Tactics

VILLA vs Chelsea

------------------------------------De Gea-------------
Doherty-----------Kabak------------Chiellini-----------Max
----------------------Soumare----------Adams------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pepe------------------------------Brahim---------------------------Son
--------------------------------------Piatek-----------------------------------

Subs - McCarthy, Milenkovic, Guerreiro, Moura, Berardi, Wilson, Morata

Playing the 4231 formation which is a nicely balanced formation. The tactic will be to use our pacy wingers to attack down the wings and create chances from there.

DEFENCE
De Gea will command the area when there's any high balks into the box. Punch the ball away if you can't catch it and play the ball out quickly to hit the oppo on the counter. Kabak and Chiellini are 2 tall and powerful heads in the centre of defence. Look to use all your knowledge to shut the oppo attack down. Chiellini to mark main striker and Kabak to mark any other runners. Doherty and Max will look to make sure they don't get beaten by the oppo wingers. Be vary of what the oppo winger likes to do aka if they like to cut in onto their stronger foot etc and try and stop them from doing that. Soumare will help you double up against the oppo wingers aswell. Soumare will be on ultra defensive mode. No attacking whatsoever.

ATTACK
Adams will be playing the B2B role today. He will look to use his high energy to help out in both attack and defence. Make runs from deep and get forward whenever you can. When the oppo are attacking just come deep and sit next to Soumare in the middle.
Pepe will look to cut in onto his stronger left foot and I want him to shoot from distance if he sees a chance to. When not in possession of the ball I want him to stick close to the oppo fullbacks and look to beat the offside trap. Likewise with Brahim. Brahim will be the playmaker in the final third and will look to use his expert dribbling ability to create chances for our team. Play quick passes and keep moving so the oppo find it hard to mark you. Piatek will be the main goal threat for the team. He is very dangerous in the air and I want him to use his aerial abillity to score headers for us. I want our fullbacks to whip some great deliveries into the box for him. He's also a threat in the 6 yard area and I want him to use his attacking prowess to get in front of the oppo defenders to find space to get a shot in goal.

Subs if LOSING BY 70MINS
Change formation to 41212
Berardi on Pepe off.
Wilson on Adams off
Moura on Son off

Subs if DRAWING BY 70 MINS
Guerrero on Adams off
Berardi on Pepe off
Wilson on Brahim off

Subs if WINNING by 70 MINS
Take off Brahim and put in Guerrero in CM and change formation to 451

BRUM vs wolves

-------------------------------------Lafont-----------------------
Pereira----------R Dias----------------Sanchez---------Chilwell
-------------------Doucoure---------------Nkunku-------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarr------------------------------------------------------------Richarlison
---------------------------------Lo Celso------------------------------------
-----------------------------------Haller-------------------------------------

Subs - Lunin, Diop, Paredes, Kessie, Hazard, Zaha, Dembele

CAPTAIN - SANCHEZ
CK'S - LO CELSO
FK'S - LO CELSO
PENALTIES - HALLER

I want us to hold a deep defensive line to start of with so the oppo don't get an early goal. Keep things simple in the beginning and only pressure the oppo when they get in our half. When we have the ball I want the team to play pass and move football. Don't stay static, try and get in behind the oppo defence as there is a lot of pace in our attacking players. As the game goes on, when we don't have the ball I want the team to defend from the front line and pressure the oppo and try and win possession back. Do this in fits and bursts as it is a tiring tactic.

Defence
Lafont is a quality young keeper. Don't take risks. Punch the ball away if the shot is too powerful. Command your area. The defence is well balanced. Dias and Sanchez bring a whole lot of experience and pace to the defence. Sanchez will use his experience to marshal the defence and Dias will look to use his pace to close the oppo strikers down. Stay vocal with each other and cover for each other if oppo gets past one of you. Full backs will start of with a conservative mind set and not attack too much but as the game goes on I want them to make overlapping runs and get some crosses in to the box. Nkunku will be covering for them when they go attacking.

Defence Mids
Nkunku + Doucoure
Nkunku will be the anchor in the middle. Stay back in front of the defence and protect the defence with your life. If the oppo play an AM then stick close to him and mark him if possible. When our fullbacks are attacking then your main priority will be to cover for them. When in possession pass the ball out to the wings or play a through ball from deep to our wingers.
Doucoure will look to pick the ball up from deep and use his pace and energy to dribble the ball out. Make runs forward and help our attacking players whenever you can. Play quick passes forward and use your strength to outmuscle the oppo players. When not in possession of the ball I want him to sit alongside Nkunku in the middle and protect the defence.

Wingers
Sarr + Richarlison
These 2 will be the focal point of my attack. I want to give them the freedom to express themselves in attack. Richarlison will be looking to cut in from the left and Sarr will be looking to go on the outside and get to the byline to whip balls into the box. I want you both to try and beat the oppo fullbacks with your pace and dribbling ability but don't try too hard as if you see them doubling up on you you can either pass back or into the centre of the pitch to one of our CM's. I want you both to be aware of our fullbacks and play pass and move 1 2's with them to try and penetrate the oppo back line. Pereira and Chilwell are no slouches attacking wise so use them! If you can cut in onto your stronger foot, don't be afraid to shoot from range as you both have the ability to score from long range. If there is no space to do so then take the ball to the byline and whip in crosses for Haller to get his head on. When we are defending corners I want both of them to stay near the halfway line so we can hit the oppo on the counter attack.

Attack Mid
Lo Celso
Lo Celso will be playing just behind Haller and will look to help him out in attack. Be ready for passes into your feet and shoot if you see an opportunity. Mix up your attacking runs to throw off the oppo DM. I want him to dribble with the ball and play 1 2's with the rest of the team. Shoot if you see an opening.

Striker
Haller
Haller will look to use his strength to get the better of the oppo defence. Be vary of crosses into the box as you are decent in the air, and if you are through on goal, use your expert finishing to score. Time your runs off the shoulders of the oppo CB's and hold the ball up for Richarlison/Sarr to make infield runs ahead of you.

Subs if LOSING BY 65MINS
Put on Dembele for Nkunku and Zaha for Lo Celso to bring some more attacking impetus on. Play a high line and try and get a goal. Change formation to 41212.

------------------------------------Lafont--------------------------------
Pereira------------R Dias---------------Sanchez------------Chilwell
----------------------------------Doucoure------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarr--------------------------------------------------------------Richarlison
-------------------------------------Zaha-------------------------------
---------------------------Haller-----------Dembele------------------------


Subs if WINNING BY 80MINS
Take off Lo Celso and put on Diop in CB. Play defensive with everyone in our own half defending for their lives, waiting to hit the oppo on the counter attack. Hazard on for Richarlison and Paredes for Nkunku to add a bit more energy into the midfield.

------------------------------------Lafont--------------------------------
Pereira------Diop------Sanchez------R Dias-------Chilwell
-------------------------Paredes--------Doucoure----------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------Sarr-------------------------------------------Hazard---------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------Haller---------------------------------------

Subs if DRAWING BY 65MINS
Hazard on for Richarlison
Zaha on for Lo Celso
Dembele on for Haller
Fresh legs to bring on.

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

---------------------- Courtois ------------------
Cancelo --- Koulibaly --- Skriniar –--- Junior
---------- Fernandinho --- Eriksen ------------
O.Dembele ---------- Isco --------- M.Asensio
--------------------- M.Icardi -------------------

Subs:
Etheridge, Manolas, Partey, Arthur, M.Diaby, Martial, Benzema

Captain: Koulibaly
Free Kicks: Eriksen
Penalties: Icardi
Corners: Wingers

Final game of the season and the lads are raring to go as we look to end the season on a high by retaining the FA Cup. We make a few tweaks from the victorious midweek side as we bring in some fresh legs to create new problems for the opposition, whilst we also looking to strengthen defensively to limit the problems caused by the oppositions attack in the EL Final.

As always moving the ball at speed will be the focus of our play as we go with an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. It was noted from the EL final that they looked to cause problems down the flanks and Haller in particular was a real nuisance due to his height and physicality in the middle. We counter this by going with what we feel is our strongest defence with Skriniar and the pacy Junior Firpo both returning the starting lineup. We feel that the added mobility that these two bring will make it easier for us to combat their attack.

If they play Haller up top then we put Koulibaly on him to shut him down. Stick tight and don’t let him have any space, Koulibaly has the height, strength and pace to go toe to toe with the big CF and we feel he is the ideal player to blunt their attack. We suspect however, that they may mix things up and potentially play two up top, if so then Skriniar will pick up the other CF to keep him quiet. Junior brings added speed to our defence which will be perfect to combat their pace on the flanks.

The focus will be on our central midfield trio, this area of the field we feel we can dominate and one that will be crucial after such a short turnaround from midweek. Fernandinho, Eriksen and Isco will look to dictate the game from the middle, quick sharp passing we make the opposition run and chase the ball all afternoon. The aim being that as the game wears on they will tire after the long trip back from Baku which will open things up for us in attack. Constantly keep the ball moving with our intricate passing, our FB’s and wingers stretching the field, making it as wide as possible.

If the opposition revert to a back three then the extra man we have in CM will mean we overrun them in the middle of the pitch as we look to lay down a marker in our season finale.

Defence:

We go with a strong defensive unit at the back, packed with experience and quality we look to nullify the threat posed by the oppositions attack. We will look to be dominant as we aim to take the sting out of the opposition early on and play on the front foot. Our fullbacks have license to push forward when in possession with both having great quality in the final third. We look to draw the opposition onto us by sitting deep when they are in possession, we feel we can exploit the space they leave behind and hit them on the counter with our pace in attack.

If the opposition play one up top then Koulibaly will mark. Strong, pacy and aggressive we feel he has all the tools to deal with any opponent. Skriniar will offer additional protection behind and pick up the second striker if they go for a front two.

Midfield:

Fernandinho will be our destructive force in the middle of the field. A top class DM, we rely on his fantastic reading of the game to break up the opposition play, winning back possession and setting us up on the counter as we look to get the ball into our creative players as quickly as possible. If the opposition play with an AM then Fernandinho will sit on him as we look to stifle their creativity by eliminating one of their main creative hubs. Alongside him we have the creative maestro Eriksen, picking the ball up from deep and driving forward he will look to open up our opponents as he has license to push forward whilst Fernandinho sits. At all times he will be looking for that killer through ball in behind the defence for the run of Icardi to finish.

Completing our midfield trio we have the majestic Isco. He plays in the AM role and has free roam to pull the opposition apart. A technical genius we will consistently look to get the ball into him in an advanced position in the final third. Capable of operating in tight spaces he has fantastic close control which will be key in opening the oppositions tight defence. He will also have Eriksen pushing forward alongside forming a deadly duo in the centre of the park. We play at speed, quick one two passes as we look to cut the opposition apart in the final third. We embrace his creativity and encourage him to shoot from distance should the opportunity arise.

Forwards:

Icardi comes in for Jovic as he looks to lay down a marker to prove he is top dog. Alongside him with have the pacy Dembele and Asensio who will both be looking to get on the scoresheet, they will vary their runs, constantly keep the opposition guessing by cutting infield and going for goal, whilst in the next phase of play driving down the line and whipping in a low ball for Icardi to tap home. This variation in play will make it almost impossible for our opponents to second guess our approach, making it increasingly difficult for them to stop our attacks. Icardi plays through the middle, with the number 9 spot up for grabs and with Jovic scoring in midweek he will be going all out for goals to cement his spot in the starting line up next season. He will do what he does best, get himself into the box and finish any chances that fall his way.

Subs;

If winning:
70 mins: Eriksen off, Partey on. Dual DMs offering additional protection.
80 mins: Dembele off, Manolas on. 5-4-1 shut up shop time as we tighten up with a solid defensive unit as we see the game out.

If drawing:
60 mins: Fernandinho off, Arthur on.
70 mins: Dembele off, Martial on.
80 mins: Isco off, Benzema on. We move to 4-2-2-2, Asensio and Martial on the flanks with Icardi and Benzema up top as we go for the winner.

If losing:
60 mins: Fernandinho off, Martial on.
70 mins: Junior off, Benzema on. We revert to 3-4-3 with Icardi, Benzema and Martial up top as we go for goals, goals, goals.

If it goes to Penalties, spot kick takers.

1. Eriksen
2. Asensio
3. Martial
4. Benzema
5. Icardi
6. Arthur
7. Cancelo
8. Skriniar
9. Junior
10. Koulibaly

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

BRUM vs Spurs

-------------------------------------Lafont-----------------------
Henrichs----------R Dias----------------Sanchez---------Chilwell
------------------------------------Doucoure--------------------------------------
-----------------Lo Celso------------------------Kessie-----------------------
-------------------------------------Paqueta----------------------------------------
-------------------------Haller-----------------Rashford--------------------

Subs - Lunin, Diop, Paredes, Neres, Richarlison, Hazard, Dembele

CAPTAIN - SANCHEZ
CK'S - LO CELSO
FK'S - LO CELSO
PENALTIES - HALLER

Going for a change of formation in this match as we have made a couple of signings to get improving our chances of winning the trophy. We are going to be playing the 4312 today as we feel we need to pack the centre of midfield to stop the likes of Eriksen and Isco from dictating play from there as if given too much space they are lethal. Whenever Eriksen has possession of the ball I want Paqueta to stick close to him and hound him as soon as possible. Don't let him look up and have time to pick out forward runs. Isco will be another handful but in Doucoure we have a means of limiting his brilliance which will be explained in the tactics below.

Now as always I want us to hold a deep defensive line to start of with so the oppo don't get an early goal. Keep things simple in the beginning and only pressure the oppo when they get in our half. The main tactic in our attack will be to use Haller to win the aerial duels and to flick the ball forward to Rashford, who can use his pace to get away from the Spurs defence.

Defence
Lafont is a quality young keeper. Don't take risks. Punch the ball away if the shot is too powerful. Command your area. The defence is well balanced. Dias and Sanchez bring a whole lot of experience and pace to the defence. Sanchez will use his experience to marshal the defence and Dias will look to use his pace to close the oppo strikers down. Stay vocal with each other and cover for each other if oppo gets past one of you. Full backs will start of with a conservative mind set and not attack too much but as the game goes on I want them to make overlapping runs and get some crosses in to the box. Doucoure will be covering for them when they go attacking.

Defence Mids
Doucoure
Doucoure will be the anchor in the middle. Stay back in front of the defence and protect the defence with your life. Spurs usually play Isco in AM so we need to stop the ball reaching him. Doucoure will not necessarily man mark Isco more so he will be looking to use his strength and long legs to intercept the ball and stop it reaching him. Whenever another Spurs player has the ball Doucoure will be there in front of Isco to make sure the ball doesn't reach him.
Lo Celso will look to pick the ball up from deep and use his pace and energy to dribble the ball out. Make runs forward and help our attacking players whenever you can. Play quick passes forward and drift on over to the wings from time to time and whip in some crosses into the box for Haller to get onto as you have a great cross on you. When not in possession of the ball I want him to sit alongside Doucoure in the middle and help Henrichs in defensive duties against the Spurs left flank.
Kessie will have a similar role to Lo Celso but his will be more focused on him using his brute strength and power to complement the more technical Lo Celso. He will also help out in defensive duties against the Spurs right flank.

Attack Mid
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta will be playing just behind Haller and Rashford and will be the playmaker to create chances for our forwards. Be ready for passes into your feet and shoot if you see an opportunity. Mix up your attacking runs to throw off the oppo DM. I want him to dribble with the ball and play 1 2's with the rest of the team. Shoot if you see an opening.

Strikers
Haller + Rashford
Haller will look to use his strength to get the better of the oppo defence. Be vary of crosses/long balls into the box as you are very good in the air, and if you are through on goal, use your expert finishing to score. Time your runs off the shoulders of the oppo CB's and hold the ball up for Rashford to make runs ahead of you.
Rashford will look to use his pace to trouble the Spurs defence. He is one of the quickest forwards in the world and with Haller by his side he will get ample opportunities to use that pace. Time your runs off of the Spurs Defenders shoulders and be on the lookout for through balls/flick ons from Haller.

Subs if LOSING BY 65MINS
Put on Richarlison for Kessie and Neres for Lo Celso to bring some more attacking impetus on. Play a high line and try and get a goal. Change formation to 41212.

------------------------------------Lafont--------------------------------
Henrichs------------R Dias---------------Sanchez------------Chilwell
------------------------------------Doucoure------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neres--------------------------------------------------------------Richarlison
-------------------------------------Paqueta-------------------------------
---------------------------Haller--------------Rashford------------------------


Subs if WINNING BY 80MINS
Take off Lo Celso and put on Diop in CB. Play defensive with everyone except Haller in our own half defending for their lives. Paredes on for Paqueta and to add a bit more energy into the midfield. If we win possession from deep I want to hoof it upfield to Haller so he can use his strength to shield the ball and to try and win a foul.

------------------------------------Lafont--------------------------------
Henrichs------Diop------Sanchez------R Dias-------Chilwell
------------Kessie--------Doucoure------Paredes----------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Rashford----------Haller----------------------------------

Subs if DRAWING BY 65MINS
Hazard on for Paqueta
Richarlison on for Rashford
Dembele on for Haller
Fresh legs to bring on.

If the game goes to penalties I want the following kick order

1. Haller
2. Rashford
3 Paqueta
4 Lo Celso
5. Kessie
6 Doucoure
7. Chilwell
8 Henrichs
9 Dias
10 Sanchez
11. Lafont

IGNORE THE ABOVE PLEASE I FORGOT PAREDES WAS INJURED. USE THE ONE BELOW!

BRUM vs Spurs

-------------------------------------Lafont-----------------------
Henrichs----------R Dias----------------Sanchez---------Chilwell
------------------------------------Doucoure--------------------------------------
-----------------Lo Celso------------------------Kessie-----------------------
-------------------------------------Paqueta----------------------------------------
-------------------------Haller-----------------Rashford--------------------

Subs - Lunin, Diop, RLC, Neres, Richarlison, Hazard, Dembele

CAPTAIN - SANCHEZ
CK'S - LO CELSO
FK'S - LO CELSO
PENALTIES - HALLER

Going for a change of formation in this match as we have made a couple of signings to get improving our chances of winning the trophy. We are going to be playing the 4312 today as we feel we need to pack the centre of midfield to stop the likes of Eriksen and Isco from dictating play from there as if given too much space they are lethal. Whenever Eriksen has possession of the ball I want Paqueta to stick close to him and hound him as soon as possible. Don't let him look up and have time to pick out forward runs. Isco will be another handful but in Doucoure we have a means of limiting his brilliance which will be explained in the tactics below.

Now as always I want us to hold a deep defensive line to start of with so the oppo don't get an early goal. Keep things simple in the beginning and only pressure the oppo when they get in our half. The main tactic in our attack will be to use Haller to win the aerial duels and to flick the ball forward to Rashford, who can use his pace to get away from the Spurs defence.

Defence
Lafont is a quality young keeper. Don't take risks. Punch the ball away if the shot is too powerful. Command your area. The defence is well balanced. Dias and Sanchez bring a whole lot of experience and pace to the defence. Sanchez will use his experience to marshal the defence and Dias will look to use his pace to close the oppo strikers down. Stay vocal with each other and cover for each other if oppo gets past one of you. Full backs will start of with a conservative mind set and not attack too much but as the game goes on I want them to make overlapping runs and get some crosses in to the box. Doucoure will be covering for them when they go attacking.

Defence Mids
Doucoure
Doucoure will be the anchor in the middle. Stay back in front of the defence and protect the defence with your life. Spurs usually play Isco in AM so we need to stop the ball reaching him. Doucoure will not necessarily man mark Isco more so he will be looking to use his strength and long legs to intercept the ball and stop it reaching him. Whenever another Spurs player has the ball Doucoure will be there in front of Isco to make sure the ball doesn't reach him.
Lo Celso will look to pick the ball up from deep and use his pace and energy to dribble the ball out. Make runs forward and help our attacking players whenever you can. Play quick passes forward and drift on over to the wings from time to time and whip in some crosses into the box for Haller to get onto as you have a great cross on you. When not in possession of the ball I want him to sit alongside Doucoure in the middle and help Henrichs in defensive duties against the Spurs left flank.
Kessie will have a similar role to Lo Celso but his will be more focused on him using his brute strength and power to complement the more technical Lo Celso. He will also help out in defensive duties against the Spurs right flank.

Attack Mid
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta will be playing just behind Haller and Rashford and will be the playmaker to create chances for our forwards. Be ready for passes into your feet and shoot if you see an opportunity. Mix up your attacking runs to throw off the oppo DM. I want him to dribble with the ball and play 1 2's with the rest of the team. Shoot if you see an opening.

Strikers
Haller + Rashford
Haller will look to use his strength to get the better of the oppo defence. Be vary of crosses/long balls into the box as you are very good in the air, and if you are through on goal, use your expert finishing to score. Time your runs off the shoulders of the oppo CB's and hold the ball up for Rashford to make runs ahead of you.
Rashford will look to use his pace to trouble the Spurs defence. He is one of the quickest forwards in the world and with Haller by his side he will get ample opportunities to use that pace. Time your runs off of the Spurs Defenders shoulders and be on the lookout for through balls/flick ons from Haller.

Subs if LOSING BY 65MINS
Put on Richarlison for Kessie and Neres for Lo Celso to bring some more attacking impetus on. Play a high line and try and get a goal. Change formation to 41212.

------------------------------------Lafont--------------------------------
Henrichs------------R Dias---------------Sanchez------------Chilwell
------------------------------------Doucoure------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neres--------------------------------------------------------------Richarlison
-------------------------------------Paqueta-------------------------------
---------------------------Haller--------------Rashford------------------------


Subs if WINNING BY 80MINS
Take off Lo Celso and put on Diop in CB. Play defensive with everyone except Haller in our own half defending for their lives. RLC on for Paqueta and to add a bit more energy into the midfield. If we win possession from deep I want to hoof it upfield to Haller so he can use his strength to shield the ball and to try and win a foul.

------------------------------------Lafont--------------------------------
Henrichs------Diop------Sanchez------R Dias-------Chilwell
------------Kessie--------Doucoure---------RLC----------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Rashford----------Haller----------------------------------

Subs if DRAWING BY 65MINS
Hazard on for Paqueta
Richarlison on for Rashford
Dembele on for Haller
Fresh legs to bring on.

If the game goes to penalties I want the following kick order

1. Haller
2. Rashford
3 Paqueta
4 Lo Celso
5. Kessie
6 Doucoure
7. Chilwell
8 Henrichs
9 Dias
10 Sanchez
11. Lafont

FA Cup Final

Tottenham v Birmingham

A big game for the finale to the season, Spurs after a fine Europa Cup win play a much improved Birmingham side, Birmiingham went at it first, Chilwell bombing down the left hand side, his forward pass to Rashford was enough to take him passed Cancelo, his low drive into the box was just to close to Courtois, who gathered at Haller's feet, they had another quick chance this time Paqueta's drive went just over, Spurs reacted to this and had their own attack, however it was over quickly as Sanchez cleared the danger

Half Time 0-0

Spurs began to show some authority in the early stages of the second half, Icardi and Isco both going close, however they did strike first when Fernandinho ripped the ball of Paqueta, he played it out to Asensio, he got passed Henrichs and played it in, Icardi nipped in ahead of Dias to flick it in passed Lafont

Spurs 1 - 0 Birmingham
Icardi(Asensio, 58)

Birmingham came into ttho with Ricarlison and Neres both coming on and for 5/6 mins they pushed and pushed for an equaliser, but the numbers in the middle began to show as Spurs took control wih Doucoure out numbered, Spurs doubled their lead, as Brum drove forward, Fernandinho again doing what he does best won the ball and played it quickly to Partey, who then played in Isco, his shot was saved by Lafont but only parried to the feet of Icardi who buried it.

Spurs 2 - 0 Brum
Icardi(Isco, 75)

It looked all over as Spurs sat in and allowed Brum to attack, this back fired tho as Brum pulled one back, Richarlison finishing neatly from a Paqueta through ball, they huffed and puffed for an equaliser, but the back 5 of Spurs held out for an FA Cup and Europa League Double

Spurs 2 - 1 Birmingham
MOTM - Icardi

Bournemouth Tactics: Cup (Away to Leicester)

Captain: Benítez
Vice Captain: Roca

Team:
--------------------Benítez
Emerson--Romero—Felipe--Lodi
---------------------Roca
-----------Bentancur---Arthur
Mendez--------------------------Oyarzabal
--------------------Gomez

SUBS: Musso, William, Gabriel, Cáseres, Guimarães, Cunha, Gabigol

We want to play a neat crisp passing game at high tempo using our obvious pace to punish the opponent. Our formation will be a 4-3-3 that will allow our full backs to join in the attack when necessary and also offer us the flexibility to fall back into a more standard 4-4-2 when under pressure. We need to boss the midfield from the start and control the game with our own tempo. When in possession use the ball well and try and bring our wide men in to play. When chasing the ball press the opponent with urgency and all over the park. Don’t take too many risks and hold onto the ball. With our creativity and pace we will be able to open teams up. Wait for the chances to arise and take them when they come.

Goalkeeper: Benítez is a big mobile keeper and very agile. A great shot stopper, he will communicate with the back 4 and be commanding with the high ball. He will not take any risks. He is a great distributor with both hand and foot and we will look to this as a way to launch quick attacks.

Defence: Our 2 full backs are there firstly to defend and make sure they stay on the right side of their opponents whether they be out wide or cutting inside. When we are on the attack they will be allowed to use their power and pace to provide the overlap on the flanks. They both have the power and the lungs to work the touchline for 90 minutes. They will make the pitch wide and always offer themselves as an option in attack. Our 2 centre halves are big 6 feet plus ball playing defenders. Both good in the air and equally as good with the ball at their feet. They will be asked to do the simple things well. Be aggressive but controlled in the tackle and never lose your man when defending dead ball situations. They will be able to bring the ball out of defence but if in doubt take absolutely no chances and clear it. Both big men will be a real aerial threat at set pieces.

Midfield: Roca will be the midfield general. A physical pacey midfielder he will be there to boss this area for us. Breaking up play and filling in as an extra defender if one of our back 4 has ventured forward. He will be there to protect the defence and do a lot of the unseen dirty work in the centre of the park. He is essential to our game plan and while sitting deep will still offer a lot with his great passing ability. He also has a thunderbolt right foot. Bentancur and Arthur will play just in front of Roca. Bentancur will be a more box to box type. He will be involved all over and will offer as much in defence as in attack. Arthur will be the midfield magician. Clever, elusive and tricky we will look to him for creating the midfield openings with his eye for a pass. We will look at their enthusiasm and relentless pressing of the opposition as a way to hopefully get a bit of a grip on the midfield and at the very least not make it plain sailing for the opposition.

Wingers/Centre Forward: When in possession both Mendez and Oyarzabal will be expected to go for the direct approach and use their power and speed to take on the opposition defence and beat them and bring Arthur, Bentancur and Gomez in to play. They can vary their attacks by going wide or cutting inside as they see fit. Both players can play all across the middle so don’t be surprised to see them swapping wings. At times Bentancur may sit a bit deeper allowing Arthur to slot in between both wingers, just behind the CF. As well as an attacking force both wingers will also have to put a defensive shift when called upon and act as back up for their respective full backs.

Gomez starts as the CF. He won’t be short of support or ammunition with the attacking talent behind him. Great big old fashioned centre forward. We will look for him to hold up and bring others in to play if it doesn’t seem to be on for him. An eye for a pass and not afraid to have a go from distance. We will look to get bodies in the box when attacking so he should always have an outlet. He is also great in the air and will provide an option from set pieces. When the shot is on he will take it but we also want to put himself about in the box and think that his power pace will be a real handful for defences. He will also be alert to any scraps in and around the goal. He has the ability to produce something sublime and create a chance out of nothing.

Free Kicks/Corners: Arthur, Oyarzabal or Mendez with Romero, Felipe, Roca and Gomez to offer an aerial threat. Arthur and Oyarzabal (with his thunderbolt left foot) may try their luck with several free kicks from distance.
Penalties: Gomez

Substitutions: (if winning on 80 minutes) Gabriel for Felipe, Gabigol for Gomez and Guimarães for Bentancur, 3 like for like substitutions.

If losing (on 80 minutes) Cunha for Bentancur and Gabigol for Mendez. Shift to a 4-1-3-2 attack. Gabigol and Cunha offering fresh legs, pace and a bit of the unknown in attack.

---------------Roca
Cunha---Arthur----Oyarzabal
--------Gomez---Gabigol