View All Comments - Article 2206

------------- Buffon
Rafael – Albiol – Pepe – Filipe
---------- Lucas – Pirlo
Herrmann – Gerrard –-- Reus
-------------- Tevez
Subs. Weidenfeller, Evans, Ansaldi, Sandro, Alvarez , Lisandro, Llorente
We are playing an attacking 4-2-3-1. We want to build on a strong defence and really take the game to QPR playing out from the back. We want to really stretch the game playing with plenty of width, and play a possession based game.
We have an abundance of pace down the wings, going forward and in defence. Reus and Herrmann have the energy to work up and down all day long, ensuring they get back to help in defence.
Lucas has a purely defensive role in midfield, he will make it difficult for the opposition attacking mids playing in front of the defence breaking their play, and then keeping things simple in possession. Gerrard and Pirlo will be the two we want to get on the ball, spread the play down the wings.
By playing with plenty of width we aim to create space for Gerrard and Pirlo in the middle of the park. We want Gerrard to really get forward and support Tevez. He will be the most attacking of our central trio.
In defence we can easily get players back behind the ball leaving Tevez up top. We have plenty of pace to break quickly as a team down the wings.
We have leadership and quality throughout the team and so we are really going for the win.
Player roles.
Buffon – Experience and quality in goals as always, organising the defence we are confident our backline will be well directed and organised. He will give confidence to the backline.

Filipe and Rafael – Have the ability to get up and down the park all day long. When one is bombing forward the other will still have license to push forward but stay reserved till the right moment. Plenty of pace to deal with their wingers.

Pepe and Albiol. Played together plenty of times. Pepe has the pace to deal with the threat of their wingers getting in behind. Albiol has the intelligence to cover behind Pepe.

Lucas – Our defensive midfielder, keep things simple. Don’t allow any of their players to get between our midfield and defence. Put himself about and dominate the midfield.
Pirlo – Get the ball. With two players next to him in cm, he should find it easy to get on the ball find space and play the kind of passes we expect from him.
Gerrard – The more attacking of our midfield trio. We want him on the right side, but with freedom to go through the middle bursting forward to support Tevez.
Reus – Our left winger. Give us width down the left side, play his natural game, running at players getting in goalscoring positions and creating.
Herrmann – Big chance for him. We need to get him on the ball early give him confidence and support, as he can be a top player for us today offering real width and trickery going forward.
Tevez, playing as our centre forward, he will naturally come deep to get involved in the play and this will create real problems for the QPR defence. They will have a load of players running on to them with pace, making it difficult to pick up players and pulling them out of position.

Subs. If losing or drawing After 65 mins bring on Llorente for Gerrard. Tevez drops to a deeper central attacking midfield role as we go more attacking, playing a lot more direct.
If losing or drawing after 75 mins bring on R.Alvarez for Herrmann. Offers fresh legs, height and a different creative option. Switch to left side with Reus on right.
If losing or drawing after 80 mins bring on Sandro for Lucas. More power, height and shooting ability to help grab a goal. Playing very direct with a lot of big players in our team at this point.
After 82 mins bring on R.Alvarez for Tevez. Big chance, offers fresh legs, height and real creativity going forward.

If winning after 70 mins bring on Llorente for Tevez. Offers something totally different for the QPR defenders. Plenty balls in to him.
If winning after 75 mins bring on R.Alvarez for Gerrard. Offers fresh legs in the middle of the park.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Sandro for Herrmann. Gives more defensive cover as Pirlo tires, Pirlo can play further forward. Alvarez and Reus stay wide, more attacking freedom for them supporting Llorente.