Post your lineups and tactics here. The polls for the first round of fixtures will open tomorrow, please try and get your tactics in before then. From there on, after the poll has been open for 48 hours the result will be tallied up and next round will begin.
Winner of this group will face the runner up of Group C in the quarter finals and vice versa!
Here we have my 'default' formation that I'll go into most matches with. Plenty of width, creativity in the midfield and both defensive and attacking prowess. Best goalkeeper in the world, best striker in the world, arguably one of the best CBs in the world. Douglas Costa and Carrasco will push the flanks and provide more support for the central Suarez, resembling a shape closer to his Liverpool days than his Barcelona days.
I feel like James is at his best in and around the outside of the box, and this shape gives him a little free license to roam in the attacking midfield spot. Xhaka supports just behind as a deep-lying playmaker, with Matuidi providing a more Makelele-like presence in the middle of the park with his focus on ball-winning and retention. Digne and Azpilicueta are sturdy fullbacks who are both useful in all phases of play. This is my most balanced team shape.
Diamond formation (4-4-2)
Subs:
Garay Luiz Gustavo Douglas Costa Carrasco
Maximum creativity in the middle of the park. Pastore and Berardi join to give more build-up and attacking options, with support from the attacking full backs to provide width for the narrow midfield. Berardi joins Suarez up front to give him a partner in crime and another good goalscorer to build a rapport with, similar to his role alongside Sturridge in Liverpool's successful 2014 campaign.
'Wall' defensive formation (5-4-1)
Subs:
Pastore Xhaka James Rodriguez Berardi
This shape brings Luiz Gustavo and Garay in to provide more defensive bite. Luiz Gustavo adds more ball winning and protection for the back five, plus a good passing outlet to the wingers on the break. Garay is in here as a pseudo sweeper, and another body to break up attacks and defend set-pieces. Despite the obviously defensive nature of this team shape, I really like it as a counter-attacking unit because Douglas Costa and Carrasco are absolutely lightning fast and can link up with a lethal finisher like Suarez in the blink of an eye.
Players' Roles Note: Red is for the offensive mindset, Green is for the defensive mindset, Blue is for both.
Bravo (Goalkeeper) – With 16 clean sheets and 3.40 saves per goal, the GK champion of La Liga and Copa del Rey is a wall between the posts and our first line of defense. He's also our captain.
Alaba – Arguably the best LB in the world, on offense, (Wing Back) Alaba aims to overlap down the flank to provide wide support for attacks, run at his man and get crosses in from the byline. Has a more offensive approach than Aurier. On defense, (Full Back) he should supplement his defensive responsibilities by overlapping the midfield and providing first time crosses into the area.
Hummels (Limited Defender) – His main job is to stop the opposing attacker (65% duels won per game), win the ball without giving away a free kick (0.6 fouls committed per game) and get it cleared safely up field in a no-nonsense manner. He’ll have a stopper duty, meaning that he’ll push ahead of the defensive line and close down players before they get to the area (83% successful take-ons per game). Plays on the left side providing backup to Alaba’s forward approach.
Dijk (Sweeper) – Drops behind the defensive line, aiming to sweep up through balls (7.79 clearances per game), pick up extra attackers (73% successful take-ons per game) and make goal saving tackles as well as blocks, covering for defensive errors and taking possession of loose balls from a deep position (2.82 interceptions per game). Plays on the right side since Aurier doesn’t venture much forward.
Aurier – On offense, (Full Back) he plays the same role as Alaba’s defensive role, while not going as forward as him, while on defense (Limited Full Back) he focuses predominantly on his defensive duties (2.95 tackles won, 3.43 interceptions and clearances, per game).
Kanté – On offense, (Anchor Man) his main duty is to sit in the hole between the defense and the midfield, intercepting moves (4.22 per game), winning the ball (3.38 tackles won per game) and laying off simple passes to his more creative teammates. Plays on the left side providing backup to Alaba’s forward approach. On defense, (Ball-winning Midfielder) his role shifts to a somewhat related role, with the main function of closing down the opposition and winning the ball (58% successful take-ons per game), while also helping keep possession and quickly lay it off to a more creative player.
Parejo (Box-to-Box Midfielder) – This role enables him to contribute greatly to both defense and attack. In an offensive mindset he’ll push up to support the forwards, often surging late into the box to get on the end of crosses and pull backs as well as providing a threat from distance (1 shot per game and 4 goals outside the area). In a defensive mindset he’ll help in the protection of the defensive line while harrying attacking midfielders (60% successful take-ons and 1 foul committed, per game).
Griezmann – On offense, (Inside Forward) he aims to cut inside from the flanks with the options of shooting, passing or crossing as he moves into the final third. His movement should open up space for Alaba. On defense, (Roaming Playmaker) this shift in role helps more as Griezmann tracks back looking to pick the ball up in deep positions and work it forward with urgency to spearhead counter-attacks, using his incredible speed and dribbling abilities in his favor.
Eriksen – Being able to operate in all forwards positions, on offense (Advanced Playmaker) Eriksen aims to drop into holes between the opposition’s midfield and defense, gaining his ground and looking to spray passes to support forwards (2.89 key passes and 3.26 chances created, per game, and 14 assists). He’ll focus in creating offense outside the box in order to cover up for Griezmann’s position. On defense, (Defensive Winger), he aims to press the opposing full backs, win the ball high up the pitch and either hold it up for the rest of the team, drive to the byline or get in a quick cross or put in a through ball.
Lamela – Being technically proficient as well as quick, on offense (Winger) Lamela aims to beat his man on the outside, ready to surge into space. When going forward, he’ll try and run at the defense in the final third, causing panic and indecision prior to shooting (12 goals) or attempting to make a through ball/cross to a teammate (9 assists). Defensively, (Wide Playmaker) he’ll take up his position on the wing to provide cover for his fullback and be another body in the defensive line, however he won’t be expected to make too many tackles, because he’ll act as the team’s primary source of creativity. He will drift inside to find space from which to play the killer ball (2 key passes per game) and create chances (2.21 per game), when starting the counter-attack.
Jonas - On offense, (Poacher) he sits on the shoulder of the last defender looking to break the defensive line and run onto through balls. Using the best of his abilities, his main focus will be scoring goals and sniffing out opportunities in and around the box. It was with this approach that he successfully scored 37 goals while also assisting 20 times, being 3rd and tied with Ronaldo in the race for Europe’s Golden Shoe. On defense, (Advanced Forward) apart from his obvious primary duty, Jonas will have the secondary purpose of chasing down misplaced through balls or clearances from deep, winning possession and laying off passes or crosses to his teammates.
Subs: Ricardo Pereira – Our backup full back is able to play on both sides of the wing, focusing the most of his abilities on his defensive responsibilities (2.96 interceptions, 3.62 clearances and 3.12 tackles won, per game). Tolisso – Our second most balanced midfielder provides an industrious and versatile link between the defense and the attack. He will balance his attacking responsibilities (1 key pass, 1.15 chances created and 84% pass completion, per game) with his defensive ones (2.03 interceptions, 1.91 tackles won and 50% total duels, per game), by getting forward when necessary but mainly retaining position in the middle and attempting to thread passes to players in the final third. Calhanoglu – One of the most versatile players out there, he’s able to operate in a variety of positions and interpret all kinds of roles, from midfielder to attacking midfielder as well as forward, making him our trump card of the bench. The change of pace he can bring into the game, and the ability to craft out goal scoring opportunities like no other, either from crosses, cuts inside or shots from distance, are an essential part of our game (2.42 key passes, 2.58 chances created, per game, and 12 goals, 6 assists). Giroud – Our second striker was chosen not only to differ from the previous one but to complement him as well. He has the strength, aggression, jumping reach and aerial presence (52% aerial duels won, per game, and 11 headed goals) that make him a great Target Man to play alongside Jonas. His finishing (54% shot accuracy, per game, and 31 goals) first touch, passing ability (8 assists) and defensive contribution that make him a great Advanced Forward when playing alone.
2nd Formation: Line-up
Offensive & Defensive Mindset
Players' Roles Note: Only the roles/players that changed are noted below.
Spoiler:
Alaba (Full Back) - Should supplement his defensive responsibilities with providing extra width on the midfield and looking to cross or put in a through ball when the opportunity for each arises.
Aurier (Full Back) - Same role as Alaba's. Both won't venture much forward than the midfield. (2.95 tackles won, 3.43 interceptions and clearances, per game)
Kanté – On offense, he plays the role of Anchor Man. On defense, (Defensive Midfielder) he has the job to protect the defensive line from breaking attackers by closing down quickly, hold his ground and recycle possession from a deep position.
Tolisso - On offense, (Box-to-Box Midfielder) he’ll push up to support the forwards, often surging late into the box to get on the end of crosses and pull backs as well as providing a threat from distance (1.15 chances created and 0.97 key passes, per game). On defense, (Ball-winning Midfielder) his role shifts, with the main function of closing down the opposition and winning the ball (50% successful take-ons and 50% total duels, per game), while also helping keep possession and quickly lay it off to a more creative player (84% pass completion per game).
Parejo – On offense, (Attacking Midfielder) his role is to fashion chances for himself (11 goals), craft out chances for his forwards (1.27 chances created and 1.12 key passes, per game), alongside being a presence in the box to supplement the attack. On defense, he plays Box-to-Box Midfielder.
Eriksen – On offense, (Wide Playmaker) he’ll act as the team’s primary source of creativity, drifting inside to find space from which to play the killer ball and creating chances (2.89 key passes, 3.26 chances created, per game, and 14 assists). On defense, he'll play Defensive Winger.
Lamela – On offense, he’ll play the Winger role, while on defense, (Defensive Winger) he aims to press the opposing full backs (1.94 fouls committed and 1.59 tackles won, per game), win the ball high up the pitch (57% successful take-ons per game) and either hold it up for the rest of the team, drive to the byline or get in a quick cross or put in a through ball.
Griezmann – He possesses all the technical attributes of a Deep-Lying Forward, the goal scoring ability of a Poacher and the strength and power of a Target Man. He’s equally adept at playing with others, fashioning chances for himself and getting on the end of team’s moves. We feel that such player should simply be allowed to do his own thing and for that reason, he’ll be our Complete Forward, offensively. On defense, he’ll shift to Advanced Forward as it brings more contribution from him defensively.
3rd Formation: Line-up
Offensive & Defensive Mindset
Players' Roles Note: Only the roles/players that changed are noted below.
Spoiler:
Pereira (Limited Full Back) - Focuses predominantly on his defensive duties.
Alaba (Ball-Playing Defender) – He plays the same role both offensively and defensively however in the first mindset he stays in line with his defensive partner looking to break up attacks, mark forwards and prevent the ball from getting into the box, while sometimes starting the attack himself, and in the second mindset he pushes ahead of the defensive line, closing down players before they get to the area while being encouraged to launch defense splitting through balls from deep to generate counter-attacking opportunities.
Aurier – On offense, (Wing Back) he aims to overlap down the flank to provide wide support for attacks, run at his man and get crosses in from the byline. On defense, he’ll shift to Full Back mainly staying back with his defensive line while being prepared to get forward when the team needs extra width on counter-attacks.
Parejo – On offense, he’ll be a Box-to-Box Midfielder. On defense, (Ball-winning Midfielder) he aims to close down the opposition (60% successful take-ons per game), win the ball in the midfield (1.48 interceptions per game) and support resulting counter-attacking opportunities.
Eriksen – On offense, he’ll be our Advanced Playmaker. On defense, (Trequartista) and considering the 5-man defensive line, Eriksen shifts to a role with almost no defensive work as he simply drifts around looking for space when the team is not in possession, in order to make use of any counter-attacking opportunities that come his way.
Set Pieces and winning/losing situation
Spoiler:
Set piece taker: Eriksen. Then Lamela (except direct FK’s – Griezmann) Penalty kick taker: Griezmann. Then Jonas.
1st Formation - If winning: Sub on Tolisso for Parejo and Ricardo for Eriksen/Lamela, more defensive players and fresher legs. And possibly Giroud for Jonas for the same reasons. 1st Formation - If losing: Sub on Tolisso for Aurier, play with a 3-man defense and 3-man midfield. Shift Eriksen to the left wing and have Griezmann pair up with Jonas. Calhanoglu for Lamela. 2nd Formation – If winning: Move Alaba to CB, play with a 5-man defense and sub on Tolisso for Parejo, a more defensive player. 2nd formation – If losing: Change to main formation, subbing on a striker for Ricardo while Alaba goes back to LB. Fresh legs. 3rd formation – If winning: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Sub later and to bring only fresh legs, focus more on counter-attacks. 3rd formation – If losing: Change to main formation, subbing on Lamela for Ricardo. Fresh legs.
In conclusion, we feel like we have created a very versatile, a very talented and most importantly a very well balanced team that can compete with any team in this tournament. Thank you all for taking the time to read our tactics.
For our first matchup against kdawg32086, we're going to opt for the 1st formation while making 2 small changes:
- On the offensive mindset, Eriksen, who plays Advanced Playmaker at the middle, will instead drift to the left side and be our Wide Playmaker; - On the defensive mindset, Jonas will have the additional job of applying immense pressure to Handanovic, when he plays with the ball at his feet. This should force him to either kick the ball out of bounds or try and give the ball to his teammates via a long pass, a part of his game which he's known to struggle with. Meaning that Handanovic will turn over the possession of the ball to us more often than not.
Arda K wrote:oh i wasnt complaining, tis nice work. although no mention of how you are planning to keep icardi from your players' wives.
We didn't plan for that but we think it's better for Icardi to be distracted by things outside of football so he doesn't have his mind focused on the match.
kdawg32086 vs. sleepyPT = Strong midfield but the players up front could be better for kdawg. It's not good when I hear more about them scoring ex-wives than goals lol. Both have strong defences so it will be a close call decided by a goal and sleepy has more quality to counter attack and break down the 3-man back line so I'll give the advantage to him. Very tight match-ups though.
Baphomet over Fury = Once again, strong midfield but not enough to show for upfront. None of Chicarito/Perisic/Salah have that it factor to make something happen in that box area without solid wing support and against Baph who has that in Suarez and quick flank players in Costa and Carra, he needs minimal possession of the ball. This really could go either way simply because a Kroos-Vidal duo could command a 60% possession but we all know that means little when you don't have quality independent scoring. I've watched Chica enough to know he's a system player that needs guys like Bellarabi, or a united system of crossing every freaking ball in the box.
Matty wrote:kdawg32086 vs. sleepyPT = Strong midfield but the players up front could be better for kdawg. It's not good when I hear more about them scoring ex-wives than goals lol. Both have strong defences so it will be a close call decided by a goal and sleepy has more quality to counter attack and break down the 3-man back line so I'll give the advantage to him. Very tight match-ups though.
Baphomet over Fury = Once again, strong midfield but not enough to show for upfront. None of Chicarito/Perisic/Salah have that it factor to make something happen in that box area without solid wing support and against Baph who has that in Suarez and quick flank players in Costa and Carra, he needs minimal possession of the ball. This really could go either way simply because a Kroos-Vidal duo could command a 60% possession but we all know that means little when you don't have quality independent scoring. I've watched Chica enough to know he's a system player that needs guys like Bellarabi, or a united system of crossing every freaking ball in the box.
Dani Alves assisted Messi more than any other Barca player. Fullbacks and cbs get no respect in this competition.
