Post#12 » by treiz » Sun Jul 12, 2015 6:33 pm
-BUCKnation vs. Foye
A really balanced A-team there BUCK. A trio of Ronaldo/Aubameyang/Lacazette is capable of attacking in many different ways, and with the creativity of Payet and Matuidi shuttling with Srna/Clichy in support down the wings is a really dangerous attack. But down those wings is also a problem defensively, Srna can be outdone for pace (whoever's there with the help of Alba) and Clichy, well being Clichy. Lichsteiner/Vidal and Berardi will cause him trouble, this is especially more troublesome considering Ronaldo/Aubameyang really aren't that good defensively. But with Matuidi and Krychowiak being capable defenders with bundles of energy and mobility, helping them out should ease the burden.
That beastly CM for Foye will cause threats, Wanyama is a beast and with Iniesta/Hamsik creating for arguably the best striker in the world in Lewandowski will cause Pique/Boateng problems but again they too have good support from Matuidi/Krychowiak.
Another close match up but with BUCK's attack capable of attacking from all angles, they can bypass this midfield by playing it down the wings with more than enough support as well as a trio of Krychowiak/Pique/Boateng capable of slowing down the defence should a counter attack be on the cards, and with Ronaldo a goal is at least expected and with a lead, this team is even more dangerous on the counter.
-truth18 + J-Mezzy vs. kdawg32086
Another great back four assembled by team truth/J, I've already explained in a previous post in the discussion why I think this is and it's a bit too long to post it again. A quartet of Neymar/Cazorla/Tevez/Hulk is dangerous, crafty and creative with power too, you have Veratti spraying passes and Casemiro supporting and it's a very balanced attack, can have Tevez or Cazorla track Pirlo to make sure he doesn't receive the ball, Neymar and Hulk drifting inside with Cazorla capable of going outside too with Luis and Darmian in support is another angle of attack, this team is especially dangerous on the counter too.
James and Alexis is a great duo to pair up, they complement each other so well. Both are capable of doing whatever in attack with James a better creator should allow Martinez to have some chances on goal and he's also a very accomplished finisher. Pirlo flanked by two energetic, capable all around midfielders in Mascherano and Kondogbia is wonderful and really helps hide Pirlo's deficiencies, but this places too much emphasis on Pirlo to create since Mascherano/Kondogbia are not really known to create, they'd venture forward to have more bodies but neither are really a goal threat, which again places emphasis on Pirlo/James/Sanchez to create. Kurzawa/Juanfran overlapping will create space for those creators but Luis/Darmian are capable of holding their ground.
Crosses are going to come in from kdawg with Jackson Martinez being very capable in the air but so are Terry/Ramos and that's why I think truth/J wins this, Martinez is simply not good enough to take on Terry and Ramos and with Alexis/James playing narrow, this forces the back four to play compact with the help of Veratti/Casemiro. This again allows Kurzawa/Juanfran to overlap and cross the ball but with two loud leaders in that defence it should be easily cleared, kdawg can only attack one way and it's playing right into truth/J's hands. Whereas truth/J's quartet are capable of playing anywhere along that front line, and that fluidity with Casemiro in support and the FBs going forward as well as Veratti running the midfield (will get around 80-90 touches if simmed) edges it for me.
)