Dream League Pre Season Tour 1

THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON IS UPON US!!!

Tactics Deadline: Wednesday 2nd May 1PM

Votes Deadline: Thursday 3rd May 1PM

Results Announced: Friday 4th May 1PM

FIXTURES

Rafa FC …v… Stig's Pipe Smokers

Dave Whelan's Elite …v… Ba-rilliant Rovers

Haven't A Kalou …v… Cheese of Nazareth

Los Millionarios …v… Athletico 7 Years

________________________________________________

RAFA FC

Starting Line Up

---------------------------Stekelenburg-------------------------------
Maicon-----------Papadapolous----Sakho--------------Alba
---------------------Martinez-------------Wilshire-------------------
--------Robben----------------Ganso----------------Honda------
----------------------------------Rooney--------------------------------

Subs
Given
Javier Zanetti
Marchena
Van Bommell
Rosicky
Hoillett
Forlan

Tactics

The key to these tactics and with this being the first pre-season game is to try to keep possession of the ball and for the players to gel with each other and learn how to pass and move, working as a system, which in the long run, will benefit each individual but more importantly the team. The team will fight to win the ball back within a matter of seconds and use pace and dribbling ability on the wings, to exploit the full backs. The wingers, along with Ganso and Rooney will be moving around and interchanging, keeping the defenders busy and creating space.

Martinez will be given license to drop in with the central defenders when the opposition attacks and Wilshire license to get forward when the opportunity presents. The full backs will be filling the gaps Robben and Honda inevitably leave behind them whilst Wilshire and Martinez fill in and mop up where needed.

Subs

Hoilett and Forlan to come on after 70 minutes and Marchena to come on for Wilshire to shore up the midfield and keep in more compact and defensive, if winning.

V

STIG'S PIPE SMOKERS

Starting Line-Up:

-------------------------Rene Adler-------------------------

----Zabaleta-----Jagielka-----Hummels-----Felipe----

-----------------Tiote----------------Strootman----------------

Ben Arfa----------------Eriksen----------------Hazard

-------------------------Llorente-------------------------

Subs :
Begovic
Shawcross
Strootman
Thiago
Toivonen
De Jong
Farfan

Tactics

Because this is a friendly, the main objective is to learn the movement of the players in the team and build an understanding. We will also look to build up our fatigue for an action packed season ahead.

Tactics when in possession:
We will keep possession for as long as possible. Pass the ball around waiting patiently for openings in the oppositions defence. We will pass the ball with a lot of speed and movement. The movement will especially come from Ben Arfa, Eriksen and Hazard.
Strootman will exploit any space in midfield and keep things ticking over and setting the tempo and being the main creative fulcrum in the side, spraying the ball around the field setting up attacks. Although a defensive midfielder by trade, Strootman is a very creative midfielder and a fine passer of the ball.

Ben Arfa and Hazard will cut inside the fullbacks and look to get shots in or play through balls, with their very creative thinking, to Llorente.

Eriksen will play as a high tempo midfielder. He will have a free role to roam the pitch at will and is stripped of any defensive duties. Perhaps his only defensive duty is to press high up the pitch and try to win the ball in advanced positions and setting up attacks with his quick and creative thinking.

Llorente is the lone striker and will play on the shoulder of the last defender. He will run onto through balls from the midfield that gets behind the Rafa FC’s defence. He will also hold-up the ball when necessary and bring the midfield into play when he doesn’t have a shot at goal.

Tactics without possession:

We will press as high up the pitch as possible and look to win the ball in advanced positions. The defence will play high up the pitch and also play the offside trap for Rafa FC’s quick attackers. Tiote & Strootman will be defensive midfielders looking to protect the back four at all times by winning the ball in midfield. Hazard & Ben Arfa will also protect their fullbacks from being double teamed by the opposing attackers on either wing. As Rafa FC will probably play with inside forwards as well, we will defend central and look to push them out wide. They do not have good crossers of therefore this will just result in them trying to play their way through, with no success ofcourse.

Set pieces:

Eriksen will take care of all set pieces, including corners.
Llorente will take penalties.

Subs

65min

If winning we will take off Eriksen and bring in Rakitic and play a 3man defensive midfield. We will also take off Ben Arfa and bring in Farfan. Farfan will look to stay wide and provide crosses for Llorente

If loosing/drawing, we will take off Tiote and bring in Rakitic playing a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Piatti will also be brought in for Ben Arfa.

75min

If winning, no change.

If loosing, bring on Luuk De Jong for Eriksen and play a 4-4-2. De Jong will play as the support striker.

85min

If winning, make any substitution to waste time and also to get fresh legs on to protect our lead.

________________________________________________

DAVE WHELAN'S ELITE

Starting Line Up

---------------------Szczesny
Sagna----Rami--------------Chiellini----Baines
---------------Vidal----Sahin
Reus------------Kagawa-------------Herrmann
---------------Lewandowski

Subs
Weidenfeller
Benatia
Iroala
Martin
Frimpong for vidal (80)
Dempsey for Herrmann (65)
Lukaku for Lewandowski (75)

Tactics

Game Plan

I want us to play with a high tempo, lots of pace and a physical element to the game. I believe that if we keep to our positions and keep the ball on the ground we’ll be able to control possession and therefore dominate the game. This will allow us to create the necessary opportunities to win the game. We must keep calm and patient throughout the game. We must always try and create an option for the other players in the team to pass to. When we’re off the ball I would like us to keep with our men and not allow any space. Keep tight and pressure them off the ball.

Positional Plan

Szczesny: Must try and communicate with the defense and act as the leader of the box. He should come out for the high balls and make himself look big for the 1 on 1 situations.

Defense: Sagna and Baines are two players who can keep the players out wide or push them back. Their wingers are quite fast so they must take them out the game with their strength and not allow them any space down the wing. Do not allow them to cut into the box either. I will allow them to go up when necessary to help get the goals needed. Rami and Chiellini are 2 world class centre backs but they will be playing a world class striker. They will have to allow him no space whatsoever. If they keep to their position and man then he should be kept out of the game. If any balls are put into the box, unless szczesny has it covered, clear it away if possible.

Midfield: I believe we have a stronger midfield so we should control possession in this area but holding the ball and supplying it to the players with the most space. Vidal should stick with the main playmaker to keep him out of the game, He should also protect the back 4. Sahin should control the possession of our game and will be allowed to roam a bit more but should still stick to his position. If possible supply it to the wings as they are fast and will be able to punish their defense. Kagawa will be our main area of creativity by supplying the wingers when they are in space and looking to give it to the striker when hes in space. He can dribble towards the box to lead the defenders away from the striker and free up space. Reus and Herrmann should use their pace and trickery to use up the available space in the pitch and also get the ball into the box. They should try and cut in if possible or get crosses in if possible. I believe the full backs wont be able to deal with our pace so we should take advantage of that. Every now and then the wingers should switch positions to force the defenders to adjust their play to deal with different players.

Lewandowski: He should try and get into available space and make himself an option for wingers. He must use his pace and strength to run towards goal. Their centre backs are mistake prone so try and force them into awkward positions. They will not be able to deal with high balls or pace.

Captain: Chiellini
Vice: Rami
Pens: Lewandowski
Free Kicks: Reus
Corners: Herrmann

V

BA-RILLIANT ROVERS

Starting Line Up

-----------------------Frey ----------------------------------
van der Wiel --King--Koscielny --Abidal
----------------Khedira -------Cabaye --------------
Valencia--------------Kagawa--------------AOC
---------------------- -----RVP ---------------

Subs:

Steve Harper
Ben Foster
Davide Santon
Michael Turner
Steven Taylor
Sulley Muntari
Mohammed Diame
Riquelme
Kagawa
Kevin de Bruyne
Leandro Damião
Giroud

Tactics

Valencia and AOC to drive at the opposition full backs at any given opportunity, forcing the opponents to have to sit deep and stopping their full backs from getting forward. Abidal and VdW to take full advantage of this and get forward. With one or both full backs attacking Khedira should join the defenders with Cabaye sitting just in front proctection them. Cabaye to control the game with Kawaga, who has a free role and plenty of space with the opposition defence dropping deep. RVP to stay in and around the box and finish the inevitable chances that come his way in style.

When defending, Koscielny to be a badman and the rest of the team to foul tactically to stop counter attacks and potentially injure their best player if the opportunity to do so without getting a red card arises.

Koscielny to look fantastic.

Subs

If winning, Muntari and Gourcuff to come on around 60-70 minutes and keep the ball a little more, de Bruyne to come on for AOC to offer more energy going forward.

If losing, bring Kawaga off for Damaio and drop RVP back into the hole. Abidal on for Santos to get forward as much as possible and de Bruyne on for AOC to mix things up. Valencia to drive at the opposition defence and get the ball in the box as much as possible.

________________________________________________

HAVEN'T A KALOU

Starting Line Up

-----------------------------Valdes-------------------------
-------------------Puyol (C)-------Lescott--------------
Reveillere------------------------------------------Alaba
---------------------------------------------------------------
-------Tello----------------Ozil-(VC)--------Ribery-----
---------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------Mata------------------------------
--------------Ba-----------------------Cisse--------------

Subs: Mignolet, Marcelo, Torres, Pirlo, Adam, Kuyt and Pavlyuchenko.
Tactics:

Tactics

As Valdes is world-class it will allow the defence to play much more advanced than usual.
Reveillere and Alaba will push up even further and man mark the wingers to try and intercept the ball or close them down asap. Puyol and Lescott have already developed a fantastic understanding during our summer holiday in Barbados and compliment each others' strength well without making any mistakes.
Tello and Ribery will both use their phenomenal pace and stamina to break down the defence and either play the crosses onto Demba-Demba or behind to Mata or Ozil. Mesut Ozil is going to be the key in this fixture. His attacking sense and through-ball accuracy, whether on the floor or in the air, will unlock CON's packed midfield and make them tire quickly
Haven't a Kalou will use the long ball over the top of CON's tightly packed midfield onto our 3 hitmen up front who will then play the ball on the ground and through their weak defence. Mata will often play searching balls through the back line and onto the feet of Both Dembas who will use their stength and power to score just as they used to for their old team, Newcastle

Subs

If losing: Bring on Kuyt on 60' for Tello and revert to a 4-4-2 formation. To add the the 4-4-2 Pirlo will be put on for Ba who will play between kuyt and Ozil.

If Drawing: none

If Winning: Bring on Adam for Mata in 75' and drop him between Ozil and Ribery but allow Ozil a free-roam role. We will still press but our tighter midfield will block any attempts to play the ball through midfield for CON.

Set Pieces: Ribery for both corners. Mata freekicks inside opposition half which will curl a lot and Puyol from own half.

V

CHEESES OF NAZARETH

Starting Line Up

4-2-3-1

---------------------------Handanovic-----------------------------
Debuchy---------Douglas------Vertonghen---------Pieters
----------------------Defour---------Sneijder--------------------
Susaeta--------------------Herrera---------------------Muller
------------------------------Huntelaar--------------------------

SUBS - Vermeer, Ansaldi, Wisgerhof, Janssen, De Jong, Babel, Negredo

Tactics

With CON the order of the day will be tempo, tempo, tempo. Neat crisp passing and the ball glued the deck. A fantastic keeper and a rock solid defence comprising of brain, brawn, pace, power and footballing ability will make it hard for teams to score against us.

With Steven Defour being the more defensive of the 2 central midfielders it will be his job to boss the midfield and out-muscle the opposition midfield. Wesley Sneijder will operate as the playmaker and with his array of passing and attacking ability we will be hoping that he chips in with his fair share of goals.

With Ander Herrera as the attacking midfielder he gives us not only pace and a goal threat but is a fantastic link-up man between the midfield and the wingers and striker.

Out wide both Susaeta and Muller will be using their pace not only to get in behind defenders but also to track back and protect the right and left back respectively.

There's not a whole lot needs saying about Huntelaar - pace, power two good feet and fantastic in the air - half a chance and it's a goal.

While a relatively attacking team the versatility in midfield will mean that we can switch to a 4-3-3 or slip into a 4-4-2 with Muller moving up top beside Huntelaar and Herrera moving out wide. We have options galore.

Subs

In the second half we would like to give Janssen, Elia and Negredo a run out

________________________________________________

LOS MILLIONARIOS

Starting Line Up

-------------------------------Vorm---------------------------------
Azpilicueta------Albiol-----------Mussaccio-------Monreal
--------------Mascherano-----------Alonso--------------------
Reyes--------------------Lavezzi-------------------------Turan
-------------------------------Villa-----------------------------------

Subs: Butt, Rafael, San Jose, Lucho Gonzalez, Ronaldinho, Ramirez, Raul.

Tactics
Vorm will be used in a sweeping role, any danger than nears the penalty area will be dealt with by an agile Michel Vorm, meaning that the defence can hold a high line. We endeavour to keep the ball on the deck as much as possible, hence the inclusion of 2 ball playing centre backs with pacey fullbacks on either side. Mascherano will shield the defenders and cut out any counter attacks meaning that the fullbacks are able to press on.

When the fullbacks do press on, expect Turan and Reyes to revert into inside forward roles, overpowering the back 4 with a 4 man strike force sat behind David Villa who will make darting runs that Reyes, Turan and Lavezzi will aim to find. Lavezzi will shoot from distance, as will Villa, Turan and Reyes. Turan and Reyes will switch sides at random intervals to give he full backs a headache.

Alonso will be key to this formation, ensuring that he is able to spread the ball to the player in most space and he will be used to start counter attacks when the forwards break away using their pace, finding them on the run or finding the full backs so they can collect the ball at full pace. Unless we are comfortable in posession, Alonso won't push too far forwards. The pass and move philosophy will make the 4 forward players hard to track as they will chance positions constantly.

Set Pieces
David Villa will take direct free kicks and Alonso will take them when there is a bit more distance. Penalties will be taken either by Alonso or Villa - Alonso as captain will be given the choice. Corners will also be taken by Alonso (sometimes by Turan using the left foot).

Substitutions
This being a friendly, at half time Lavezzi will be replaced by Ronaldinho who will play in the hole and play in a similar role, sometimes drifting out to the left with Turan on the right and Reyes playing as a second striker.

If we are in the lead then Lucho Gonzalez will come on for Xabi Alonso (armband handed over to Albiol) to shut up shop. Raul will come on for Villa during the last 10 minutes of the game.

V

ATHLETICO 7 YEARS

Starting Line Up

--------------------------Krul
-Simpson---Coloccini---Godin-----Coentrao
--------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------Parker
------------Gotze--------------------Silva
-Johnson-----------------------------------Mertens
---------------------------Hulk

Bench.

Schwartzer
Collins
O'Shea
Defoe
Sigurdsson
Affaley
Muriel

Tactics

With the opposition looking to play a high line and they're keeper as a sweeper . We will play on the counter attack, using our pace and Superior ability in a very congested midfield. Silva and Gotze to create havoc with they're movement and close quarter passing both to the powerful and quick hulk and both wingers. Both Johnson and Mertens can use the fact the oposition fullbacks will be pushing on and will expose the space on the wings, Johnson and Mertens can interchange sides at will. Once the oposition realize that they're gung-ho approach will not work, which it won't. Silva can move up behind Hulk and Gotze to move back along side Parker into a 4-2-3-1 formation, this can also be used when we don't have the ball.

Starting Line Up

Like for like incase of injuries!

After 60 mins if winning- bring Sigurdsson on for Gotze and change to a 4-3-3 formation.
After 60 mins if losing (yer right)- go to a 4-1-3-2 formation and bring Affaley on for Mertens and Defoe on for Gotze.

----------------------------Parker
---Affaley-----------------Silva---------------------Johnson
-----------------Defoe----------------Hulk

With Parker protecting the back 4 and breaking down there counter attacks!