If you recall the all-time draft from last time this will be quite familiar. We picked from an assortment of players, constructed a team and now we're going head to head. The only restriction was that each player must have at least 10 Champions League appearances, obviously heading towards a more modern theme. Apps in its old format (European Cup) did not count. Once again, the games will run for three days each and in that time you pick whoever you perceive to have the better side overall.

 

If the mods could please leave this thread in the general forum, it will only be temporary and anyone who has no interest can simply move along.

 

Team Maksimov:

 

 

Subs:

Litmanen

Popescu

 

No tactics posted.

 

 

 

 

Team Teritus:

 

 

Tactics:

A balanced and cohesive 4-2-3-1 provides the perfect platform for the considerable quality on display to showcase their collective ability.

In defense, there is an abundance of strength, aggression and awareness. The Kohler-Ayala partnership is one of the strongest in the draft, and, despite Ayala’s short stature he had an excellent jump, and between them they will have enough aerial ability to dominate Maksimov’s strike pair. Kohler is amongst the top five man-markers ever and has quietened the likes of van Basten before; he should have little trouble here. The full backs are complementary too; Thuram, perhaps the greatest defensive full back of all time, is the disciplined, hold-his-ground sort of the pair while the more proactive Sergi will use his attacking instincts and endless stamina to maraud down the line. No soft targets here - all four had supreme mental strength, stamina and aggression and will take some getting past.

 

The quality, energy and synergy of the midfield should provide a platform to win the game. Zidane, Redondo and Keane are all amongst the best midfield passers in the draft and there's a fantastic complementarity between them with Rivaldo and Keane (the best all-action midfielder since Matthaus) to get a grip of the game. There’s a great variety of passing there too; the metronomic passing of Keane, the incisive balls forward from Redondo to combine with the inch-perfect, penetrative through balls from Zidane.

 

Keane and Redondo form the base of an energetic, hard working midfield. Their tireless running, energy and tackling will be more than enough to compensate for Zidane, who isn’t as hard working and free him up to influence things further up the pitch. Keane will play a classic box-to-box role and will contribute going forward as well. Redondo will hold a more disciplined position, pulling the strings from deep, to complement Keane’s dynamism. They will establish midfield control and provide a base from which Zidane can influence the game and exhibit his passing range. Zidane will go about his regular no. 10 duties, dictating the play from there, using his superb close control to almost gallop past players, while providing exquisite passes and getting in the box to score himself.

 

Maskimov's defense will also have to deal with the collective threat of Rivaldo, Giggs and Romario. A trio who combine creativity with productivity like few others. The interplay between the front three will be orgasmic. Giggs will isolate Ferrer on one-on-one battles and, as fine a full-back as the Spaniard was, that's one hell of an ask to deal with a peak Giggs especially when marooned with a lack of midfield support. On the other side it would be suicidal to leave Rivaldo with space, but he, the energetic, robust Keane, and the equally energetic and flank-dominating  Sergi will provide plenty of support. While Giggs will mainly be holding his width, relishing the opportunity to beat his full back, Rivaldo will primarily be cutting in, looking to shoot with his favoured left foot or link up with Romario while Zidane knits it all together. There’s just no way that Maks’ defense will handle that kind of onslaught.

 

Up front, Romario is the perfect player to finish those chances that the trio will inevitably create for him.  Lightning quick acceleration, deceptively good dribbling, clinical finishing, terrific reactions and an outstanding eye for a run in, he was a nightmare for any defender that he came up against. I’ve mentioned before that he would not work as a lone striker, but here he has the right support, creativity and link-up play behind him to make it work.

 

Key Tactical Issues:

Lack of midfield control

Cannot stress this enough. This is where my team will take advantage and go on to win. Defensively Laudrup is contributing very little,  De Rossi is doing all the midfield work on his own purely to provide a platform for Laudrup. Contrast that with my trio of Redondo-Keane-Zidane which is a much more collaborative effort who are comfortable in (almost) all facets of midfield play, and you can see my midfield has the upper-hand. Thus my midfield is in control of the game and providing a consistent supply of top-quality passing to my perfectly-balanced front three, and the goals will surely flow.

 

Regardless of the fact that I win in midfield purely on numbers (2v3), Maksimov expects De Rossi to anchor his team, provide an out ball and take on the entire defensive burden himself? Maka himself couldn’t do that without the right support. Laudrup will push up leaving an isolated De Rossi to take on one of the most competitive, dominant, well-rounded midfield pairings in the draft.

 

Zidane was a crucial player in a France side that won a Euro and a World Cup while finishing runner up in another. Keane was the heartbeat of a team that won 7 Premier Leagues, 4 FA cups and a Champions League in 10 years. Redondo was the brains behind a Madrid team that won two Champions Leagues and two La Ligas in six years.

Does his midfield really compare to that? Laudrup certainly does, but his sole holding player in De Rossi does not, so he’s getting dominated.

 

CB pairing

This is a relatively minor point but one that I’d do just as well to bring up. Leboeuf and Hierro were both classy operators but I fear that they will both be rather similar players in his back line. Hierro’s distinct lack of pace in particular will be worrying against Romario, who needs only one chance to bury it away. One could argue that Hierro’s best position is in midfield where his superb long range passing and vision is best put to use.

 

PLAYER PROFILES

Claudio Taffarel

Almost flawless at three World Cups for Brazil as he racked up 101 caps for the Selecao. Expert at pulling off big saves when it mattered most, see his penalty shoot-out stops against Holland (1998 World Cup Semi-Final) and Italy (1994 World Cup Final), his fantastic save from a Thierry Henry header in the UEFA Cup Final or even this save-of-the-tournament in the last minute of the group stages against Scotland.

 

Lilian Thuram

Completing this impenetrable defence, Thuram is one of the greatest defensive fullbacks to play the game. The most expensive defender in the world and France’s most capped player with whom he won the World Cup and European Championship. Physically unconquerable and mentally robust with a steely character, Thuram was consistent in his excellence. One of the game’s true modern greats.

 

Jurgen Kohler

One of the greatest man markers of all time. Has won league titles with Bayern, Juventus and Dortmund. Also has a CL and World Cup medal to his name. He was strong as an ox and unbeatable in the air. Think Terry on steroids.

 

Roberto Ayala

Regarded as one of the best central defenders of his generation, Ayala captained the Argentine national team for more matches (63) than anyone. He played in three World Cups and made a total 115 international appearances, with only Javier Zanetti getting more caps for Argentina. A brilliant reader of the game, his spectacular leap more than made up for his small frame.

 

Sergi Barjuan

A stalwart of the great Barca side in the 90s, Sergi was a reliable and solid full back who needed no invitation to overlap and join the attack, which is exactly what he will be doing here with Giggs.

 

Roy Keane

His outstanding leadership qualities and incredible will to win go without saying, but he was also the team’s playmaker for roughly a decade with his metronomic passing and wonderful “footballing brain†at the heart of Manchester United’s remarkable level of success.

 

Fernando Redondo

The Argentine is a three times Champions League winner, and one of the best holding midfielders of all-time. A recipient of the Golden Ball in the FIFA Confederations Cup 1992, he could perform in either a defensive or creative midfield role. Fabio Capello once said he was “a tactically perfect player.†In 2013, he was named by McManaman in the Best Foreign Eleven in Real Madrid's history. Wonderfully technically gifted and defensively astute, his composed, cultured style serves as the perfect foil for the more swashbuckling Keane.

 

Rivaldo

Between Maradona and Messi, nobody bettered the peak that Rivaldo achieved with Barcelona and Brazil (Ronaldinho and Ronaldo hit similar zeniths). Possessor of one of the greatest and most multi-faceted left-feet the game has ever seen, he was a scintillating and talismanic match-winner between 1998 and 2002. His hat-trick against Valencia on the last day of the 2000/01 season remains one of, if not the greatest performance in the history of the game.

 

Zinedine Zidane

Words cannot really describe this player and he has gone down as one of the most unique talents we have ever seen. The roll call of honours for club, country and individually is too great to list. Played for Juventus and Real Madrid where he was particularly renowned for that great goal in the 2002 Champions League Final. 108 caps for France and will go down as probably their greatest ever player alongside Platini and Kopa.

 

Ryan Giggs

The man’s a genius. Is there a right back he’s come up against that he hasn’t torn to pieces at least once? Famed for his unique style of dribbling, wonderful balance and searing pace, he also possessed a deceptively acute eye for the killer ball and a fantastic first touch. In fact I’d go as far as saying that Giggs has had the best first touch of anyone we’ve seen under Ferguson’s reign at United.

 

Romario

Easily the most devastating penalty-box striker since Muller, his low centre of gravity, ability to turn on a six-pence and blistering acceleration ensured no defender could live with him.

 

 

 

Subs:

Steve McManaman

Not a very popular figure, but McManaman was a really important player for Liverpool and Real Madrid in his peak. As the phrase went "Stop Macca, Stop Liverpool", it showed how he was the star player in the team, also often dubbed as a right-sided twin of Giggs. A very versatile player who could play anywhere behind the striker, he was a great dribbler and a very neat passer. Bagged the man of the match award in the Champions League final as well.

 

Christian Vieri

Built like an ox. At his peak, Bobo had pace and power and was almost unplayable. He holds the record for most headed goals scored in Serie A history. He will be a great backup sub should things not go to plan.

 

 

 

 

Anyone at all?

Maksimov's argument was convincing and I had to give his points a lot of thought, but I'll have to go with Teritus for this one...

 

I can only hope that my opponent comes to the party unprepared, the strategy I have up to this point devised basically consists of shouting; 'look, Milan, vote!'

It's quite alright, Maksimov's secret fan has finally come to the fore!

I can;t remember, Teritus, is anyone allowed to vote, or just the participants?

 

Mind you, I am dkw's sleeping partner!

Anyone can vote, it's why I put it here in general.

Edited August 14, 201312 yr by Teritus

I'm going to give Maksimov a little time to post his tactics before I make this crucial decision.

Very well, but the games only go three days long.

Very well, but the games only go three days long.

 

 

So I have one more day?

Two more.

I'm a bit late but that's the three days gone. Congratulations to Maks for participating.

 

I was little disheartened at the interest (or lack, thereof) in this. 180 views, only ten votes and fewer still comments. I was hoping someone could make an argument for Maks' side. All's well that ends well I suppose, but it's not so far-fetched to think that just one person from the many thousand who frequent the site could raise up any tactical issues, debating points or any questions at all regarding the game. I'm not even sure if any of the other draft participants voted.

 

I'll prepare the next game as soon as possible.

Edited August 16, 201312 yr by Teritus

Oh bugger, doesn't time fly!  I was going to vote for you, Teritus, since Maksimov hadn't been persuasive enough!

 

In my defence I've had a horrid throat infection and have been feeling very poorly!