Post by Kieran on Jul 22, 2013 2:12:25 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.
Chillada- Formation/bio/tactics
Chillada Football Club Players:
Petr Cech Honours
Petr Cech whoscored.com characteristics
Paulo Ferreira Honours
Paulo Ferreira whoscored.com characteristics
Bixente Lizarazu Honours
John Terry Honours
John Terry whoscored.com characteristics
Fabio Cannavaro Honours
Pepe Honours
Pepe whoscored.com characteristics
Cristiano Ronaldo Honours
Cristiano Ronaldo whoscored.com characteristics
Patrick Vieira Honours
Pavel Nedved Honours
Raul Honours
Raul whoscored.com characteristics
Ronaldinho Honours
Ronaldinho whoscored.com characteristics
Chillada Football Club Tactics
So first thing is first, I’m thrilled to have made it to the final, some really tough teams I’ve been up against have made for great matches. For this final I’ve decided to really think tactically about how I can nullify the main threats posed to my team but making sure this won’t be at the expense of the attacking force my team possesses.
Basic Formation
I am playing the enigma Pepe in midfield (of which more will be explained later), this at the expense of the very unlucky Ballack who is on my bench. The sacrifice of Ballack really emphasises how I’ve picked the players I think would be best for this match rather than because I like them. My steal was Fabio Cannavaro who really doesn’t need much of an introduction. One of two defenders ever who’s won a Ballon D’or, he along with John Terry are two of the most individually decorated centre backs since 2000.
My other changes have been pushing Ronaldo to the Right Wing, Ronaldinho up tight just behind Raul with Nedved on the Left. I really thought about which players would suit their counterparts on AB’s team. I am assuming AB sticks with a similar team to his last match with De Boer at Left Back. I really think Cristiano Ronaldo could really tear De Boer apart in his not favourite Left back role. My decision to play Nedved on the left is because I anticipate more of an attacking threat from Cafu/Messi which Nedved’s all round ability can help Lizarazu/Pepe/Vieira with. If Cafu bombs forward this could leave room for Ronaldinho who I’ve given a free role to. He will initially lineup just behind Raul and I think he could get the better of Martinez many times, but I also expect him to lurk into space like he can do and exploit AB’s defence. I think my attack will be more direct than AB’s as I have the forward players who prefer to play in such a way as well as the defensive players who will build a steady backbone.
Other Thoughts
• My Vastly Superior Goalkeeper
o 99.9% of good teams are built on having a good goalkeeper.
o According to www.transfermarkt.co.uk Cech as got a clean sheet in 49.3% of games for Chelsea from 2006-13 (as far back as the stats go). In this same time period Ceni has a respectable 36.7%. The 13% difference is widened when you consider the vast dissimilarity in standard of opponents. Ceni never played in huge games and has had a career at a much lower standard of football with a much lower success.
• My Messi Strategy
There are many examples of Messi being contained. There is a reason why Messi has never scored against Chelsea in 8 matches (Terry played all 8, Cech played 6). Mourinho has also shown that similar tactics worked for Inter in containing him. Many clubs fail to see Messi’s key strengths and man-mark him like they would for any other star player. The problem with this is that Messi is not an atypical player and his assets are very unique.
It’s not a good idea to just ask a central defender to look after Messi as the Argentinean has the ability to drop so deep you ideally also need a defensive midfielder to pick him up as well as all players being aware of him.
Some key points on how teams have restricted Messi.
• Always be aware of him, even when we are in possession
o Communication is vital as Messi can drift around the pitch but I expect my players to be alert and to all be switched on to his positioning at all times.
• Stop him getting the ball by anticipating passes to him
o In this match Messi will not have the luxury of Xavi to pass to him. This is not being disrespectful of the other players in AB’s team, just Messi may have to do a bit more to receive the ball.
o Intelligence and anticipation are vital in getting to the ball ahead of him. He moves all over the pitch and becomes very involved so you have to defend as a very compact unit and prevent him having spaces into which he can run.
• Always try to show him outside away from the penalty area
o My team will have to try to keep him as far away from my area as possible and when he starts to attack you, they will try to show him outside – that is an unnatural movement for him. It’s important to watch him very closely and make sure he doesn't have that space to exploit
• Stay narrow to ensure he doesn't isolate one player
o I have to play with the lines very close together and the players quite narrow. Playing with pressure and intensity will prevent Messi receiving the ball in comfort.
• A deep defensive line.
o When centre backs play deeper it frustrates Messi as he can’t run through playing one two’s as much as he’d like. It again restricts his space which is pivotal.
• Pepe
o For those who follow Spanish football, there are a couple of high profile matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid where Mourinho used Pepe in a midfield position to great effect. In both games Pepe was voted man of the match. Match 1, Match 2
o He has superb pace, concentration and anticipation and will put in important tackles throughout the game. He is a secret weapon in this match as he has proven success vs Barcelona when playing midfield.
o His role will be to not allow AB’s team time on the ball and to protect the back 4 alongside Patrick Vieira.
• Tight Narrow Intelligent Defence
o John Terry is so underrated sometimes it’s quite unfair. I wont go further into that, but there’s a reason the best managers in the world rate him so highly. There is also not another defender in the world that has appeared on more UEFA team of the year’s and he has been UEFA defender of the year more than any other player. Alongside him Cannavaro will be the ideal partner, blessed with natural pace and anticipation Cannavaro and Terry are positionally very intelligent football players. This will stand me in good stead, especially with Ferreira who was the most sought after right back in the world in 2003/04 and was pivotal in both the successes of Porto and Chelsea under the early Mourinho era. His only criticism is that he is too modest and allows other’s to steal the limelight. Completing my back 4 is Lizarazu who was a fantastic defender who in polls wherever you look is voted in the top left backs since 2000 (I know Maldini and Cole are also in this category). The successes of Lizarazu for club and country really help show his importance and reliability for the left side of defence.
o I believe all my players are capable of utilising my tactics to keep it tight, to anticipate passes and to keep concentration, awareness and good communication. Luckily for me I think John Terry and Patrick Vieira will ensure everyone is 100% switched on for the whole match.
• Raul
o Out of all Rio Ferdinand’s opponents he voted Raul as the hardest opponent he ever played. He said “Raul. He was just difficult to pin down. He played in positions where it was hard for a centre back to go and mark him,” “Then, once he got it and turned, he’d run at you, pass it, slip people through on goal and set-up chances.”
o I think Raul’s ability to bring other’s into the game is often underrated but think he could really benefit here of being Ferdinand’s Kryptonite as well as having the quality of Nedved, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho around him.
• Proven Leaders
o My team has many leaders who have competed and won at the highest level. Patrick Vieira epitomises leading by example, as do John Terry and Cannavaro. Raul was club captain of Real Madrid whilst Nedved captained Czech Republic.
o I believe it’s important to have so many players that are proven to win consistently at the highest of levels and to have so many individual honours spread out about my team can only be a bonus.
• Attacking Force
o Nedved, Ronaldinho, and Cristiano Ronaldo each have won a Ballon D’or, which emphasises how good they are/were at their peaks. I believe as they all have the ability to play across the attacking midfield width which will only help add more cohesion between them. This also makes each player harder to mark as they can switch positions when needed. Each can create, shoot, pass, and possess skill and vision that would trouble any defence.
o Raul will use all of his ability to keep the ball, create opportunities for others and score the goals that he is known for.
o Patrick Vieira has unrivalled stamina and was equally comfortable in attacking positions as defensive ones. As the game progresses I think he could be useful to help out when needed and to provide a different type of threat. Ultimately I believe my team has a variety of attacking threats that will hopefully be unpredictable and difficult to stop.
Applebonkers- Formation/bio/tactics
Bios
Rogério Ceni
Since 2000 he has won 3 League titles, a Copa Libertadores (their Champions League) and a Club World Cup. Individually he was voted best keeper in Série A 6 times, best player of the 2005 Copa Libertadores, best player of the 2005 Club World Cup, the Brasileirão Best Player Award in 2006 & 2007, and the Golden Ball for the best player in Série A in 2008.
A bit of unknown outside of South America due to his entire 1000+ game career being spent at Sao Paulo, as well as only being a sub keeper in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup campaign and then again in 2006. His peak years were around 06-08 but Júlio César was preferred, no shame in that really.
This video shows 8mins of his day job, then 4mins of his party-trick www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDIH06NdXQc
Stat: After 22 clean sheets in 35 games in 06/07 Ceni was nominated for the 2007 Ballon D’or where Buffon and Cech were the only keepers to receive more votes.
Preferred judging period: 2004-2008.
Cafu
2000/2001 won Serie A with Roma, their only title in the last 20 years, and was nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2002 lifted the World Cup as Brazil’s captain and was again nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2003 moved to AC Milan and won Serie A in his first season there.
2004 he was named in the UEFA Team of the Year and was shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2005 named in the UEFA Team of the Year again as well as being named in the inaugural FIFPro World XI. Again shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2006/2007 won the Champions League appearing in 8 of the matches.
2008 retired.
Stat: One of first 11 players elected into the Roma Hall of Fame last year www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBPJXbPd2Ts
Preferred judging period: 2000-2005.
Rio Ferdinand
A Rolls Royce CB who until a few years ago had real pace when needed too. Holds the record for a centre-back with 6 PFA Team of the Year appearances. Back with Leeds he helped them to a Champions League semi-final, getting nominated for the Ballon D’or both years he was there.
Stat: In 10 World Cup appearances Ferdinand has 7 clean sheets.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2010.
Vidić
His 2008 and 2009 were just silly: Won the Premier League for the 2nd and 3rd time in row making the PFA Team of the Year for the 2nd and 3rd time in a row, won the Champions League in 08, got in the FIFPro World XI for 08/09, was named Premier League Player of the Season for 08/09 (not the PFA award which Giggs controversially won that season) and no defender got more votes than him in the 2008 Ballon D’or or the 2009 Ballon D’or.
After a stop-start 09/10 season he got another PFA Team of the Year, FIFPro World XI and Premier Legaue Player of the Season in 10/11.
In the 4 seasons between 07/08 and 10/11 Man Utd won 3 league titles and made 3 Champions League finals. The season they failed to do either was in 09/10 where Vidić and Ferdinand only started 16 of the 48 games together (38 league and 10 CL), by far the lowest of the 4 seasons.
Stat: In his first 3 full seasons at Man Utd Vidic conceded just 46 goals in the 91 games he played in (0.51 goals per game).
Preferred judging period: 2006-2011.
Frank de Boer
His biggest strengths were his intelligence (positioning, reading intentions) and his technique (excellent distribution & free kicks). At Barcelona multiple managers (which included Van Gaal) meant CB, LCB in a back 3, sweeper in a back 3 or emergency LB. The only constant was his place in the starting line-up while Abelardo, Christanval, Reiziger, Patrik Andersson, and a young Puyol were shuffling around him.
He may be best remembered in this time period for his semi-final penalty miss against Italy in Euro 2000, but the fact he still made the UEFA Team of the Tournament despite that is testament to his defensive performances. He got injured in the Euro 2004 quarter-final win in what turned out to be the last of his 112 caps, a record for a Dutch outfield player.
These Euro near misses reflected his time at Barcelona post 2000 too. CL semi in 2000, UEFA Cup semi in 2001, CL semi in 2002 and lost in extra-time to a vintage Juventus side in the CL quarter-final in 2003.
Barring a line about Maldini at the end I think this little article is pretty spot on about the man thefootballspace.com/2013/03/26/football-memories-frank-de-boer/ you can substitute his part in Rivaldo’s 2001 Valencia bicycle kick in for the 98 Bergkamp goal to bring it up to date.
Stat: de Boer started 7 matches in Euro 2000 and 2004 in which the Netherlands conceded just 3 times, whilst he notched 2 from set-pieces at the other end.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2003.
Schweinsteiger
Van Gaal switched a temperamental wide player to the centre of the pitch in 09/10 and the rest is history. Heynckes on Schweinsteiger last year:
Stat: No player made more tackles in last season’s Champions League than Schweinsteiger.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Iniesta
Made every UEFA Team of the Year & FIFPro World XI for the last 4 years. After making the Team of the Tournament for Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 he went one better last year being named Player of the Tournament for Euro 2012. That award coupled with his Champions League Best Player award for 2011/12 helped him win UEFA Best Player in Europe for 2012:Essentially then on a par with winning any Ballon D’or pre-2010, this time with Messi & Ronaldo as competition. A little genius.
Stat: Despite only starting 24 matches Iniesta’s 16 assists was the highest in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Özil
The main playmaker in Real’s record breaking La Liga season in 11/12 where he was the top assister in Europe’s big 5 leagues and made the UEFA Team of the Year. For Germany he made the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament and surely would have made the 2010 Team of the Tournament if it remained as the old squad format rather than just a Spain dominated XI.
Stat: No player in Europe’s top 5 leagues has created more goals than Özil over the last 5 seasons, which includes his 2 seasons at Werder Bremen.
Preferred judging period: 2010-today.
Ribéry
Ribéry has just won the Bundesliga Player of the Year, the German equivalent of PFA Players' Player of the Year. He also won the award in 2008 meaning he joins Ballack and Kahn as the only multiple winners in the 2000s.
His wing play got him into the UEFA Team of the Year in 2008 and votes in every World Player of the Year & Ballon D’or from 2006-2009 (injury restricted him to 10 starts in 09/10 ending any hope of carrying on the streak). This year nomination isn’t the question; it’s which of the top 10 spots he’ll get.
A prolific assister who gets his fair share of goals too. For example some would consider Lampard one of the great midfield goalscorers of all time…
Stat: If penalties are ignored for both players then Ribéry’s 12 league goals in 11/12 is the same as Lampard’s record total of 12.
Preferred judging period: 2006-today.
Messi
The mental stats: 4 straight Ballon D’ors. 73 Barcelona goals in one season. 91 goals in a calendar year. Scored against all 19 teams in a row last season.
Has reached double figures for assists in the last 6 La Liga seasons. For Argentina he equalled Batistuta’s record of 12 goals in a calendar year in 2012, doing so from a relatively deep position. When you now include 2013 internationals it reads as 16 goals and 4 assists in his last 14 caps.
Stat: Over the last 2 La Liga seasons Messi has scored or assisted 124 goals in 69 games. Behave.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Luis Ronaldo
I’d estimate 2000s Ronaldo was about 80% of the phenomenon he was in 96-99 yet was still the World Player of the Year in 2002, 3rd in 2003, then 7th in 2004 which says it all really.
Injured for all of 2000 and 2001 he returned to score 75 goals in 107 league games over the next 4 seasons. Of these 75 goals just 2 were penalties. Scored 11 in 12 World Cup games in the 2000s, again without the help of penalties.
He was a wiser striker in the 2000s, more rounded and even more two-footed. After winning the league in his first season at Madrid injury problems at the end of his second season coincided almost perfectly with Madrid’s domestic implosion where they dramatically fell from 1st to 4th and lost the Copa Del Rey final. Despite the games missed Ronaldo still won the golden boot that season.
Just in case Chillada pulls out the Zidane card for Raul I’ve dug this up (referring to training at Madrid and therefore 2000s Ronaldo): www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tea20qaiYl4
Stat: Even at the end of his career in Europe Ronaldo managed 9 goals & 5 assists in his 16 AC Milan starts.
Preferred judging period: 2002-2005.
Bench: Javi Martínez.
(All assist stats from whoscored.com who use OPTA data, goal and appearance data from transfermarkt.co.uk)
Tactics
Diagram i.imgur.com/vZ4HGEK.png
Here we are, like Denmark in Euro 1992 the late replacement for Toffeegoslavia have gone from planning a summer holiday to finalist in the tournament proper. Taking over a team with Messi in it was obviously a nice bonus but then having to then wait 30 picks for a second player was as excruciating as that was nice. Like Møller Nielsen with that Danish side I’ve taken the team out for a game of mini-golf and some burgers to relax them before the big game.
Right serious issues now, I’ll briefly run through each player:
Ceni – distribution is a huge strength of his so with the lack of interest in defending of the 2 Ronnies try and spring attacks quickly to Ribéry and Messi/ Özil on the wings. Ceni has been targeted in certain areas in past matches, I don’t feel not being as good as the great likes Kahn, Buffon, Cech, van der Sar, Casillas and Julio Cesar makes him a liability suddenly www.iffhs.de/?d85ff8b00388f05e91a01bccdc4205fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb883910 .
Cafu – I want the AC Milan back 4 version of Cafu here, narrower and more disciplined in defence to try and send Ronaldo down the line as I back Vidic on crosses. Still not ignore his attacking game though, simply don’t go all Dani Alves or Roma/Brazil 02 wing-back Cafu and attack all the time.
Ferdinand & Vidic – No deep line against Raul (although not crazily high either, more normal). Otherwise same old.
De Boer – Narrow to the extent where he’s almost like a left centre back in a back 3, again to try and coax Ronaldinho out wide/down the line if he wants to dribble. No forward runs, simply distribute from deep & hold. Forward runs wouldn’t suit him and I’d argue Ribéry doesn’t need much help anyway.
Schweinsteiger – 100% defensive and possession role.
Iniesta – all round role, pass, dribble, harry, drift left at times, push forward & link with Messi. An example match being the 2009 Champions League Final where he played as deep as Xavi.
Ribéry – standard role. Help out in defence but not to the extent where it will kill his own game offensively. He could have a key role this match.
Özil – playmaker but getting involved with deeper possession too, rotate with Messi between the centre & right throughout (examples of threat from right-sided areas showcased in 6 of these 10 assists www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW44M3bpmvU )
Messi – rotate with Özil throughout the game but obviously be more attacking than Özil overall. A few reasons, get as involved in the match as much as possible, if Chillada employs a man-marker move him around and pull him away as much as possible and to link up with club-mate Iniesta as much as possible. (Messi’s position in Barca’s only vintage performance in Europe last season www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/13/barcelona-4-0-milan-tactics/ )
Ronaldo – Just be Ronaldo. He played up front ahead of a support striker for Madrid (Raul) and Brazil (Rivaldo) in this period, the lone striker role something I’d argue Raul (a bit like Bergkamp in another match) didn’t show much evidence of. Hopefully he can occupy 2 centre backs on his own here simply by being Ronaldo (pace, power and skill/dribbling).
I had a 5-3-1-1 formation in mind to give me the best chance of not losing this match (stifle Chillada’s 2 clear match winners) but felt it took too much away from my ability to go and score myself. I’m in the final, I’m happy with that whatever happens now, so I’ve gone all out to win rather than not lose it, albeit mini-plans for the 2 Ronnies are still employed here with the narrower full backs when defending. Regarding Ronaldinho on the right wing, it’s easy to assume he could still be a huge asset there as he was so brilliant on the left; there is no real evidence of it though, certainly not in his Barcelona years where the great Ronaldinho existed. He was devastating at dribbling then cutting onto his stronger right foot.
Set pieces:
Corners and crossed free-kicks: Özil right Ribéry left.
Direct free-kicks: Messi close range both sides, de Boer long range both sides.
Penalties: Ceni.
Gladiator ready, good luck Chillada.
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.
Chillada- Formation/bio/tactics
Chillada Football Club Players:
Petr Cech Honours
Petr Cech whoscored.com characteristics
Paulo Ferreira Honours
Paulo Ferreira whoscored.com characteristics
Bixente Lizarazu Honours
John Terry Honours
John Terry whoscored.com characteristics
Fabio Cannavaro Honours
Pepe Honours
Pepe whoscored.com characteristics
Cristiano Ronaldo Honours
Cristiano Ronaldo whoscored.com characteristics
Patrick Vieira Honours
Pavel Nedved Honours
Raul Honours
Raul whoscored.com characteristics
Ronaldinho Honours
Ronaldinho whoscored.com characteristics
Chillada Football Club Tactics
So first thing is first, I’m thrilled to have made it to the final, some really tough teams I’ve been up against have made for great matches. For this final I’ve decided to really think tactically about how I can nullify the main threats posed to my team but making sure this won’t be at the expense of the attacking force my team possesses.
Basic Formation
I am playing the enigma Pepe in midfield (of which more will be explained later), this at the expense of the very unlucky Ballack who is on my bench. The sacrifice of Ballack really emphasises how I’ve picked the players I think would be best for this match rather than because I like them. My steal was Fabio Cannavaro who really doesn’t need much of an introduction. One of two defenders ever who’s won a Ballon D’or, he along with John Terry are two of the most individually decorated centre backs since 2000.
My other changes have been pushing Ronaldo to the Right Wing, Ronaldinho up tight just behind Raul with Nedved on the Left. I really thought about which players would suit their counterparts on AB’s team. I am assuming AB sticks with a similar team to his last match with De Boer at Left Back. I really think Cristiano Ronaldo could really tear De Boer apart in his not favourite Left back role. My decision to play Nedved on the left is because I anticipate more of an attacking threat from Cafu/Messi which Nedved’s all round ability can help Lizarazu/Pepe/Vieira with. If Cafu bombs forward this could leave room for Ronaldinho who I’ve given a free role to. He will initially lineup just behind Raul and I think he could get the better of Martinez many times, but I also expect him to lurk into space like he can do and exploit AB’s defence. I think my attack will be more direct than AB’s as I have the forward players who prefer to play in such a way as well as the defensive players who will build a steady backbone.
Other Thoughts
• My Vastly Superior Goalkeeper
o 99.9% of good teams are built on having a good goalkeeper.
o According to www.transfermarkt.co.uk Cech as got a clean sheet in 49.3% of games for Chelsea from 2006-13 (as far back as the stats go). In this same time period Ceni has a respectable 36.7%. The 13% difference is widened when you consider the vast dissimilarity in standard of opponents. Ceni never played in huge games and has had a career at a much lower standard of football with a much lower success.
• My Messi Strategy
There are many examples of Messi being contained. There is a reason why Messi has never scored against Chelsea in 8 matches (Terry played all 8, Cech played 6). Mourinho has also shown that similar tactics worked for Inter in containing him. Many clubs fail to see Messi’s key strengths and man-mark him like they would for any other star player. The problem with this is that Messi is not an atypical player and his assets are very unique.
It’s not a good idea to just ask a central defender to look after Messi as the Argentinean has the ability to drop so deep you ideally also need a defensive midfielder to pick him up as well as all players being aware of him.
Some key points on how teams have restricted Messi.
• Always be aware of him, even when we are in possession
o Communication is vital as Messi can drift around the pitch but I expect my players to be alert and to all be switched on to his positioning at all times.
• Stop him getting the ball by anticipating passes to him
o In this match Messi will not have the luxury of Xavi to pass to him. This is not being disrespectful of the other players in AB’s team, just Messi may have to do a bit more to receive the ball.
o Intelligence and anticipation are vital in getting to the ball ahead of him. He moves all over the pitch and becomes very involved so you have to defend as a very compact unit and prevent him having spaces into which he can run.
• Always try to show him outside away from the penalty area
o My team will have to try to keep him as far away from my area as possible and when he starts to attack you, they will try to show him outside – that is an unnatural movement for him. It’s important to watch him very closely and make sure he doesn't have that space to exploit
• Stay narrow to ensure he doesn't isolate one player
o I have to play with the lines very close together and the players quite narrow. Playing with pressure and intensity will prevent Messi receiving the ball in comfort.
• A deep defensive line.
o When centre backs play deeper it frustrates Messi as he can’t run through playing one two’s as much as he’d like. It again restricts his space which is pivotal.
• Pepe
o For those who follow Spanish football, there are a couple of high profile matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid where Mourinho used Pepe in a midfield position to great effect. In both games Pepe was voted man of the match. Match 1, Match 2
o He has superb pace, concentration and anticipation and will put in important tackles throughout the game. He is a secret weapon in this match as he has proven success vs Barcelona when playing midfield.
o His role will be to not allow AB’s team time on the ball and to protect the back 4 alongside Patrick Vieira.
• Tight Narrow Intelligent Defence
o John Terry is so underrated sometimes it’s quite unfair. I wont go further into that, but there’s a reason the best managers in the world rate him so highly. There is also not another defender in the world that has appeared on more UEFA team of the year’s and he has been UEFA defender of the year more than any other player. Alongside him Cannavaro will be the ideal partner, blessed with natural pace and anticipation Cannavaro and Terry are positionally very intelligent football players. This will stand me in good stead, especially with Ferreira who was the most sought after right back in the world in 2003/04 and was pivotal in both the successes of Porto and Chelsea under the early Mourinho era. His only criticism is that he is too modest and allows other’s to steal the limelight. Completing my back 4 is Lizarazu who was a fantastic defender who in polls wherever you look is voted in the top left backs since 2000 (I know Maldini and Cole are also in this category). The successes of Lizarazu for club and country really help show his importance and reliability for the left side of defence.
o I believe all my players are capable of utilising my tactics to keep it tight, to anticipate passes and to keep concentration, awareness and good communication. Luckily for me I think John Terry and Patrick Vieira will ensure everyone is 100% switched on for the whole match.
• Raul
o Out of all Rio Ferdinand’s opponents he voted Raul as the hardest opponent he ever played. He said “Raul. He was just difficult to pin down. He played in positions where it was hard for a centre back to go and mark him,” “Then, once he got it and turned, he’d run at you, pass it, slip people through on goal and set-up chances.”
o I think Raul’s ability to bring other’s into the game is often underrated but think he could really benefit here of being Ferdinand’s Kryptonite as well as having the quality of Nedved, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho around him.
• Proven Leaders
o My team has many leaders who have competed and won at the highest level. Patrick Vieira epitomises leading by example, as do John Terry and Cannavaro. Raul was club captain of Real Madrid whilst Nedved captained Czech Republic.
o I believe it’s important to have so many players that are proven to win consistently at the highest of levels and to have so many individual honours spread out about my team can only be a bonus.
• Attacking Force
o Nedved, Ronaldinho, and Cristiano Ronaldo each have won a Ballon D’or, which emphasises how good they are/were at their peaks. I believe as they all have the ability to play across the attacking midfield width which will only help add more cohesion between them. This also makes each player harder to mark as they can switch positions when needed. Each can create, shoot, pass, and possess skill and vision that would trouble any defence.
o Raul will use all of his ability to keep the ball, create opportunities for others and score the goals that he is known for.
o Patrick Vieira has unrivalled stamina and was equally comfortable in attacking positions as defensive ones. As the game progresses I think he could be useful to help out when needed and to provide a different type of threat. Ultimately I believe my team has a variety of attacking threats that will hopefully be unpredictable and difficult to stop.
Applebonkers- Formation/bio/tactics
Bios
Rogério Ceni
Since 2000 he has won 3 League titles, a Copa Libertadores (their Champions League) and a Club World Cup. Individually he was voted best keeper in Série A 6 times, best player of the 2005 Copa Libertadores, best player of the 2005 Club World Cup, the Brasileirão Best Player Award in 2006 & 2007, and the Golden Ball for the best player in Série A in 2008.
A bit of unknown outside of South America due to his entire 1000+ game career being spent at Sao Paulo, as well as only being a sub keeper in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup campaign and then again in 2006. His peak years were around 06-08 but Júlio César was preferred, no shame in that really.
This video shows 8mins of his day job, then 4mins of his party-trick www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDIH06NdXQc
Stat: After 22 clean sheets in 35 games in 06/07 Ceni was nominated for the 2007 Ballon D’or where Buffon and Cech were the only keepers to receive more votes.
Preferred judging period: 2004-2008.
Cafu
2000/2001 won Serie A with Roma, their only title in the last 20 years, and was nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2002 lifted the World Cup as Brazil’s captain and was again nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2003 moved to AC Milan and won Serie A in his first season there.
2004 he was named in the UEFA Team of the Year and was shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2005 named in the UEFA Team of the Year again as well as being named in the inaugural FIFPro World XI. Again shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2006/2007 won the Champions League appearing in 8 of the matches.
2008 retired.
Stat: One of first 11 players elected into the Roma Hall of Fame last year www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBPJXbPd2Ts
Preferred judging period: 2000-2005.
Rio Ferdinand
A Rolls Royce CB who until a few years ago had real pace when needed too. Holds the record for a centre-back with 6 PFA Team of the Year appearances. Back with Leeds he helped them to a Champions League semi-final, getting nominated for the Ballon D’or both years he was there.
Stat: In 10 World Cup appearances Ferdinand has 7 clean sheets.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2010.
Vidić
His 2008 and 2009 were just silly: Won the Premier League for the 2nd and 3rd time in row making the PFA Team of the Year for the 2nd and 3rd time in a row, won the Champions League in 08, got in the FIFPro World XI for 08/09, was named Premier League Player of the Season for 08/09 (not the PFA award which Giggs controversially won that season) and no defender got more votes than him in the 2008 Ballon D’or or the 2009 Ballon D’or.
After a stop-start 09/10 season he got another PFA Team of the Year, FIFPro World XI and Premier Legaue Player of the Season in 10/11.
In the 4 seasons between 07/08 and 10/11 Man Utd won 3 league titles and made 3 Champions League finals. The season they failed to do either was in 09/10 where Vidić and Ferdinand only started 16 of the 48 games together (38 league and 10 CL), by far the lowest of the 4 seasons.
Stat: In his first 3 full seasons at Man Utd Vidic conceded just 46 goals in the 91 games he played in (0.51 goals per game).
Preferred judging period: 2006-2011.
Frank de Boer
His biggest strengths were his intelligence (positioning, reading intentions) and his technique (excellent distribution & free kicks). At Barcelona multiple managers (which included Van Gaal) meant CB, LCB in a back 3, sweeper in a back 3 or emergency LB. The only constant was his place in the starting line-up while Abelardo, Christanval, Reiziger, Patrik Andersson, and a young Puyol were shuffling around him.
He may be best remembered in this time period for his semi-final penalty miss against Italy in Euro 2000, but the fact he still made the UEFA Team of the Tournament despite that is testament to his defensive performances. He got injured in the Euro 2004 quarter-final win in what turned out to be the last of his 112 caps, a record for a Dutch outfield player.
These Euro near misses reflected his time at Barcelona post 2000 too. CL semi in 2000, UEFA Cup semi in 2001, CL semi in 2002 and lost in extra-time to a vintage Juventus side in the CL quarter-final in 2003.
Barring a line about Maldini at the end I think this little article is pretty spot on about the man thefootballspace.com/2013/03/26/football-memories-frank-de-boer/ you can substitute his part in Rivaldo’s 2001 Valencia bicycle kick in for the 98 Bergkamp goal to bring it up to date.
Stat: de Boer started 7 matches in Euro 2000 and 2004 in which the Netherlands conceded just 3 times, whilst he notched 2 from set-pieces at the other end.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2003.
Schweinsteiger
Van Gaal switched a temperamental wide player to the centre of the pitch in 09/10 and the rest is history. Heynckes on Schweinsteiger last year:
"He thinks about attack and defence at the same time, and is a key reason that we concede so few goals. Sergio Busquets is one fabulous player, and in my view Bastian shares with him the status of the world's best (deep) midfielder."
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Iniesta
Made every UEFA Team of the Year & FIFPro World XI for the last 4 years. After making the Team of the Tournament for Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 he went one better last year being named Player of the Tournament for Euro 2012. That award coupled with his Champions League Best Player award for 2011/12 helped him win UEFA Best Player in Europe for 2012:
“The UEFA Best Player in Europe Award is an association football award given to the footballer playing for a football club in Europe that is considered the best in the previous season. The award, created in 2011 by UEFA, is aimed at reviving the European Footballer of the Year Award (Ballon d'Or), which was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 2010 to become the FIFA Ballon d'Or.”
Stat: Despite only starting 24 matches Iniesta’s 16 assists was the highest in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Özil
The main playmaker in Real’s record breaking La Liga season in 11/12 where he was the top assister in Europe’s big 5 leagues and made the UEFA Team of the Year. For Germany he made the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament and surely would have made the 2010 Team of the Tournament if it remained as the old squad format rather than just a Spain dominated XI.
Stat: No player in Europe’s top 5 leagues has created more goals than Özil over the last 5 seasons, which includes his 2 seasons at Werder Bremen.
Preferred judging period: 2010-today.
Ribéry
Ribéry has just won the Bundesliga Player of the Year, the German equivalent of PFA Players' Player of the Year. He also won the award in 2008 meaning he joins Ballack and Kahn as the only multiple winners in the 2000s.
His wing play got him into the UEFA Team of the Year in 2008 and votes in every World Player of the Year & Ballon D’or from 2006-2009 (injury restricted him to 10 starts in 09/10 ending any hope of carrying on the streak). This year nomination isn’t the question; it’s which of the top 10 spots he’ll get.
A prolific assister who gets his fair share of goals too. For example some would consider Lampard one of the great midfield goalscorers of all time…
Stat: If penalties are ignored for both players then Ribéry’s 12 league goals in 11/12 is the same as Lampard’s record total of 12.
Preferred judging period: 2006-today.
Messi
The mental stats: 4 straight Ballon D’ors. 73 Barcelona goals in one season. 91 goals in a calendar year. Scored against all 19 teams in a row last season.
Has reached double figures for assists in the last 6 La Liga seasons. For Argentina he equalled Batistuta’s record of 12 goals in a calendar year in 2012, doing so from a relatively deep position. When you now include 2013 internationals it reads as 16 goals and 4 assists in his last 14 caps.
Stat: Over the last 2 La Liga seasons Messi has scored or assisted 124 goals in 69 games. Behave.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Luis Ronaldo
I’d estimate 2000s Ronaldo was about 80% of the phenomenon he was in 96-99 yet was still the World Player of the Year in 2002, 3rd in 2003, then 7th in 2004 which says it all really.
Injured for all of 2000 and 2001 he returned to score 75 goals in 107 league games over the next 4 seasons. Of these 75 goals just 2 were penalties. Scored 11 in 12 World Cup games in the 2000s, again without the help of penalties.
He was a wiser striker in the 2000s, more rounded and even more two-footed. After winning the league in his first season at Madrid injury problems at the end of his second season coincided almost perfectly with Madrid’s domestic implosion where they dramatically fell from 1st to 4th and lost the Copa Del Rey final. Despite the games missed Ronaldo still won the golden boot that season.
Just in case Chillada pulls out the Zidane card for Raul I’ve dug this up (referring to training at Madrid and therefore 2000s Ronaldo): www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tea20qaiYl4
Stat: Even at the end of his career in Europe Ronaldo managed 9 goals & 5 assists in his 16 AC Milan starts.
Preferred judging period: 2002-2005.
Bench: Javi Martínez.
(All assist stats from whoscored.com who use OPTA data, goal and appearance data from transfermarkt.co.uk)
Tactics
Diagram i.imgur.com/vZ4HGEK.png
Here we are, like Denmark in Euro 1992 the late replacement for Toffeegoslavia have gone from planning a summer holiday to finalist in the tournament proper. Taking over a team with Messi in it was obviously a nice bonus but then having to then wait 30 picks for a second player was as excruciating as that was nice. Like Møller Nielsen with that Danish side I’ve taken the team out for a game of mini-golf and some burgers to relax them before the big game.
Right serious issues now, I’ll briefly run through each player:
Ceni – distribution is a huge strength of his so with the lack of interest in defending of the 2 Ronnies try and spring attacks quickly to Ribéry and Messi/ Özil on the wings. Ceni has been targeted in certain areas in past matches, I don’t feel not being as good as the great likes Kahn, Buffon, Cech, van der Sar, Casillas and Julio Cesar makes him a liability suddenly www.iffhs.de/?d85ff8b00388f05e91a01bccdc4205fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeedb883910 .
Cafu – I want the AC Milan back 4 version of Cafu here, narrower and more disciplined in defence to try and send Ronaldo down the line as I back Vidic on crosses. Still not ignore his attacking game though, simply don’t go all Dani Alves or Roma/Brazil 02 wing-back Cafu and attack all the time.
Ferdinand & Vidic – No deep line against Raul (although not crazily high either, more normal). Otherwise same old.
De Boer – Narrow to the extent where he’s almost like a left centre back in a back 3, again to try and coax Ronaldinho out wide/down the line if he wants to dribble. No forward runs, simply distribute from deep & hold. Forward runs wouldn’t suit him and I’d argue Ribéry doesn’t need much help anyway.
Schweinsteiger – 100% defensive and possession role.
Iniesta – all round role, pass, dribble, harry, drift left at times, push forward & link with Messi. An example match being the 2009 Champions League Final where he played as deep as Xavi.
Ribéry – standard role. Help out in defence but not to the extent where it will kill his own game offensively. He could have a key role this match.
Özil – playmaker but getting involved with deeper possession too, rotate with Messi between the centre & right throughout (examples of threat from right-sided areas showcased in 6 of these 10 assists www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW44M3bpmvU )
Messi – rotate with Özil throughout the game but obviously be more attacking than Özil overall. A few reasons, get as involved in the match as much as possible, if Chillada employs a man-marker move him around and pull him away as much as possible and to link up with club-mate Iniesta as much as possible. (Messi’s position in Barca’s only vintage performance in Europe last season www.zonalmarking.net/2013/03/13/barcelona-4-0-milan-tactics/ )
Ronaldo – Just be Ronaldo. He played up front ahead of a support striker for Madrid (Raul) and Brazil (Rivaldo) in this period, the lone striker role something I’d argue Raul (a bit like Bergkamp in another match) didn’t show much evidence of. Hopefully he can occupy 2 centre backs on his own here simply by being Ronaldo (pace, power and skill/dribbling).
I had a 5-3-1-1 formation in mind to give me the best chance of not losing this match (stifle Chillada’s 2 clear match winners) but felt it took too much away from my ability to go and score myself. I’m in the final, I’m happy with that whatever happens now, so I’ve gone all out to win rather than not lose it, albeit mini-plans for the 2 Ronnies are still employed here with the narrower full backs when defending. Regarding Ronaldinho on the right wing, it’s easy to assume he could still be a huge asset there as he was so brilliant on the left; there is no real evidence of it though, certainly not in his Barcelona years where the great Ronaldinho existed. He was devastating at dribbling then cutting onto his stronger right foot.
Set pieces:
Corners and crossed free-kicks: Özil right Ribéry left.
Direct free-kicks: Messi close range both sides, de Boer long range both sides.
Penalties: Ceni.
Gladiator ready, good luck Chillada.
