Option 1 is our primary lineup; Option 2 is what we'll play against two strikers (Ardee matchup in the group stage).
When starting with Option 2 we will change to Option 1 or 3 around the 50-55 minute mark if we need more creative drive in the side.Option 1 (4-3-1-2): The pressing and creating swiss-army-lineup
Option 2 (3 - 5 - 2) - The Defensive Rock
Option 3 (3-4-1-2): - The Curiousity
Forwards:
Luis Suarez - FW / W
Paulo Dybala - FW / W
Max Kruse - FW / LW
Midfielders:
David Alaba - CM / LB / CB / LW / AM / DM / Fussballgott
Sergio Busquets - DM (6)
Christian Eriksen - AM (10) / W
Christoph Kramer - CM (8)
*Vierinha - RB / RW / CM (8)
Defenders & Goalkeeper:
Ricardo Rodriguez - LB
Marquinhos - CB / RB
Laurent Koscielny - CB
Fabinho - RB
Alvaro Dominguz - CB / LB
*Vierinha - RB / RW / CM (8)
Bernd Leno - GK
Startegic/Tactical thoughts/goals:Our Front Two should be wider on the image as they'll both base their positioning in the channel off of the outside shoulder of the opposition CBs, forcing the FBs to need to be very disciplined against them. Both are very free to move around offensively to combine or charge into scoring areas. Against the ball they will often fall back to shut down routes to the opposing 6 and forcing their CBs to dictate build up play. Though with some opponents, where the CBs are the greater threat than the 6, they will be asked to press sooner. Max Kruse fits the profile with these two; positionally fluid, creative on and off the ball, lethal in the box, dangerous from range, and driven.
When on the pitch, Eriksen will also drift all across the pitch. Though his movements will be focused more towards the left to combine with Suarez's movements, Alaba coming up from the midfield, and Rodriguez flying up on the far left. This is the area where a larger percentage of our attacking movements will be-concentrated/originate. Through these guys threat we intended to open holes for Dybala-Kramer-Fabinho to take advantage of either directly with cross-field passes and sneaky through balls; or through swift switches of play via Biscuits. Our own build up will be funneled primarily through the Spanish #6 or RR/Alaba. Kramer's lung busting runs in pressing and to support the ball will help us break-quickly down the right when teams become too narrow to try and stop us from tearing them up down the left.
On Defense; both Rodriguez and Fabinho will be asked to cover a lot of ground, but both are tremendous athletes, strong defenders and very capable with the ball so they should thrive with the responsibilities they'll be given. Rodriguez in particular will play a big role for us with the ball; through his long passes to set the counters off to the races, as well as through his skill in the build up and final third, or via his deadly set pieces. Kos is the vet who will be asked to anchor things for us, be it in a back 4 with the studly FBs and the exquisite brazilian youth, Marquinhos; or as the sweeper of the back 3.
...which is the shape I'm particularly excited for since both Marquinhos and Dominguez have shined as FBs this season as well as CBs (the Brazilian on the Right, the Spaniard on the left); so giving them more room to push out around Koscielny should really help them thrive and spread out our build up play to frustrate aggressive pressers. I love the 4-3-1-2-0; but the options we have with our back 3 + FBs are just thrilling when we play that way. 3-4-1-2-0, 3-4-3, 3-5-2 (3-1-4-2/3-3-2-2), 3-1-4-1-1; there's versions of all of these that I like the idea of, whether it being sticking a midfield diamond ahead of them, a midfield triangle (pointing in either direction), or a super-fluid & narrow front 3. All really interesting options.
Could even go to a common 4-2-3-1 with:
---------Suarez-----------
Kruse - Eriksen - Dybala
Alaba - Biscuits/Kramer
RR-Kos-Marqionhos-Fab
----------Leno------------
