Cotterill:49 v Gal_P You have until Friday 10pm 01/08/2014 to make any changes to your line-up/tactics. I will then add a poll to begin the voting (open for 48 hours).
Tactically, I'm looking to be defensively solid, Azpilicueta and Lahm aren't going to be forcing the issue going forward and the midfield are going to be pretty rigid and stick to their positions. I'll allow Diego Costa to be isolated, as he was throughout last season, he doesn't need support to score goals, all he needs is a couple of chances which Eriksen, Kroos and Moura will more than provide. Whilst his wingers might be a strength, and have got plenty of ability, they're inconsistent and facing up against two full backs who just won't make mistakes. The main area of weakness I'm looking to exploit is Aurier, whilst he's been highly rated by plenty and linked to top teams he's not the strongest defensively yet, he does mistakes and I think Kevin Volland will cause him problems.
I rate Gal_P's team very highly but I think Cotterill's full-backs will make this tough. Azpilicueta and Lahm have as good a chance as any full-back pairing of containing Gal's wingers, and I don't know if his midfield (although very well-balanced in general) is quite creative enough to compensate.
It's a good job I've got the full backs I do in this group. The wingers I'm having to face in this group are Neymar, Walcott, Hazard, Bale, Di Maria and Reus.
This is close. I think Cotterill's write-up is great and has actually given the edge to him. I'll wait to see how Gal_P plans on setting up before voting, though.
I hadn't even realized this thread had been created (I just keep the tab open with the draft thread in). * voted for myself so I can see the poll results.
IMO our teams are fairly similar in playing style, however, I'd argue My team is stronger in the attacking midfield area where we'd both be looking for the chances to be created for the lone striker. This is a key part of Cotterill's tactic but, IMO, all 3 of his attacking midfielders are relatively unproven while mine are stars at Arsenal, Barca and Bayern Munich. Which I believe gives Me the edge in this very similar tactical line up. I might even be tempted to start with Llorente up top to try and take advantage of Toprak's poor aerial ability. Should My team not be able to break down Cotterill's XI initially, I would most likely look to change the formation in the second half. Again very strong defensively, however, as Cotterill's fullbacks are strong defensively (and not a great threat going forward) I think going with 2 up top could cause his defense more trouble. Again, targeting Toprak.
Very even teams here and it would be a crime to vote either of you a winner in my opinion. I vote for a draw.
I think this'd be a really close game, its really hard to choose between them, but that having Neymar would just give Gal the edge IMO. PG's Score Cotterill 0 - 1 Gal
Should Llorente come on, I'd bring Toprak of for Luisao. My defensive line would naturally drop deeper to cope with Luisao's lack of pace. Not sure how Neymar and Balotelli give him the edge, at club level neither of them have reached near the level in a season that Diego Costa had last season. Neymar and Balotelli were both more often than not frustrating to watch last season.
Both teams strengths are out wide - Cotts in his FB pairing and Gal with Neymar/Walcott. Fancy Cotts to win that battle but I'm not sure they would have enough going forward to win this one. Meanwhile, I think Gal's midfield lacks a bit of creativity. Would be yet another interesting match. Draw.
I've gone for Cotterill. His full backs are both fantastic and would nullify Neymar and Walcott. Thiago is Gal's only player who I think would be a big creative threat, but I'm not sure if he'd have enough against Inler and Kroos. Between them, Costa, Eriksen, Moura and Volland would snatch something on the break. 1-0 to Cotterill.
Courtois = Cech Felipe = Azpilicueta Mangala > Toprak Pique > Miranda Aurier < Lahm Schweinstiger = Kroos Witsel > Inler Neymar > Volland Thiago > Eriksen Walcott > Moura Balotelli < Costa Gal_P: 6 Cotterill:49: 2 Equal: 3 Not to mention having Llorente and Nasri on the bench who are match winners.
I struggle to see how you can possibly justify Pique being better than Miranda, in the last couple of seasons Pique's been poor and made several, I struggle to recall Miranda making any mistakes. Miranda's a rock for Atletico and a big part of the reason they had the best defence in the world last season. Witsel's yet to prove himself in a big league, I'd much prefer to have Gokhan Inler. Courtois is a better goalkeeper than Cech. Rating players on an individual basis isn't an accurate measure, for example you've said Lahm > Aurier represents one player in my favour when in reality the difference between Lahm and Aurier is much bigger than the difference between say Thiago and Eriksen.
No way is Pique better than Miranda. Gal win. So much flair in attack plus the searing pace of Walcott. Nice DMs (Schweinsteiger is a world class presence), solid defence (apart from Pique but he's not quite a liablity). Cot would need more than that to get past that 6 man defensive unit & top GK IMO. Good defence though mate!
Cotterill:49 v Gal_P Key Battles Neymar versus Lahm. Lahm does not like pace, but Lahm possesses more positional intelligence (DRAW) Central midfield battle (balance, power, creative, posession, protection) (DRAW) Clutch ability of Diego Costa vs Balotelli. Both lacking discipline but both unplayable on their day (DRAW) Prediction 2-2 (Diego Costa (2) - Balotelli, Schweinstieger) Could potentially be one of the games of the round. Competitive from start to finish.
