ASTON VILLA

4-2-3-1

_______________________Navas______________________
Zabaleta________Mertesacker___Koscielny__________Cole
_______________Fernandinho____Verratti______________
Koke___________________Kroos____________________Son
______________________Sturridge_____________________
SUBS: Begovic, Toprak, Coleman, Gustavo, De Bruyne, El Shaarawy, Destro

Captain: Toni Kroos
Right free-kicks: Toni Kroos
Left free-kicks: Toni Kroos
Penalties: Daniel Sturridge
Right corners: Toni Kroos
Left corners: Toni Kroos

GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach and will be our approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Kroos and Koke will drop back to help, Son stays up as the out ball and Sturridge prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line. * When defending we will play two banks of four and be compact leaving little space in between the lines. So when defending we will go into this mode:

Koke - Gustavo - Gerrard - Kroos
Sturridge - Son

And when we get the ball we will look to set loose the speedsters up front with the whole team pushing up a bit to at least outside our 18 yard box and switch back to our normal formation.

Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines and play safe, take no risks. Looks to set off counters with his distribution.

Mertesacker and Koscielny:
Deals with opposition attackers. Koscielny keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Koscielny will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Koscielny or Fernandinho will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Mertesacker will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Mertesacker will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Koscielny. Koscielny will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners. If in the event that an attacking midfielder / second striker is not played then Koscielny will just have to deal with the midfield runner but not get dragged too far out of his defensive line.

Zabaleta and Shaw:
Zabaleta will be disciplined for this match, but when we get the ball and whoever the opposition manager plays goes on one of his inside runs Zabaleta will look to overlap Koke and run into the box. Zabaleta and Shaw both will show the opposition wide players to their weak foot, threat weakens when they are shown away from goal. Both will sit back when without the ball, but Shaw will bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.

Fernandinho and Verratti:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Fernandinho is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Fernandinho will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Verratti will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Verratti will be a bit ahead of Fernandinho to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Kroos, even going level with Kroos at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Verratti will need to make himself a goal threat with his late runs into the box in this match. Fernandinho stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Fernandinho sticks to position when fullbacks fly forwards, providing cover if needed. Verratti drops deeper when this happens.

Koke, Kroos and Son:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Sturridge and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Koke should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Kroos can burst past Sturridge and shoot if needed. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball. Koke will be drifting inside a lot and because he has stamina of six men he will therefore chase down the ball a lot and aim to create when he gets the ball. In this match when we don’t have the ball I will need Son to sit on their deep lying midfielder and disrupt him. When Zabaleta gets forward during his rare forward runs Son will attempt to find him at the far post for Zabaleta to knock the ball across goal for Sturridge Kroos Verratti to knock in, with Koke arriving late to gobble up possible rebounds. They will also try and double up on a full back if required (like Robben and Ribery both attacking the same fullback).

Sturridge:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.

SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Verratti OFF Gustavo ON
Gustavo replaces Verratti and we go 4-3-3 with Kroos dropping back. We will then aim to keep the ball for as long as possible even if we have to do pointless sideway passing but if space opens up, work the ball forwards to try and create a chance.

Losing:
75 mins: Fernandinho OFF Destro ON
Go 4-2-4 with Destro Sturridge centre Koke right Son left. Kroos supports, Verratti holds and sprays passes from deep. All out attack, have to go level at least if not win it. When we lose the ball Koke goes central to provide support in centre mid and Sturridge goes to the right to provide that outlet. Switch back when we have the ball. Both full backs go forwards in turns and we will squeeze them back into their 18 yard box. Our CBs will not stick too close to the striker in case they get turned, Koscielny will be ready to chase back towards goal while Mertesacker will position himself to nick the ball off the attacker as soon as he gets it. Whatever second attacker from the opposition will be watched by the full back staying back depending on which side.

Scored the goal(s) to get all three points / to win the tie ONLY AFTER the Destro change:
Whatever minute: Sturridge OFF Toprak ON
Whatever minute: Son OFF El Shaarawy ON
They’re gonna pen us back whether we like it or not, so we will go 5-4-1 with Toprak slotting into a back 5. Kroos will come into the centre along with Verratti with Koke right and El Shaarawy left, Destro up front. El Shaarawy will provide the counter attacking threat when we win the ball back and him and Destro will break at their (supposedly) abandoned defence. This is not me playing defensive football voluntarily, this is the opposition forcing us into our box like we would’ve forced them into theirs and me providing a counter measure to this situation.

---------------------------Hart-----------------------
---Lahm------Kompany----Laporte-----Gibbs-----
-------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Busquets-----------------------
-------------Milner------------Herrera-------------
-------------------------------------------------------
--------Reus---------------------------Ronaldo-----
-------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Aguero------------------------

Subs:
Jerome Boateng
Alexsander Kolarov
Daley Blind
Yaya Toure
David Silva
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain
Lukas Podolski

---------------------------------------------------------
SUBS
IF LOSING
Herrera & Milner > Yaya Toure & Silva 60'
Normal 4-2-3-1

70'
Apply above
Gibbs > Kolarov
80'
Apply above

If DRAWING
Kolarov > Gibbs 60' - More attacking FB

Milner > Yaya Toure 70' - Better player

Herrera > Silva 80' - 4-2-3-1

IF WINNING
60'
Herrera > Blind - 2 holding players. Milner just in front

70'
Milner > Yaya Toure and also apply above

80'
apply above
Ronaldo > Kolarov

--------------------------------------------------------------

We expect Birmingham to naturally have more of the ball than us. Therefore the plan today is to sit in front of them and once we get the ball counter with pace and power. (Similar to how Real Madrid played Barcelona in real life last season with Bale and Ronaldo as their outlets). We use Reus and Ronaldo as our outlets. Aaron Ramsey is injured and Yaya Toure has played a lot of games so we go with fresh legs in midfield. Milner will provide energy and stamina while Herrera increases our ball retention qualities. The midfield must be able to drift from one side to the other when the opposition has the ball depending on when the ball is, hence the inclusion of Milner and Herrera.
Milner is excellent running with the ball so if possible he will try and run past the opposition when we win the ball back instead of just hoofing the ball forward. Kompany comes back into the team after injury, he must be at his best to minimise Costa's effect. Naturally we have a lot of width in our team with our wingers. We feel they have weak full backs and with our wingers being our strongest part of our team, I feel we can really target this weakness.

Hart will be quick off his line for one on ones and crosses into the box. I want him to be vocal in his box maintaining communication with his centre halves. Comfortable with the ball at his feet he will play it both short to my centre backs and long to my attackers who look to break at speed.

Lahm and Gibbs two natural full backs. I want them being reserved with their attacking duties today. Also I want them to defend responsibly and not risk being caught out. They mark man for man and force the opposition down the wing.

Kompany and Laporte, A good mix of power, pace, aerial ability and composure on the ball, allows us to be commanding at the back and limit the amount of opportunities for the opposition. Both will control the back four and make sure everybody is doing their job correctly by using their excellent leadership skills. Kompany and Laporte will stay close to each other not allowing the opposition to open up space. Laporte looks to defend the first ball coming towards our defence, using his reading of the game to get there before the striker and clear, he'll use his great tackling to shut him down around the area and then look to get the ball back Kompany stays in position when Laporte does this covering the remaining space, he will be able to clear the second ball if it gets beyond Laporte.

We play with a trio in midfield today. I want them all behind the ball when defending and only one of Milner/Herrera going forward when attacking. As usual Busquets will be the official defensive midfielder. Milner uses his amazing energy to track down opposition in pressing while also making late runs in to the box. Busquets helps us tick over. Herrera will help us keep the ball in midfield and also make clever passes. Along with making late runs into the box (as he did in the weekend in real life).

When we have the ball we look to get it forward as quick as possible to Ronaldo/Reus and look to counter attack and get 1v1 vs their defence. Both have free roles. Occasionally they may come deep to create more options. I don’t want them up their all day stuck like statues.

Up front is Aguero, he should always look to make runs in behind and hold his own when possible holding the ball up and getting others involved whilst occasionally coming deeper to dictate the player whilst they go on beyond.

-----------------------Cech
Piszczek------Cahill--------Moreno-----Bernat
------------ Bender--------Schwein
Di Maria------------Eriksen-------------------Lavezzi
---------------------Lacazette

Subs: Cesar, Arbeloa, Schmelzer , Willian, Costa, Candreva , Carrick

GAME PLAN

We need to be in their faces by continuously pressing them and keeping all men behind the ball (when we are off the ball). When on the ball we need to be direct and composed. We need to use our wingers as much as possible because that is where I believe we can take advantage of Arsenal. Their full backs will be attacking a lot and leaving plenty of gaps behind them. Lavezzi and Di Maria have the pace to punish them. We need to dominate the midfield battle and control the game how we want it to be controlled. We need to control possession and work the ball into spaces. Try and keep it tight for Arsenal so when we get the ball we can exploit any spaces left. Bender is the DM so he will stay back to protect our defence while our other midfielders will be focusing on the attacking side of the game. Be in their faces, make them uncomfortable and then hopefully we will be able to take advantage.

POSITIONAL TACTICS

Piszczek should play as a wing back. I want him to move forward during our attacks. He should stay out wide to create a crossing option. I want him to create space for our wingers. While defending Piszczek should try and push the player back. If he can’t do that he should push him out wide to a position where he has to kick the ball off. Bernat should play the same way.

Cahill should use his height and strength to keep the striker(s) out of the game. I want him to keep with that attacker at all times or keep him offside. He should try and header every ball out of the box or kick it away preferably to the wingers. He should only go up for corners/free kicks. Moreno should play the same way as Cahill.

Bender will be the DM. He should look to disrupt their attacking play and reduce the space around their playmaker. He should hold his position and not get caught up field. I want him to control the style of the game we play. While acting as cover for our defence he should also separate the midfield from the defence by keeping hold of the ball and form attacks.

Schwein will be our box-box midfielder. I want him to identify spaces up the pitch. He should take hold of the ball and supply it to any of the front 3 ahead and try to exploit any space. When we’re attacking I want him to move up and stay in space. When off the ball he should be a ball winning player.

I want Di Maria to use his skill and pace and make runs into the box. He must use his pace to outrun the full back but also his quality control of the ball to dribble round him. When we’re off the ball I want him help Piszczek cover their full back. I would like Lavezzi to do the same.

Eriksen should use his pace and strength to make runs into the box and opening up space for Lacazette. He will look to supply the ball to the wingers as well. Try and force their defensive midfielder to move out of position and allow our wingers to use that space by running into the centre. Off the ball he should drop back and play deeper therefore he will be able to use more of his trickery to open up games during a counter attack.

I would like Eriksen, Di Maria and Lavezzi to intersect and change positions.

Lacazette must use his pace and skill to open up spaces for the wingers and central players to run into. I want him to stay inside the box so that he remains an option in the middle. However he should drop deeper to bring the defenders forward and open up space behind them. He should look to overpower their defenders with his pace and strength and height. He should constantly look to move into space to create himself as an option for the defence. When we’re defending he should mark the player at the edge of the box.

SUBS

30th Min: Costa for lacazette
65th Min: Willian for Eriksen – Switch positions with Di Maria
80th Min: Schmelzer for Lavezzi

Costa: Do a similar job to what Lacazette has been assigned

Willian: Try and add a little more pace and directness to the game.

Schmelzer: Try and sure up the result. Keep the left side secure.

Captain: Schwein
Vice: Cech
FK: Di Maria
PK: Lacazette
CK: Di Maria

Oh well no more tactics

Vs Manchester United - Europa League

----------------------Ryan
Corchia----N'Koulou---Denayer---Azpilicueta
------------Kondogbia--Tielemans
Bakkali----------------------------------Garcia
---------------------Keita
-------------------------Rooney

Subs: Hassen, Howedes, Grimaldo, Chalobah, Praet, Griezzman, Cavani

Captain: Wayne Rooney
Free Kicks: Wayne Rooney
Corners: Youri Tielemans
Penalties: Wayne Rooney

We press high up the field with the front two putting the pressure on and the attacking midfielders working hard to compact the field and close off options, looking to squeeze the ball back to the keeper or wide. We then position ourselves to defend horizontal areas of the pitch, if its wide, our two FB and Ams are the ones to do the pressing of players, with the rest of the midfield and attack squeezing in to compress space and give the opposition no chance of getting into central areas to hurt us, if they do we have the opposite wide men in position to close down quickly and allow the rest of the team to reposition. If the ball is central we defend with two compact banks of four, little space between them so there is no chance to play between the lines. The Ams can compact the central area if United attempt to pack numbers into those attacking positions, whilst the FBs stay tight on our CBs to leave no gaps, the 4 wide players pushing out to defend the flanks when required. The two strikers must come back and press the DMs throughout, not allowing them time to pick a pass. We stay organised, squeeze the space and make it very difficult for them to get through. The defence stays tight together, leaving no spaces between themselves and being physically stronger than our opponents.

We look to attack at pace, allowing our two FBs to bomb forward and provide width, looking to provide us with the chance to stretch the game. Whilst Bakkali and Garcia provide a lot of flair and power to unlock a defence, they start wide but can move central to allow us to link up very quickly and overload against their CBs, however Bakkali look to hold extra width and take players on wide to open up space. Keita and Rooney link together, Keita providing the skill and trickery, constantly ready to run at the heart of the defence, whilst Rooney looks to run off the defenders to give his team mates an option. When we get the ball we want to be direct if the option is there, attacking the spaces either with pace out wide or quick link up through the middle. However if we can’t break forward we hold onto the ball, Kondogbia and Tielemans give us the players to control the game when needed, keeping it moving and using their power to establish our dominance in the game and Tielemans finding the spaces with his passing. If we are forced deep then we look to release to the strikers straight away to bypass any pressing, often CFs will look to immediately start a wide run when the ball is won to take advantage of space behind FBs.

Individual:

Ryan command his box, collecting crosses.

FBs attack when we get forward, looking to give their wingers the option with runs to the byline or just hanging back behind the wingers. When defending stand up to the wingers, be strong and force them back.

N'Koulou does the man marking of the striker, using his physical presence and pace to keep tight and stop the striker getting any space. Denayer is the covering CB, sweeping up and stopping runners finding space.

Kondogbia looks to provide the power, dominating Uniteds midfield with physical tackles and good reading of the game. Tielemans reads the games well, in space to cover attacks and ready to distribute the ball into space.

Bakkali the flair man, looking to attack the FB or cut inside and run at the CBs. Garcia the power, looking to move inside and make a nuisance of himself.

Keita and Rooney work off each other, Rooney with the creativity and movement into goal scoring positions, Keita with the pace and trickery to bring the best out of Rooney, looking to feed him or feed off him.

Subs:

If Winning: Chalobah for Tielemans 75', extra physical presence and calm head to keep the ball. Grimaldo for Bakkali 80', Garcia moves across, Grimaldo looks to use his pace to attack the opposition right side. Howedes for Corchia 85'.

If Drawing: Praet for Garcia 65', more creative with his passing and movement. Griezzman and Cavani for Bakkali and Keita 75', come on and do their thing.

If Losing: Howedes for Azpilicueta 65', 3-5-2. Garcia central, Bakkali play LM, Corchia RM. Griezzman and Cavani for Bakkali and Keita 75'.

-----------------------Neuer-----------------------
Debuchy------Zouma------Bonucci------Ricardo
----------------------Iturraspe---------------------
---------------A.Vidal------Rabiot-----------------
Mirallas-----------------------------------Memphis
---------------------A.Sanchez--------------------

Butland, Sciglio, Pirlo, Thorgan, Vietto, Morata, Neymar

In goal Neuer, for me the best Goalkeeper there is, a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, leads by example from the back, shouting instructions to hos defenders. Out quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.

Zouma and Bonucci are a solid pairing at CB, on this occassion Bonucci will man mark the CF, quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, will keep the CF away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Zouma alongside will mark any big men that come up for corners etc and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger, will help out Varane if needed.
Ricardo and Debuchy at fullback, when we attack one goes at a time the other sits back. When they attack I want them bombing down the wing over lapping the winger to allow them to cut inside, quick passing between the two to get them passed the opposition fullback, which will see the fullback drive towards the bye line to get a quick cross in. If its not a cross then look for the winger inside to play a quick pass back to them so they can drive into the box. Defending both will have to be vigilant and always mindful of the tricks the opposite winger can do. Be onto them quickly not allowing them the time to get going, push them out wide and stop them becoming a threat.

Iturraspe sits just in front of the two cbs, he stops there flow between midfield and attack, always watchful for the AM and when they come forward he will look to intercept any through balls or look to stop his runs forward. Even when we attack he is always mindful of the players movement and ready to act quickly if they break forward. Once the ball is won simple balls to those around him. He will be aided when we defend by Rabiot and Vidal either side of him Both extremely hard working lads who will get up and down the pitch helping both defence and attack. They sit as a threewith Vidal taking care of the AM when he comes forward. They will break up play and get it moving forward, most likely Vidal to burst forward to assist Sanchez. His goal record for a CM is fantastic and can score from varous angles/ranges, he is a very dynamic player with great stamina, one who never gives up. He thrives with Rabiot in the midfield and they will be no pushovers. Rabiot is sort of mix of the two, can pass the ball about, defend the lines and also break forward. A very cool head for such a young lad. Look to pick up from Iturraspe and drive forward looking for more advanced passing to those in front of him or push forward with the ball with Vidal sitting jsut a bit behind.

Mirallas and Memphis are both lightning quick with nimble feet which more often than not takes them passed the fullback, wether they knock it passed them and drive on or simple a quick turn, and there away. Will have fullbacks supporting them so this allows them to pass and cut inside where both are very useful. Give and go, wait for the return and go for goal, or look to drive into the box in support of Sanchez. focusses more on pace and likes to knock it on and drive on to see him passed, whereas Mirallas likes to make the pass that gives him time to look for space for him to drive into and wait for the return. Both very dangerous and with support from there respective fullbacks we will be a danger out wide. When defending look to get back and stop there defenders becoming a threat. With Sanchez as the middle man all three will drive at the defence
Sanchez goes up top two good feet, will look to get into positions that he will become dangerous, in fact my front three are a danger and there movement will be a serious concern for the other team. Pace and movement from them, can all play CF or drift wide so when the winger comes in Sanchez will be looking to drag the CB away freeing up room for the other two to drive into. With Vidal also supporting we are a huge goal threat to anyone. I want quick football as they arent the biggest of lads, ball to feet and always looking up for a pass..

Captain - Vidal
Penalties - Sanchez
Free Kicks - Mirallas
Corners - Wingers

Subs -
Losing -
70 Mins - Thorgan and Neymar for Rabiot and Memphis, Thorgan pushing into No.10
80 Mins - Morata for Mirallas, Neymar RW, Thorgan LW 442

Winning -
70 Mins - Pirlo for Rabiot, look to control last 20 mins
80 Mins - Morata for Mirallas switch with Sanchez

Drawing -
70 Mins - Coman for Rabiot
75 Mins - Neymar for Memphis
80 Mins - Morata for Mirallas switch with Sanchez

Attacking 3-5-2. High pressing game. Shut out the space the opposition want to play in. Playing with a high tempo, in possession and without it.

Inherently an attacking formation that aims to take the game to our opponents, press and defend high up the pitch, and stretch the play as wide as possible when in possession. The formation is rigid in defence, and fluid in attack.

The midfield trio will look to quickly feed the forwards who will drop deep to collect the ball. We’ve gone for wbs, and cms who will provide great energy in the midfield, but more importantly will be able to control possession. Pace in attack will be key to stretching the opposition’s setup, and making it extremely difficult for them to play their way out of defence.

Wellbeck up front is tasked with using their pace to stretch the opposition defence and pull players out of position, Dzeko will look to hold the ball up and bring the players supporting him into play. Create pockets of space for our attacking players to get into where they can hurt the opposition.

--------------- R.Zieler
---- Smalling – Manolas - Evans
Rafael ------------------------- A.Telles
--- Schneiderlin – M.Lopes– Vilhena
--------- E.Dzeko -- Wellbeck

Subs. Buffon, Clichy, Piatti, Shaqiri, Pasallic, Tevez

Defence

We will look to defend high up the pitch, playing a high pressing game. If the opposition have possession in their own half, our formation will resemble a 3-5-2. Looking to get all bodies in the opposition half bar our 3 cbs. Put high pressure on the opposition. Don’t let them play.

In the middle third Smalling/Evans to pick up the wide forward when they attack down the wings, and wbs to pick up their wide midfidler/fb, one of the cms comes across if they have fb,wide mid and wide forward on one side per se. On the other side (opposite from ball) Smalling/Evans come in narrow, and wb picks up the furthest forward wg on that side. If they switch play we simply move across quickly as a unit to setup in the same manner on the other side.

Essentially, we seek to negate the problem of space behind an attacking wb, by our wide cb being in a position to instinctively cover. Our high defence will consist of our two forwards, wbs and two cms pushing forward to mark and close down the opposition. One of Schneiderlin/Vilhena holds a position in front of the defence.

We only retreat into a back five as part of a deep block after the initial high block had been bypassed and the opposition are moving forward into our half.

As the opposition progress up the pitch, we will drop deeper as the opposition enter our half. With 3 cbs the gaps between them are generally smaller, and with the additional cover of Rafael and Telles it will be difficult for the opposition forwards to find space. Buffon used to playing with 3 cbs in front of him, will lead from the back, commanding his area and ensuring the defenders in front of him are setup in the correct shape.

Schneiderlin and Vilhena sit slightly deeper than Lopes, ensuring we have cover to come across if they get past one of our cms, one cm that can easily provide extra cover down the wings. Schneiderlin and Vilhena’s defensive contribution, snapping at the opposition heels will give us great energy.

One of Wellbeck/Dzeko will look to sit in front of the 3 cms moving from left to right with the ball. If the ball is past him, he will stay in the lines between the opposition cb and dm.

Attack

Patient moving the ball out from defence, the midfield trio however will look to be direct in the opposition half. Quick passing football, keeping the ball on the deck. Pass and move simple. We want the midfield to be quick on the ball, not taking too many touches, find our forwards quickly, then look to get forward and ahead of them.

We have three defenders who are comfortable on the ball, we will generally look to start attacks playing out from the back. Our midfielders will come deep, to orchestrate the play, and entice the opposition out of position. Create gaps in their formation.

The midfield trio should never be flat. Create as many lines as possible to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition.

Wbs look to get at the opposition fbs, with two forwards and 1 cm bombing forward and another looking to join the attack as well, we should overload the opposition defence making it extremely difficult to pick up our players in and around their box. One of the cms will stay deep, Schneiderlin/Vilhena. Offering the opposition to go backwards, and allow him to orchestrate our play and pick a pass.

Our setup gives our strikers great freedom when we are attacking, they are able to find the space to get the ball in dangerous areas, and with a strike partner this is far easier.

Subs.
After 60 mins bring on Piatti for Wellbeck.
If winning after 70 mins bring on Pasallic for Lopes.
If winning after 80 mins bring on Clichy for Telles.

If drawing after 70 mins bring on Oscar for Lopes
If drawing after 80 mins bring on Tevez for Dzeko.

If losing after 60 mins bring on Shaqiri for Smalling. 4-2-3-1, gung ho.
If losing after 70 mins bring on Oscar for Lopes.

Mirallas cant play not in my Euro squad, put Januzaj in instead please

Joel Campbell
Yaya Toure
Ander Herrera
Ben Foster

----------------------Hart---------------------
---Lahm------Boateng----Laporte-----Gibbs
---------------------------------------------------
----------------Ramsey----Blind----------------
----------------------------------------------------
Chamberlain---------Silva----------Milner-----
----------------------------------------------------
--------------------Martinez--------------------
Subs
Daryll Janmaat
Bruno Martins Indi
Thomas Vermaelan
Sergio Busquets
Sergio Aguero
Cristiano Ronaldo
Marco Reus

--------------------------------------------------------
SUBS
--------------------------------------------------------
IF WINNING
70' - Silva > Busquets. Busquets sits in.

80' Apply above.
Boateng & Lahm > Janmaat & Indi. Indi LCB

IF DRAWING
70' Chamberlain & Milner > Reus & Ronaldo - 4-2-3-1
75' Apply above and Ramsey > Aguero. 2 up top

IF LOSING
60' Chamberlain & Milner > Reus & Ronaldo - 4-2-3-1
70' Apply above and Ramsey > Aguero. 2 up top
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
We must win this game. We feel Romentus are there for the taking therefore we will be positive in our play.
We line up in a familiar 4-2-3-1.
In today's game, we look to add more width and pace to our team. When needed we will sit in an absorb pressure pouncing on any opportunity to counter attack with or deadly trio up front.(madrid style) We also look to use the full length of the pitch therefore Chamberlain and Milner will play as wingers and will also be provided support from the full backs. When defending we will be disciplined, at times having everybody behind the ball and then wait for the opportunity to use our pace and power on a counter attack. We will not be afraid to play it out from the back, everybody is comfortable on the ball.

Generally we want to take the game to the opposition and look for that early goal, putting the opposition under pressure.

Hart will be quick off his line for one on ones and crosses into the box. I want him to be vocal in his box maintaining communication with his centre halves. Comfortable with the ball at his feet he will play it both short to my centre backs and long to my attackers who look to break at speed.

Lahm and Gibbs two natural full backs. I want them upon and down the pitch providing options for our attack. Also I want them to defend responsibly and not risk being caught out. They mark man for man and force the opposition inwards into a packed midfield.

Boateng and Laporte, A good mix of power, pace, aerial ability and composure on the ball, allows us to be commanding at the back and limit the amount of opportunities for the opposition. Both will control the back four and make sure everybody is doing their job correctly by using their excellent leadership skills. Boateng and Laporte will stay close to each other not allowing the opposition to open up space. Laporte looks to defend the first ball coming towards our defence, using his reading of the game to get there before the striker and clear, he'll use his great tackling to shut him down around the area and then look to get the ball back Boateng stays in position when Laporte does this covering the remaining space, he will be able to clear the second ball if it gets beyond Laporte.

Blind and Ramsey will be our two deepest central midfielders. As usual Blind holds while Ramsey plays box to box. Ramsey uses his amazing energy to track down opposition in pressing while also making late runs in to the box. Blind helps us tick over.

Silva - Sits in a free role between midfield and striker. Using his dribbling and vision will pick up possession and drive forward to play incisive passes. Will consistently pass and move to be in strong positions to effectively receive and distribute the ball, once he has done so he will use his strong dribbling abilities to hold possession and enable team mates to forge attacking runs beyond him then getting his head up to read these runs push forwards and play the decisive pass into attacking positions.

Milner + Chamberlain: Both quick, direct, tricky and strong, they'll pull the opposition defence all over the place. They are both creative playmakers as well as wingers and will look to play balls in to Martinez's feet for the one-two, but they're also quick and have great energy so can get round the back of the WBA defence and drill in low balls and cutbacks, or they can drive at the defence and cause them problems. They'll be allowed to switch at will.

Up front is Martinez, he should always look to make runs in behind and hold his own when possible holding the ball up and getting others involved whilst occasionally coming deeper to dictate the player whilst they go on beyond.

ASTON VILLA

4-2-3-1

_______________________Navas_______________________
Zabaleta__________Toprak______Astori____________Shaw
_________________Gustavo_____Verratti_______________
Koke__________________Kagawa___________________Son
______________________Sturridge_____________________
SUBS: Begovic, Jones, Coleman, Gerrard, De Bruyne, Vela, Destro

Captain: Koke
Right free-kicks: Koke
Left free-kicks: Koke
Penalties: Daniel Sturridge
Right corners: Koke
Left corners: Koke

GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach and will be our approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Kagawa and Koke will drop back to help, Son stays up as the out ball and Sturridge prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line. * When defending we will play two banks of four and be compact leaving little space in between the lines. So when defending we will go into this mode:

Koke - Gustavo - Verratti - Kagawa
Sturridge - Son

And when we get the ball we will look to set loose the speedsters up front with the whole team pushing up a bit to at least outside our 18 yard box and switch back to our normal formation.

Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines and play safe, take no risks. Looks to set off counters with his distribution.

Toprak and Astori:
Deals with opposition attackers. Astori keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Astori will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Astori or Gustavo will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Toprak will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Toprak will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Astori. Astori will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners. If in the event that an attacking midfielder / second striker is not played then Koscielny will just have to deal with the midfield runner but not get dragged too far out of his defensive line.

Zabaleta and Shaw:
Zabaleta will be disciplined for this match, but when we get the ball and whoever the opposition manager plays goes on one of his inside runs Zabaleta will look to overlap Koke and run into the box. Zabaleta and Shaw both will show the opposition wide players to their weak foot, threat weakens when they are shown away from goal. Both will sit back when without the ball, but Shaw will bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.

Gustavo and Verratti:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Gustavo is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Gustavo will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Verratti will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Verratti will be a bit ahead of Gustavo to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Kagawa, even going level with Kagawa at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Verratti will need to make himself a goal threat with his late runs into the box in this match. Gustavo stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Gustavo sticks to position when fullbacks fly forwards, providing cover if needed. Verratti drops deeper when this happens.

Koke, Kagawa and Son:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Sturridge and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Koke should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Kagawa can burst past Sturridge and shoot if needed. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball. Koke will be drifting inside a lot and because he has stamina of six men he will therefore chase down the ball a lot and aim to create when he gets the ball. In this match when we don’t have the ball I will need Son to sit on their deep lying midfielder and disrupt him. When Zabaleta gets forward during his rare forward runs Son will attempt to find him at the far post for Zabaleta to knock the ball across goal for Sturridge Kagawa Verratti to knock in, with Koke arriving late to gobble up possible rebounds. They will also try and double up on a full back if required (like Robben and Ribery both attacking the same fullback).

Sturridge:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.

SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Kagawa OFF Gerrard ON
Gerrard replaces Kagawa and we go 4-3-3 with Gerrard dropping back. We will then aim to keep the ball for as long as possible even if we have to do pointless sideway passing but if space opens up, work the ball forwards to try and create a chance.

Losing:
75 mins: Gustavo OFF Destro ON
Go 4-2-4 with Destro Sturridge centre Koke right Son left. Kagawa supports, Verratti holds and sprays passes from deep. All out attack, have to go level at least if not win it. When we lose the ball Koke goes central to provide support in centre mid and Sturridge goes to the right to provide that outlet. Switch back when we have the ball. Both full backs go forwards in turns and we will squeeze them back into their 18 yard box. Our CBs will not stick too close to the striker in case they get turned, Astori will be ready to chase back towards goal while Toprak will position himself to nick the ball off the attacker as soon as he gets it. Whatever second attacker from the opposition will be watched by the full back staying back depending on which side.

Scored the goal(s) to get all three points / to win the tie ONLY AFTER the Destro change:
Whatever minute: Sturridge OFF Jones ON
Whatever minute: Kagawa OFF Vela ON
They’re gonna pen us back whether we like it or not, so we will go 5-4-1 with Jones slotting into a back 5. Koke will come into the centre along with Verratti with Vela right and Son left, Destro up front. Son will provide the counter attacking threat when we win the ball back and him and Destro will break at their (supposedly) abandoned defence. This is not me playing defensive football voluntarily, this is the opposition forcing us into our box like we would’ve forced them into theirs and me providing a counter measure to this situation.

vs PSV

————————————Hassen
Corchia—————Nkoulou———Terry———Moreno
————————-—Ake———Montolivio
—Lamela————————————-————Praet
————————Schrijvers
————————————Bony

Subs: Courtois, Howedes, Tielemans, Kondogbia, Keita, Rooney, Cavani

Captain: John Terry
Free Kicks: Ricardo Montolivo/Erik Lamela
Corners: Ricardo Montolivo
Penalties: Wilfred Bony

We press high up the field with the front two putting the pressure on and the attacking midfielders working hard to compact the field and close off options, looking to squeeze the ball back to the keeper or wide. We then position ourselves to defend horizontal areas of the pitch, if its wide, our two FB and Ams are the ones to do the pressing of players, with the rest of the midfield and attack squeezing in to compress space and give the opposition no chance of getting into central areas to hurt us, if they do we have the opposite wide men in position to close down quickly and allow the rest of the team to reposition. If the ball is central we defend with two compact banks of four, little space between them so there is no chance to play between the lines. The Ams can compact the central area if PSV attempt to pack numbers into those attacking positions, whilst the FBs stay tight on our CBs to leave no gaps, the 4 wide players pushing out to defend the flanks when required. The two strikers must come back and press the DMs throughout, not allowing them time to pick a pass. We stay organised, squeeze the space and make it very difficult for them to get through. The defence stays tight together, leaving no spaces between themselves and being physically stronger than our opponents.

We look to attack at pace, allowing our two FBs to bomb forward and provide width, looking to provide us with the chance to stretch the game. Whilst Lamela and Praet provide a lot of flair and vision to unlock a defence, they start wide but can move central to allow us to link up very quickly and overload against their CBs, however Lamela look to hold extra width and take players on wide to open up space. Schrijvers and Bony link together, Schrijvers providing the skill and trickery, constantly ready to run at the heart of the defence, whilst Bony looks to run off the defenders to give his team mates an option. When we get the ball we want to be direct if the option is there, attacking the spaces either with pace out wide or quick link up through the middle. However if we can’t break forward we hold onto the ball, Ake and Montolivo give us the players to control the game when needed, keeping it moving and using their power to establish our dominance in the game and Montolivo finding the spaces with his passing. If we are forced deep then we look to release to the strikers straight away to bypass any pressing, often CFs will look to immediately start a wide run when the ball is won to take advantage of space behind FBs.

Individual:

Hassen command his box, collecting crosses.

FBs attack when we get forward, looking to give their wingers the option with runs to the byline or just hanging back behind the wingers. When defending stand up to the wingers, be strong and force them back.

Terry does the man marking of the striker, using his physical presence and pace to keep tight and stop the striker getting any space. Nkoulou is the covering CB, sweeping up and stopping runners finding space.

Ake and Montolivo read the games well, in space to cover attacks and ready to distribute the ball into space.

Lamela the flair man, looking to attack the FB or cut inside and run at the CBs. Praet the vision looking to move inside and make chances.

Schrijvers and Bony work off each other, Schriijvers with the creativity and movement into goal scoring positions, Bony with the power and speed to play off the last defender.

Subs:

If Winning: Kondogbia and Keita for Ake and Schrijvers 70’, Kondogbia add power to the midfield, Keita fresh pace. Tielemans for Lamela 75’, play a more inverted role, looking to come in and make space for Corchia and Keita out wide.

If Drawing: Keita for Praet 65’, more flair to the attack. Tielemans and Rooney for Ake and Schrijvers 75’, two players to create chances.

If Losing: Cavani and Keita for Schrijvers and Praet 65’, Keita run at them, Cavan provide the extra quality. Rooney for Moreno 70’, Ake to LB, stay back, Rooney CM, will look to make runs forward and be the creative spark.

-----------------------Cech
Piszczek------Cahill--------Chiellini-----Bernat
------------Bender--------Schwein
Di Maria------------Eriksen-------------------Willian
---------------------Remy
Subs: Cesar, Arbeloa, Schmelzer , Kaya, Townsend , Carrick, Faour

GAME PLAN

We need to be in their faces by continuously pressing them and keeping all men behind the ball (when we are off the ball). When on the ball we need to be direct and composed. We need to use our wingers as much as possible because that is where I believe we can take advantage of Bilbao. Their full backs will be attacking a lot and leaving plenty of gaps behind them. Willian and Di Maria have the pace to punish them. We need to dominate the midfield battle and control the game how we want it to be controlled. We need to control possession and work the ball into spaces. Try and keep it tight for Bilbao so when we get the ball we can exploit any spaces left. Bender is the DM so he will stay back to protect our defence while our other midfielders will be focusing on the attacking side of the game. Be in their faces, make them uncomfortable and then hopefully we will be able to take advantage.

POSITIONAL TACTICS

Piszczek should play as a wing back. I want him to move forward during our attacks. He should stay out wide to create a crossing option. I want him to create space for our wingers. While defending Piszczek should try and push the player back. If he can’t do that he should push him out wide to a position where he has to kick the ball off. Bernat should play the same way.

Cahill should use his height and strength to keep the striker(s) out of the game. I want him to keep with that attacker at all times or keep him offside. He should try and header every ball out of the box or kick it away preferably to the wingers. He should only go up for corners/free kicks. Chiellini should play the same way as Cahill.

Bender will be the DM. He should look to disrupt their attacking play and reduce the space around their playmaker. He should hold his position and not get caught up field. I want him to control the style of the game we play. While acting as cover for our defence he should also separate the midfield from the defence by keeping hold of the ball and form attacks.

Schwein will be our box-box midfielder. I want him to identify spaces up the pitch. He should take hold of the ball and supply it to any of the front 3 ahead and try to exploit any space. When we’re attacking I want him to move up and stay in space. When off the ball he should be a ball winning player.

I want Di Maria to use his skill and pace and make runs into the box. He must use his pace to outrun the full back but also his quality control of the ball to dribble round him. When we’re off the ball I want him help Piszczek cover their full back. I would like Willian to do the same.

Eriksen should use his pace and strength to make runs into the box and opening up space for Remy. He will look to supply the ball to the wingers as well. Try and force their defensive midfielder to move out of position and allow our wingers to use that space by running into the centre. Off the ball he should drop back and play deeper therefore he will be able to use more of his trickery to open up games during a counter attack.

I would like Eriksen, Di Maria and Willian to intersect and change positions.

Remy must use his pace and skill to open up spaces for the wingers and central players to run into. I want him to stay inside the box so that he remains an option in the middle. However he should drop deeper to bring the defenders forward and open up space behind them. He should look to overpower their defenders with his pace and strength and height. He should constantly look to move into space to create himself as an option for the defence. When we’re defending he should mark the player at the edge of the box.

Captain: Schwein
Vice: Cech
FK: Di Maria
PK: Di Maria
CK: Di Maria

Dead line passed

Swansea tactics

---------------------------Diego Alves--------------------------
Caceres----------Rami-------------Albiol------------Maxwell
-------------Illarramendi-----------Motta------------------
-----------------------------Fellaini-------------------------
--Salah---------------------------------------------Cerci-----
----------------------------Negredo----------------------

Subs: Baumann, Contento, Papadopoulos. Yedlin, Ince, Michu, Lanzini,

General: Power game. We confident of getting a result with our tactics and we are going to focus mainly on the midfield area which we know we can out-muscle and overrun the Villa midfield especially as they have some key men out. We HAVE to keep the tempo high when we attack and target the CB's as we know we have the pace and skill to beat them and score. We do respect Villa but on the field, we shouldn't give them that respect and just press them as a unit as we know that if we stifle their midfield, they will play long balls to Sturridge/whoever that we will gobble up all day. We can't play posession football and have to be direct in terms of direction and keep the ball moving forwards with our pacey attack and drive at their CB's. We have to make most of the free-kicks and make sure we try and target Fellaini and CBs' to score from set-pieces. We play fast and furious and off the ball, we are energetic and bully-ish. We have to be ruthless.

Defence
I went for an experience defence that can handle the trickery of their forwards and have the know-how to fend them off. Both full-backs are not going to be attacking that much as we are aware of their full-backs and hope that they commit so we can counter and hit their spaces. Both full-backs will have cover in our defensive midfielders and the wingers from time to time and whoever is closest. The CB's will be covering one another and take on any attacker in the air. We can't play too deep or too high. The keeper will be on his toes and always look to go down late 1 v1. He has to be aggressive when on corners and take out anyone in the process.

Midfield
This area is key and we have to dominate with our power and chase and I've done that with Motta and Irra on defensive duty and stifle their midfield and intercept for a quick attack. Important that we go in strong and in numbers so they will have to look for plan B. Fellaini has a different role where he will play just high than the other two but defensively he will be pressing and pressing hard alongside the wingers and Negredo. Fellaini to help the attack and has a free role to see fit when we need to defend and attack. Salah and Cerci to stay wide at first but when we attack to drft in and target the CB's with Negredo moving wide to create space or finding a gap. Our pace in the attacking side will cause problems for sure and I don't think their CB's can handle that. We press that midfield and give them no space whatsoever and no time to dictate. We are at home and we have to be the aggressors and show them that we will beat you and outmuscle and out run you in all areas.

Forward
So important that Negredo is on the move when we are attacking in good areas otherwise it will bne easy to mark him with 2/3 players. Ife he darts wide and creates a gap and sacrifices himself for someone to score, then that we can do. We do need him to be playing off the last striker, Inzaghi style and expect to be fed and just go for goal. Negredo will be supported well with Fellaini and expect him to win a header and he has to be first to respond and be aware.

RED CARD scenario
If a defender/keeper gets red card then their respective sub will come on as LB for LB etc
Motta will unfortunately be the player to make way.

If Motta is red carded, we continue the same way but Fellaini taking his role. Same tactics though but more work for our central midfield to compensate.

If Salah/Cerci are red carded, then we still play the same way but have Fellaini target the carded side.

If Negredo is red carded then Fellaini moves further forward and we target him so he can flick on and the wingers play off him.

Subs: Yedlin for Caceres 75mins. Same role

Michu for Fellaini 80mins. Michu to be more attacking and play as an AM.

ASTON VILLA

Bayep Muniola a bit of everything formation

______________________Begovic___________________
___________Toprak_____Koscielny____Gustavo_______
_____________Fernandinho______Kroos_____________
________________________Koke_______________Shaw
______________Kagawa___________________________
Vela____________________Sturridge________________
SUBS: Astori, Mertesacker, Zabaleta, Gerrard, De Bruyne, Son, Benzia

Captain: Toni Kroos
Corners: Toni Kroos
Free Kicks: Toni Kroos
Penalties: Daniel Sturridge

Above is a very simple illustration, but in reality we plan to play like this:

http://sharemytactics.com/30082/

When we have the ball in their half on the attack, we expect our shape to be like this:

http://sharemytactics.com/29877/
(can’t move the keeper but we want him between our box and the half way line)

(1000 words start below)

Keeping the ball is paramount in this style of play, and holding the ball high in midfield. By holding the ball high in midfield and not just walking the ball towards the final third of the pitch, it will deprive the opposition of any opportunity to form two banks of four to shut us down. If the opposition press, Kroos will just pass the ball over them. We want players to be arriving into position as they are receiving the ball and not be in position already to get the ball. Passing of the ball will be quick, direct and on the ground. When players move the ball onto the next teammate he will then move into another position to offer another option. The team will push up and we will play our football in their half with the centre halves occupying the half way line with Fernandinho (slightly to the right) and Kroos occupying the space just in front of them. The back three, right defensive midfielder, right forward, striker, left wing-back / midfielder will form a ‘ring’ around the opposition half of the pitch, while the shape keeps shifting as players move around. The right forward and left wing-back / midfielder will push well wide normally to expand the pitch, but the right forward will cut inside regularly to attack the goal. Since the right forward is so far forward for us, Fernandinho will be expected to help cover the gap behind the right forward. The attacking midfielder, second striker and striker will have free roles where they interchange regularly with each other. The striker will pull out to the left at times to create space for the attacking midfielder and second striker to run into. The left centre half has a special job in which he will be required to push into midfield to add an extra body there while our team pressurizes the opposition in their half, offering another option for the players to recycle the ball to. Kroos will move back a few yards when this happens so he can cover the gap left open by the left centre half. Kroos will also be in charge of spraying the ball around especially to the flanks since this formation will force the opposition team to play narrower. With good timing and positioning we will always create some space in the opposition half. The two wide players are in charge of staying on the touchline most of the game to make sure that the opposition are stretched as far wide as possible to create gaps in the centre. Vela will elongate their defence and never dribble from a standing start, with balls played into the front of him for him to run onto. Fernandinho in particular will be pass the ball to Vela for him to attack the opposition defence directly repeatedly. Otherwise there are no particular types of passes we expect from our players except forward passes to help attack the opposition from all angles. The keeper will stay outside his box, in the middle between his goal and the half way line and clean up any over hit balls over the top and to act as the last option for any other outfield players to recycle the ball to. Setting up this way, we give the opposition no reference points to pick up from except for maybe the right forward. For our attacking corners, everyone except Kroos and Shaw will go forwards with the right forward standing outside the box to pick up any rebounds.

Defending starts from the front, when we lose the ball we press the ball back immediately in their half. When we are in their half, the two deep midfielders will press the main striker and attacking midfielder not allowing them space to look up and put a ball in behind our defence. If the opposition do happen to get a chance to turn both our midfielders, we will rush back to defend our 18 yard line and get into our defensive shape (mentioned further down). Everyone bar the striker, second striker and right forward will track back to defend our box. These three will stay up ready to break. When we don’t have the ball, the second striker and striker will mark the opposition’s deep midfielder and centre halves not allowing them the chance to recycle the ball back to them, therefore reducing their options for passes. When the opposition have the ball, our team shape will shift to a back 4 with 3 players in front of the 4 to cut passing lanes and mark opposition players. These 7 players will be defending the space and pressing the ball back aggressively while not losing the defensive shape, so when one player heads out to press, another on the same line will shift across to help cover the gap he has open. We will however not commit to tackles when the opposition attack from wide positions, we will show them onto their weaker foot, if’s shifting their player towards the centre we will crowd them out, if it’s shifting the players down the line we’ll make sure the cross doesn’t get past the first man and corner the player there while reinforcements arrive to help take the ball off that player. As soon as we get the ball, it will be moved forwards quickly to the striker or second striker or lobbed over the top for the lighting quick right forward to run onto. While this happens, the whole team will push back up to the half way line and squeeze them back into their half again. For corners and crossing free kicks, we will man mark. These are measures for when they eventually manage to break out from the half way line, otherwise our best form of defence is to keep the ball in their half. Our general positions when defending:

http://sharemytactics.com/29879/

SUBS:

WINNING / DRAWING:
70 mins: Kagawa OFF Gerrard ON
80 mins: Vela OFF De Bruyne ON (winning)
Gerrard will replace the tiring legs of Kagawa and help keep the ball, and swap positions with Koke. Gerrard will also help maintain a goal threat with his trademark late runs into the box from that position. If winning by the 80th min we will look to keep the ball even more and shut up shop to close out the game so we bring on De Bruyne to replace Vela and have him play alongside Kroos and Fernandinho, pushing Gerrard and Koke further forward.

LOSING:
65 mins: Son ON Shaw OFF
75 mins: De Bruyne ON Gustavo OFF
Son will replace Shaw and move into a left forward position to attack more from the left side and give even better support to the other forwards. De Bruyne comes on to replace Gustavo, with Fernandinho dropping back into the left centre half position meaning that Kroos will become the only holding midfielder. De Bruyne will move up into a second striker position along with Koke, while Kagawa moves further up as striker alongside Sturridge. Our aim will be to keep the ball in their half and outscore them while minding ourselves defensively with the normal system.

---------------------Krul------------------
Debuchy---Rudiger---Zouma---Sciglio
------------------Carvalho---------------
--------------A.Pirlo---Guarin-----------
Mirallas--------------------------Januzaj
-------------------Morata-----------------

Neuer, Bonucci, Rabiot, Coman,, Vietto, Zivkovic, Dele Alli

In goal Krul, is a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, leads by example from the back, shouting instructions to hos defenders. Out quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.

Zouma and Rudiger are a solid pairing at CB, on this occassion Rudiger will man mark the CF, quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, will keep the CF away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any though he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Zouma alongside will mark any big men that come up for corners etc and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger, will help out Rudiger if needed.
Sciglio and Debuchy at fullback, when we attack one goes at a time the other sits back. When they attack I want them bombing down the wing over lapping the winger to allow them to cut inside, quick passing between the two to get them passed the opposition fullback, which will see the fullback drive towards the bye line to get a quick cross in. If its not a cross then look for the winger inside to play a quick pass back to them so they can drive into the box. Defending both will have to be vigilant and always mindful of the tricks the opposite winger can do. Be onto them quickly not allowing them the time to get going, push them out wide and stop them becoming a threat.

Carvalho sits just in front of the two cbs, he stops there flow between midfield and attack, always watchful for the AM and when they come forward he will look to intercept any through balls or look to stop his runs forward. Even when we attack he is always mindful of the players movement and ready to act quickly if they break forward. Once the ball is won simple balls to those around him. He will be aided when we defend by Pirlo and Guarin either side of him Both extremely hard working lads who will get up and down the pitch helping both defence and attack. They sit as a threewith Guarin taking care of the AM when he comes forward. They will break up play and get it moving forward, most likely Guarin to burst forward to assist Morata. His goal record for a CM is fantastic and can score from varous angles/ranges, he is a very dynamic player with great stamina, one who never gives up. . Pirlo will look to runboss the midfield and control the game looking to spray iy about with ease to the forward three and set them up for a pop at goal.

Mirallas and Januzaj are both lightning quick with nimble feet which more often than not takes them passed the fullback, wether they knock it passed them and drive on or simple a quick turn, and there away. Will have fullbacks supporting them so this allows them to pass and cut inside where both are very useful. Give and go, wait for the return and go for goal, or look to drive into the box in support of Morata. Januzaj focusses more on pace and likes to knock it on and drive on to see him passed, whereas Mirallas likes to make the pass that gives him time to look for space for him to drive into and wait for the return. Both very dangerous and with support from there respective fullbacks we will be a danger out wide. When defending look to get back and stop there defenders becoming a threat. With Morata as the middle man all three will drive at the defence

Morata goes up top two good feet, will look to get into positions that he will become dangerous, in fact my front three are a danger and there movement will be a serious concern for the other team. Pace and movement from them, can all play CF or drift wide so when the winger comes in Morata will be looking to drag the CB away freeing up room for the other two to drive into. With Guarin also supporting we are a huge goal threat to anyone. I want quick football as they arent the biggest of lads, ball to feet and always looking up for a pass..

Captain - Pirlo
Penalties - Morata
Free Kicks - Pirlo
Corners - Wingers

Subs:-
Losing -
Coman for Guarin on 70 mins
Zivkovic for Januzaj on 75 mins
Vietto for Pirlo on 80 - 442

Drawing
Rabiot for Guarin on 75
Zivkovic for Morata on 80

Winning
Rabiot for Guarin on 75

---------------------------Foster-----------------------
-----Lahm------Boateng----Laporte-----Gibbs-----
-------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Busquets-----------------------
--------Yaya Toure------------Herrera-------------
-------------------------------------------------------
--------Reus---------------------------Ronaldo-----
-------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Aguero------------------------

Subs:
Thoms Vermaelan
Alexsander Kolarov
Daley Blind
Daryll Janmaat
Aaron Ramsey
David Silva
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain


---------------------------------------------------------
SUBS
IF LOSING
Herrera > Silva 60'
Normal 4-2-3-1

70'
Apply above
Gibbs > Kolarov
80'
Apply above

If DRAWING
Kolarov > Gibbs 60' - More attacking FB

Herrera > Ramsey 70' - Better player

Yaya Toure > Silva 80' - 4-2-3-1

IF WINNING
60'
Herrera > Blind - 2 holding players. Yaya Toure just in front

70'
Yaya Toure > Ramsey and also apply above

80'
apply above
Ronaldo > Kolarov

--------------------------------------------------------------

We expect Barcelona to naturally have more of the ball than us. Therefore the plan today is to sit in front of them and once we get the ball counter with pace and power. (Similar to how Real Madrid played Barcelona in real life last season with Bale and Ronaldo as their outlets).. Yaya Toure will provide energy and stamina while Herrera increases our ball retention qualities. The midfield must be able to drift from one side to the other when the opposition has the ball depending on when the ball is, hence the inclusion of Yaya Toure and Herrera.
Yaya Toure is excellent running with the ball so if possible he will try and run past the slow Xavi when we win the ball back instead of just hoofing the ball forward. Boateng comes back into the team after injury, he must be at his best to minimise Messi's effect. Naturally we have a lot of width in our team with our wingers. We feel they have weak full backs and with our wingers being our strongest part of our team, I feel we can really target this weakness.

Foster will be quick off his line for one on ones and crosses into the box. I want him to be vocal in his box maintaining communication with his centre halves. Comfortable with the ball at his feet he will play it both short to my centre backs and long to my attackers who look to break at speed.

Lahm and Gibbs two natural full backs. I want them being reserved with their attacking duties today. Also I want them to defend responsibly and not risk being caught out. They mark man for man and force the opposition down the wing.

Boateng and Laporte, A good mix of power, pace, aerial ability and composure on the ball, allows us to be commanding at the back and limit the amount of opportunities for the opposition. Both will control the back four and make sure everybody is doing their job correctly by using their excellent leadership skills. Boateng and Laporte will stay close to each other not allowing the opposition to open up space. Laporte looks to defend the first ball coming towards our defence, using his reading of the game to get there before the striker and clear, he'll use his great tackling to shut him down around the area and then look to get the ball back Boateng stays in position when Laporte does this covering the remaining space, he will be able to clear the second ball if it gets beyond Laporte.

We play with a trio in midfield today. I want them all behind the ball when defending and only one of Ramsey/Yaya going forward when attacking. As usual Busquets will be the official defensive midfielder. Yaya Toure uses his amazing energy to track down opposition in pressing while also making late runs in to the box. Busquets helps us tick over. Herrera will help us keep the ball in midfield and also make clever passes. Along with making late runs into the box (as he did in the weekend in real life).

When we have the ball we look to get it forward as quick as possible to Ronaldo/Reus and look to counter attack and get 1v1 vs their defence. Both have free roles. Occasionally they may come deep to create more options. I don’t want them up their all day stuck like statues.

Up front is Aguero, he should always look to make runs in behind and hold his own when possible holding the ball up and getting others involved whilst occasionally coming deeper to dictate the player whilst they go on beyond.

Am I allowed to make a change? Swap son in for vela

————————————Hassen
Azpilicueta—-——Howedes———Terry———Moreno
———-——-—Kondogbia———Montolivio
—Lamela————————————-————Praet
————————Origi
————————————Bony

Subs: Courtois, Grimaldo, Nainngolan, Matuidi, Keita, Rooney, Cavani

Captain: John Terry
Free Kicks: Ricardo Montolivo/Erik Lamela
Corners: Ricardo Montolivo
Penalties: Wilfred Bony

We press high up the field with the front two putting the pressure on and the attacking midfielders working hard to compact the field and close off options, looking to squeeze the ball back to the keeper or wide. We then position ourselves to defend horizontal areas of the pitch, if its wide, our two FB and Ams are the ones to do the pressing of players, with the rest of the midfield and attack squeezing in to compress space and give the opposition no chance of getting into central areas to hurt us, if they do we have the opposite wide men in position to close down quickly and allow the rest of the team to reposition. If the ball is central we defend with two compact banks of four, little space between them so there is no chance to play between the lines. The Ams can compact the central area if Porto attempt to pack numbers into those attacking positions, whilst the FBs stay tight on our CBs to leave no gaps, the 4 wide players pushing out to defend the flanks when required. The two strikers must come back and press the DMs throughout, not allowing them time to pick a pass. We stay organised, squeeze the space and make it very difficult for them to get through. The defence stays tight together, leaving no spaces between themselves and being physically stronger than our opponents.

We look to attack at pace, allowing our two FBs to bomb forward and provide width, looking to provide us with the chance to stretch the game. Whilst Lamela and Praet provide a lot of flair and vision to unlock a defence, they start wide but can move central to allow us to link up very quickly and overload against their CBs, however Lamela look to hold extra width and take players on wide to open up space. Origi and Bony link together, Origi providing the skill and trickery, constantly ready to run at the heart of the defence, whilst Bony looks to run off the defenders to give his team mates an option. When we get the ball we want to be direct if the option is there, attacking the spaces either with pace out wide or quick link up through the middle. However if we can’t break forward we hold onto the ball, Kondogbia and Montolivo give us the players to control the game when needed, keeping it moving and using their power to establish our dominance in the game and Montolivo finding the spaces with his passing. If we are forced deep then we look to release to the strikers straight away to bypass any pressing, often CFs will look to immediately start a wide run when the ball is won to take advantage of space behind FBs.

Individual:

Hassen command his box, collecting crosses.

FBs attack when we get forward, looking to give their wingers the option with runs to the byline or just hanging back behind the wingers. When defending stand up to the wingers, be strong and force them back.

Terry does the man marking of the striker, using his physical presence and pace to keep tight and stop the striker getting any space. Howedes is the covering CB, sweeping up and stopping runners finding space.

Kondogbia and Montolivo read the games well, in space to cover attacks and ready to distribute the ball into space.

Lamela the flair man, looking to attack the FB or cut inside and run at the CBs. Praet the vision looking to move inside and make chances.

Origi and Bony work off each other, Origi with the creativity and movement into goal scoring positions, Bony with the power and speed to play off the last defender.

Subs:

If Winning: Matudi for Montolivo 70'. Nainngolan for Origi 75', 4-3-3. Grimaldo for Praet 80'.

If Drawing: Keita for Praet 65’, more flair to the attack. Nainngolan and Rooney for Kondogbia and Origi 75’, two players to create chances.

If Losing: Cavani and Keita for Origi and Praet 65’, Keita run at them, Cavani provide the extra quality. Rooney for Kondogbia 70’, Rooney CM, will look to make runs forward and be the creative spark.

Attacking 3-5-2. High pressing game. Shut out the space the opposition want to play in. Playing with a high tempo, in possession and without it.

Inherently an attacking formation that aims to take the game to our opponents, press and defend high up the pitch, and stretch the play as wide as possible when in possession. The formation is rigid in defence, and fluid in attack.

The midfield trio will look to quickly feed the forwards who will drop deep to collect the ball. We’ve gone for wbs, and cms who will provide great energy in the midfield, but more importantly will be able to control possession. Pace in attack will be key to stretching the opposition’s setup, and making it extremely difficult for them to play their way out of defence.

Bellarabi and Wellbeck up front are tasked with using their pace to stretch the opposition defence and pull players out of position. Create pockets of space for our attacking players to get into where they can hurt the opposition.

--------------- Zieler
----- Stark – Manolas – Evans
Rafael --------------------- A.Telles
----- Khedira – Oscar – Mauri
------ Bellarabi – Wellbeck

Defence

We will look to defend high up the pitch, playing a high pressing game. If the opposition have possession in their own half, our formation will resemble a 3-5-2. Looking to get all bodies in the opposition half bar our 3 cbs. Put high pressure on the opposition. Don’t let them play.

In the middle third Stark/Evans to pick up the wide forward when they attack down the wings, and wbs to pick up their wide midfidler/fb, one of the cms comes across if they have fb,wide mid and wide forward on one side per se. On the other side (opposite from ball) Stark/Evans come in narrow, and wb picks up the furthest forward wg on that side. If they switch play we simply move across quickly as a unit to setup in the same manner on the other side.

Essentially, we seek to negate the problem of space behind an attacking wb, by our wide cb being in a position to instinctively cover. Our high defence will consist of our two forwards, wbs and two cms pushing forward to mark and close down the opposition. One of Khedira/Mauri holds a position in front of the defence.

We only retreat into a back five as part of a deep block after the initial high block had been bypassed and the opposition are moving forward into our half.

As the opposition progress up the pitch, we will drop deeper as the opposition enter our half. With 3 cbs the gaps between them are generally smaller, and with the additional cover of Rafael and Telles it will be difficult for the opposition forwards to find space.

Zieler used to playing with 3 cbs in front of him, will lead from the back, commanding his area and ensuring the defenders in front of him are setup in the correct shape.

Khedira and Mauri sit slightly deeper than Oscar, ensuring we have cover to come across if they get past one of our cms, one cm that can easily provide extra cover down the wings. Khedira and Mauri’s defensive contribution, snapping at the opposition heels will give us great energy.

Bellarabi will look to sit in front of the 3 cms moving from left to right with the ball. If the ball is past him, he will stay in the lines between the opposition cb and dm. Drifting wide as soon as we win possession back.

Attack

We will be patient moving the ball our from defence, the midfield trio however will look to be direct in the opposition half. Quick passing football, keeping the ball on the deck. Pass and move simple. We want the midfield to be quick on the ball, not taking too many touches, find our forwards quickly, then look to get forward and ahead of them.

We have three defenders who are comfortable on the ball, we will generally look to start attacks playing out from the back. Our midfielders will look to come deep, to orchestrate the play, and entice the opposition out of position. Create gaps in their formation.

The midfield trio should never be flat. Create as many lines as possible to increase the options we have in possession, and to create gaps in the opposition.

Wbs look to get at the opposition fbs, with two forwards and 1 cm bombing forward and another looking to join the attack as well, we should overload the opposition defence making it extremely difficult to pick up our players in and around their box. One of the cms will stay deep, Khedira/Mauri. Offering the opposition to go backwards, and allow him to orchestrate our play and pick a pass.

Our setup gives our strikers great freedom when we are attacking, they are able to find the space to get the ball in dangerous areas, and with a strike partner this is far easier.

Subs.
If winning after 65 mins bring on Hulk for Bellarabi
If winning after 70 mins bring on Otzunali for Mauri.
If winning after 75 mins bring on Clichy for Telles.

If drawing after 65 mins bring on Barkley for Mauri.
If drawing after 70 mins bring on Hulk for Bellarbi.
If drawing after 75 mins bring on Cazorla for Oscar.

If losing after 60 mins bring on Hulk for Stark. 4-4-2. Oscar left.
If losing after 67 mins bring on Cazorla for Mauri. Oscar cm.
If losing after 75 mins bring on Barkley for Oscar.

comment by Wilshere (U9880)
posted 2 weeks, 1 day ago
-----------------------Cech
Piszczek------Cahill--------Chiellini-----Bernat
------------Bender--------Schwein
Di Maria------------Eriksen-------------------Willian
---------------------Remy
Subs: Cesar, Arbeloa, Schmelzer , Kaya, Townsend , Carrick, Faour

GAME PLAN

We need to be in their faces by continuously pressing them and keeping all men behind the ball (when we are off the ball). When on the ball we need to be direct and composed. We need to use our wingers as much as possible because that is where I believe we can take advantage of Bilbao. Their full backs will be attacking a lot and leaving plenty of gaps behind them. Willian and Di Maria have the pace to punish them. We need to dominate the midfield battle and control the game how we want it to be controlled. We need to control possession and work the ball into spaces. Try and keep it tight for Bilbao so when we get the ball we can exploit any spaces left. Bender is the DM so he will stay back to protect our defence while our other midfielders will be focusing on the attacking side of the game. Be in their faces, make them uncomfortable and then hopefully we will be able to take advantage.

POSITIONAL TACTICS

Piszczek should play as a wing back. I want him to move forward during our attacks. He should stay out wide to create a crossing option. I want him to create space for our wingers. While defending Piszczek should try and push the player back. If he can’t do that he should push him out wide to a position where he has to kick the ball off. Bernat should play the same way.

Cahill should use his height and strength to keep the striker(s) out of the game. I want him to keep with that attacker at all times or keep him offside. He should try and header every ball out of the box or kick it away preferably to the wingers. He should only go up for corners/free kicks. Chiellini should play the same way as Cahill.

Bender will be the DM. He should look to disrupt their attacking play and reduce the space around their playmaker. He should hold his position and not get caught up field. I want him to control the style of the game we play. While acting as cover for our defence he should also separate the midfield from the defence by keeping hold of the ball and form attacks.

Schwein will be our box-box midfielder. I want him to identify spaces up the pitch. He should take hold of the ball and supply it to any of the front 3 ahead and try to exploit any space. When we’re attacking I want him to move up and stay in space. When off the ball he should be a ball winning player.

I want Di Maria to use his skill and pace and make runs into the box. He must use his pace to outrun the full back but also his quality control of the ball to dribble round him. When we’re off the ball I want him help Piszczek cover their full back. I would like Willian to do the same.

Eriksen should use his pace and strength to make runs into the box and opening up space for Remy. He will look to supply the ball to the wingers as well. Try and force their defensive midfielder to move out of position and allow our wingers to use that space by running into the centre. Off the ball he should drop back and play deeper therefore he will be able to use more of his trickery to open up games during a counter attack.

I would like Eriksen, Di Maria and Willian to intersect and change positions.

Remy must use his pace and skill to open up spaces for the wingers and central players to run into. I want him to stay inside the box so that he remains an option in the middle. However he should drop deeper to bring the defenders forward and open up space behind them. He should look to overpower their defenders with his pace and strength and height. He should constantly look to move into space to create himself as an option for the defence. When we’re defending he should mark the player at the edge of the box.

Captain: Schwein
Vice: Cech
FK: Di Maria
PK: Di Maria
CK: Di Maria
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment deleted by Article Creator

ASTON VILLA

4-2-3-1

_______________________Navas_______________________
Astori____________Toprak_____Koscielny___________Shaw
_______________Fernandinho____Kroos________________
Koke___________________Kagawa__________________Son
______________________Sturridge_____________________
SUBS: Begovic, Vela, Gustavo, Verratti, De Bruyne, Piatti, Destro

Captain: Toni Kroos
Right free-kicks: Toni Kroos
Left free-kicks: Toni Kroos
Penalties: Daniel Sturridge
Right corners: Toni Kroos
Left corners: Toni Kroos

GEGENPRESSING is a highly-organised approach and will be our approach to regaining possession and minimising space for the opposition. My opponents are rapidly closed down by well-rehearsed, co-ordinated pressing movements, often by two or more players, allied with intelligent positioning to restrict space for opposition to pass and move into. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after after my team just lost it. Once we have regained possession, the transition from defence to attack will be explosive. We will be an attacking team. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Play on the counter if dominated, but move the ball around when they sit back. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Kagawa and Koke will drop back to help, Son stays up as the out ball and Sturridge prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line. * When defending we will play two banks of four and be compact leaving little space in between the lines. So when defending we will go into this mode:

Koke - Fernandinho - Kroos - Kagawa
Sturridge - Son

And when we get the ball we will look to set loose the speedsters up front with the whole team pushing up a bit to at least outside our 18 yard box and switch back to our normal formation.

Navas:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines and play safe, take no risks. Looks to set off counters with his distribution.

Toprak and Koscielny:
Deals with opposition attackers. Koscielny keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Koscielny will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Koscielny or Fernandinho will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Toprak will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Toprak will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Koscielny. Koscielny will be the centre half who steps up and clears up balls before it reaches their attackers, but must only go if he’s 100% sure he’ll get it. Go up for corners. If in the event that an attacking midfielder / second striker is not played then Koscielny will just have to deal with the midfield runner but not get dragged too far out of his defensive line.

Astori and Shaw:
Astori will be disciplined for this match, but when we get the ball and whoever the opposition manager plays goes on one of his inside runs Astori will look to overlap Koke and run into the box. Astori and Shaw both will show the opposition wide players to their weak foot, threat weakens when they are shown away from goal. Both will sit back when without the ball, but Shaw will bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.

Fernandinho and Kroos:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Fernandinho is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Fernandinho will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Kroos will buzz around and dictate play, bursting forwards at times to provide an extra body in attack. Kroos will be a bit ahead of Fernandinho to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Kagawa, even going level with Kagawa at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Kroos will need to make himself a goal threat with his late runs into the box in this match. Fernandinho stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Fernandinho sticks to position when fullbacks fly forwards, providing cover if needed. Kroos drops deeper when this happens.

Koke, Kagawa and Son:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Sturridge and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Koke should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Kagawa can burst past Sturridge and shoot if needed. Constantly runs at their defence. All will press the opposition when without the ball. Koke will be drifting inside a lot and because he has stamina of six men he will therefore chase down the ball a lot and aim to create when he gets the ball. In this match when we don’t have the ball I will need Son to sit on their deep lying midfielder and disrupt him. When Astori gets forward during his rare forward runs Son will attempt to find him at the far post for Astori to knock the ball across goal for Sturridge Kagawa Kroos to knock in, with Koke arriving late to gobble up possible rebounds. They will also try and double up on a full back if required (like Robben and Ribery both attacking the same fullback).

Sturridge:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied. Will chase down opposition centre halves when they have the ball.

SUBS:
Winning/Drawing:
75 mins: Kagawa OFF Verratti ON
Verratti replaces Kagawa and we go 4-3-3 with Verratti dropping back. We will then aim to keep the ball for as long as possible even if we have to do pointless sideway passing but if space opens up, work the ball forwards to try and create a chance.

Losing:
75 mins: Fernandinho OFF Destro ON
Go 4-2-4 with Destro Sturridge centre Koke right Son left. Kagawa supports, Kroos holds and sprays passes from deep. All out attack, have to go level at least if not win it. When we lose the ball Koke goes central to provide support in centre mid and Sturridge goes to the right to provide that outlet. Switch back when we have the ball. Both full backs go forwards in turns and we will squeeze them back into their 18 yard box. Our CBs will not stick too close to the striker in case they get turned, Koscielny will be ready to chase back towards goal while Toprak will position himself to nick the ball off the attacker as soon as he gets it. Whatever second attacker from the opposition will be watched by the full back staying back depending on which side.

Scored the goal(s) to get all three points / to win the tie ONLY AFTER the Destro change:
Whatever minute: Sturridge OFF Gustavo ON
Whatever minute: Kagawa OFF De Bruyne ON
They’re gonna pen us back whether we like it or not, so we will go 5-4-1 with Astori slotting into a back 5. Koke will come into the centre along with Kroos with De Bruyne right and Son left, Destro up front. Son will provide the counter attacking threat when we win the ball back and him and Destro will break at their (supposedly) abandoned defence. This is not me playing defensive football voluntarily, this is the opposition forcing us into our box like we would’ve forced them into theirs and me providing a counter measure to this situation.

---------------------Krul---------------------
Debuchy----Zouma----Bonucci----Ricardo
---------------------Pirlo---------------------
--------------Guarin----Pogba--------------
Januzaj----------Sanchez----------Neymar

Karius, Sciglio, Carvalho, Rabiot, Depay, Coman, Morata

In goal Krul, a fine Goalkeeper, a fantastic shot stopper and a keeper that instills confidence in the back four, leads by example from the back, shouting instructions to hos defenders. Out quickly to shut down strikers and close there shooting angles down. Punches clear what he cant catch from high balls and likes to release early to set up quick counters.

Zouma and Bonucci are a solid pairing at CB for the CL, on this occassion Bonucci will man mark the CF, quick and skillfull for a CB, with great marking abilities, will keep the CF away from goal and be on to him quickly as he comes forward so he can intercept any thought he has of going for goal. When in possession he will carry the ball out and start attacks from the back. Zouma alongside will mark any big men that come up for corners etc and make sure he is strong enough to get the ball away from danger, will help out Bonucci if needed.
Ricardo and Debuchy at fullback, when we attack one goes at a time the other sits back. When they attack I want them bombing down the wing over lapping the winger to allow them to cut inside, quick passing between the two to get them passed the opposition fullback, which will see the fullback drive towards the bye line to get a quick cross in. If its not a cross then look for the winger inside to play a quick pass back to them so they can drive into the box. Defending both will have to be vigilant and always mindful of the tricks the opposite winger can do. Be onto them quickly not allowing them the time to get going, push them out wide and stop them becoming a threat.

Pirlo is my playmaker, he controls the game with his, at time simplistict passing, not the quickest player Pirlo leaves that sort of exertion to his youthful midfield partners Guarin and Pogba. Instead, patrolling an area not much more extensive than the centre circle, he sits in front of his back four, firing out quarterback-type passes, occasionally ambling forward to take a free-kick. Although not lightning quick he is very difficult to get the ball from. At times he just takes a touch and makes the opposition look very silly. This gives him the time to ping the passes about with time and ease. His style will frustrate the opposition they will begin to fly in with rash tackles which he will merely walk away from, with ball at feet. Defending he will be aided by Pogba and Guarin who will do the marking job on the two most advanced midfielders. Both extremely hard working lads who will get up and down the pitch helping both defence and attack. They sit as a threewith Pogba taking care of the AM when he comes forward. They will break up play and get it moving forward, most likely Guarin to burst forward to assist Sanchez. His goal record for a CM is decent and can score from various angles/ranges, he is a very dynamic player with great stamina, one who never gives up. With pogba and Pirlo they will be no pushovers. Pogba is sort of mix of the two, can pass the ball about, defend the lines and also break forward. A very cool head for such a young lad. Look to pick up from Pirlo and drive forward looking for more advanced passing to those in front of him or push forward with the ball with Guarin sitting jsut a bit behind.

Januzaj and Neymar are class. Both quick with nimble feet which more often than not takes them passed the fullback, wether they knock it passed them and drive on or simple a quick turn, and there away. Will have fullbacks supporting them so this allows them to pass and cut inside where both are very useful. Give and go, wait for the return and go for goal, or look to drive into the box in support of Sanchez. Neymar focusses more on the ttricks and twists to see him passed, whereas Januzaj likes to make the pass that gives him time to look for space for him to drive into and wait for the return. Both very dangerous and with support from there respective fullbacks we will be a danger out wide. When defending look to get back and stop there defenders becoming a threat, With Sanchez as the middle man all three will drive at the BM defence.

Sanchez goes up top two good feet, will look to get into positions that he will become dangerous, in fact my front three are a danger and there movement will be a serious concern for the other team. Pace and movement from them, can all play CF or drift wide so when the winger comes in Sanchez will be looking to drag the CB away freeing up room for the other two to drive into. With Guarin also supporting we are a huge goal threat to anyone. I want quick football as they arent the biggest of lads, ball to feet and go for goal when possible.

Captain - Pirlo
Pens - Sanchez
Free Kicks - Pirlo
Corners - Wingers

Subs:-
Losing
70 Mins - Depay for Pirlo, he goes LW and Neymar into support Sanchez
80 Mins - Morata for Januzaj - Sanchez RW, Neymar and Morata up top
85 Mins - Rabiot for Debuchy 343 Sanchez Morata Neymar up top, Ricardo to make a back three, Guarin supporting, Rabiot/Pogba in the middle

Winning
70 Mins - Carvalho for Pirlo closes down the AM
80 Mins - Memphis for Neymar, track back more and still a threat
85 mins - Morata for Sanchez

Drawing:-
70 Mins - Morata for Januzaj, Sanchez RW, Morata up top
80 Mins - Memphis for Pirlo, Neymar into central free role Memphis LW