--------------------------Zoet
--Jedvaj-------------van Beek----------Hoedt
------------------------Hendrix
---------Hiljemark----------------Pröpper
Andrija Zivkovic-----Klaassen--------------Fischer
-------------------------Vietto
Subs: Rajkovic, Verdonk, Nieuwkoop, Schuurman, Cerny
Captain: Klaassen
Corners: Zivkovic / Fischer (Cerny)
Free Kicks: Andrija Zivkovic
Pens: Vietto
From kick off we’ll have a ‘pressing’ 3-1-5-1 formation with the aim of playing a nice passing game and using our obvious pace to get the opposition on the back foot, with the ultimate aim of causing some serious damage to Taiwan’s back line.
Zoet is an extremely gifted and composed young keeper who commands his area, and distributes the ball in a very intelligent and effective manner.
The trio of Jedvaj, van Beek & Hoedt are composed young defenders who will look to play a low risk, sensible defensive game. There is no need for risk taking, as they will find support from Jorrit Hendrix when required and they will always have plenty of options when looking to distribute the ball. All 3 are strong in the air and technically gifted with the ball at their feet.
In front of this defensive trio, Hendrix will play as the defensive midfielder who if required will be comfortable in slipping into the defence. Hendrix is a great tackler, has a big engine and is also a great passer of the ball. He will keep the ball moving with neat tidy passing, whilst not doing anything too extravagant and fancy, and he is more than capable of getting stuck in the nitty gritty of things.
In front of Hendrix we have Hiljemark and Pröpper who are both fine passing footballers. They will look to play a quick passing style of play, playing beautifully timed balls for Zivkovic on the right, Fischer on the left and Davy Klaassen down the centre to run onto.
When we are on the back foot so to speak Hiljemark and Pröpper will drop much deeper and so on – technically becoming a 3-3-3-1 formation. We aim to use this flexibility to tinker with the formation according to how the game pans out.
Hiljemark and Pröpper have more than enough pace to get back into shape again and thwart any possible counters.
Zivkovic, Klaassen & Fischer have no defensive worries in this match. They are purely here to batter opponents with wave and wave of tidy pacy interchanging attacks. All three are extremely talented young individuals with fantastic pace and skills. The ability to go past a player, take on defence and to play the sort of tricks that will wrong foot the opposition. They are as equally at home at making assists for Luciano Vietto and each other as they are at creating chances for themselves.
All 3 have tremendous engines and the intentions are to batter the opposition back line until they have no option but to submit to this constant attacking threat from the right, left and straight down the middle.
Luciano Vietto’s movement, technique and clinical finishing are hallmarks of his game, and whilst he is certainly quick, as the old adage goes the first two yards are in your head and Vietto’s intelligence and off the ball movement often allows him to steal a march on defenders. With licence to drop deep and combine with our 3 attacking midfielders expect some exciting interchanging attacking threats across the width of the pitch.
Subs:
80th Minute: Cerny on for Fischer
----------------------Guiata----------------------
Aranguiz-------Alderwerield---Dante-------Bertrand
---------------Casemiro----Schweinsteiger---------
---Chamberlain-------------------------Insigne----
--------------------------Silva-------------------
-------------------Suarez-------------------------
BENCH
Iraizoz
Vlaar
Xhaka
Fellaini
Welbeck
TACTICS
Final game of the season.
We've worked out the maths. And there's no point going a draw today. If we draw, a win for either Cambuur or Little Horse would see them overtake us (on GS in Horse's case). We can't rely on both of them to fail to win.
So the maths says we need to win. So there's no point thinking about either of our promotion-chasing rivals when the game is in progress. We will go out and beat Fan's team, remembering how we were robbed in the last game against them.
Looking to defend in two banks of four, with Benteke and Firmino their dangermen, and looking to play fast passing football, getting it to the front two with the widemen stretching out the game.
DEFENSE
They are missing Pogba and Gomes today in midfield, but we don't expect any deviation from the standard 4-3-3, except Firmino playing who will get forward from the middle of the park. Casemiro and Schweinstieger need to protect the back four from those runs from midfield, predominantly from Firmino. Don't let him have time on the ball. Dante is to be the main marker of Benteke, match him physically which I know you can do, being the same height. when he gets the aerial service I want you in the air winning those headers. Alderweireld to sweep in behind.
Another aspect they like is to have their wingers cut inside so the full backs should get narrow and defend the edge of the box, don't let them get crosses in. The obvious thing to say is that we aren't playing a 'proper' right back. But Aranguiz has played on the right in a 3-5-2 formation, and with Oxlade Chamberlain a hard-working right midfielder between them I believe they have enough to deal with the threat. I want Suarez to stay high, scaring their defense for the counter attack, and Silva to get around their playmaker at CM.
ATTACK
Focus on getting the ball to the front two, Silva finding space between their defense and midfield and Suarez getting space in their defense and in behind. Along with that, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Insigne should really look to stretch their defense and mix things up, going wide and cutting inside. Schweinsteiger is the midfield pivot, looking to hover in the final third when we have periods of possession as the 'easy' pass.
Always be looking to beat a man, in particular I believe Oxlade-Chamberlain can give Hector a torrid time today, and their midfield is weak so we should be able to exert our authority in the middle of the park. I want the passing to be quick, but controlled. If we have to go backwards to get forwards, that's fine. But I have players who can run with the ball and can beat a man.
PLAYER ROLES
Guaita - Save shots. Look to get the ball quickly to Suarez if possible on the counter.
Aranguiz/Bertrand - Defend narrow to prevent their wingers from cutting in. Get forward, but only one in the final third, the other goes just beyond the halfway line.
Alderweireld/Dante - Dante to boss Benteke, you are the man for this job. Beat him to every header. Alderweireld should cover in behind.
Casemiro/Schweinstieger - Protect the back four, especially with Firmino coming forward, make sure he's not allowed time on the ball. Casemiro to stay further back with Schweinsteiger getting forward just into the final third/edge of the box area.
Insigne/Oxlade Chamberlain - Look to beat your full back with your pace, cut in, get wide, keep it mixed up. Try to stretch out their defense, so be aware you could be a bit of a decoy at times to stretch them, creating more space for Silva and Suarez centrally.
Silva - Look for space between their defense and midfield, always move and look to play the clever passes to create that opportunity. You can drift wide, stay central.
Suarez - Look for spaces either between the two centre backs, or between centre back and full back with our wingers looking to stretch the defense. Be clinical in front of goal as you will get chances. Even if you get the ball earlier, I fancy you to take on a man and shoot.
SET PIECES
Left Corner - Insigne
Right Corner - Schweinsteiger
Free Kicks - Suarez/Schweinsteiger/Silva
Penalties - Suarez
SUBSTITUTIONS
If winning - Xhaka for Oxlade-Chamberlain, fresh legs in the middle of the park. Silva LM, Insigne RM.
If drawing/losing - Fellaini, Vlaar and Welbeck for Bertrand, Aranguiz and Casemiro. 3-5-2, be aggressive, get the ball directly to the frontmen, with plenty to get onto Fellaini's knockdowns, pace out wide and Welbeck stretching their defense.
---------Guaita
---Alder'--Dante--Vlaar
-----------Schwein'
Oxlade--Silva----Fellaini--Insigne
----------Welbeck--Suarez
Last game of the season. Time to give some of my oldsters a run about and experiment a new formation.
----------------------------------------Reina------------------------------
Carvajal-----------Martinez-------------Astori------------Cole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------Jorginho------------------Clasie------------------
---------------------------------------Rivaldo---------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------Totti-------------Kaka----------------------
---------------------------------------D Milito-----------------------------
Subs - Blackett, Saul, Shaqiri , Del Piero, Chicharito
Free Kicks - Totti
Corners -Totti
Penalties - Milito
Captain - Totti
Pepe Reina
Experienced keeper, I want you to stay alert at all times and parry any shots that are too powerful to catch. Try and catch the ball if the opposition have a corner and quickly play it out to the wings to either Deulofeu or Tello so they can initiate a quick counter attack.
RB - Carvajal
Start off with a balanced mentality attacking/defending wise and see how well you are coping with the opposition left mid. I want you to close him down and put a tackle in if he tries cutting in. Also I want you to help out in attack and make overlapping runs and get some crosses in to the box for Milito to use his aerial abillity to score a goal.
LB - Cashly Cole
Similar job to Carvajal. Whoever you are up against you try and make them play on their weak foot and close them down if they try and take you on. Also support the attack by making overlapping runs and getting crosses into the box.
CB's - Martinez + Astori
2 experienced defenders who have the experience needed to play at this high intensity without feeling the pressure. Whoever you are up against I want you to stick close to their striker/s and not give him any space. Either way you both should win the aerial battles as you have a better height advantage you shouldn't be greatly troubled aerially.
DM's - Jorginho + Clasie
Jorginho will be tasked with closing down the opposition attackers. Watch out for the attacking runs of their midfielders. Clasie will be allowed to play the ball out as he is a pretty good dribbler of the ball and if he sees an opportunity to shoot from long range then he should take it. Clasie will also make runs into the artacking area and play quick passes. Jorginho will play the full game just covering for our full backs who are in attacking positions and will look to play simple passes to the wingers. Close down the opposition attackers and don't be afraid to put a tackle in.
Deep lying playmaker - Rivaldo
The brazilian legend will look to hang about in the centre of the pitch and use his superb ball control and vision to penetrate the opposition from deep. He won't have any defensive duties and will hang about and shoot from range if he sees an opening.
Attack Mids - Totti + Kaka
2 of the most iconic players in footballing history. Kaka still has a bit of pace left in him and can use it it bursts to beat his Man. Totti is a more elegant player. He glides like a butterfly and stings like a bee. Shoot if you see an opportunity. Use your expert close control and vision to pick out any of our players in good positions. Play quick passes if you are closed down and make runs into the box to try and score.
Centre Forward - Milito
The legendary Argentine. Milito is still a force to be reckoned with and his positional play in the 6 yard box is second to none. If he gets a chance he WILL Bury it.
Peel away from the opposition defenders so you have a better chance to shoot. Try not to be in an offside positon and be aware of where the ball is at all times. Play the ball to your teammates if you are closed down.Use your heading ability to score headers.
Subs if LOSING BY 65MINS
Astori off Saul on. Saul moves to cm and we go 3atb. Chicharito on for Rivaldo with Chica joining Milito in attack. Full out attack.
Subs if WINNING BY 65MINS
Totti off Blackett on and play ultra defensive park the bus football. Chicharito on for Milito.
Subs if DRAWING BY 65MINS
Chicharito for Milito. Del Piero for Totti. Fresh legs.
FC Pride Week 14:
-------------------------Enyeama-------------------------
Coke------------Ayhan---------Koscielny---------Blind
---------------------------Pirlo---------------------------
-------------Wijnaldum----------Kouyate---------------
------------------------------------------------------------
Robben----------------Dybala---------------------Pedro
Subs:
Castro, Höjbjerg, T Hazard, Afobe, PEA
Injuries:
Alphonse Aréola
Andy Kellet
Javier Mascherano
Omar Rowe
We come up against a team this week who like to press, to counter this we need players good on the ball in the middle of the park and quality in wider areas to exploit spaces that their pressing game leaves in behind. We want to draw them onto our midfield by playing a possession game in the middle of the pitch and when they press us, we will work it quickly out wide a start our attacks.
The back 5 consist of Enyeama in goal, with Coke and Blind at full backs who will provide and ever presence up and down the flanks. When one pushes forward, the other will stay back to help prevent the counter attack. Ayhan and Koscielny will take up the central positions, combining experience and leadership, with youthful pace and energy.
Pirlo will make us tick, he's confident on the ball so will have no problems receiving and passing the ball under pressure. Wijnaldum will in large part be the one creating the angles with his movement off the ball. He'll also look to push on and join the attack when we do break. Kouyate will be the box to box type enforcer, shutting our opposition down and pressuring them on the ball.
Robben and Pedro will be the wide players, both have the pace to put our opponents on the back foot, they'll look to push forward when they receive the ball, using Wijnaldum and Dybala to work their way towards the box.
Dybala leads the line, he's a player who's tough to keep hold of as he has the pace and know how to exploit gaps in defences. He'll mainly look to receive balls along the ground from wider area's, or passes slipped through pockets of space that have been created through clever movement.
With the ball we want to work it out from the back, getting it up to the midfield through passes along the floor. Then we want to play triangles between the midfield and the surrounding players until we pull them out of position when they come to press us. That's when we will start to push up the field breaking into the spaces and using our speed in our attack.
Without the ball we'll get back into a more ridged shape, with Wijnaldum pressing players in the middle of the park and Robben/Pedro showing our opponents out into wider areas. We have pace so we won't be sitting deep, but we also won't be playing too high a line as we want them to come onto us a bit in order to create the spaces in behind them.
If losing after 75 mins:
T Hazard > Kouyate
PEA > Pedro
Switch to 4-1-4-1
-------------Pirlo
Rob----Wij------Haz-----PEA
------------Dybala
If winning after 75 mins:
Höjbjerg > Wijnaldum
Switch to 4-2-3-1
Coke--Ayhan---Kos---Blind
--------Kouyate--Pirlo
Rob------Höjbjerg-------Ped
------------Dybala
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
BATTERSEA v Southen
-------------------------Jefferson-------------------------
Montoya--------Rami------Otamendi--------Gaya
------------------Vidal------Wanyama------------------
---Lucas----------------------------------------Iniesta---
--------------------Bony------Alcacer--------------------
Subs: Balanta, Sanson, Teixeira, Carrasco, Maupay
Captain: Otamendi
Pens: Vidal
Corners: Iniesta
Free kicks: Vidal
OVERVIEW
Last game of the season and last game of my DL career I’d like us to go out with a bang and, hopefully, manage to finally convert a slot advantage into a win for a change.
Classic-United-style attacking is the name of the game; I want us playing a fairly deepish line, keeping a rigid defensive shape, winning the ball back and then expanding outwards into a wide, quick attacking formation, with a top class front 4. Keep the ball moving fast along the deck, spread the play wide, get balls into the box and get Iniesta on the ball in positions where he can create.
INDIVIDUAL
Jefferson – keep it simple. Fairly deep line so no sweeping. Stay big, claim crosses and distribute quickly to the flanks.
Montoya/Gaya – modern full backs. Defend first and foremost, stay fairly tight and show wingers down the line, then bomb forwards quickly when the break is on, particularly Gaya who can get round Iniesta and offer a wide option, doubling up on a RB who won’t know who to mark – if he marks Iniesta (no easy job) then Gaya is free, and vice versa.
Rami/Otamendi – I assume Southend will play Mandzukic and/or Kane up top so I’ve gone with a big strong CB partnership. Otamendi is the more aggressive whereas Rami is happy sitting in and dominating in the air and physically. Otamendi can step forwards and smash Kane if he runs at the defence from deep; otherwise both should stick tight and deep, win the ball back and get it to someone who can take it forwards quickly.
Vidal/Wanyama – pretty clear and obvious what I want these 2 to do. Importantly they can cover the full back areas if we’re exposed by Gaya/Montoya pushing forwards.
Lucas/Iniesta – Lucas stays wide and roasts the left back for pace, getting round, hitting the touchline and making chances for the centre forward. Iniesta drifts infield and creates, slipping between the line and finding space where he is difficult to mark without the opposition RB being pulled way out of position. He will drift into a #10 position when Alcacer pulls wide.
Bony/Alcacer – Bony is the standard #9 who will give the opposition a horrible game in Terry’s absence – no Terry, Schar or De Scig means I reckon he can have a good time against a less experienced defence. Pin ‘em back, give ‘em a physical battle. Alcacer is the clever mover of the two; he likes to drift left and run in on goal, which is ideal since he can exploit the space left behind by Iniesta’s infield drifts, and he can attack the area between RB and RCB and get on Iniesta through balls. I’m expecting big things from my Spanish double act.
SUBS
If winning after 80 mins:
Alcacer off for Sanson, Iniesta off for Carrasco – Sanson drops in to play a passing game in front of the midfield double pivot; Carrasco uses his pace to stretch the opposition on the left wing. 4-3-3.
If losing/drawing after 80 mins:
Montoya off for Teixeira, Gaya off for Balanta – we go for this ludicrous formation. If we can’t score with this team, I QUIT.
-------------------------Jefferson-------------------------
----------Otamendi------Rami------Balanta----------
------------------------Wanyama-------------------------
----------------Iniesta--------------Vidal----------------
---Lucas---------Bony-----Alcacer-----Teixeira---
For the last time… PEACE
TAIWAN 3-4-3
3-4-3. We will look to dominate possession from the back, pushing the opposition deep and forcing them to play direct. We expect them to play with one natural forward, Chiellini picks him up, Demichelis looks to ensure he picks up the second furthers forward player when they get up the pitch. Glik not man marking, and looking to sweep up after the other two.
We aim to attack the weaknesses in an existing football style that everyone in the league has become so complacent with.
Huge game, we are going to keep our run going.
———————————— Cech
———— Demichelis — Glik — Chiellini
Coleman —— Alonso ——— Matic ———— Alaba
—————— Fabregas ——— Tevez
————————————Higuain
Subs: , Evra, Ward-Prowse, Dost, Coutinho
Rigid in our positions when defending, fluid in our positions when attacking.
Naturally an attacking formation, we set up to do just that. We want to force the opposition back, committing men forward and penning them in. Higuain plays as a false 9 up top, giving us more movement and proving too elusive for any opposition marking system. He likes to naturally drift wide and Tevez likes to come inside from the sides and drop deep. The interchangeability and flexibility of our attack will be key to unlocking the opposition defence.
By giving our front three real freedom when going forward this will make their movement impossible to pick up, allowing us to always have a man in space. Alonso comes in at cm, for his tactical brain and ability to pick passes and because he is another who knows how to play in front of a 3 man defence, his strong defensive play will be important.
We would usually keep 3 at the back anyway with one wing-back going forward, so this formation gives more freedom to the midfielders and attacking players to really get in positions to hurt the opposition. Cech plays with a three man defence in front of him, his leadership will be important to ensure they are kept right. However unlike Juve we have two wider attacking midfielders as well, these top-tier players give us an extra level of insurance due to the use of four wide men, not two. Furthermore Coleman, more of a natural attacker has the extra protection in the energy of Fabregas in front of him, plus Alonso on his side.
We want to defend high up the park, looking to win it back straight away after losing it. Let the opposition keeper and centre halves have the ball, everyone else we close down. One player closes down, the rest keep their shape. When the opposition take the ball into our half we get 10 men back. Rigid in our positions defensively.
Dominating the ball from the back with 3 defenders and pushing players forward takes the responsibility off Matic to be link our defence and attack. This should allow him to get in positions where we can get the best from him for stopping the opposition play.
With a back 3 it is vital we have defenders comfortable on the ball. Glik's movement is crucial to this back three as he sweeps things up.
Focus on the battle on the wings being in the opposition half, with their wide players on the defensive. Wing-backs will always stay touchline-wide to stretch the pitch out and provide an outlet.
The left-sided centre-half, Chiellni, will drift wide to create a passing lane and that encourages Alaba to go forward, creating gaps for Alonso and Matic to receive the ball into or get the ball down the wing.
With the opposition likely to play with only one natural forward, we should have two spare defenders at all times giving us more than adequate cover for their attacks. Our wings backs have the pace to get back as well. We expect the opposition to hit us on the counter with our attacking formation, ability on the ball is key in possession and mobility is key when the opposition are attacking and that is why we have opted for these 3 defenders.
With 3 central defenders providing real strength in the centre, we have two players in Alonso and Matic who can dominate the centre. Matic's defensive play will be important and we want him to dominate defensively the middle of the park blocking balls and breaking up play, he also brings an added goal threat from set pieces due to his aerial ability. Alonso is used to playing in front of a back three and his experience here will be key.
The opposition don’t have great power in the centre, so our partnership gives us real quality that will allow us to dominate possession with options all around them. One of Alonso / Matic stays back in front of the defence when we attack.
One of Higuain, Fabregas or Tevez will look to come inside occupying the space centrally between the opposition defence and midfield. The other two will look to bomb forward, with the two wing-backs providing width. When attacking we want constant movement from our front three, looking for runs in behind, looking for space to allow the diagonal ball, and drifting into space.
Set pieces will be important for us today. Fabregas’ delivery is one of the best in the world. And with the likes of Matic, Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini offering great ability in the air we also have the quick reactions and scoring instinct of Higuain
Lil horsies against big(ish) lions
------------------------Horn--------------------------
-----------Varane------------Lascelles--Durm
-----------------------Kramer-----------------------
--------------Rakitic---------Isco-------------------
Volland-------------Forster--------------Inaki---
-------------------------Austin------------------------
Look lads, let's just enjoy the game, yeah? This is the perfect opportunity to really get to know Leiva's lads. We met them briefly earlier, but the pub we were in had a bar that was too tall for their manager, so we couldn't stop'n'chat.
Basically, the team today is the big man up front. Forster. Some may claim he's a keeper - I say he's more than that! He works the phone lines for Samaritans, just last week he talked a man off a roof. Technically it was the Sky technician he'd asked to readjust his dish, but he damn well got him off that roof. I should add... Forster lives in a bungalow. But even still. He talked him down.
The other lads speak for themselves really. That's what their mouths are for!
*pause for laughter*
No, but seriously, those lads are great. Really top class. Take, for instance, Timo Horn. Some say he looks and sounds like a rhino. I say rhinos sound like him! This cheers him up a little, but deep down I think those jibes really do hurt. He's not a happy man.
trying not to stick on the depressing side, but Inaki is another one who needs watching when on the pitch, so if you can, just keep an eye on him for me
Other than that, lump it forward to Forster, he can knock it on. Austin can score. Ultimately, what matters is that we all enjoy ourselves
Notts tactics vs Tenby
-----------------------------Oblak----------------------------------
Darmian-------Marquinhos------Jantschke--------Bernat
-----------------Sturaro----------Marchisio----------------------
Alexis-------------------Gerson-------------------------Ntep
---------------------------Morata-----------------------------------
Last game of the season, promotion secured so nothing to play for, go out and play with freedom, usual passing game, quick tempo, take a few more risks, try something a bit special at times, and when we lose the ball we work very hard to get it back, pressing high up the pitch.
Defence to play a high line condensing the space for Tenby to work in, full backs to push on and provide width when Alexis and Ntep move inside.
Midfield, recycle the balk quickly, both Sturaro and Marchsio hard working and tenacious off the ball and very good on the ball, get the ball as quickly as possible to Alexis, Gerson and Ntep
Morata to lead the line, pace and power, works his nads off and takes his chances, he will look to use his pace to make runs in behind, drag defenders out of position and create space for midfield runners.
Subs: Martial for Morata after 70 minutes straight swap
Bernardo Silva for Gerson 70 minutes straight swap
Jack Grealish for Ntep 70 minutes straight swap
Captain: Marchisio
Free kicks: Alexis
Corners: Marchisio
Penalties: Gerson
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
SHAKHTAR SENSELESS v Cambuur
Injuries: Hiwula, Vermaelen, Castillejo, Illarramendi
-------------Weidenfeller
Aurier - Pepe - Fonte - Coentrao
---------De Rossi - Khedira
----------------Y.Toure
-Florenzi ------------------ Perisic
----------------D.Costa
Subs: Muniesa, Bagnack, Samper, Munir, Origi
-----------------
We still have the slimmest of slim chances to get promotion today, if we beat Cambuur by a couple of goals and Little Horse and Mandems both lose, we'd be up. No reason to take it easy even with the cup final next week. We need to get at them with Yaya in the middle being his rampaging best with no real defensive responsibility. Florenzi, Perisic and Costa alongside Yaya are our attack today. De Rossi and Khedira have the responsibility in midfield but both have the temperament to cope with the pressure in this game today.
Like last week this game is about controlling the tempo and giving us the best chance of getting to the final. They have some world class players in their side although we have some world class players of our own to hurt them and cause them real problems. Our front three with assistance from the fullbacks should create plenty of chances, and in midfield we have a trio who can dictate the game in De Rossi, Khedira and Yaya, we can control the possession and the flow of the game. Florenzi at RW with Perisic at LW but both able to cut inside and get at the Cambuur defence with Aurier/Coentrao overlapping. Diego Costa upfront will give us a physical presence and somebody who is able to hold up possession as well as create chances for himself and his teammates.
Weidenfeller - Distribute from the back to the fullbacks/CM's, stay in communication with your defence throughout, be wary of long range efforts and ensure you stay big for any one on ones. On occasion go long for Costa.
Pepe/Fonte - Pepe to mark their striker, force him high up the pitch thus limiting his impact close to goal, and Fonte to be the spare man, be first to the second ball and their second striker/AM making runs from midfield. When in possession bring the ball out of defence and use the midfielders ahead of you to help us play out from the back. Both of you go forward for setpieces.
Aurier/Coentrao - Both of you to force the Cambuur wingers out wide, do not allow them to come inside as this will cause more problems for our midfield. They will want to cut inside so force them outside and block their crosses at source. They will try to create problems infield so its vital you only show them down the wing. If they play a diamond with no wingers you will need to form a narrow back four with the CB's and leave no spaces in behind. When we have possession, push forward and support Florenzi/Perisic as they will try to run inside the fullback and you will provide the overlap to either create space or supply crosses into the area for Costa and link with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya. You will need to track back very quickly to ensure we don't get caught on the break.
De Rossi/Khedira - De Rossi as the defensive midfielder, able to assist the defenders in dealing with the Cambuur attack but isn't just someone who can break up play, I want you to win possession then immediately look to retain possession with Khedira and Yaya, also look for Florenzi, Perisic or Costa making runs. Khedira is playing the box to box role, assist the CB's and De Rossi in dealing with the Cambuur attack when we don't have the ball, if they play an AM stay on him, but don't follow if he drifts wide. Be first to any loose balls, in possession look for the attackers and pass rather than bring the ball out.
Yaya Toure - Yaya to burst forward to join the front three as our AM, look to receive the ball and run at the Cambuur defence, bring the ball to create space for others and look for the runs of Florenzi/Perisic/Costa. Shoot if you get into position, also force the Cambuur defenders to foul you when you're attacking as you're lethal from setpieces.
Florenzi/Perisic - Both playing out wide and both have the pace and trickery to beat the Cambuur fullbacks and get crosses in, but both of you will also have our fullback overlapping giving you the chance to cut inside and get shots in. Look to supply Costa with chances and also provide yourselves with chances. Link up with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya, and capitalise on the space Costa's presence will create for you. Without the ball I expect you two to track back and assist your fullback.
Costa - you will be expected to occupy the Cambuur centrebacks, hold up possession and look to turn the defender and shoot. Be strong in the air and look for your teammates trying to pick you out from deep. Shoot on sight. Stay on the last defender's shoulder for any passes in behind. Look to hold up possession on occasion to feed the AM's.
------------------
Subs 70 mins:
If winning: Yaya off, Samper on. Samper to drop alongside De Rossi and Khedira in a 4-5-1 as we shut up shop. Florenzi moves to RM with Perisic at LM, absorb pressure and hit on the break.
If drawing: Khedira and Perisic off, Munir and Januzaj on. Change to a 4-1-3-2, De Rossi the sitting CM, look to push for the winner without overcommitting. Yaya at AM with Florenzi RW and Januzaj LW, more space for Aurier and Coentrao to get forward, Costa and Munir the front two.
If losing: Khedira and Fonte off, Januzaj and Munir on. Switch to 3-1-4-2, Aurier - Pepe - Coentrao the back three, De Rossi the deep playmaker, Florenzi - Yaya - Perisic - Januzaj behind a front two of Munir and Costa. Push for goals in this "must not lose" game.
------------------Lloris---------
Bellerin—Zouma—Laporte—Gibbs
-----------Carvajal---Rafinha--------
Carrillo-------Quintero--------Depay
------------------Suarez-----------------
Subs: Fabianski, Nastatic, Bolasie, Milik, Luis Adriano
Today is an opportunity to lay down a big marker for next season with the probable champions as big a scalp as they come. Who knows, we might have a deciding factor in the title race? I think we will be hugely lifted by the huge signing of Suarez made last week and he will be integral to everything we do. We will look to press all over the pitch – right from the front line and Suarez will set the tone. When in possession he will be the focal point for all of our attacks too! He will be on his toes the whole time, keeping the defenders on their toes, looking to get the ball and create for the 3 players behind him who will naturally run beyond him. The balance of the 4 will be perfect, with Suarez being the one to bring them all together. His ability to finish all sorts of chances will be crucial too. I honestly can’t see the slow Italian Tino FC line up being able to defend against the worlds best CF and 3 pacey, adventurous players who he will bring to another level, behind him.
C: Suarez
VC: Suarez
Corners: Suarez
FKs: Suarez
Penalties: Gibbs
Core instructions for each player can be taken from last weeks tactics
‘Give it to bloody Suarez!’
No, he's just late - I say we allow them
But Suarez is a great acquisition
You've won the league anyhow Tino
yer but this affects my weekly budget
but you said you wanted them in I just copied you
I do want them in
what I meant was lets have the game played..so I can see if I add 1.5m or 2m
Cup Final
SHAKHTAR SENSELESS v Little Horse
--------------Weidenfeller
Aurier - Pepe - Subotic - Coentrao
----------De Rossi - Khedira
-----------------Y.Toure
-Florenzi ------------------- Perisic
-----------------D.Costa
Subs: Muniesa, Vermaelen, Illarramendi, Januzaj, Origi
-----------------
This is it, the cup final. No extra motivation required, we go into the game as underdogs against a star studded Little Horse side, but we have a definite power advantage so that will be our aim today, to get stuck into the Little Horse side and bully them out of this final. They have a lot of technically gifted players but are lacking a backbone. We have a much more solid spine than they have, even including a much stronger pair of CB's than they do. Part of the plan is that Varane will struggle against Diego Costa, but Aguero will not have the same amount of joy he would normally get when Pepe and Subotic are on him. We are going to use our power advantages to win the cup.
We need to get at them with Yaya in the middle being his rampaging best with no real defensive responsibility. Florenzi, Perisic and Costa alongside Yaya are our attack today. De Rossi and Khedira have the responsibility in midfield but both have the temperament to cope with the pressure in this game today.
Like last week this game is about controlling the tempo and giving us the best chance of winning. They have some world class players in their side although we have some world class players of our own to hurt them and cause them real problems. Our front three with assistance from the fullbacks should create plenty of chances, and in midfield we have a trio who can dictate the game in De Rossi, Khedira and Yaya, we can control the possession and the flow of the game. Florenzi at RW with Perisic at LW but both able to cut inside and get at the Little Horse defence with Aurier/Coentrao overlapping. Diego Costa upfront will give us a physical presence and somebody who is able to hold up possession as well as create chances for himself and his teammates.
Weidenfeller - Distribute from the back to the fullbacks/CM's, stay in communication with your defence throughout, be wary of long range efforts and ensure you stay big for any one on ones. On occasion go long for Costa.
Pepe/Subotic - Subotic to mark Aguero, force him high up the pitch thus limiting his impact close to goal, and Pepe to be the spare man, be first to the second ball and their second striker/AM making runs from midfield. When in possession bring the ball out of defence and use the midfielders ahead of you to help us play out from the back. Both of you go forward for setpieces.
Aurier/Coentrao - Both of you to force the Little Horse wingers out wide, do not allow them to come inside as this will cause more problems for our midfield. They will want to cut inside so force them outside and block their crosses at source. They will try to create problems infield so its vital you only show them down the wing. If they play a diamond with no wingers you will need to form a narrow back four with the CB's and leave no spaces in behind. When we have possession, push forward and support Florenzi/Perisic as they will try to run inside the fullback and you will provide the overlap to either create space or supply crosses into the area for Costa and link with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya. You will need to track back very quickly to ensure we don't get caught on the break.
De Rossi/Khedira - De Rossi as the defensive midfielder, able to assist the defenders in dealing with the Little Horse attack but isn't just someone who can break up play, I want you to win possession then immediately look to retain possession with Khedira and Yaya, also look for Florenzi, Perisic or Costa making runs. Khedira is playing the box to box role, assist the CB's and De Rossi in dealing with the Little Horse attack when we don't have the ball, if they play an AM stay on him, but don't follow if he drifts wide. Be first to any loose balls, in possession look for the attackers and pass rather than bring the ball out.
Yaya Toure - Yaya to burst forward to join the front three as our AM, look to receive the ball and run at the Little Horse defence, bring the ball to create space for others and look for the runs of Florenzi/Perisic/Costa. Shoot if you get into position, also force the Little Horse defenders to foul you when you're attacking as you're lethal from setpieces. Schneiderlin isn't a natural DM so will struggle to handle you running at him.
Florenzi/Perisic - Both playing out wide and both have the pace and trickery to beat the Little Horse fullbacks and get crosses in, but both of you will also have our fullback overlapping giving you the chance to cut inside and get shots in. Look to supply Costa with chances and also provide yourselves with chances. Link up with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya, and capitalise on the space Costa's presence will create for you. Without the ball I expect you two to track back and assist your fullback.
Costa - you will be expected to occupy the Little Horse centrebacks, hold up possession and look to turn the defender and shoot. Be strong in the air and look for your teammates trying to pick you out from deep. Shoot on sight. Stay on the last defender's shoulder for any passes in behind. Look to hold up possession on occasion to feed the AM's.
------------------
Subs 70 mins:
If winning: Yaya off, Illarramendi on. Illarramendi to drop alongside De Rossi and Khedira in a 4-5-1 as we shut up shop. Florenzi moves to RM with Perisic at LM, absorb pressure and hit on the break.
If drawing: Khedira and Perisic off, Origi and Januzaj on. Change to a 4-1-3-2, De Rossi the sitting CM, look to push for the winner without overcommitting. Yaya at AM with Florenzi RW and Januzaj LW, more space for Aurier and Coentrao to get forward, Costa and Origi the front two, enough power to destroy their CB's.
If losing: Khedira and Pepe off, Origi and Januzaj on. Switch to 3-1-4-2, Aurier - Subotic - Coentrao the back three, De Rossi the deep playmaker, Florenzi - Yaya - Perisic - Januzaj behind a front two of Origi and Costa. Push for goals in this "must not lose" game.
I emailed mine, but just for transparency...
Cup final tactics
-------------------------------Forster------------------------------------
----------------Varane----------------------Rugani--------------------
Alves-------------------------Ginter-----------------------Rodriguez
------------------Rakitic--------------Schneiderlin--------------------
------------Muller----------------------------------Isco-----------------
--------------------------------Aguero------------------------------------
Subs - Horn, Trippier, Kramer, Draxler, Alcacer
General -
Possession football based on quality and quantity in the middle, and width from two WBs. Defensive we have a high energy midfield who will press giving us time to retake defensive stations, and a high line to counter the physicality of Costa.
We have come here to control the game. I believe Marky will go for three in the middle, I believe that had I matched him, my midfield would still dictate the tempo and nature of the game. As it is, I've decided to pack the middle of the park, so not only do we have the edge in terms of quality, but we also beat him with quantity too.
Like I say, we've come here to get on the ball and dominate possession. By holding onto the ball, we can take control of the game, and make sure it pans out in the best way for us, and leaves Marky's tactics largely redundant. A narrow midfield, bolstered by two of the best wing-backs the modern game has to offer, and quite simply the best striker in the game at the moment means we should boss the game. It's essentially a possess and press system. If we have the ball, great, we can work it around our midfield, using our numerical advantage to make this process easy for ourselves. If we lose the ball, we need to have a period of concerted pressing, which is something my entire midfield is fantastic at, to either win the ball back immediately, or to force Marky's side into a backwards, conservative, pass, allowing our advanced wing-backs to drop deep and retake their defensive stance.
Interestingly, Marky tends to want his teams to "control the tempo" of the game, I feel that this is a tactic he'll stick with in this match. My numbers and quality will ensure that this gameplan is massively disrupted, causing mayhem in Senseless's ranks. If we have the ball, and absolutely dominate the game, which I believe we will, Marky's whole tactical analysis is rendered useless.
So, in essence, we'll be playing like Pep's Bayern do, power in possession, moving the ball well, but a solid, defensive tactic when we do lose it.
Defence -
Marky's danger man up top is obviously Costa. My CBs were criticised earlier in the season for being unable to cope with the 50 year old's physicality, so to combat that we've come up with a new plan.
First and foremost, the defence will hold a high line. Costa is brilliant when the ball is delivered from out wide into the box, less so when it's to his feet and he's away from the penalty box. Varane and Rugani can both beat Costa in a footrace, so this highline eliminates his most dangerous elements and replaces it with something which is inherently more controllable.
However, even then, attackers may break down the wing against our will - luckily for us, our wingbacks today are incredibly fast so should be able to recover. This recovery doesn't necessarily have to win the ball back or get a block in, it mainly needs to put the opposition wingers under so much pressure that they cannot take time to deliver a perfect cross in - They'll be limited to hit and hopes rather than targeted crosses.
At this point, Forster, the man mountain, will be out claiming crosses - He'll look to punch rather than catch (unless the catch is uncontested), this will give him an easier job on dealing with the wide balls. Varane and Rugani will get between Costa and the goal, they need to keep easing him out from the crosses, making sure that Forster has a clear run at the ball.
Like I say, I believe this tactic deals with Costa's strengths, and forces him to attempt elements of the game that he is weaker in.
In terms of attacking, both WBs should be looking to get forward, this allows Muller and Isco to operate centrally. Both of them possess a wicked cross, and creativity in abundance, so by going forward, they really play to their own games. You might think this leaves me vulnerable at the back! Well! Think again! Firstly, Ginter is playing a loose DM/CB role today - Much like many modern day teams do - When the WBs break forward, he drops deeper, and Varane and Rugani spread a little, this covers us in case of a break. Secondly, if the WBs get forward, and we lose the ball, the midfield and attackers will press, they immediately force Senseless to look back, rather than forward. This gives Alves and Rodriguez (both quick players) time to return to their defensive posts.
Again, I believe Marky will look to 'control' the game, to do this his team will be looking to play short passes - Not the long balls which could cause us difficulty because it would turn us before we have a chance to retake our defensive stance.
Midfield -
Ginter, when we are in possession of the ball, will sit deep anyway. He's our recycle outlet. If our players run into trouble, they know that he will always be back, ready to pick up the ball, and maintain our control of the game.
The four midfielders in front of him are perfect for this system - They aren't just big names for the sake of big names. I'll start with our own game, which is all about keeping hold of possession, moving it forward in a controlled manner, and getting Senseless chasing the game, tiring, and out of position.
All four players are fantastic on the ball - Technically they are all astute, passing wise they are some of the best in the world. Rakitic is the heir to Xavi's throne, Isco the heir to Iniesta's, Schneiderlin to Carrick and Muller is just Muller. These four players, playing against a midfield that is expected to by Yaya, Khedira and De Rossi should have a field day. All four are better in possession (although De Rossi might have a shout in that, maybe) and they have the numerical advantage - This is exacerbated by Yaya's decline in the last season or two, which sees him as a formidable attacker, but a lazy defender.
Essentially, I feel that my four, with the help of Ginter, a well advanced defence, two fantastic WBs in advanced positions, and Aguero, a great technical player up top, will be simply too good for Senseless to compete with. We will control the middle of the park, and with it, the game.
Eventually, this possession will tire out Senseless (again, outnumbered, and lazy) and pull them out of position - at which point our attackers can move into the space and strike.
When, shock horror, we do lose the ball, all four of the above players need to press, Aguero will to. This is part of their natural game. Taking them one by one... Rakitic, again, heir to Xavi, he's shown that he's adapted to the Barca way which is a facsimile of how we're setting out today. Schneiderlin, regularly tops charts for tackles, interceptions and defensive contributions in the PL, added in is his engine to get up and down, in their faces, all day. Muller, again works tirelessly, a brilliant engine, and has taken to Pep's system immaculately. Isco is a strange one, before last season, I wouldn't have thought he could hack this system of pass and press, but he's shown that in a central role, his defensive abilities are really quite good.
Without trying to bang on about it, this pressing will allow the WBs, who have advanced forward to provide yet more options to the passing whirlwind we're setting out to create, to return to their defensive bunks before Senseless can even consider launching and attack.
To conclude the midfield section, I feel they fit perfectly into the style I am trying to instil in them today. They have the offensive qualities to control a game, and keep the ball moving intelligently, all aimed at getting forward whilst running Senseless ragged, but importantly they also have the attributes to make a success of their defensive duties too.
Forwards -
Aguero What really needs to be said?!
Well, for staters, Aguero will look to be playing right off the shoulder. His pace in behind will force Senseless to sit deep - creating a gap between their defence and midfield which furthers out cause of controlling the centre of the pitch and thus the game - or risk letting the deadliest striker in the world in behind them for plenty of one-on-ones.
In playing like this, Aguero will take three, potentially four (depending on how tightly Marky controls his FBs today), defenders out the game all on his own.
As we gain control, and start to press the advantage, our midfielders will naturally keep moving up the pitch, each pass bringing them closer and closer into the dangerzone. When we get close enough, Isco and Muller will engage their defenders, going close, pulling off for pass - In the process dragging defenders out of position, Aguero can then exploit these gaps which will constantly open up. With Rakitic, Schneiderlin, Muller and Isco pulling the strings from slightly deeper, there's no way Aguero (and other forwards moving into advanced positions) won't be found time and time again, the midfielders are just too good, and will have the space and time (again, quantity and quality of midfielders swamping Marky's lot) to really pick their passes.
Defensively, Aguero needs to press. He's a tenacious engine. Constantly on the move, one of the best offensive pressers I've seen.
Substitutes -
Winning - 70 - Isco off Kramer on. Kramer is a world cup winner, and a world cup final starter. It's merely that he's too defensive that he failed to make this line up today. But when we've got a lead to defend, he'll come on and help us see out the game. Rakitic moves forward and takes Isco's offensive berth, Kramer, Schneiderlin and Ginter all offer a veritable brick wall of a midfield in terms of defence. This will be more than enough to see out the game.
Losing/Drawing - 70 - Draxler on for Ginter. 4-2-3-1. Draxler to LW, Muller to RW, Isco at No.10. Start to target the fullbacks who haven't really had wingers to deal with this game, hopefully this sudden change in tempo will catch them unawares and batter our way back into the game.
Losing - 80 - Schneiderlin off for Alcacer - Alcacer with a debut on cup final day! Can he be the hero?! Rakitic and Isco in a very offensive CM pairing - But remember, Marky's team must be getting exhausted now - Alcacer and Aguero up top gives us pace and guile in abundance. With the FBs being targeted, and the CBs now up against two top quality strikers, will Senseles be able to withstand the last 10 minutes of the final?
Other Factors -
Penalties - If the game goes to the wire, our penalty takers are, in order - Muller, Aguero, Rakitic, Draxler, Rodriguez, Alcacer, Isco, Schneiderlin.
Freekicks - When set for a left footer, Rodriguez - One of the sweetest FK takers in the world. When set for a right footer, Rakitic - Same as Rodriguez - I really think set pieces could be a key strength to my team.
Captain - Rakitic - A model professional. Cool, calm, experienced, and quality. He'll lead by example.
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Pencampwriaeth Cynghrair Dream Tactics
Page 25 of 25
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25
posted on 14/7/15
posted on 14/7/15
--------------------------Zoet
--Jedvaj-------------van Beek----------Hoedt
------------------------Hendrix
---------Hiljemark----------------Pröpper
Andrija Zivkovic-----Klaassen--------------Fischer
-------------------------Vietto
Subs: Rajkovic, Verdonk, Nieuwkoop, Schuurman, Cerny
Captain: Klaassen
Corners: Zivkovic / Fischer (Cerny)
Free Kicks: Andrija Zivkovic
Pens: Vietto
From kick off we’ll have a ‘pressing’ 3-1-5-1 formation with the aim of playing a nice passing game and using our obvious pace to get the opposition on the back foot, with the ultimate aim of causing some serious damage to Taiwan’s back line.
Zoet is an extremely gifted and composed young keeper who commands his area, and distributes the ball in a very intelligent and effective manner.
The trio of Jedvaj, van Beek & Hoedt are composed young defenders who will look to play a low risk, sensible defensive game. There is no need for risk taking, as they will find support from Jorrit Hendrix when required and they will always have plenty of options when looking to distribute the ball. All 3 are strong in the air and technically gifted with the ball at their feet.
In front of this defensive trio, Hendrix will play as the defensive midfielder who if required will be comfortable in slipping into the defence. Hendrix is a great tackler, has a big engine and is also a great passer of the ball. He will keep the ball moving with neat tidy passing, whilst not doing anything too extravagant and fancy, and he is more than capable of getting stuck in the nitty gritty of things.
In front of Hendrix we have Hiljemark and Pröpper who are both fine passing footballers. They will look to play a quick passing style of play, playing beautifully timed balls for Zivkovic on the right, Fischer on the left and Davy Klaassen down the centre to run onto.
When we are on the back foot so to speak Hiljemark and Pröpper will drop much deeper and so on – technically becoming a 3-3-3-1 formation. We aim to use this flexibility to tinker with the formation according to how the game pans out.
Hiljemark and Pröpper have more than enough pace to get back into shape again and thwart any possible counters.
Zivkovic, Klaassen & Fischer have no defensive worries in this match. They are purely here to batter opponents with wave and wave of tidy pacy interchanging attacks. All three are extremely talented young individuals with fantastic pace and skills. The ability to go past a player, take on defence and to play the sort of tricks that will wrong foot the opposition. They are as equally at home at making assists for Luciano Vietto and each other as they are at creating chances for themselves.
All 3 have tremendous engines and the intentions are to batter the opposition back line until they have no option but to submit to this constant attacking threat from the right, left and straight down the middle.
Luciano Vietto’s movement, technique and clinical finishing are hallmarks of his game, and whilst he is certainly quick, as the old adage goes the first two yards are in your head and Vietto’s intelligence and off the ball movement often allows him to steal a march on defenders. With licence to drop deep and combine with our 3 attacking midfielders expect some exciting interchanging attacking threats across the width of the pitch.
Subs:
80th Minute: Cerny on for Fischer
posted on 15/7/15
----------------------Guiata----------------------
Aranguiz-------Alderwerield---Dante-------Bertrand
---------------Casemiro----Schweinsteiger---------
---Chamberlain-------------------------Insigne----
--------------------------Silva-------------------
-------------------Suarez-------------------------
BENCH
Iraizoz
Vlaar
Xhaka
Fellaini
Welbeck
TACTICS
Final game of the season.
We've worked out the maths. And there's no point going a draw today. If we draw, a win for either Cambuur or Little Horse would see them overtake us (on GS in Horse's case). We can't rely on both of them to fail to win.
So the maths says we need to win. So there's no point thinking about either of our promotion-chasing rivals when the game is in progress. We will go out and beat Fan's team, remembering how we were robbed in the last game against them.
Looking to defend in two banks of four, with Benteke and Firmino their dangermen, and looking to play fast passing football, getting it to the front two with the widemen stretching out the game.
DEFENSE
They are missing Pogba and Gomes today in midfield, but we don't expect any deviation from the standard 4-3-3, except Firmino playing who will get forward from the middle of the park. Casemiro and Schweinstieger need to protect the back four from those runs from midfield, predominantly from Firmino. Don't let him have time on the ball. Dante is to be the main marker of Benteke, match him physically which I know you can do, being the same height. when he gets the aerial service I want you in the air winning those headers. Alderweireld to sweep in behind.
Another aspect they like is to have their wingers cut inside so the full backs should get narrow and defend the edge of the box, don't let them get crosses in. The obvious thing to say is that we aren't playing a 'proper' right back. But Aranguiz has played on the right in a 3-5-2 formation, and with Oxlade Chamberlain a hard-working right midfielder between them I believe they have enough to deal with the threat. I want Suarez to stay high, scaring their defense for the counter attack, and Silva to get around their playmaker at CM.
ATTACK
Focus on getting the ball to the front two, Silva finding space between their defense and midfield and Suarez getting space in their defense and in behind. Along with that, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Insigne should really look to stretch their defense and mix things up, going wide and cutting inside. Schweinsteiger is the midfield pivot, looking to hover in the final third when we have periods of possession as the 'easy' pass.
Always be looking to beat a man, in particular I believe Oxlade-Chamberlain can give Hector a torrid time today, and their midfield is weak so we should be able to exert our authority in the middle of the park. I want the passing to be quick, but controlled. If we have to go backwards to get forwards, that's fine. But I have players who can run with the ball and can beat a man.
PLAYER ROLES
Guaita - Save shots. Look to get the ball quickly to Suarez if possible on the counter.
Aranguiz/Bertrand - Defend narrow to prevent their wingers from cutting in. Get forward, but only one in the final third, the other goes just beyond the halfway line.
Alderweireld/Dante - Dante to boss Benteke, you are the man for this job. Beat him to every header. Alderweireld should cover in behind.
Casemiro/Schweinstieger - Protect the back four, especially with Firmino coming forward, make sure he's not allowed time on the ball. Casemiro to stay further back with Schweinsteiger getting forward just into the final third/edge of the box area.
Insigne/Oxlade Chamberlain - Look to beat your full back with your pace, cut in, get wide, keep it mixed up. Try to stretch out their defense, so be aware you could be a bit of a decoy at times to stretch them, creating more space for Silva and Suarez centrally.
Silva - Look for space between their defense and midfield, always move and look to play the clever passes to create that opportunity. You can drift wide, stay central.
Suarez - Look for spaces either between the two centre backs, or between centre back and full back with our wingers looking to stretch the defense. Be clinical in front of goal as you will get chances. Even if you get the ball earlier, I fancy you to take on a man and shoot.
SET PIECES
Left Corner - Insigne
Right Corner - Schweinsteiger
Free Kicks - Suarez/Schweinsteiger/Silva
Penalties - Suarez
SUBSTITUTIONS
If winning - Xhaka for Oxlade-Chamberlain, fresh legs in the middle of the park. Silva LM, Insigne RM.
If drawing/losing - Fellaini, Vlaar and Welbeck for Bertrand, Aranguiz and Casemiro. 3-5-2, be aggressive, get the ball directly to the frontmen, with plenty to get onto Fellaini's knockdowns, pace out wide and Welbeck stretching their defense.
---------Guaita
---Alder'--Dante--Vlaar
-----------Schwein'
Oxlade--Silva----Fellaini--Insigne
----------Welbeck--Suarez
posted on 15/7/15
Last game of the season. Time to give some of my oldsters a run about and experiment a new formation.
----------------------------------------Reina------------------------------
Carvajal-----------Martinez-------------Astori------------Cole
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------Jorginho------------------Clasie------------------
---------------------------------------Rivaldo---------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------Totti-------------Kaka----------------------
---------------------------------------D Milito-----------------------------
Subs - Blackett, Saul, Shaqiri , Del Piero, Chicharito
Free Kicks - Totti
Corners -Totti
Penalties - Milito
Captain - Totti
Pepe Reina
Experienced keeper, I want you to stay alert at all times and parry any shots that are too powerful to catch. Try and catch the ball if the opposition have a corner and quickly play it out to the wings to either Deulofeu or Tello so they can initiate a quick counter attack.
RB - Carvajal
Start off with a balanced mentality attacking/defending wise and see how well you are coping with the opposition left mid. I want you to close him down and put a tackle in if he tries cutting in. Also I want you to help out in attack and make overlapping runs and get some crosses in to the box for Milito to use his aerial abillity to score a goal.
LB - Cashly Cole
Similar job to Carvajal. Whoever you are up against you try and make them play on their weak foot and close them down if they try and take you on. Also support the attack by making overlapping runs and getting crosses into the box.
CB's - Martinez + Astori
2 experienced defenders who have the experience needed to play at this high intensity without feeling the pressure. Whoever you are up against I want you to stick close to their striker/s and not give him any space. Either way you both should win the aerial battles as you have a better height advantage you shouldn't be greatly troubled aerially.
DM's - Jorginho + Clasie
Jorginho will be tasked with closing down the opposition attackers. Watch out for the attacking runs of their midfielders. Clasie will be allowed to play the ball out as he is a pretty good dribbler of the ball and if he sees an opportunity to shoot from long range then he should take it. Clasie will also make runs into the artacking area and play quick passes. Jorginho will play the full game just covering for our full backs who are in attacking positions and will look to play simple passes to the wingers. Close down the opposition attackers and don't be afraid to put a tackle in.
Deep lying playmaker - Rivaldo
The brazilian legend will look to hang about in the centre of the pitch and use his superb ball control and vision to penetrate the opposition from deep. He won't have any defensive duties and will hang about and shoot from range if he sees an opening.
Attack Mids - Totti + Kaka
2 of the most iconic players in footballing history. Kaka still has a bit of pace left in him and can use it it bursts to beat his Man. Totti is a more elegant player. He glides like a butterfly and stings like a bee. Shoot if you see an opportunity. Use your expert close control and vision to pick out any of our players in good positions. Play quick passes if you are closed down and make runs into the box to try and score.
Centre Forward - Milito
The legendary Argentine. Milito is still a force to be reckoned with and his positional play in the 6 yard box is second to none. If he gets a chance he WILL Bury it.
Peel away from the opposition defenders so you have a better chance to shoot. Try not to be in an offside positon and be aware of where the ball is at all times. Play the ball to your teammates if you are closed down.Use your heading ability to score headers.
Subs if LOSING BY 65MINS
Astori off Saul on. Saul moves to cm and we go 3atb. Chicharito on for Rivaldo with Chica joining Milito in attack. Full out attack.
Subs if WINNING BY 65MINS
Totti off Blackett on and play ultra defensive park the bus football. Chicharito on for Milito.
Subs if DRAWING BY 65MINS
Chicharito for Milito. Del Piero for Totti. Fresh legs.
posted on 15/7/15
FC Pride Week 14:
-------------------------Enyeama-------------------------
Coke------------Ayhan---------Koscielny---------Blind
---------------------------Pirlo---------------------------
-------------Wijnaldum----------Kouyate---------------
------------------------------------------------------------
Robben----------------Dybala---------------------Pedro
Subs:
Castro, Höjbjerg, T Hazard, Afobe, PEA
Injuries:
Alphonse Aréola
Andy Kellet
Javier Mascherano
Omar Rowe
We come up against a team this week who like to press, to counter this we need players good on the ball in the middle of the park and quality in wider areas to exploit spaces that their pressing game leaves in behind. We want to draw them onto our midfield by playing a possession game in the middle of the pitch and when they press us, we will work it quickly out wide a start our attacks.
The back 5 consist of Enyeama in goal, with Coke and Blind at full backs who will provide and ever presence up and down the flanks. When one pushes forward, the other will stay back to help prevent the counter attack. Ayhan and Koscielny will take up the central positions, combining experience and leadership, with youthful pace and energy.
Pirlo will make us tick, he's confident on the ball so will have no problems receiving and passing the ball under pressure. Wijnaldum will in large part be the one creating the angles with his movement off the ball. He'll also look to push on and join the attack when we do break. Kouyate will be the box to box type enforcer, shutting our opposition down and pressuring them on the ball.
Robben and Pedro will be the wide players, both have the pace to put our opponents on the back foot, they'll look to push forward when they receive the ball, using Wijnaldum and Dybala to work their way towards the box.
Dybala leads the line, he's a player who's tough to keep hold of as he has the pace and know how to exploit gaps in defences. He'll mainly look to receive balls along the ground from wider area's, or passes slipped through pockets of space that have been created through clever movement.
With the ball we want to work it out from the back, getting it up to the midfield through passes along the floor. Then we want to play triangles between the midfield and the surrounding players until we pull them out of position when they come to press us. That's when we will start to push up the field breaking into the spaces and using our speed in our attack.
Without the ball we'll get back into a more ridged shape, with Wijnaldum pressing players in the middle of the park and Robben/Pedro showing our opponents out into wider areas. We have pace so we won't be sitting deep, but we also won't be playing too high a line as we want them to come onto us a bit in order to create the spaces in behind them.
If losing after 75 mins:
T Hazard > Kouyate
PEA > Pedro
Switch to 4-1-4-1
-------------Pirlo
Rob----Wij------Haz-----PEA
------------Dybala
If winning after 75 mins:
Höjbjerg > Wijnaldum
Switch to 4-2-3-1
Coke--Ayhan---Kos---Blind
--------Kouyate--Pirlo
Rob------Höjbjerg-------Ped
------------Dybala
posted on 15/7/15
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 15/7/15
BATTERSEA v Southen
-------------------------Jefferson-------------------------
Montoya--------Rami------Otamendi--------Gaya
------------------Vidal------Wanyama------------------
---Lucas----------------------------------------Iniesta---
--------------------Bony------Alcacer--------------------
Subs: Balanta, Sanson, Teixeira, Carrasco, Maupay
Captain: Otamendi
Pens: Vidal
Corners: Iniesta
Free kicks: Vidal
OVERVIEW
Last game of the season and last game of my DL career I’d like us to go out with a bang and, hopefully, manage to finally convert a slot advantage into a win for a change.
Classic-United-style attacking is the name of the game; I want us playing a fairly deepish line, keeping a rigid defensive shape, winning the ball back and then expanding outwards into a wide, quick attacking formation, with a top class front 4. Keep the ball moving fast along the deck, spread the play wide, get balls into the box and get Iniesta on the ball in positions where he can create.
INDIVIDUAL
Jefferson – keep it simple. Fairly deep line so no sweeping. Stay big, claim crosses and distribute quickly to the flanks.
Montoya/Gaya – modern full backs. Defend first and foremost, stay fairly tight and show wingers down the line, then bomb forwards quickly when the break is on, particularly Gaya who can get round Iniesta and offer a wide option, doubling up on a RB who won’t know who to mark – if he marks Iniesta (no easy job) then Gaya is free, and vice versa.
Rami/Otamendi – I assume Southend will play Mandzukic and/or Kane up top so I’ve gone with a big strong CB partnership. Otamendi is the more aggressive whereas Rami is happy sitting in and dominating in the air and physically. Otamendi can step forwards and smash Kane if he runs at the defence from deep; otherwise both should stick tight and deep, win the ball back and get it to someone who can take it forwards quickly.
Vidal/Wanyama – pretty clear and obvious what I want these 2 to do. Importantly they can cover the full back areas if we’re exposed by Gaya/Montoya pushing forwards.
Lucas/Iniesta – Lucas stays wide and roasts the left back for pace, getting round, hitting the touchline and making chances for the centre forward. Iniesta drifts infield and creates, slipping between the line and finding space where he is difficult to mark without the opposition RB being pulled way out of position. He will drift into a #10 position when Alcacer pulls wide.
Bony/Alcacer – Bony is the standard #9 who will give the opposition a horrible game in Terry’s absence – no Terry, Schar or De Scig means I reckon he can have a good time against a less experienced defence. Pin ‘em back, give ‘em a physical battle. Alcacer is the clever mover of the two; he likes to drift left and run in on goal, which is ideal since he can exploit the space left behind by Iniesta’s infield drifts, and he can attack the area between RB and RCB and get on Iniesta through balls. I’m expecting big things from my Spanish double act.
SUBS
If winning after 80 mins:
Alcacer off for Sanson, Iniesta off for Carrasco – Sanson drops in to play a passing game in front of the midfield double pivot; Carrasco uses his pace to stretch the opposition on the left wing. 4-3-3.
If losing/drawing after 80 mins:
Montoya off for Teixeira, Gaya off for Balanta – we go for this ludicrous formation. If we can’t score with this team, I QUIT.
-------------------------Jefferson-------------------------
----------Otamendi------Rami------Balanta----------
------------------------Wanyama-------------------------
----------------Iniesta--------------Vidal----------------
---Lucas---------Bony-----Alcacer-----Teixeira---
For the last time… PEACE
posted on 15/7/15
TAIWAN 3-4-3
3-4-3. We will look to dominate possession from the back, pushing the opposition deep and forcing them to play direct. We expect them to play with one natural forward, Chiellini picks him up, Demichelis looks to ensure he picks up the second furthers forward player when they get up the pitch. Glik not man marking, and looking to sweep up after the other two.
We aim to attack the weaknesses in an existing football style that everyone in the league has become so complacent with.
Huge game, we are going to keep our run going.
———————————— Cech
———— Demichelis — Glik — Chiellini
Coleman —— Alonso ——— Matic ———— Alaba
—————— Fabregas ——— Tevez
————————————Higuain
Subs: , Evra, Ward-Prowse, Dost, Coutinho
Rigid in our positions when defending, fluid in our positions when attacking.
Naturally an attacking formation, we set up to do just that. We want to force the opposition back, committing men forward and penning them in. Higuain plays as a false 9 up top, giving us more movement and proving too elusive for any opposition marking system. He likes to naturally drift wide and Tevez likes to come inside from the sides and drop deep. The interchangeability and flexibility of our attack will be key to unlocking the opposition defence.
By giving our front three real freedom when going forward this will make their movement impossible to pick up, allowing us to always have a man in space. Alonso comes in at cm, for his tactical brain and ability to pick passes and because he is another who knows how to play in front of a 3 man defence, his strong defensive play will be important.
We would usually keep 3 at the back anyway with one wing-back going forward, so this formation gives more freedom to the midfielders and attacking players to really get in positions to hurt the opposition. Cech plays with a three man defence in front of him, his leadership will be important to ensure they are kept right. However unlike Juve we have two wider attacking midfielders as well, these top-tier players give us an extra level of insurance due to the use of four wide men, not two. Furthermore Coleman, more of a natural attacker has the extra protection in the energy of Fabregas in front of him, plus Alonso on his side.
We want to defend high up the park, looking to win it back straight away after losing it. Let the opposition keeper and centre halves have the ball, everyone else we close down. One player closes down, the rest keep their shape. When the opposition take the ball into our half we get 10 men back. Rigid in our positions defensively.
Dominating the ball from the back with 3 defenders and pushing players forward takes the responsibility off Matic to be link our defence and attack. This should allow him to get in positions where we can get the best from him for stopping the opposition play.
With a back 3 it is vital we have defenders comfortable on the ball. Glik's movement is crucial to this back three as he sweeps things up.
Focus on the battle on the wings being in the opposition half, with their wide players on the defensive. Wing-backs will always stay touchline-wide to stretch the pitch out and provide an outlet.
The left-sided centre-half, Chiellni, will drift wide to create a passing lane and that encourages Alaba to go forward, creating gaps for Alonso and Matic to receive the ball into or get the ball down the wing.
With the opposition likely to play with only one natural forward, we should have two spare defenders at all times giving us more than adequate cover for their attacks. Our wings backs have the pace to get back as well. We expect the opposition to hit us on the counter with our attacking formation, ability on the ball is key in possession and mobility is key when the opposition are attacking and that is why we have opted for these 3 defenders.
With 3 central defenders providing real strength in the centre, we have two players in Alonso and Matic who can dominate the centre. Matic's defensive play will be important and we want him to dominate defensively the middle of the park blocking balls and breaking up play, he also brings an added goal threat from set pieces due to his aerial ability. Alonso is used to playing in front of a back three and his experience here will be key.
The opposition don’t have great power in the centre, so our partnership gives us real quality that will allow us to dominate possession with options all around them. One of Alonso / Matic stays back in front of the defence when we attack.
One of Higuain, Fabregas or Tevez will look to come inside occupying the space centrally between the opposition defence and midfield. The other two will look to bomb forward, with the two wing-backs providing width. When attacking we want constant movement from our front three, looking for runs in behind, looking for space to allow the diagonal ball, and drifting into space.
Set pieces will be important for us today. Fabregas’ delivery is one of the best in the world. And with the likes of Matic, Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini offering great ability in the air we also have the quick reactions and scoring instinct of Higuain
posted on 15/7/15
Lil horsies against big(ish) lions
------------------------Horn--------------------------
-----------Varane------------Lascelles--Durm
-----------------------Kramer-----------------------
--------------Rakitic---------Isco-------------------
Volland-------------Forster--------------Inaki---
-------------------------Austin------------------------
Look lads, let's just enjoy the game, yeah? This is the perfect opportunity to really get to know Leiva's lads. We met them briefly earlier, but the pub we were in had a bar that was too tall for their manager, so we couldn't stop'n'chat.
Basically, the team today is the big man up front. Forster. Some may claim he's a keeper - I say he's more than that! He works the phone lines for Samaritans, just last week he talked a man off a roof. Technically it was the Sky technician he'd asked to readjust his dish, but he damn well got him off that roof. I should add... Forster lives in a bungalow. But even still. He talked him down.
The other lads speak for themselves really. That's what their mouths are for!
*pause for laughter*
No, but seriously, those lads are great. Really top class. Take, for instance, Timo Horn. Some say he looks and sounds like a rhino. I say rhinos sound like him! This cheers him up a little, but deep down I think those jibes really do hurt. He's not a happy man.
trying not to stick on the depressing side, but Inaki is another one who needs watching when on the pitch, so if you can, just keep an eye on him for me
Other than that, lump it forward to Forster, he can knock it on. Austin can score. Ultimately, what matters is that we all enjoy ourselves
posted on 15/7/15
Notts tactics vs Tenby
-----------------------------Oblak----------------------------------
Darmian-------Marquinhos------Jantschke--------Bernat
-----------------Sturaro----------Marchisio----------------------
Alexis-------------------Gerson-------------------------Ntep
---------------------------Morata-----------------------------------
Last game of the season, promotion secured so nothing to play for, go out and play with freedom, usual passing game, quick tempo, take a few more risks, try something a bit special at times, and when we lose the ball we work very hard to get it back, pressing high up the pitch.
Defence to play a high line condensing the space for Tenby to work in, full backs to push on and provide width when Alexis and Ntep move inside.
Midfield, recycle the balk quickly, both Sturaro and Marchsio hard working and tenacious off the ball and very good on the ball, get the ball as quickly as possible to Alexis, Gerson and Ntep
Morata to lead the line, pace and power, works his nads off and takes his chances, he will look to use his pace to make runs in behind, drag defenders out of position and create space for midfield runners.
Subs: Martial for Morata after 70 minutes straight swap
Bernardo Silva for Gerson 70 minutes straight swap
Jack Grealish for Ntep 70 minutes straight swap
Captain: Marchisio
Free kicks: Alexis
Corners: Marchisio
Penalties: Gerson
posted on 15/7/15
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 16/7/15
SHAKHTAR SENSELESS v Cambuur
Injuries: Hiwula, Vermaelen, Castillejo, Illarramendi
-------------Weidenfeller
Aurier - Pepe - Fonte - Coentrao
---------De Rossi - Khedira
----------------Y.Toure
-Florenzi ------------------ Perisic
----------------D.Costa
Subs: Muniesa, Bagnack, Samper, Munir, Origi
-----------------
We still have the slimmest of slim chances to get promotion today, if we beat Cambuur by a couple of goals and Little Horse and Mandems both lose, we'd be up. No reason to take it easy even with the cup final next week. We need to get at them with Yaya in the middle being his rampaging best with no real defensive responsibility. Florenzi, Perisic and Costa alongside Yaya are our attack today. De Rossi and Khedira have the responsibility in midfield but both have the temperament to cope with the pressure in this game today.
Like last week this game is about controlling the tempo and giving us the best chance of getting to the final. They have some world class players in their side although we have some world class players of our own to hurt them and cause them real problems. Our front three with assistance from the fullbacks should create plenty of chances, and in midfield we have a trio who can dictate the game in De Rossi, Khedira and Yaya, we can control the possession and the flow of the game. Florenzi at RW with Perisic at LW but both able to cut inside and get at the Cambuur defence with Aurier/Coentrao overlapping. Diego Costa upfront will give us a physical presence and somebody who is able to hold up possession as well as create chances for himself and his teammates.
Weidenfeller - Distribute from the back to the fullbacks/CM's, stay in communication with your defence throughout, be wary of long range efforts and ensure you stay big for any one on ones. On occasion go long for Costa.
Pepe/Fonte - Pepe to mark their striker, force him high up the pitch thus limiting his impact close to goal, and Fonte to be the spare man, be first to the second ball and their second striker/AM making runs from midfield. When in possession bring the ball out of defence and use the midfielders ahead of you to help us play out from the back. Both of you go forward for setpieces.
Aurier/Coentrao - Both of you to force the Cambuur wingers out wide, do not allow them to come inside as this will cause more problems for our midfield. They will want to cut inside so force them outside and block their crosses at source. They will try to create problems infield so its vital you only show them down the wing. If they play a diamond with no wingers you will need to form a narrow back four with the CB's and leave no spaces in behind. When we have possession, push forward and support Florenzi/Perisic as they will try to run inside the fullback and you will provide the overlap to either create space or supply crosses into the area for Costa and link with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya. You will need to track back very quickly to ensure we don't get caught on the break.
De Rossi/Khedira - De Rossi as the defensive midfielder, able to assist the defenders in dealing with the Cambuur attack but isn't just someone who can break up play, I want you to win possession then immediately look to retain possession with Khedira and Yaya, also look for Florenzi, Perisic or Costa making runs. Khedira is playing the box to box role, assist the CB's and De Rossi in dealing with the Cambuur attack when we don't have the ball, if they play an AM stay on him, but don't follow if he drifts wide. Be first to any loose balls, in possession look for the attackers and pass rather than bring the ball out.
Yaya Toure - Yaya to burst forward to join the front three as our AM, look to receive the ball and run at the Cambuur defence, bring the ball to create space for others and look for the runs of Florenzi/Perisic/Costa. Shoot if you get into position, also force the Cambuur defenders to foul you when you're attacking as you're lethal from setpieces.
Florenzi/Perisic - Both playing out wide and both have the pace and trickery to beat the Cambuur fullbacks and get crosses in, but both of you will also have our fullback overlapping giving you the chance to cut inside and get shots in. Look to supply Costa with chances and also provide yourselves with chances. Link up with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya, and capitalise on the space Costa's presence will create for you. Without the ball I expect you two to track back and assist your fullback.
Costa - you will be expected to occupy the Cambuur centrebacks, hold up possession and look to turn the defender and shoot. Be strong in the air and look for your teammates trying to pick you out from deep. Shoot on sight. Stay on the last defender's shoulder for any passes in behind. Look to hold up possession on occasion to feed the AM's.
------------------
Subs 70 mins:
If winning: Yaya off, Samper on. Samper to drop alongside De Rossi and Khedira in a 4-5-1 as we shut up shop. Florenzi moves to RM with Perisic at LM, absorb pressure and hit on the break.
If drawing: Khedira and Perisic off, Munir and Januzaj on. Change to a 4-1-3-2, De Rossi the sitting CM, look to push for the winner without overcommitting. Yaya at AM with Florenzi RW and Januzaj LW, more space for Aurier and Coentrao to get forward, Costa and Munir the front two.
If losing: Khedira and Fonte off, Januzaj and Munir on. Switch to 3-1-4-2, Aurier - Pepe - Coentrao the back three, De Rossi the deep playmaker, Florenzi - Yaya - Perisic - Januzaj behind a front two of Munir and Costa. Push for goals in this "must not lose" game.
posted on 16/7/15
------------------Lloris---------
Bellerin—Zouma—Laporte—Gibbs
-----------Carvajal---Rafinha--------
Carrillo-------Quintero--------Depay
------------------Suarez-----------------
Subs: Fabianski, Nastatic, Bolasie, Milik, Luis Adriano
Today is an opportunity to lay down a big marker for next season with the probable champions as big a scalp as they come. Who knows, we might have a deciding factor in the title race? I think we will be hugely lifted by the huge signing of Suarez made last week and he will be integral to everything we do. We will look to press all over the pitch – right from the front line and Suarez will set the tone. When in possession he will be the focal point for all of our attacks too! He will be on his toes the whole time, keeping the defenders on their toes, looking to get the ball and create for the 3 players behind him who will naturally run beyond him. The balance of the 4 will be perfect, with Suarez being the one to bring them all together. His ability to finish all sorts of chances will be crucial too. I honestly can’t see the slow Italian Tino FC line up being able to defend against the worlds best CF and 3 pacey, adventurous players who he will bring to another level, behind him.
C: Suarez
VC: Suarez
Corners: Suarez
FKs: Suarez
Penalties: Gibbs
Core instructions for each player can be taken from last weeks tactics
‘Give it to bloody Suarez!’
posted on 16/7/15
You already lost
posted on 16/7/15
No, he's just late - I say we allow them
posted on 16/7/15
I also want them in
posted on 16/7/15
But Suarez is a great acquisition
posted on 16/7/15
You've won the league anyhow Tino
posted on 16/7/15
yer but this affects my weekly budget
posted on 16/7/15
but you said you wanted them in I just copied you
posted on 16/7/15
I do want them in
what I meant was lets have the game played..so I can see if I add 1.5m or 2m
posted on 22/7/15
Cup Final
SHAKHTAR SENSELESS v Little Horse
--------------Weidenfeller
Aurier - Pepe - Subotic - Coentrao
----------De Rossi - Khedira
-----------------Y.Toure
-Florenzi ------------------- Perisic
-----------------D.Costa
Subs: Muniesa, Vermaelen, Illarramendi, Januzaj, Origi
-----------------
This is it, the cup final. No extra motivation required, we go into the game as underdogs against a star studded Little Horse side, but we have a definite power advantage so that will be our aim today, to get stuck into the Little Horse side and bully them out of this final. They have a lot of technically gifted players but are lacking a backbone. We have a much more solid spine than they have, even including a much stronger pair of CB's than they do. Part of the plan is that Varane will struggle against Diego Costa, but Aguero will not have the same amount of joy he would normally get when Pepe and Subotic are on him. We are going to use our power advantages to win the cup.
We need to get at them with Yaya in the middle being his rampaging best with no real defensive responsibility. Florenzi, Perisic and Costa alongside Yaya are our attack today. De Rossi and Khedira have the responsibility in midfield but both have the temperament to cope with the pressure in this game today.
Like last week this game is about controlling the tempo and giving us the best chance of winning. They have some world class players in their side although we have some world class players of our own to hurt them and cause them real problems. Our front three with assistance from the fullbacks should create plenty of chances, and in midfield we have a trio who can dictate the game in De Rossi, Khedira and Yaya, we can control the possession and the flow of the game. Florenzi at RW with Perisic at LW but both able to cut inside and get at the Little Horse defence with Aurier/Coentrao overlapping. Diego Costa upfront will give us a physical presence and somebody who is able to hold up possession as well as create chances for himself and his teammates.
Weidenfeller - Distribute from the back to the fullbacks/CM's, stay in communication with your defence throughout, be wary of long range efforts and ensure you stay big for any one on ones. On occasion go long for Costa.
Pepe/Subotic - Subotic to mark Aguero, force him high up the pitch thus limiting his impact close to goal, and Pepe to be the spare man, be first to the second ball and their second striker/AM making runs from midfield. When in possession bring the ball out of defence and use the midfielders ahead of you to help us play out from the back. Both of you go forward for setpieces.
Aurier/Coentrao - Both of you to force the Little Horse wingers out wide, do not allow them to come inside as this will cause more problems for our midfield. They will want to cut inside so force them outside and block their crosses at source. They will try to create problems infield so its vital you only show them down the wing. If they play a diamond with no wingers you will need to form a narrow back four with the CB's and leave no spaces in behind. When we have possession, push forward and support Florenzi/Perisic as they will try to run inside the fullback and you will provide the overlap to either create space or supply crosses into the area for Costa and link with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya. You will need to track back very quickly to ensure we don't get caught on the break.
De Rossi/Khedira - De Rossi as the defensive midfielder, able to assist the defenders in dealing with the Little Horse attack but isn't just someone who can break up play, I want you to win possession then immediately look to retain possession with Khedira and Yaya, also look for Florenzi, Perisic or Costa making runs. Khedira is playing the box to box role, assist the CB's and De Rossi in dealing with the Little Horse attack when we don't have the ball, if they play an AM stay on him, but don't follow if he drifts wide. Be first to any loose balls, in possession look for the attackers and pass rather than bring the ball out.
Yaya Toure - Yaya to burst forward to join the front three as our AM, look to receive the ball and run at the Little Horse defence, bring the ball to create space for others and look for the runs of Florenzi/Perisic/Costa. Shoot if you get into position, also force the Little Horse defenders to foul you when you're attacking as you're lethal from setpieces. Schneiderlin isn't a natural DM so will struggle to handle you running at him.
Florenzi/Perisic - Both playing out wide and both have the pace and trickery to beat the Little Horse fullbacks and get crosses in, but both of you will also have our fullback overlapping giving you the chance to cut inside and get shots in. Look to supply Costa with chances and also provide yourselves with chances. Link up with De Rossi/Khedira/Yaya, and capitalise on the space Costa's presence will create for you. Without the ball I expect you two to track back and assist your fullback.
Costa - you will be expected to occupy the Little Horse centrebacks, hold up possession and look to turn the defender and shoot. Be strong in the air and look for your teammates trying to pick you out from deep. Shoot on sight. Stay on the last defender's shoulder for any passes in behind. Look to hold up possession on occasion to feed the AM's.
------------------
Subs 70 mins:
If winning: Yaya off, Illarramendi on. Illarramendi to drop alongside De Rossi and Khedira in a 4-5-1 as we shut up shop. Florenzi moves to RM with Perisic at LM, absorb pressure and hit on the break.
If drawing: Khedira and Perisic off, Origi and Januzaj on. Change to a 4-1-3-2, De Rossi the sitting CM, look to push for the winner without overcommitting. Yaya at AM with Florenzi RW and Januzaj LW, more space for Aurier and Coentrao to get forward, Costa and Origi the front two, enough power to destroy their CB's.
If losing: Khedira and Pepe off, Origi and Januzaj on. Switch to 3-1-4-2, Aurier - Subotic - Coentrao the back three, De Rossi the deep playmaker, Florenzi - Yaya - Perisic - Januzaj behind a front two of Origi and Costa. Push for goals in this "must not lose" game.
posted on 22/7/15
I emailed mine, but just for transparency...
Cup final tactics
-------------------------------Forster------------------------------------
----------------Varane----------------------Rugani--------------------
Alves-------------------------Ginter-----------------------Rodriguez
------------------Rakitic--------------Schneiderlin--------------------
------------Muller----------------------------------Isco-----------------
--------------------------------Aguero------------------------------------
Subs - Horn, Trippier, Kramer, Draxler, Alcacer
General -
Possession football based on quality and quantity in the middle, and width from two WBs. Defensive we have a high energy midfield who will press giving us time to retake defensive stations, and a high line to counter the physicality of Costa.
We have come here to control the game. I believe Marky will go for three in the middle, I believe that had I matched him, my midfield would still dictate the tempo and nature of the game. As it is, I've decided to pack the middle of the park, so not only do we have the edge in terms of quality, but we also beat him with quantity too.
Like I say, we've come here to get on the ball and dominate possession. By holding onto the ball, we can take control of the game, and make sure it pans out in the best way for us, and leaves Marky's tactics largely redundant. A narrow midfield, bolstered by two of the best wing-backs the modern game has to offer, and quite simply the best striker in the game at the moment means we should boss the game. It's essentially a possess and press system. If we have the ball, great, we can work it around our midfield, using our numerical advantage to make this process easy for ourselves. If we lose the ball, we need to have a period of concerted pressing, which is something my entire midfield is fantastic at, to either win the ball back immediately, or to force Marky's side into a backwards, conservative, pass, allowing our advanced wing-backs to drop deep and retake their defensive stance.
Interestingly, Marky tends to want his teams to "control the tempo" of the game, I feel that this is a tactic he'll stick with in this match. My numbers and quality will ensure that this gameplan is massively disrupted, causing mayhem in Senseless's ranks. If we have the ball, and absolutely dominate the game, which I believe we will, Marky's whole tactical analysis is rendered useless.
So, in essence, we'll be playing like Pep's Bayern do, power in possession, moving the ball well, but a solid, defensive tactic when we do lose it.
Defence -
Marky's danger man up top is obviously Costa. My CBs were criticised earlier in the season for being unable to cope with the 50 year old's physicality, so to combat that we've come up with a new plan.
First and foremost, the defence will hold a high line. Costa is brilliant when the ball is delivered from out wide into the box, less so when it's to his feet and he's away from the penalty box. Varane and Rugani can both beat Costa in a footrace, so this highline eliminates his most dangerous elements and replaces it with something which is inherently more controllable.
However, even then, attackers may break down the wing against our will - luckily for us, our wingbacks today are incredibly fast so should be able to recover. This recovery doesn't necessarily have to win the ball back or get a block in, it mainly needs to put the opposition wingers under so much pressure that they cannot take time to deliver a perfect cross in - They'll be limited to hit and hopes rather than targeted crosses.
At this point, Forster, the man mountain, will be out claiming crosses - He'll look to punch rather than catch (unless the catch is uncontested), this will give him an easier job on dealing with the wide balls. Varane and Rugani will get between Costa and the goal, they need to keep easing him out from the crosses, making sure that Forster has a clear run at the ball.
Like I say, I believe this tactic deals with Costa's strengths, and forces him to attempt elements of the game that he is weaker in.
In terms of attacking, both WBs should be looking to get forward, this allows Muller and Isco to operate centrally. Both of them possess a wicked cross, and creativity in abundance, so by going forward, they really play to their own games. You might think this leaves me vulnerable at the back! Well! Think again! Firstly, Ginter is playing a loose DM/CB role today - Much like many modern day teams do - When the WBs break forward, he drops deeper, and Varane and Rugani spread a little, this covers us in case of a break. Secondly, if the WBs get forward, and we lose the ball, the midfield and attackers will press, they immediately force Senseless to look back, rather than forward. This gives Alves and Rodriguez (both quick players) time to return to their defensive posts.
Again, I believe Marky will look to 'control' the game, to do this his team will be looking to play short passes - Not the long balls which could cause us difficulty because it would turn us before we have a chance to retake our defensive stance.
Midfield -
Ginter, when we are in possession of the ball, will sit deep anyway. He's our recycle outlet. If our players run into trouble, they know that he will always be back, ready to pick up the ball, and maintain our control of the game.
The four midfielders in front of him are perfect for this system - They aren't just big names for the sake of big names. I'll start with our own game, which is all about keeping hold of possession, moving it forward in a controlled manner, and getting Senseless chasing the game, tiring, and out of position.
All four players are fantastic on the ball - Technically they are all astute, passing wise they are some of the best in the world. Rakitic is the heir to Xavi's throne, Isco the heir to Iniesta's, Schneiderlin to Carrick and Muller is just Muller. These four players, playing against a midfield that is expected to by Yaya, Khedira and De Rossi should have a field day. All four are better in possession (although De Rossi might have a shout in that, maybe) and they have the numerical advantage - This is exacerbated by Yaya's decline in the last season or two, which sees him as a formidable attacker, but a lazy defender.
Essentially, I feel that my four, with the help of Ginter, a well advanced defence, two fantastic WBs in advanced positions, and Aguero, a great technical player up top, will be simply too good for Senseless to compete with. We will control the middle of the park, and with it, the game.
Eventually, this possession will tire out Senseless (again, outnumbered, and lazy) and pull them out of position - at which point our attackers can move into the space and strike.
When, shock horror, we do lose the ball, all four of the above players need to press, Aguero will to. This is part of their natural game. Taking them one by one... Rakitic, again, heir to Xavi, he's shown that he's adapted to the Barca way which is a facsimile of how we're setting out today. Schneiderlin, regularly tops charts for tackles, interceptions and defensive contributions in the PL, added in is his engine to get up and down, in their faces, all day. Muller, again works tirelessly, a brilliant engine, and has taken to Pep's system immaculately. Isco is a strange one, before last season, I wouldn't have thought he could hack this system of pass and press, but he's shown that in a central role, his defensive abilities are really quite good.
Without trying to bang on about it, this pressing will allow the WBs, who have advanced forward to provide yet more options to the passing whirlwind we're setting out to create, to return to their defensive bunks before Senseless can even consider launching and attack.
To conclude the midfield section, I feel they fit perfectly into the style I am trying to instil in them today. They have the offensive qualities to control a game, and keep the ball moving intelligently, all aimed at getting forward whilst running Senseless ragged, but importantly they also have the attributes to make a success of their defensive duties too.
Forwards -
Aguero What really needs to be said?!
Well, for staters, Aguero will look to be playing right off the shoulder. His pace in behind will force Senseless to sit deep - creating a gap between their defence and midfield which furthers out cause of controlling the centre of the pitch and thus the game - or risk letting the deadliest striker in the world in behind them for plenty of one-on-ones.
In playing like this, Aguero will take three, potentially four (depending on how tightly Marky controls his FBs today), defenders out the game all on his own.
As we gain control, and start to press the advantage, our midfielders will naturally keep moving up the pitch, each pass bringing them closer and closer into the dangerzone. When we get close enough, Isco and Muller will engage their defenders, going close, pulling off for pass - In the process dragging defenders out of position, Aguero can then exploit these gaps which will constantly open up. With Rakitic, Schneiderlin, Muller and Isco pulling the strings from slightly deeper, there's no way Aguero (and other forwards moving into advanced positions) won't be found time and time again, the midfielders are just too good, and will have the space and time (again, quantity and quality of midfielders swamping Marky's lot) to really pick their passes.
Defensively, Aguero needs to press. He's a tenacious engine. Constantly on the move, one of the best offensive pressers I've seen.
Substitutes -
Winning - 70 - Isco off Kramer on. Kramer is a world cup winner, and a world cup final starter. It's merely that he's too defensive that he failed to make this line up today. But when we've got a lead to defend, he'll come on and help us see out the game. Rakitic moves forward and takes Isco's offensive berth, Kramer, Schneiderlin and Ginter all offer a veritable brick wall of a midfield in terms of defence. This will be more than enough to see out the game.
Losing/Drawing - 70 - Draxler on for Ginter. 4-2-3-1. Draxler to LW, Muller to RW, Isco at No.10. Start to target the fullbacks who haven't really had wingers to deal with this game, hopefully this sudden change in tempo will catch them unawares and batter our way back into the game.
Losing - 80 - Schneiderlin off for Alcacer - Alcacer with a debut on cup final day! Can he be the hero?! Rakitic and Isco in a very offensive CM pairing - But remember, Marky's team must be getting exhausted now - Alcacer and Aguero up top gives us pace and guile in abundance. With the FBs being targeted, and the CBs now up against two top quality strikers, will Senseles be able to withstand the last 10 minutes of the final?
Other Factors -
Penalties - If the game goes to the wire, our penalty takers are, in order - Muller, Aguero, Rakitic, Draxler, Rodriguez, Alcacer, Isco, Schneiderlin.
Freekicks - When set for a left footer, Rodriguez - One of the sweetest FK takers in the world. When set for a right footer, Rakitic - Same as Rodriguez - I really think set pieces could be a key strength to my team.
Captain - Rakitic - A model professional. Cool, calm, experienced, and quality. He'll lead by example.
posted on 4/5/16
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