than his time at Arsenal, he has also won the UEFA Cup, Serie A and Bundesliga.
In a 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation, I needed 2 traditional stoppers, along with an attacking minded sweeper. First is a player who has been at the heart of the one of the most successful club teams and county, Carlos Puyol. He has won everything that is to be won at Barcelona, including a historic treble in the 2008-09 season. For his national team, he has won a European Championship and a World Cup in recent years, for a country that had only 1 major trophy before 2008. He is a no-nonsense defender, with his main strengths being his reactions and strength. Next to him is a player who Liverpool fans still consider to be a legend, Sami Hyypiä. Signed for £2.6, he made a great start to his Anfield career and appeared in the PFA Team of the Year in his first season. He featured in at least 32 games from seasons 99-00 to 05-06, and again appeared in another PFA Team of the Year. In his 10 seasons at Liverpool, he became a Champions League winner and won 2 FA Cups. His man marking ability is a main strength of his. Operating as a sweeper, enabling him to make forward runs is Mats Hummels who will also provide cover for Puyol and Hyypiä, using his pace. Mats has great composure and technique, and is known for starting attacks for the team. At the age of 24, he has 24 caps for Germany, and has won 2 Bundesliga titles for Dortmund.
For my wing backs, I have chosen Maicon and John Arne Riise. These are key positions to my formation and decided I needed to pick players with pace and stamina. I feel both players have these attributes in abundance. Maicon has proved to be one of the best right backs defensively enjoying his best time at Inter, where he won UEFA defender of the year in the 2009-10 season. This season would also be the most successful in Inter's history, winning the treble. Maicon has also been known for his attacking ability for club and country e.g his goal against North Korea in the 2010 world cup ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9mDPOnJpoU ). On the left is another Champions League winner, John Arne Riise. The Norwegian also bombs forward often and became a fans favourite at Anfield, however has the pace to get back and defend for the team. For 3 consecutive seasons at Liverpool, he helped them keep the most clean sheets in the league. He would of course be designated long range free kick taker, as he has scored a number goals from range in career. He has shown great consistency over the years, reaching over 100 caps for Norway and 6 trophies in his time at Liverpool, which he played over 300 times for the club.
In the first round of the draft, I chose Andrea Pirlo. The deep lying playmaker will be key to my keeping-possession style of possession with his unbelievable ability for both short and long range passes. Also, when the team are changing from defence to attack, he will be able to feed the wingbacks, who should cause the opposition full backs problems. It was with Milan where he became a world class player, after a move from rivals Inter, as he was a key part of their midfield as well as for Italy. He won 2 Serie A titles here along with 2 Champions Leagues. Individually he has appeared in the Serie A and UEFA team of the year, and the FIFPro World XI. Next to him, is another key member of Arsenal's invincibles, Gilberto Silva. The defensive midfield player will be able to cover when the wingbacks are attacking and be able to break up the opposition's play. Unlike most players in this position, he is not known for diving into challenges, he has gone 45+ games without picking up a card twice. Other than the Premier League, he also won 2 FA Cups for Arsenal for the bargain fee of just £4.5million. For his national team he got 93 caps and helped Brazil to the 2002 World Cup. Playing in front of these, in an advanced playmaker role, is the King of Flair (that's for you Demi) Juan Roman Riquelme. The Argentine has a great ability of skills and trickery as well as a good goalscoring record from midfield. He moved to Europe, but didn't have the best of times at Barcelona, however was a success at his next club, Villareal, scoring 12 goals in a season where they finished in the last 4 of the Champions League.
My first striker, is my second member from the World Cup winning Spain team, Fernando Torres. I have picked the Liverpool and Spain Torres, who used his phenomenal pace to run in behind the defence and create chances out of nothing. A fine example of this would be his 2008 European Championships winning goal in which he ran behind 2 defenders and did a sublime finish over Lehmann ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBRUHAyUmjc at 3:17 ). Prior to this, he scored 24 goals in 33 games for Liverpool in his 1st season and had a better than 1 in 2 record overall. A player who I feel will thrive playing alongside El Nino is David Trezeguet. In his prime, around the 2000 European Championships, he was one of the best goal poachers in the world and would make the most of any created chances. As stated, his best times were early 2000s, in which he won the European Championships, 2 Serie A titles and a top goalscorer in the competition.
Tactics
I’ve mentioned a few tactics with the bios, so I’ll expand on them and go through the player roles. I have chosen the 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation as I feel it is the perfect way to switch from defence to attack. When in possession and/or in attack, Maicon and Riise will act as wingers and are both perfectly able at getting balls in the box and shooting. A main aim will be to have lots of possession; I think my 3 man midfield will be key to this. Gilberto will play deep and sweep up loose balls and win the ball, and Pirlo’s ability to control the ball and his passing should keep possession and feed the attacking players. A main tactic will also be to get lots of through balls through to Torres, who can use his pace to get behind the defence. Pirlo will also be taking the majority of set pieces; Penalties, Short FKs and Corners, however John Arne Riise will be in control of the Long Range FKs.
Looking at Mac’s team, I’m struggling to see how he’ll line up, but I can see a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Iniesta and Figo allowed to play either behind the strikers or out wide. Both forwards will be man marked, Drogba’s aerial threat will hopefully be cancelled out by Puyol’s strength, and Sami Hyypiä will be in control of marking Forlan’s movement.
I’ve mentioned a few tactics with the bios, so I’ll expand on them and go through the player roles. I have chosen the 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation as I feel it is the perfect way to switch from defence to attack. When in possession and/or in attack, Maicon and Riise will act as wingers and are both perfectly able at getting balls in the box and shooting. A main aim will be to have lots of possession; I think my 3 man midfield will be key to this. Gilberto will play deep and sweep up loose balls and win the ball, and Pirlo’s ability to control the ball and his passing should keep possession and feed the attacking players. A main tactic will also be to get lots of through balls through to Torres, who can use his pace to get behind the defence. Pirlo will also be taking the majority of set pieces; Penalties, Short FKs and Corners, however John Arne Riise will be in control of the Long Range FKs.
Looking at Mac’s team, I’m struggling to see how he’ll line up, but I can see a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Iniesta and Figo allowed to play either behind the strikers or out wide. Both forwards will be man marked, Drogba’s aerial threat will hopefully be cancelled out by Puyol’s strength, and Sami Hyypiä will be in control of marking Forlan’s movement.
