Group A Game 1 - Cal_BCFC-The Fuzz v Guyett

Do I pm you with changes or post them here?

 

De Rossi is going to hospitalize your teams players...

 

pfft ... Verrati and Martinez will split a piece each.

 

wow this one will be close, two good sides.

 

I'm making 1 change to my side, I think joga will put it in the first post.

this is effectively a 4123 vs a 4213 with my team playing more advanced passing football. My attack is more better imo but I think the other teams defence is prob stronger. I suspect it'll come down to which midfield is better

 

did I not send it?
I didn't have time to make a new one of those things

Its Griezmann in for Isco

 

Goalkeeper: The world is Ter Stegen's oyster and he will be eager to prove his worth being the first addition to the team. He has shown confidence in training and has that swagger I like about a young player. Cal however has had a quiet word with reminding him that we also have the hugely experienced Morgan de Sanctis who kept 9 straight clean sheets last year.

Defense: Cal and me are going to keep this tight. We won't be keeping a high line, playing a flat back 4 when not in possession, with Verratti and Martinez patrolling the area in front, making the crunching tackles and gobbling up all loose balls. Terry and Benatia have been given instructions to keep it simple. They are both amazingly effective defenders and with Verratti and Martinez being so good on the ball I wouldn't encourage either to step out of defence with the ball. They've been immense in training and have proven to be a handy option from corners, attacking the ball with aggression and accuracy.

Lichsteiner and Moreno will be given license to get beyond the ball and provide the width to stretch the opposition. We have had a word with Moreno and Verratti to cover the holes left behind by Ozil because frankly inspite of his complete genius going forward we feel Ozil might not track back effectively all the time.

Midfield: Verratti will be given license to keep hold off the ball, bring out of the back and switch play as and when he sees fit. It's a lot of responsibility for the young man but there is reason he is a full Italian international, Ligue 1 best young player and maybe a natural successor to Pirlo.

Attack: Going forward Pedro will be licking his lips at the prospect of going up against a centre half at fullback and will ably assisted by Lichsteiner in attack if required. I'm looking at Rakitic to link up with Verratti to effectively link up defence and attack. Him and Ozil will float around all game dragging defenders out of position and double teaming the lone DM if Modric if slow getting back or if the ball breaks down in midfield. Both Rakitic and Ozil confided in Cal that they were looking forward to see the likes of Sturridge, Pedro and Moreno use their blistering pace, run the channels and if and when the space presents itself get behind the last defender. They assured him that they would find their targets. They don't seem to have taken to me as well.

Sturridge's role is pretty straightforward. We will break and we will break fast and Sturridge will be leading the charge and will gobble the chances that come his way. Form is crucial and Sturridge has been of FIIIIIREEE for the last year.


Cal and be wish the best of luck to Guyett and his team. No mind games from us. Serious.

 

I've brought Griezmann in to peg Lichtensteiner back, he is quite dangerous if given space but if he is under constant pressure he won't be going forward much.
Greizmann and Muller feeding Falcao from the wings, Mata from behind and Modric pulling strings in the middle. De Rossi will crush any play coming through the middle and my back 4 is extremely solid. Experience from Subotic and Vertonghen and youth from Laporte and De Sciglio. De Sciglio will get forward more overlapping Muller as Muller will move central from time to time. Laporte will have no trouble dealing with Sturridge as he is quick on his feet and great in the air with the ability to read the game of a much more experienced player.

We'll be playing a high line with Lloris in goal and we will defend from the front

 

That's music to my ears. We've drilled our team well and with Terry marshalling our efforts as team captain we will be comfortable without the ball. With our ability to bring the ball out of defense quickly and enough players to play the perfect pass, there will be chances. Should be an open game.

Lukaku and Lavezzi are deadly options to bring off the bench with great physicality and pace to trouble tired defenders and midfielders.

 

This one is tough. I love Guyett's front 6 (especially with Griezmann) but Cal/The Fuzz are strong there as well and probably better at the back.

 

Too close to call, IMO. Think there's great balance in both teams - big fan of Guyett's front 3 as well as Cal/Fuzz's CB pairing.

Not a fan of Ozil stuck out wide but not a huge deal.

Points shared x

 

Wow. What a game this would be! CalFuzz could defend deep and hit them on the break, but Guyett could just as easily peg them back deep and let the likes Mata and Modric control the game. I'd fancy CalFuzz to score early on from a counter launched by Veratti or Rakitic and finished off by Pedro/Sturridge and then try to defend that lead. But between them, Falcao and Muller would sniff out a half-chance and inevitably score it.

I'm with Joga on this. A 1-1.

 

Looking at the teams together I just believe Cal and Fuzz's team has the edge. Very close though. I voted for Cal and Fuzz.

 

I voted Guyett. I think both teams have a sound defence and midfield but that Guyett's front three is stronger. That is where the difference is - Muller had a great world cup and Griezmann offers pace on the other flank. I think Falcao, given the supply from those two and Mata, would thrive.

For Cal and Fuzz, I think Ozil is wasted on the wing and Sturridge is a bracket below Falcao and co IMO.

PG's Score
Cal/Fuz 0 - 2 - Guyett​

 

So harsh for Guyett to be almost have as many votes for a win as the draw atm.