FOOTBALL FORMATIONS

About this formation

Player Profiles


Buffon - Captain for the Italian Champions and a mainstay in the Italian defence for years. Only conceded 24 goals last season and being a major contributor to the best defence in the Italian League. Arguably the greatest keeper in the last 2 decades. A true leader, with all round quality with no major weakness. Despite many claiming he is on a major decline, he displayed earlier today that he is still quality, saving 3 penalties and leading Italy to a third place in the Confederations Cup.

Danilo - Tall. VERY Quick. Has a powerful shot. A brilliant crosser. And plus, he's got that Brazilian Samba flair and can dribble just like any Brazilian. Being an integral part of Porto's impeccable defence this season, only having let in 14 goals and as a result, winning the Portuguese League. Outstanding talent for anyone who hasn't seen him.

Ramos - Perhaps bad timing to have my game as he just embarrassed himself after today's final but I ask you not to judge him based on that but the season he has just come off. Another leader, being captain for Jose Mourinho's Madrid, even after being dropped for a very short period of time. Speaks of the quality if Mourinho had his hand forced in having to play him again. He's that player you hate to play and watch but you would love in your team because he always gives 100% and will save your skin on many occasions. Yes he may make some mistakes in crucial areas, a la David Luiz, but this is why I have experience around the squad to ensure safety incase that does happen. Also, only conceded 1 goal in the Confederations Cup until the final.

P. Cannavaro - Yet another leader in my team. Captain for Napoli, who had the 2nd best defence in the league and came second only to Juventus. Was very chuffed to get him as he was my first preference to partner Ramos and suprising no one else picked him up. Had a very excellent season for Napoli. Aggressive, reads the game brilliantly, strong and an aerial rock.

Schemlzer - Played a whopping 51 games last season for a Dortmund team that won the league before. Played well in the Champion's League final. A mainstay in an impressive German team that is touted as a big favourite for the World Cup. He's been a player that has been competing on all fronts since his move from Werder Bremen and he's made that step up seamlessly. Another hard worker with a strong work ethic. True German grafter.

Wanyama - Another grafter who is a mainstay in the Scottish Champions, Celtic, who had the best defensive record in their league. Chipped in with 9 goals and 4 assists, a very decent return for someone who sits deep and keeps things ticking. Showed his value by matching the Barca Boys (Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta) with a very formidable display of hard work and tenacity. He's a unit, a monster with immense strength and has an immense shot on him. Little Spaniards beware.

Carrick - Need I even a description for this man? Arguably United's most important player. He has been the key midfielder in United's most successful period, and has filled the void left by Keane, albeit in a lot more subtle manner. Finally receiving the recognition he deserves worldwide and has just moved onto a new level with the departure of Scholes. Best CM in England this season by far. Should've arguebly won United's Player of the Year IMO. He has shown this season that he can also contribute up front by playing more forward passes than he usually has and he is a complete centre midfielder, a dying bread of player in the modern game. Also a leader on the pitch due to his experience and maturity. Not all leaders need to be screaming, he lets his football do the talking.

Eriksen - Played a ridiculous amount of games for his very productive and season of maturing. Been a staple part of Ajax's midfield, Dutch Champions, the team with the least goals conceded in their league. This season has been his coming of age season and has shown he can produce for the season. He has been playing a bit deeper, perhaps being slowly molded into a full CM. 14 goals and 24 assists this season. Plays total futebol, has immaculate vision, a surprisingly good turn of pace, and brilliant in retaining possession with a fierce long shot. Would welcome him with open arms into our United team on the back of the season he has had.

Hulk - His name says it all. Would be a perfect fit in the EPL. Big, strong, fast. Work rate unmatched, as seen in this Confed's Cup. Didn't score/assist much but he was essential in this Brazilian team and has no qualms about defending. Perfect player to have to counter attack. Verstatile. Akin to the old Adriano for Brazil perhaps? Scored an amount of 16 goals and 11 assists in his season, most coming from the wings. Also, has experience of winning trophies. A big game player.

Pedro - Severely underrated around the world. He has been quietly productive for many seasons now. One of the first names on a Barcelona team, a team that can arguably put down as the best ever. This season, he produced 21 goals and 14 assists. Always on form for Spain. Work rate is second to none and a completely selfless player and would do anything for the team. Has the experience of winning trophies and that never say die mentality all winners posses. Has a knack of being at the right place at the right time with his diagonal runs and smart movement. Think Chicharito, but on the wings. Smooth finisher, versatile, agile and incisive passing.

Ibrahimovic - Does this really need an explanation? 43 goals, 21 assists. French champion. Trophies follow him where ever he goes for good reason. Captain for Sweden, another leader with vast experience. Has mellowed a bit in recent years and has taken a more selfless role being more than happy to stay deep and hold the ball allowing for others to overlap him and feed them for goals or either run in for the tap in. Not only does he do tap ins, but he scores goals on the regular that most players would be pleased to score at least once in their lifetime. Big, strong, agile, full of tricks, an arrogant streak and won't back out of any challenge. One of my favourite players and was my first pick for a reason.


Subs: Frank Lampard, Leroy Fer, Mandzukic. (Do they need write-ups now or later when I make subs?)


Tactics
A team very specifically chosen to be one of experience and hard work. There is experience throughout each line of play in my squad and all players are selfless in their efforts of working for the team and have no qualms about doing the dirty work. Aggressive pressing and pushing throughout, coupled with a work rate and stamina to get up and down the field when needed. Having looked at the teams before the draw, Limerick's team was one I found was most balanced and fate had it that we would face off. Having a closer inspection, his key would be his solid defence, Arteta controlling the tempo and spraying the play with Muller being the game changer. To counter? I play Wanyama and Carrick in a two man holding role with Waynama man marking Arteta to cut of Limerick's supply throughout his team. Man for man in midfield, I believe my players have Arteta covered. Wanyama did a job on the Barca 3 so I have no doubts he can deal with Arteta and my other two, Carrick and Eriksen dealing with Montolivo. Ozil can change games but he needs the ball to do so, and having cut of Arteta feeding to Monto to play in Ozil, he will be void as Ozil does not posses a great work rate, hence he is frequently subbed off early in his games for Madrid and is at risk of losing his spot in the German national team.

In effect, this will cut off supply to Muller, despite his ability to create something out of nothing. Baines is another threat I must be wary of, but I believe my combo of Hulk (who was a change I had to bring in) and Danilo (who has played together with Hulk at Porto, hence good chemistry already), will be enough to suffice of one player. Limerick posses the best and most balanced defence out of all the teams but it is no secret that both Walker and Baines like to attack, and in Walker's case, he likes it a little too much. This space will allow Ibra to hold the ball up awaiting for Pedro's trademark diagonal runs in behind the space left by Walker and score. Give Pedro that ounce of space and he will destory you. Ibra plays day to day with Thiago Silva so he is used to his style and will know what to do. He is strong enough to hold him off, despite Silva being the best CB this season.

One of the only areas of weakness of Evans' is his strength, something Ibra would take most advantage off. This'll force Thiago on him and allow Eriksen the space to do his work and look for the runs of Pedro and Hulk, being overlapped by the dashing Danilo and super Schmelzer when needed. I haven't even began to speak about Hulk yet, he will razzle and dazzle past Baines, Hulk is just too strong IMO. Ramos is a area Limerick will no doubt pick at but I strongly believe my squad will retain the ball most of the game due to my player's winning the battle in midfield. Plus, if need by Carrick can slot in a la Busquets and so can Wanyama to solidify the back line. Not to forget, there is a lot of experience with Buffon and Cannavaro, who will be endlessley barking at Ramos and ensuring he is in position. Wanyama's weakness as many say, is his ability to retain possession but he is there to do the chasing and hassling and pass it off to Carrick, who is always available due to his footballing brain and same can be said for Eriksen to Wanyama has an option to pass it any way he looks.

Ibra has no issue with sitting a bit deeper to help Eriksen should he be double teamed and holding the ball up with my full backs, Danilo and Schemzler, and my wingers, Pedro and Hulk, run in behind the defence. Should he be held too long, he will just pass back to Eriksen or Carrick who have more than enough vision to pass it through to the overlaps. Or Ibra may just turn and shoot and score a screamer, nothing out of the usual. Due to my team's work ethic and individual traits, you won't be able to hold us back. Either we win, or we keep playing until we do.