Post by Kieran on Jun 15, 2013 16:03:51 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.
Robbro7- Formation/bio/tactics
*See under tactics for formation diagram(s)
Bios
Santiago Cañizares
Runner-up in consecutive Champions League finals at the start of the 2000s, Cañizares had long since established himself as one of the foremost goalkeepers in world football before the decade got underway. His performances for Valencia from 2000-2006 not only proved that he remained one of the finest shot-stoppers around but also that he could play in a more modern, 21st century side in which the keeper had to start attacks as well as thwart them.
Winner of two La Liga titles, a UEFA Cup and a Copa del Rey, Cañizares also won three Zamora trophies having conceded the fewest goals of any regular La Liga ‘keeper in 2001, 2002 and 2004. Famously, he would’ve been Spain’s #1 at the 2002 World Cup until he dropped an aftershave bottle on his foot – Iker Casillas stepped in and has been la Selección’s first choice ever since.
Stephan Lichtsteiner
The Swiss right-back has had a relatively quiet career compared to the other members of this side but he is by no means a weak link. If anything, he could be our trump card. With his all-action blend of dominating physicality and near perfect decision making, Lichtsteiner has been a key player in trophy-winning sides at Grasshopper Zürich, Lazio and Juventus, and his partnership with Thomas Müller on the right is a splendidly matched combination in a counter-attacking system.
Lichtsteiner is nicknamed ‘Forrest Gump’ due to his limitless stamina but the moniker is unfair. He’s more like a cross between Tom Hanks’ character and Henry Kissinger. In fact, if he was a character in a film he would be Mr Wolf from Pulp Fiction: the all-purpose problem-solver who always finds an escape to a seemingly unavoidable shitstorm. Like Mr Wolf, Lichtsteiner gets the dirty work done and then some.
Alessandro Nesta
One of the finest centre-backs ever to have played the game, Nesta dominated football in the first decade of the 2000s, winning two Champions League finals, a Club World Cup, two Super Cups, three Serie As and two Coppa Italias. Sadly, he missed out on the latter stages of Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory having been injured in their final group stage game against the Czech Republic. But for a stoppage-time intervention by Sylvain Wiltord, Nesta would also have won Euro 2000.
Simply put, there is no denying Nesta’s individual quality. Alongside Gerard Piqué, he forms one of the most decorated and impenetrable centre-back duos ever conceived.
Gerard Piqué
Mr Shakira is one of football’s most prolific winners ever, having amassed a collection of medals too large to even try to list in one paragraph. Instead, here is a link to the honours section of his Wiki. While everyone is aware of his skill on the ball – the nickname Piquenbauer has been in use for at least four years already – he is often underrated as a penalty-box defender.
Indeed, during the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships he was often pinpointed as Spain’s weak link, but the sometimes lax attitude that led many to question him was notably absent. Where once there was a youthful arrogance, there is now a steely resolve. Regular partner and close friend Carles Puyol has taught him supremely well. Piqué is a perfect partner for Nesta and, if the internet is to be believed, will appreciate being back in the same XI as Zlatan.
Yuri Zhirkov
Another wing-back who could prove to be this XI’s secret weapon, Zhirkov will be best known to most UK participants for his disappointing spell as Ashley Cole’s understudy at Chelsea, but it is his performances for CSKA Moscow and the Russian national team that have earned him his spot. Winner of two Russian Premier League titles and four Russian Cups between 2005 and 2009, Zhirkov was also a key player in CSKA’s run to UEFA Cup glory in 2005.
His marauding performances for the national side confirmed him as a household name amongst committed football nerds as Russia caught the eye at Euro 2008. On the back of his excellent tournament, Zhirkov was nominated for the Ballon d’Or. In this side will be asked to defend and counter as he did in his prime, providing width and verticality and combining with those in the front four.
Juninho Pernambucano
Arguably the greatest set-piece taker of all time, Juninho will be remembered for his dominating spell at French giants Lyon, with whom he won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 2002 and 2008. During this period he maintained an enviable goalscoring record, scoring a goal roughly every three games, all the while dictating the tempo with astute and accurate passes and also providing numerous assists for his teammates.
Away from France, Juninho won league titles in Brazil (2000) and Qatar (2010) and won the Confederations Cup with his nation in 2005. His discipline, passing and set piece expertise will be a key feature of this team’s play.
Esteban Cambiasso
Cambiasso will go down in history as the finisher of one of the greatest moves of all time, the Juan Román Riquelme-led masterpiece against Serbia at the 2006 World Cup. However, his persistent work as a controlling second-function midfielder is perhaps even more notable. His tactical versatility and astonishing intelligence have seen him form splendid relationships with just about every teammate he has ever had.
Winner of seven league titles in eight years in Argentina, Spain and Italy, as well as a Champions League, a Club World Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and four Coppa Italias, Cambiasso is perhaps the foremost exponent of the art I have decided to call Being The Guy Who Makes His Partner Look Great While Looking Pretty Amazing Himself. He, like Lichtsteiner in defence, will simply do what has to be done in order to win.
Kaka’
Winner of the 2007 Ballon d’Or, Kaka’ is, like Cristiano Ronaldo, a player whose true brilliance and phenomenal contribution to the game has been overshadowed by that of Lionel Messi. Between 2002 and 2007, Kaka’ won an astounding 26 individual honours ranging from Serie A Footballer of the Year to Champions League Top Scorer. Since then, he has won only twelve, and none since 2010. Nonetheless, as his ridiculous trophy haul proves, Kaka’ is one of the most effective players ever to have stepped onto the field.
As part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan side, Kaka’ was the jewel in the crown of an empire that dominated European football in a manner that few teams have previously managed. Only 1950s Real Madrid and the Ajax and Bayern sides of the 1970s exerted such hegemonic influence before Guardiola’s Barcelona changed everything. As capable of dribbling past an entire team as he is of providing a defence-splitting pass, Kaka’ will be this team’s ace in the pack on the counter.
Thomas Müller
As recently as 2009, Müller was playing in the third tier of German football with Bayern Munich’s reserve side. Since then he has won two Bundesliga titles, two Pokals, the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot, the same tournament’s Best Young Player award and a Champions League. He was also runner-up in two Champions League finals, scoring in one. Few players have slotted into top-level football as effortlessly and as dominatingly as Müller, who has more-or-less invented a new position: the raumdeuter, or ‘interpreter of space’.
This unique level of intelligence has allowed him to excel in every tactical system in which he has played, from Germany’s possession-light counterattacking style to Bayern’s current tiki-taka-plus-verticality ideal. Another player with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy, Müller is as diligent defensively as he is dominating in attack.
Carlos Tévez
Disappointingly for Tévez, it seems he will always be remembered for his public and catastrophic falling out with then Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini. It is a shame that such an excellent footballer will be remembered for his transgressions more than his talent or his achievements, both of which put many others in the shade. On an individual level, he has won three South American Footballer of the Year awards; two Argentine Player of the Year awards; a Copa Libertadores MVP award; an Olympic Golden Boot; and a Premier League Golden Boot.
He has won five domestic titles in three countries and across two continents; a Copa Libertadores; a Champions League; a Club World Cup; an Intercontinental Cup; an FA Cup; a League Cup; and an Olympic Gold Medal. His continuing success and prolific goalscoring record in a number of styles mark him out as a special talent and he proved a success in a system as fluid as the one I am employing in his spell at Manchester United.
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Perhaps the most consistently successful footballer of all time, Zlatan’s record of eight league titles in eight years at five different clubs will probably stand unmatched forever. The awesomeness of this achievement is emphasised by the fact that he was a key player at every one of those clubs, Barcelona aside. Even at Camp Nou, where he supposedly failed, he finished his only season with 21 goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances.
Since 2000, Zlatan has played 601 official games, scored 303 goals and racked up at least 102 assists. As an out-and-out number nine, no player can match his combination of sustained individual success and relentless winning on a collective level. In the last year or two, empowered by his status as a seasoned veteran as well as peerless artist, he has also proven himself as a devastating #10 at international level.
Substitute:
Simone Perrotta
The ideal substitute for a draft-based game, given his tactical versatility, endless stamina and all-round technical skill, Perrotta has played most of his career as a carrilero for Roma and it may be that he is asked to fulfil this role as a substitute here, adding a third body in midfield, retaining possession and providing a secondary presence at attacking transitions. That said, he could fill in aptly in either of the second-band positions and potentially at wing-back, too, having played there under Zdeněk Zeman.
Despite being a key part of the Italy squads that won the World Cup in 2006 and the Under 21 European Championship in 2000, the only major silverware Perrotta has collected at club level is the Coppa Italia, which he won in consecutive seasons in 2007 and 2008.
Santiago Cañizares
Runner-up in consecutive Champions League finals at the start of the 2000s, Cañizares had long since established himself as one of the foremost goalkeepers in world football before the decade got underway. His performances for Valencia from 2000-2006 not only proved that he remained one of the finest shot-stoppers around but also that he could play in a more modern, 21st century side in which the keeper had to start attacks as well as thwart them.
Winner of two La Liga titles, a UEFA Cup and a Copa del Rey, Cañizares also won three Zamora trophies having conceded the fewest goals of any regular La Liga ‘keeper in 2001, 2002 and 2004. Famously, he would’ve been Spain’s #1 at the 2002 World Cup until he dropped an aftershave bottle on his foot – Iker Casillas stepped in and has been la Selección’s first choice ever since.
Stephan Lichtsteiner
The Swiss right-back has had a relatively quiet career compared to the other members of this side but he is by no means a weak link. If anything, he could be our trump card. With his all-action blend of dominating physicality and near perfect decision making, Lichtsteiner has been a key player in trophy-winning sides at Grasshopper Zürich, Lazio and Juventus, and his partnership with Thomas Müller on the right is a splendidly matched combination in a counter-attacking system.
Lichtsteiner is nicknamed ‘Forrest Gump’ due to his limitless stamina but the moniker is unfair. He’s more like a cross between Tom Hanks’ character and Henry Kissinger. In fact, if he was a character in a film he would be Mr Wolf from Pulp Fiction: the all-purpose problem-solver who always finds an escape to a seemingly unavoidable shitstorm. Like Mr Wolf, Lichtsteiner gets the dirty work done and then some.
Alessandro Nesta
One of the finest centre-backs ever to have played the game, Nesta dominated football in the first decade of the 2000s, winning two Champions League finals, a Club World Cup, two Super Cups, three Serie As and two Coppa Italias. Sadly, he missed out on the latter stages of Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory having been injured in their final group stage game against the Czech Republic. But for a stoppage-time intervention by Sylvain Wiltord, Nesta would also have won Euro 2000.
Simply put, there is no denying Nesta’s individual quality. Alongside Gerard Piqué, he forms one of the most decorated and impenetrable centre-back duos ever conceived.
Gerard Piqué
Mr Shakira is one of football’s most prolific winners ever, having amassed a collection of medals too large to even try to list in one paragraph. Instead, here is a link to the honours section of his Wiki. While everyone is aware of his skill on the ball – the nickname Piquenbauer has been in use for at least four years already – he is often underrated as a penalty-box defender.
Indeed, during the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships he was often pinpointed as Spain’s weak link, but the sometimes lax attitude that led many to question him was notably absent. Where once there was a youthful arrogance, there is now a steely resolve. Regular partner and close friend Carles Puyol has taught him supremely well. Piqué is a perfect partner for Nesta and, if the internet is to be believed, will appreciate being back in the same XI as Zlatan.
Yuri Zhirkov
Another wing-back who could prove to be this XI’s secret weapon, Zhirkov will be best known to most UK participants for his disappointing spell as Ashley Cole’s understudy at Chelsea, but it is his performances for CSKA Moscow and the Russian national team that have earned him his spot. Winner of two Russian Premier League titles and four Russian Cups between 2005 and 2009, Zhirkov was also a key player in CSKA’s run to UEFA Cup glory in 2005.
His marauding performances for the national side confirmed him as a household name amongst committed football nerds as Russia caught the eye at Euro 2008. On the back of his excellent tournament, Zhirkov was nominated for the Ballon d’Or. In this side will be asked to defend and counter as he did in his prime, providing width and verticality and combining with those in the front four.
Juninho Pernambucano
Arguably the greatest set-piece taker of all time, Juninho will be remembered for his dominating spell at French giants Lyon, with whom he won seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles between 2002 and 2008. During this period he maintained an enviable goalscoring record, scoring a goal roughly every three games, all the while dictating the tempo with astute and accurate passes and also providing numerous assists for his teammates.
Away from France, Juninho won league titles in Brazil (2000) and Qatar (2010) and won the Confederations Cup with his nation in 2005. His discipline, passing and set piece expertise will be a key feature of this team’s play.
Esteban Cambiasso
Cambiasso will go down in history as the finisher of one of the greatest moves of all time, the Juan Román Riquelme-led masterpiece against Serbia at the 2006 World Cup. However, his persistent work as a controlling second-function midfielder is perhaps even more notable. His tactical versatility and astonishing intelligence have seen him form splendid relationships with just about every teammate he has ever had.
Winner of seven league titles in eight years in Argentina, Spain and Italy, as well as a Champions League, a Club World Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and four Coppa Italias, Cambiasso is perhaps the foremost exponent of the art I have decided to call Being The Guy Who Makes His Partner Look Great While Looking Pretty Amazing Himself. He, like Lichtsteiner in defence, will simply do what has to be done in order to win.
Kaka’
Winner of the 2007 Ballon d’Or, Kaka’ is, like Cristiano Ronaldo, a player whose true brilliance and phenomenal contribution to the game has been overshadowed by that of Lionel Messi. Between 2002 and 2007, Kaka’ won an astounding 26 individual honours ranging from Serie A Footballer of the Year to Champions League Top Scorer. Since then, he has won only twelve, and none since 2010. Nonetheless, as his ridiculous trophy haul proves, Kaka’ is one of the most effective players ever to have stepped onto the field.
As part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan side, Kaka’ was the jewel in the crown of an empire that dominated European football in a manner that few teams have previously managed. Only 1950s Real Madrid and the Ajax and Bayern sides of the 1970s exerted such hegemonic influence before Guardiola’s Barcelona changed everything. As capable of dribbling past an entire team as he is of providing a defence-splitting pass, Kaka’ will be this team’s ace in the pack on the counter.
Thomas Müller
As recently as 2009, Müller was playing in the third tier of German football with Bayern Munich’s reserve side. Since then he has won two Bundesliga titles, two Pokals, the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot, the same tournament’s Best Young Player award and a Champions League. He was also runner-up in two Champions League finals, scoring in one. Few players have slotted into top-level football as effortlessly and as dominatingly as Müller, who has more-or-less invented a new position: the raumdeuter, or ‘interpreter of space’.
This unique level of intelligence has allowed him to excel in every tactical system in which he has played, from Germany’s possession-light counterattacking style to Bayern’s current tiki-taka-plus-verticality ideal. Another player with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy, Müller is as diligent defensively as he is dominating in attack.
Carlos Tévez
Disappointingly for Tévez, it seems he will always be remembered for his public and catastrophic falling out with then Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini. It is a shame that such an excellent footballer will be remembered for his transgressions more than his talent or his achievements, both of which put many others in the shade. On an individual level, he has won three South American Footballer of the Year awards; two Argentine Player of the Year awards; a Copa Libertadores MVP award; an Olympic Golden Boot; and a Premier League Golden Boot.
He has won five domestic titles in three countries and across two continents; a Copa Libertadores; a Champions League; a Club World Cup; an Intercontinental Cup; an FA Cup; a League Cup; and an Olympic Gold Medal. His continuing success and prolific goalscoring record in a number of styles mark him out as a special talent and he proved a success in a system as fluid as the one I am employing in his spell at Manchester United.
Zlatan Ibrahimović
Perhaps the most consistently successful footballer of all time, Zlatan’s record of eight league titles in eight years at five different clubs will probably stand unmatched forever. The awesomeness of this achievement is emphasised by the fact that he was a key player at every one of those clubs, Barcelona aside. Even at Camp Nou, where he supposedly failed, he finished his only season with 21 goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances.
Since 2000, Zlatan has played 601 official games, scored 303 goals and racked up at least 102 assists. As an out-and-out number nine, no player can match his combination of sustained individual success and relentless winning on a collective level. In the last year or two, empowered by his status as a seasoned veteran as well as peerless artist, he has also proven himself as a devastating #10 at international level.
Substitute:
Simone Perrotta
The ideal substitute for a draft-based game, given his tactical versatility, endless stamina and all-round technical skill, Perrotta has played most of his career as a carrilero for Roma and it may be that he is asked to fulfil this role as a substitute here, adding a third body in midfield, retaining possession and providing a secondary presence at attacking transitions. That said, he could fill in aptly in either of the second-band positions and potentially at wing-back, too, having played there under Zdeněk Zeman.
Despite being a key part of the Italy squads that won the World Cup in 2006 and the Under 21 European Championship in 2000, the only major silverware Perrotta has collected at club level is the Coppa Italia, which he won in consecutive seasons in 2007 and 2008.
General tactics
In this fixture, my team’s strategy will be a primarily reactive one. We will look to neutralise our opponents’ considerable attacking force by minimising their available space. We will do this by allowing them a majority of possession and exploiting their positioning at transitions. We have an exceptionally fit team and sustaining this approach for ninety minutes should not pose a problem.
The advantages of this approach for us are manifold. To start with, our forwards have all had success in counterattacking systems and thrive when afforded space to run, dribble or pass into. They are all athletic, intelligent and precise players and due to these attributes they can combine effectively in a number of ways.
This approach will be of particular use against Lewis’s side. While his strikers have the potential to clinically finish their chances and his midfield can be expected (or allowed) to keep the ball, each of his defenders are vulnerable to opposition counters. His centre-backs are and always have been weak against pace and his full-backs will either: 1) advance and leave large gaps for a member of my third band to exploit or 2) stay at home and remove a key passing option for the midfielder with the ball, meaning their attacking moves will either be hurried or simply break down.
At the back, Nesta and Piqué are comfortable as penalty-box defenders and have formed successful partnerships with similar colleagues in the time period in question. Lichtsteiner and Zhirkov have proven themselves as simultaneously capable defenders and potent attacking weapons as counterattacking wing-backs. This back four can be trusted to keep its shape, narrow opponents’ playing options and make the first pass out before springing into attack mode.
In Juninho and Cambiasso, I have a first-class playmaker/set-piece taker and a tactically-versatile ‘brain in a jar’ midfield general. Both have proven themselves as composed and diligent deep-lyers and they can be trusted to protect Nesta and Piqué before finding the right forward pass.
If such an attacking option does not immediately present itself, neither midfielder is the type to simply hoof it down the pitch and prepare to face another opposition attack. With Piquénbauer behind and Kaka’ in front, they will form a diamond/a series of interlocking triangles in order to maintain possession until a forward pass can be found.
Perhaps most importantly, I feel this approach will make my goalkeeper close to unbeatable while leaving his exposed. As those who remember Cañizares’ showings in the first five or six years of the decade will attest, it was next to impossible to beat him from long range, which is where I see most of Lewis’s shots coming from. Conversely, Dudek succeeded in an ultra-defensive system. With his protection sucked upfield, he will be second-favourite in any one-on-one combination with a member of my front four.
Regarding Perrotta, the plan I have in mind is for him to enter the field as a third central midfielder, replacing either Kaka’ or Tévez, and playing slightly ahead of Juninho and Cambiasso. His role would be less box-to-box than Kaka’’s or Tévez’s but he would help us gain more of the ball and his intelligence would be an invaluable on-field tool as the game progresses. Additionally, his stamina would allow us to maintain pressure on Busquets.
Why adopt such a reactive strategy?
In addition to the reasons I have outlined above, there is another, rather simpler reason: Sergio Busquets. There is no way to dominate him in possession terms, so it makes more sense to seek an alternative approach. As anyone who watched Bayern’s destruction of Barcelona knows, while Busi is basically the perfect footballer, he can do little to protect a physically susceptible and clearly outnumbered defence.
As far as neutralising Busquets goes, I would hope that Kaka’ could mark him in a more diligent manner than that tried by Wayne Rooney in the 2011 Champions League final but if not then I am willing to switch Kaka’ with Tévez so that the Argentine can do the job. He is a famously tenacious player and, as long as he remains switched on, he is our best hope as a defensive #10. (See Figs 2a and 2b)
Importance of universality
The final reason I feel my team will prevail is that my team is, in my opinion, more universal than Lewis’s.
My full-backs, for example, are as capable when finishing a one-on-one as they are when having to make a saving tackle. My wide forwards can play anywhere across the third band and, with my full-backs bursting forward at transitions, the universal intelligence and aptitude of all involved will mean that our combinations in attacking areas will be stronger than those formed by relative specialists like Panucci and Jankulovski.
Furthermore, latter-day Zlatan has proven himself titanic as something akin to an old-school #10. If he chooses to drop deep and become involved in build-up play, every member of my third band is comfortable running beyond him and becoming the team’s de facto striker, stretching play and lethally finishing chances.
While Lewis’s strikers both had huge success as what Alex Ferguson would call a nine-and-a-half, I don’t see them combining to become more than the sum of their parts – certainly not in the way that my front four can.
Summary of aims and objectives
- Dictate opponent’s attacking approach and minimise available space by surrendering possession
- Create clear cut chances by exploiting defence’s advanced positioning at transitions
- Involve full-backs in attacking play so that third band players can overload opponent’s defence
Diagrams
Fig 1a: Formations and general tactics: if Lewis plays a midfield diamond
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/LewissDiamond-1.png
Fig 1b: Formations and general tactics: if Lewis plays 4-3-3
this11.com/boards/abEXCyjapq.jpg
Fig 2a: Defensive phase – Plan A
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/DefensivephaseA.png?t=1371211858
Fig 2b: Defensive phase – Plan B
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/DefensivephaseB.png?t=1371211862
Fig 3: Example of tactical objective at transitions: creating space for the front four with a left-sided counter
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/CounterattackL.png
Fig 4: Turning the worst case scenario into a three v two (or three v three) in a maximum of two passes
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/WCSCA.png
In this fixture, my team’s strategy will be a primarily reactive one. We will look to neutralise our opponents’ considerable attacking force by minimising their available space. We will do this by allowing them a majority of possession and exploiting their positioning at transitions. We have an exceptionally fit team and sustaining this approach for ninety minutes should not pose a problem.
The advantages of this approach for us are manifold. To start with, our forwards have all had success in counterattacking systems and thrive when afforded space to run, dribble or pass into. They are all athletic, intelligent and precise players and due to these attributes they can combine effectively in a number of ways.
This approach will be of particular use against Lewis’s side. While his strikers have the potential to clinically finish their chances and his midfield can be expected (or allowed) to keep the ball, each of his defenders are vulnerable to opposition counters. His centre-backs are and always have been weak against pace and his full-backs will either: 1) advance and leave large gaps for a member of my third band to exploit or 2) stay at home and remove a key passing option for the midfielder with the ball, meaning their attacking moves will either be hurried or simply break down.
At the back, Nesta and Piqué are comfortable as penalty-box defenders and have formed successful partnerships with similar colleagues in the time period in question. Lichtsteiner and Zhirkov have proven themselves as simultaneously capable defenders and potent attacking weapons as counterattacking wing-backs. This back four can be trusted to keep its shape, narrow opponents’ playing options and make the first pass out before springing into attack mode.
In Juninho and Cambiasso, I have a first-class playmaker/set-piece taker and a tactically-versatile ‘brain in a jar’ midfield general. Both have proven themselves as composed and diligent deep-lyers and they can be trusted to protect Nesta and Piqué before finding the right forward pass.
If such an attacking option does not immediately present itself, neither midfielder is the type to simply hoof it down the pitch and prepare to face another opposition attack. With Piquénbauer behind and Kaka’ in front, they will form a diamond/a series of interlocking triangles in order to maintain possession until a forward pass can be found.
Perhaps most importantly, I feel this approach will make my goalkeeper close to unbeatable while leaving his exposed. As those who remember Cañizares’ showings in the first five or six years of the decade will attest, it was next to impossible to beat him from long range, which is where I see most of Lewis’s shots coming from. Conversely, Dudek succeeded in an ultra-defensive system. With his protection sucked upfield, he will be second-favourite in any one-on-one combination with a member of my front four.
Regarding Perrotta, the plan I have in mind is for him to enter the field as a third central midfielder, replacing either Kaka’ or Tévez, and playing slightly ahead of Juninho and Cambiasso. His role would be less box-to-box than Kaka’’s or Tévez’s but he would help us gain more of the ball and his intelligence would be an invaluable on-field tool as the game progresses. Additionally, his stamina would allow us to maintain pressure on Busquets.
Why adopt such a reactive strategy?
In addition to the reasons I have outlined above, there is another, rather simpler reason: Sergio Busquets. There is no way to dominate him in possession terms, so it makes more sense to seek an alternative approach. As anyone who watched Bayern’s destruction of Barcelona knows, while Busi is basically the perfect footballer, he can do little to protect a physically susceptible and clearly outnumbered defence.
As far as neutralising Busquets goes, I would hope that Kaka’ could mark him in a more diligent manner than that tried by Wayne Rooney in the 2011 Champions League final but if not then I am willing to switch Kaka’ with Tévez so that the Argentine can do the job. He is a famously tenacious player and, as long as he remains switched on, he is our best hope as a defensive #10. (See Figs 2a and 2b)
Importance of universality
The final reason I feel my team will prevail is that my team is, in my opinion, more universal than Lewis’s.
My full-backs, for example, are as capable when finishing a one-on-one as they are when having to make a saving tackle. My wide forwards can play anywhere across the third band and, with my full-backs bursting forward at transitions, the universal intelligence and aptitude of all involved will mean that our combinations in attacking areas will be stronger than those formed by relative specialists like Panucci and Jankulovski.
Furthermore, latter-day Zlatan has proven himself titanic as something akin to an old-school #10. If he chooses to drop deep and become involved in build-up play, every member of my third band is comfortable running beyond him and becoming the team’s de facto striker, stretching play and lethally finishing chances.
While Lewis’s strikers both had huge success as what Alex Ferguson would call a nine-and-a-half, I don’t see them combining to become more than the sum of their parts – certainly not in the way that my front four can.
Summary of aims and objectives
- Dictate opponent’s attacking approach and minimise available space by surrendering possession
- Create clear cut chances by exploiting defence’s advanced positioning at transitions
- Involve full-backs in attacking play so that third band players can overload opponent’s defence
Diagrams
Fig 1a: Formations and general tactics: if Lewis plays a midfield diamond
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/LewissDiamond-1.png
Fig 1b: Formations and general tactics: if Lewis plays 4-3-3
this11.com/boards/abEXCyjapq.jpg
Fig 2a: Defensive phase – Plan A
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/DefensivephaseA.png?t=1371211858
Fig 2b: Defensive phase – Plan B
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/DefensivephaseB.png?t=1371211862
Fig 3: Example of tactical objective at transitions: creating space for the front four with a left-sided counter
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/CounterattackL.png
Fig 4: Turning the worst case scenario into a three v two (or three v three) in a maximum of two passes
i27.photobucket.com/albums/c184/robbro7/WCSCA.png
Lewinick- Formation/bio/tactics
Bios
Jerzy Dudek
Best remembered for his incredible double save to deny Andriy Shevchenko in the Champions League final, (Seriously www.break.com/video/ugc/liverpool-milan-dudek-amazing-save-608740 ) Dudek had a fantastic career at Anfield. Dudek kept a then club record, 25 clean sheets in his first 50 games for Liverpool. Dudek was a phenomenal shot-stopper who excelled on the big occasion; he won the MOTM award in Liverpool’s League Cup win over Man Utd.
Honours
Team
Liverpool
• UEFA Champions League: 2004–05
• UEFA Super Cup: 2005
FA Cup: 2005–06
League Cup: 2002–03
Real Madrid
• La Liga: 2007–08
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2008
Christian Panucci
Panucci was a no-nonsense Italian defender who excelled in a mean Roma defence, as well as for Italy. Panucci was a part of the Roma defence which holds a Serie A record, 7 consecutive clean sheets, between 28.09.2003 and 23.11.2003 (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/italy/serie-a/records )
Panucci was best known for his defensive capability, in many ways the stereotypical Italian defender of the 90’s/00’s. Strong, athletic, and a good reader of the game, he also managed to score 40 goals in his career.
Honours
Team
Roma
• Coppa Italia: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2007
Lucio
A proper defensive legend of recent years, Lucio began the decade by marshalling Brazil to World Cup triumph, in 2002.
Lucio was a key component of Bayern Munich’s dominant Bundesliga displays between 2004-2008, helping them to keep 47 clean sheets in the 3 seasons in which they won the title.
Lucio was perhaps at his absolute best for Inter Milan in the 2009/10 season, helping them to defeat Barcelona along the way to winning the Champions League. That was part of a treble which also featured a dominant Serie A win. In that season Inter kept 17 Serie A clean sheets, as well as a sensational cleen sheet in the Champions League final.
Lucio is best known as a powerhouse defender, pacey and strong he combines his physical attributes with a tremendous football brain.
Honours
Team
Bayern Munich
• Bundesliga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Pokal: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Ligapokal: 2004, 2007
• DFL-Supercup: 2008
Inter Milan
• Serie A: 2009–10
• Coppa Italia: 2009–10, 2010–11
• UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2010
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
Juventus
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2012
Brazil
• FIFA World Cup: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009
Individual
FIFPro World XI: 2010
Nemanja Vidic
Vidic has had a sensational career at Man Utd, with 5 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups and a Champions League to his name in a period where Man Utd have been more or less utterly dominant in England. And Vidic has been a key part of that. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand has been the consistent foundation upon which Man Utd’s successes have been built, with their finest hour resulting in a Premier League record, 14 consecutive clean sheets, between 15.11.2008 and 18.02.2009. (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/records )
Vidic’s style is best summed up by Alex Ferguson, “His reading of the game is excellent and he is as tough as nails.” Vidic is exceptionally strong, fearsome in the tackle and at times unbeatable in the air. Vidic makes up for his relative lack of pace with an exceptional reading of the game, making vital interceptions time after time.
Honours
Team
Red Star Belgrade
• Yugoslav Cup: 2001–02
• First League of Serbia and Montenegro: 2003–04
• Serbia and Montenegro Cup: 2003–04
Manchester United
• Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
• Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
• UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Indvidual
• PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2008–09, 2010–11
• Players' Player of the Year Award: 2008–09
• ESM Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11
• FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2008–09, 2010–11
Marek Jankulovski
Marek Jankulovski is a left full back best known for his displays for both Milan and Czech Republic. He’s a tireless runner with a good athleticism which allow him to get up and down the line effectively. Jankulovski has a devastating left foot which has supplied many great crosses and has helped him to 53 goals in his career.
Jankulovski was a key part of the Milan side which won the Champions League in 2007, starting the final alongside Maldini, Nesta and Oddo.
Honours
Team
Milan
• UEFA Champions League: 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
• Serie A: 2010–11
Sergio Busquets
Where to start? The hub of the greatest club and international sides of the century, Busquets is absolutely crucial to the way both Barcelona and Spain play. His genius lies in the way he’s adapted a basic defensive midfield role to include both destruction of opposition attacks as well as dictation of the way his team plays. Busquets is a master at recycling possession and providing a platform for teams to attack from. He’ll never give up the ball easily either, averaging 92.2% pass completion in 12/13 (Whoscored.com). Many don’t like his ‘antics’, but for my money he’s been one of the most important players of the decade. Anyway, don’t listen to me, listen to Vicente del Bosque - "If I were a player, I would like to be like Busquets."
Honours
Team - Barcelona
• La Liga - ‘9, ’10, ’11, ‘13
• Champions League – ‘9, ‘11
• Copa del Rey – ‘9, ‘12
• World Club Cup – ‘9, ‘11
• Super Cup – ‘9, ‘11
Team – Spain
• World Cup – ‘10
• European Championships – ‘12
Individual
• Uefa Euro Team of the Tournament – ‘12
• La Liga breakthrough player of the year – ‘9
Luka Modric
Luka Modric sits in the side nicely alongside Sergio Busquets. Modric is an incredibly dynamic player, blessed with exquisite technique and vision. Modric’s is equally adept further up the field, as he is sitting in central midfield. He has matured into his new role at Madrid, using his techqnique to control possession as well as winning back the ball at pace.
He had a trophy laden early career in Croatia, before moving to Tottenham and becoming their most important player (2011 POTY). His move to Madrid started slowly, struggling to get in the side regularly, but toward the end of the season he managed to move ahead of Samir Khedira in the pecking order.
Honours
Team – Zagreb, Real Madrid
• Croatia PL – ‘6, ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia Cup – ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia & Spain Super Cups – ‘6, ‘12
Individual
• Croatian POTY – ‘7, ‘8, ‘11
• UEFA Euros TOTT – ‘8
Deco
A genius playmaker, outstanding in two of the great club sides of the decade. At Porto Deco played as an attacking midfielder, creating opportunities with his fantastic vision. Deco was a key player in Porto’s great team of the early ‘00s. Winning the Uefa Cup and Champions League in successive seasons.
At Barcelona Deco played as part of a 3 man midfield, whilst also forming a ludicrously talented partnership with Ronaldinho. At Barca he was known for his technique, passing ability, vision, and tactical awareness; often changing the game with a decisive pass.
Deco of course won the double with Chelsea in ’10, in the twilight of his career.
Deco is the only player to have won UEFA club midfielder of the year with 2 different clubs; in ’04 with Porto and ’06 with Barcelona. His list of honours is absolutely mental, and his collection of individual awards help to highlight just how important a player he was in the decade.
Honours
Porto
• Primeira Liga: 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04
• Taça de Portugal: 2000, 2001, 2003
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1999, 2001, 2003
• UEFA Champions League: 2004
• UEFA Cup: 2003
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
• UEFA Champions League: 2006
Chelsea
• Premier League: 2009–10
• FA Cup: 2009, 2010
• Community Shield: 2009
Fluminense
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2010, 2012
• Campeonato Carioca: 2012
• Taça Guanabara: 2012
Individual
• Ballon D'or (Silver Ball): 2004
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• UEFA Best Midfielder: 2003–04, 2005–06
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2006
• Portuguese League Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• 2004 UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match
• UEFA Team of the Tournament: 2004
Nani
Between 2010 and 2012, Nani recorded 28 goals and 32 assists for Man Utd & Portugal, from the right wing. That was Nani at his brilliant best. On his day he’s almost unplayable, turning full backs inside out down the right side. His key attributes are his pace and trickery, combined with great crossing and lethal finishing. He can stick to the wing when needed or cut inside and unleash hell.
He had a slow start at Man Utd, but soon matured into a key player. He was crucial to their Premier League victory in 2011, being named their player of the season.
Honours
Team
Manchester United
• Premier League: 08, 09, 11, 13
• Football League Cup: ‘09
• UEFA Champions League: ‘08
• FIFA Club World Cup: ‘08
Inidvidual
• PFA Team of the Season: ‘11
• Man Utd POTS: ‘11
Andriy Shechenko
127 goals in just 208 appearances for Milan, including 29 strikes in 2003/04, goals which helped Milan to the Serie A title, and Shevchenko to win the Ballon D’or. This was a year after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final. A true legend of the decade, Shevchenko is Milan’s second top goalscorer of all time. Shevchenko was never the quickest striker, but relied on a deadly mixture of positioning, power and finishing to decimate opposition defences. At Milan Shevchenko formed a deadly partnership with Pipo Inzaghi, as well as leading the line himself, supported by Kaka; demonstrating his ability to adapt to different systems.
Honours
Team
Milan
• Serie A: ‘04
• Coppa Italia:‘03
• Champions League: ‘03
• Uefa Super Cup: ‘03
Chelsea
• FA Cup: ‘07
• League Cup: ‘07
Individual – how long have you got? Here’s a selection..
• Ballon D’or – 2004
• European Footballer of the Year – 2004
• Uefa Team of the Year – 2004, 2005
• Serie A top scorer – 2000, 2004
• FIFAPro World XI – 2005
• Ukraine all time leading scorer (48 goals)
Thierry Henry
The greatest player to ever play in the Premier League, well, according to me anyway.
Henry started the decade by winning the European Championships with France, scoring 3 goals and being named in the Team of the Tournament. Henry entered his absolute peak just after this period, winning two Premier League titles and 3 FA Cups with Arsenal, including the Invincibles season. Between 2001 and 2006 Henry was in every Uefa and PFA Team of the Year and won 4 consecutive Premier League golden boots. In 8 years at Arsenal, Henry managed 228 goals and 108 assists.
Henry was named in the World Cup 2006 Team of the Tournament, despite losing in the final.
After Arsenal Henry joined Barcelona and took a slightly altered role, on the left of a front 3 which in 2008/9 scored 100 goals between them. Henry was a key part of the Barcelona side many would describe as the greatest of the decade. Henry scored 26 goals in a season where Barcelona won every competition they entered.
Honours
Team
Arsenal
• Premier League: 02/03, 03/04
• FA Cup: ’02, ’03, ‘05
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10
• Copa del Rey: 2008–09
• Supercopa de España: 2009
• UEFA Champions League: 2008–09
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009
France
• European Championships: 2000
• Confederations Cup: 2003
Individual – Again, a small selection
• PFA Players' Player of the Year (2): 2002–03, 2003–04
• PFA Team of the Year (6): 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
• Premier League Golden Boot (4): 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06.
• UEFA Team of the Year (5): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
• European Golden Boot (2): 2003–04, 2004–05
• FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2006
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1): Germany 2006
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball (1): France 2003
• UEFA European Football Championship Team of the Tournament (1): 2000
Jerzy Dudek
Best remembered for his incredible double save to deny Andriy Shevchenko in the Champions League final, (Seriously www.break.com/video/ugc/liverpool-milan-dudek-amazing-save-608740 ) Dudek had a fantastic career at Anfield. Dudek kept a then club record, 25 clean sheets in his first 50 games for Liverpool. Dudek was a phenomenal shot-stopper who excelled on the big occasion; he won the MOTM award in Liverpool’s League Cup win over Man Utd.
Honours
Team
Liverpool
• UEFA Champions League: 2004–05
• UEFA Super Cup: 2005
FA Cup: 2005–06
League Cup: 2002–03
Real Madrid
• La Liga: 2007–08
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2008
Christian Panucci
Panucci was a no-nonsense Italian defender who excelled in a mean Roma defence, as well as for Italy. Panucci was a part of the Roma defence which holds a Serie A record, 7 consecutive clean sheets, between 28.09.2003 and 23.11.2003 (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/italy/serie-a/records )
Panucci was best known for his defensive capability, in many ways the stereotypical Italian defender of the 90’s/00’s. Strong, athletic, and a good reader of the game, he also managed to score 40 goals in his career.
Honours
Team
Roma
• Coppa Italia: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2007
Lucio
A proper defensive legend of recent years, Lucio began the decade by marshalling Brazil to World Cup triumph, in 2002.
Lucio was a key component of Bayern Munich’s dominant Bundesliga displays between 2004-2008, helping them to keep 47 clean sheets in the 3 seasons in which they won the title.
Lucio was perhaps at his absolute best for Inter Milan in the 2009/10 season, helping them to defeat Barcelona along the way to winning the Champions League. That was part of a treble which also featured a dominant Serie A win. In that season Inter kept 17 Serie A clean sheets, as well as a sensational cleen sheet in the Champions League final.
Lucio is best known as a powerhouse defender, pacey and strong he combines his physical attributes with a tremendous football brain.
Honours
Team
Bayern Munich
• Bundesliga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Pokal: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Ligapokal: 2004, 2007
• DFL-Supercup: 2008
Inter Milan
• Serie A: 2009–10
• Coppa Italia: 2009–10, 2010–11
• UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2010
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
Juventus
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2012
Brazil
• FIFA World Cup: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009
Individual
FIFPro World XI: 2010
Nemanja Vidic
Vidic has had a sensational career at Man Utd, with 5 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups and a Champions League to his name in a period where Man Utd have been more or less utterly dominant in England. And Vidic has been a key part of that. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand has been the consistent foundation upon which Man Utd’s successes have been built, with their finest hour resulting in a Premier League record, 14 consecutive clean sheets, between 15.11.2008 and 18.02.2009. (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/records )
Vidic’s style is best summed up by Alex Ferguson, “His reading of the game is excellent and he is as tough as nails.” Vidic is exceptionally strong, fearsome in the tackle and at times unbeatable in the air. Vidic makes up for his relative lack of pace with an exceptional reading of the game, making vital interceptions time after time.
Honours
Team
Red Star Belgrade
• Yugoslav Cup: 2001–02
• First League of Serbia and Montenegro: 2003–04
• Serbia and Montenegro Cup: 2003–04
Manchester United
• Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
• Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
• UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Indvidual
• PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2008–09, 2010–11
• Players' Player of the Year Award: 2008–09
• ESM Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11
• FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2008–09, 2010–11
Marek Jankulovski
Marek Jankulovski is a left full back best known for his displays for both Milan and Czech Republic. He’s a tireless runner with a good athleticism which allow him to get up and down the line effectively. Jankulovski has a devastating left foot which has supplied many great crosses and has helped him to 53 goals in his career.
Jankulovski was a key part of the Milan side which won the Champions League in 2007, starting the final alongside Maldini, Nesta and Oddo.
Honours
Team
Milan
• UEFA Champions League: 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
• Serie A: 2010–11
Sergio Busquets
Where to start? The hub of the greatest club and international sides of the century, Busquets is absolutely crucial to the way both Barcelona and Spain play. His genius lies in the way he’s adapted a basic defensive midfield role to include both destruction of opposition attacks as well as dictation of the way his team plays. Busquets is a master at recycling possession and providing a platform for teams to attack from. He’ll never give up the ball easily either, averaging 92.2% pass completion in 12/13 (Whoscored.com). Many don’t like his ‘antics’, but for my money he’s been one of the most important players of the decade. Anyway, don’t listen to me, listen to Vicente del Bosque - "If I were a player, I would like to be like Busquets."
Honours
Team - Barcelona
• La Liga - ‘9, ’10, ’11, ‘13
• Champions League – ‘9, ‘11
• Copa del Rey – ‘9, ‘12
• World Club Cup – ‘9, ‘11
• Super Cup – ‘9, ‘11
Team – Spain
• World Cup – ‘10
• European Championships – ‘12
Individual
• Uefa Euro Team of the Tournament – ‘12
• La Liga breakthrough player of the year – ‘9
Luka Modric
Luka Modric sits in the side nicely alongside Sergio Busquets. Modric is an incredibly dynamic player, blessed with exquisite technique and vision. Modric’s is equally adept further up the field, as he is sitting in central midfield. He has matured into his new role at Madrid, using his techqnique to control possession as well as winning back the ball at pace.
He had a trophy laden early career in Croatia, before moving to Tottenham and becoming their most important player (2011 POTY). His move to Madrid started slowly, struggling to get in the side regularly, but toward the end of the season he managed to move ahead of Samir Khedira in the pecking order.
Honours
Team – Zagreb, Real Madrid
• Croatia PL – ‘6, ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia Cup – ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia & Spain Super Cups – ‘6, ‘12
Individual
• Croatian POTY – ‘7, ‘8, ‘11
• UEFA Euros TOTT – ‘8
Deco
A genius playmaker, outstanding in two of the great club sides of the decade. At Porto Deco played as an attacking midfielder, creating opportunities with his fantastic vision. Deco was a key player in Porto’s great team of the early ‘00s. Winning the Uefa Cup and Champions League in successive seasons.
At Barcelona Deco played as part of a 3 man midfield, whilst also forming a ludicrously talented partnership with Ronaldinho. At Barca he was known for his technique, passing ability, vision, and tactical awareness; often changing the game with a decisive pass.
Deco of course won the double with Chelsea in ’10, in the twilight of his career.
Deco is the only player to have won UEFA club midfielder of the year with 2 different clubs; in ’04 with Porto and ’06 with Barcelona. His list of honours is absolutely mental, and his collection of individual awards help to highlight just how important a player he was in the decade.
Honours
Porto
• Primeira Liga: 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04
• Taça de Portugal: 2000, 2001, 2003
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1999, 2001, 2003
• UEFA Champions League: 2004
• UEFA Cup: 2003
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
• UEFA Champions League: 2006
Chelsea
• Premier League: 2009–10
• FA Cup: 2009, 2010
• Community Shield: 2009
Fluminense
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2010, 2012
• Campeonato Carioca: 2012
• Taça Guanabara: 2012
Individual
• Ballon D'or (Silver Ball): 2004
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• UEFA Best Midfielder: 2003–04, 2005–06
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2006
• Portuguese League Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• 2004 UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match
• UEFA Team of the Tournament: 2004
Nani
Between 2010 and 2012, Nani recorded 28 goals and 32 assists for Man Utd & Portugal, from the right wing. That was Nani at his brilliant best. On his day he’s almost unplayable, turning full backs inside out down the right side. His key attributes are his pace and trickery, combined with great crossing and lethal finishing. He can stick to the wing when needed or cut inside and unleash hell.
He had a slow start at Man Utd, but soon matured into a key player. He was crucial to their Premier League victory in 2011, being named their player of the season.
Honours
Team
Manchester United
• Premier League: 08, 09, 11, 13
• Football League Cup: ‘09
• UEFA Champions League: ‘08
• FIFA Club World Cup: ‘08
Inidvidual
• PFA Team of the Season: ‘11
• Man Utd POTS: ‘11
Andriy Shechenko
127 goals in just 208 appearances for Milan, including 29 strikes in 2003/04, goals which helped Milan to the Serie A title, and Shevchenko to win the Ballon D’or. This was a year after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final. A true legend of the decade, Shevchenko is Milan’s second top goalscorer of all time. Shevchenko was never the quickest striker, but relied on a deadly mixture of positioning, power and finishing to decimate opposition defences. At Milan Shevchenko formed a deadly partnership with Pipo Inzaghi, as well as leading the line himself, supported by Kaka; demonstrating his ability to adapt to different systems.
Honours
Team
Milan
• Serie A: ‘04
• Coppa Italia:‘03
• Champions League: ‘03
• Uefa Super Cup: ‘03
Chelsea
• FA Cup: ‘07
• League Cup: ‘07
Individual – how long have you got? Here’s a selection..
• Ballon D’or – 2004
• European Footballer of the Year – 2004
• Uefa Team of the Year – 2004, 2005
• Serie A top scorer – 2000, 2004
• FIFAPro World XI – 2005
• Ukraine all time leading scorer (48 goals)
Thierry Henry
The greatest player to ever play in the Premier League, well, according to me anyway.
Henry started the decade by winning the European Championships with France, scoring 3 goals and being named in the Team of the Tournament. Henry entered his absolute peak just after this period, winning two Premier League titles and 3 FA Cups with Arsenal, including the Invincibles season. Between 2001 and 2006 Henry was in every Uefa and PFA Team of the Year and won 4 consecutive Premier League golden boots. In 8 years at Arsenal, Henry managed 228 goals and 108 assists.
Henry was named in the World Cup 2006 Team of the Tournament, despite losing in the final.
After Arsenal Henry joined Barcelona and took a slightly altered role, on the left of a front 3 which in 2008/9 scored 100 goals between them. Henry was a key part of the Barcelona side many would describe as the greatest of the decade. Henry scored 26 goals in a season where Barcelona won every competition they entered.
Honours
Team
Arsenal
• Premier League: 02/03, 03/04
• FA Cup: ’02, ’03, ‘05
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10
• Copa del Rey: 2008–09
• Supercopa de España: 2009
• UEFA Champions League: 2008–09
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009
France
• European Championships: 2000
• Confederations Cup: 2003
Individual – Again, a small selection
• PFA Players' Player of the Year (2): 2002–03, 2003–04
• PFA Team of the Year (6): 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
• Premier League Golden Boot (4): 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06.
• UEFA Team of the Year (5): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
• European Golden Boot (2): 2003–04, 2004–05
• FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2006
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1): Germany 2006
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball (1): France 2003
• UEFA European Football Championship Team of the Tournament (1): 2000
Tactics
Midfield - My second draft pick Sergio Busquets is one of the key features of my team’s tactical approach. With Busquets in the side, the emphasis will be on dominating the midfield, both in possession, and in recycling the ball; there’s nobody better in world football at this than Sergio. Luka Modric has also thrived in a slightly deeper role recently, he too will be crucial for maintaining possession, providing dynamism and recycling possession as quickly as possible. This midfield axis will allow the more creative players in front to flourish. Deco will play a familiar attacking midfield role, picking the ball up from his midfield partners and attacking the opposition defence. With Henry and Shevchenko making runs in behind off the back of the defenders, Deco will have plenty of opportunities to make use of his incredible vision. With Nani on the wing there’ll always be a quick outball for Deco or Modric, should the middle become too congested.
Forwards - Henry will play a starting role just off and to the left of Shevchenko, a role he played for a time at Arsenal, and brilliantly at Barcelona. When in possession though, Henry will essentially become a second striker. Henry’s main role will be to score goals, but with his fantastic vision and awareness (106 assists in his Arsenal career), he’ll also lay on plenty for Shevchenko.
I’ve decided to play Nani over David Silva for a couple of reasons. Nani will provide some width on the right, as well as providing genuine pace and devastating crossing ability. At his best, between 10/11 and 11/12 seasons, Nani provided a gargantuan 32 assists for his teammates, add to that 28 goals in the same 2 years and it’s easy to see why he’s won Man Utd POTS, some feat. Nani will stick to the right wing and provide crosses for Shevchenko to nod in.
Defence - Both of the centre backs are specialist stoppers, and will eat up any and all long balls, and balls into the box. Lucio will have some scope to bring the ball from deep, but in general Busquets will pick the ball up from the CB’s and make use of it. Lucio is particularly skilled with the ball at his feet, and so the defence can be a foundation for maintaining possession, as well as the midfield.
Jankulovski and Panucci at full back both provide good threat going forward (53 & 40 goals in their careers). Jankulovski has spent time as a winger and thus offers a great attacking threat, with good delivery into the box likely to be capitalised on by Shevchenko. Panucci will be expected to maintain his right back position and provide a rock solid backline, alongside Lucio and Vidic. The beauty of having Busquets in the side is that, should we be caught short in defence he can fill in and form a back 3 with Lucio and Vidic.
Both Lucio and Vidic are brilliant in the air and so, along with Shevchenko, will provide a significant threat to the opposition at corners.
Set Pieces – Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry.
Opposition - I won’t say much with regards the opposition, that’s for you to decide. However, I feel my main advantages will be
• Winning the key midfield battles; Busquets, Modric and Deco provide a excellent mix of brains, vision, dynamism and guile. I’d expect them to get the best of Juninho and Cambiasso, and dominate possession. Busquets will be utilised to try and dominate Kaka and try and stop him playing in the areas where he’s most effective. Modric will be tasked with the recovery plays as well, helping to shift from defence to attack through the midfield.
• Vidic and Lucio will be perfectly suited to coping with the aerial prowess and power of Ibrahimovic. Panucci and Jankulovski’s pace and recovery skills should be able to contain the likes of Muller and Tevez (if played wide).
• I expect Henry and Nani to have a good time against Lichtsteiner and Zirkhov, who may well leave plenty of space in behind. Henry will look to turn Lichtsteiner inside out, attacking him at pace and cutting in to finish or lay the ball on for Shevchenko or Deco to strike.
• I think Pique may struggle against the pace and trickery of Henry, who’ll prove elusive coming in from the left as well as attacking down the middle at times.
Midfield - My second draft pick Sergio Busquets is one of the key features of my team’s tactical approach. With Busquets in the side, the emphasis will be on dominating the midfield, both in possession, and in recycling the ball; there’s nobody better in world football at this than Sergio. Luka Modric has also thrived in a slightly deeper role recently, he too will be crucial for maintaining possession, providing dynamism and recycling possession as quickly as possible. This midfield axis will allow the more creative players in front to flourish. Deco will play a familiar attacking midfield role, picking the ball up from his midfield partners and attacking the opposition defence. With Henry and Shevchenko making runs in behind off the back of the defenders, Deco will have plenty of opportunities to make use of his incredible vision. With Nani on the wing there’ll always be a quick outball for Deco or Modric, should the middle become too congested.
Forwards - Henry will play a starting role just off and to the left of Shevchenko, a role he played for a time at Arsenal, and brilliantly at Barcelona. When in possession though, Henry will essentially become a second striker. Henry’s main role will be to score goals, but with his fantastic vision and awareness (106 assists in his Arsenal career), he’ll also lay on plenty for Shevchenko.
I’ve decided to play Nani over David Silva for a couple of reasons. Nani will provide some width on the right, as well as providing genuine pace and devastating crossing ability. At his best, between 10/11 and 11/12 seasons, Nani provided a gargantuan 32 assists for his teammates, add to that 28 goals in the same 2 years and it’s easy to see why he’s won Man Utd POTS, some feat. Nani will stick to the right wing and provide crosses for Shevchenko to nod in.
Defence - Both of the centre backs are specialist stoppers, and will eat up any and all long balls, and balls into the box. Lucio will have some scope to bring the ball from deep, but in general Busquets will pick the ball up from the CB’s and make use of it. Lucio is particularly skilled with the ball at his feet, and so the defence can be a foundation for maintaining possession, as well as the midfield.
Jankulovski and Panucci at full back both provide good threat going forward (53 & 40 goals in their careers). Jankulovski has spent time as a winger and thus offers a great attacking threat, with good delivery into the box likely to be capitalised on by Shevchenko. Panucci will be expected to maintain his right back position and provide a rock solid backline, alongside Lucio and Vidic. The beauty of having Busquets in the side is that, should we be caught short in defence he can fill in and form a back 3 with Lucio and Vidic.
Both Lucio and Vidic are brilliant in the air and so, along with Shevchenko, will provide a significant threat to the opposition at corners.
Set Pieces – Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry.
Opposition - I won’t say much with regards the opposition, that’s for you to decide. However, I feel my main advantages will be
• Winning the key midfield battles; Busquets, Modric and Deco provide a excellent mix of brains, vision, dynamism and guile. I’d expect them to get the best of Juninho and Cambiasso, and dominate possession. Busquets will be utilised to try and dominate Kaka and try and stop him playing in the areas where he’s most effective. Modric will be tasked with the recovery plays as well, helping to shift from defence to attack through the midfield.
• Vidic and Lucio will be perfectly suited to coping with the aerial prowess and power of Ibrahimovic. Panucci and Jankulovski’s pace and recovery skills should be able to contain the likes of Muller and Tevez (if played wide).
• I expect Henry and Nani to have a good time against Lichtsteiner and Zirkhov, who may well leave plenty of space in behind. Henry will look to turn Lichtsteiner inside out, attacking him at pace and cutting in to finish or lay the ball on for Shevchenko or Deco to strike.
• I think Pique may struggle against the pace and trickery of Henry, who’ll prove elusive coming in from the left as well as attacking down the middle at times.
