FIF Fantasy Draft 90s Plus version Semi Final; Howl v KevinB

[brehme1989]

After a small break, we're back with the semi finals. Comment on the teams, read the arguments and vote for the winner!

Howl

Bench:
Robeto Ayala
Thomas Hasler
Jean-Marie Papin

VS

KevinB

Bench:
Giuseppe Favalli
Paul Gascoigne
Patrick Kluivert


Howl's write up

Rather than shit on my opponents team I'd rather just give a breakdown of mine and why I chose them and set the team like this:

ATTACK: My attack is, in my opinion, the best attack especially from the wings but I guess everyone will think that of their own teams as well . I kept the width in attack as it is my strength and what I feel like my opponents weakness with their wide players.

• 
  [*=center]RW-Figo: Starting with the first of numerous Ballon D'or winners in the team, I feel I don't really need to speak much of him apart from the fact that in his prime, he was a devastating winger, fast, technical, strong yet skillfull - the best of his era.
  [*=center]LW-Savicevic: One of the best players of the 90's and versatile enough to play anywhere up front but best as a winger where along with Figo, he would have no issue drifting past players and the best defences with ease. Both have the ability to cut in to shoot and send pin point crosses and assists, especially Savicevic who had great vision of the game. They are deployed as wide players but if that fails can cut in.
  [*=center]ST-Weah: Pairing the wingers with another Ballon D'or winner, one of the best strikers on the planet in the 90's as he isn't just a poacher or a box striker like Inzaghi, but a complete and modern number 9, who could do it all and not rely on his teammates. I picked him as he can run at defences outside the box and play with his back to goal.

These three I feel combine perfectly, with each bringing different strengths. I don't really need to emphasise what would happen were these guys to be running at you on the counter attack...

MIDFIELD: I'm surprised to have gotten the players I wanted with 3 world class players. As I lost the match-up before with 4-3-3, I have gone with Cambiasso-Matthaus double pivot.​

• 
  [*=center]CM-Cambiasso: Nobody could read the game as well as him, and is the perfect player to play as the DM, yet still be able to create chances and score from outside of the box.
  [*=center]CM-Lothar Matthaus: Another Ball D'or winner was another versatile midfielder and is utilised as a box to box midfielder alongside Chuchu. He excells at everything, whether its picking the perfect pass, breaking attacks & shooting at goal where he scored numerous goals throughout his career. There's a reason why Maradona called him his greatest rival.
  [*=center]AM-Hagi: The midfield is completed by having him deployed infront of these two in a free role/trequartista. The man scored almost 250 goals in his career as an advanced midfielder, and was known not only for his playmaking and dribbling, but ability to score the most outrageous screamers time and time again. He even carried Romania, to the quarter-finals of the 94 world cup.

To have players who can score from anywhere outside the box and pick out the perfect passes too, makes this a well rounded team. I picked two players guaranteed to put in a shift and breakdown and start attacks with ease, and a playmaker in Hagi.

DEFENCE: I picked something reliable with two old school CB's paired with two decorated and versatile fullbacks.​

• 
  [*=center]CB-Franco Baresi: The first choice was obviously, widely regarded by many as the GOAT CB. He excelled at pushing up when needed due to his technical skills and vision, which allows him to start attacks quickly from the back and on the counter, as if there wasn't enough creative force in the team.
  [*=center]CB-Riccardo Ferri: Baresi is paired with one of the best Italian CB's in our history. Ferri was a great defender who was our centreback for over a decade, consistently one of the best in the league and won the 88/89 Scudetto and the two EUFA cups in the early 90's. To quote Marco Van Basten, Ferri was the toughest defender alongside Vierchowad that he ever faced, so I couldn't go wrong.
  [*=center]LB-Branco: The starting left back is Branco, the Roberto Carlos before Roberto Carlos. He's an iconic left back for 90's football due to the screamers he scored. Branco was a fast and strong left back who happened to be a phenomenal freekick specialist who also had a cannon of a left foot. In case people don't know much of him, he was the left back in the Brazil team in 86, 90 and the starting left back and eventual world cup winner with them in 1994, beating Baggio's Italy.
  [*=center]RB-Thomas Berthold: The Right back Berthold also was a part of the Germany defence in the 1986, 90 and 94 world cups, winning it in 1990 as the starting RB. A solid German defender and workhorse, he also excelled in attack and scored over 25 goals in his career, paired with branco who scored around 35, which is more than the likes of attacking fullbacks like Cafu, etc. Another reason for choosing Berthold is the chemistry that he has with his compatriot Matthaus seeing as they played together successfully numerous times throughout their careers.

GOALKEEPER: Last but not least I chose my goalkeeper relatively early in the drafts to ensure I got the best of the best.​

• 
  [*=center]Pagliuca: Arguably along with Walter Zenga, he was the best goalkeeper of his era, and one of the best ever. Also I still think he has the best penalty saving record in the history of Serie A, until Handanovic beats it soon :slick:.

SUBSTITUTES
My substitutes are solid choices. As we had 3 subs, I decided to pick a defender, a midfielder and forward. One of the best defenders in the modern era, Roberto Ayala, who much like Baresi was fast, great with the ball at his feet and in the air. He also was at the heart of the defence which won Valencia the La Liga twice in the noughties and in the defence which only conceded a measly 27 goals in the entire season. The midfield substitute is Thomas Hasler, a player with a German work ethic who played like a Brazilian. Great technique, tireless stamina, speed and especially his dribbling which could get him out of any tricky situation. He was very versatile throughut his career and also represented his nation in 3 world cups and Euro's, most notably in 1996 and 1990 where he won as a starter alongside Matthaus and Berthold. He could easily occupy any position in midfield and out wide as he had done before. Finally my choice as the substitute forward, is yet another Ballon D'or winner in Jean-Pierre Papin, one of the greatest French players of all time. Numerous league titles, top scorer awards and a Champions League win, Papin was fast and lethal. He could score from anywhere he wanted from the tightest of angles, and though he could probably play as a winger, I already have enough world class wide players as it is so decided to have someone who again can run at defences and score goals at ease, so he was an easy pick.​

KevinB's write up

Baresi Confrontation pt. II!
As I've won the first match against Howl, I expect it this time to be another tough cookie to crack. Howl's offense is massive, but my defense is one big wall. This time instead of using Favalli, I've opted for Ziege. His speed should be more effective against Figo, so I don't expect him to be sped by such as would be the case with Favalli. Again I'll be using a double marking and a double lock in midfield.

I feel in this game, Howl's team would be pushing their defensive line all the way up, something Barcelona has done against us, that magic 2010 year. Pirlo's creativity and Zidane's unpredictability, along with the much favoured Crespo-Vieri bromance could do some damage. Crespo would drop in between Howl's defense and Vieri could be bulking up against them as well.

It all depends on which De Rossi and which Pirlo show up in this game. Will they succumb under the pressure, or will they rise above and give my team the victory! Might be that Patrick Kluivert will be subbed in, to offer more speed and aerial presence. Or Gazza with his unpredictability who can decide games on his own. No Favalli at least

The last time I beat Howl. But it was one of the toughest games in the draft I feel. Might be different this game, either way good luck Howl!

 

[KevinB]

Thought Howl had a good idea by explaining his team so I'll just do the same here:

Goalkeeper

Julio César: oh man, where do we start with this gem? One of the best GK's ever to have graced our shirt. And that says a lot when you know we had Zenga, Pagliuca, Peruzzi, Toldo, ... Reflexes, passing, handling, impressive keeper. Helped us win titles, cups and the Champions League. Beast and we all know it.

Defense

I've chosen for a trio that complements each other perfectly. Speed, leadership, aerial presence, passing, marking, everything the defenders should posses. Starting with:

Giuseppe Baresi: Brother of the legendary Bbilan captain. A hard-working and tenacious ball-winner, with an excellent ability to read the game, Baresi was regarded as one of the best and most versatile Italian defenders of his generation, as he was capable of playing as a full-back, or as a defensive midfielder, in addition to his natural centreback role, due to his stamina. He was also Inter player of the year 1986 (Pirata D'Oro), won titles as well as the Uefa Cup.

Laurent Blanc: Le président! Incredible leader who scored a fair amount of goals for a defender. Played for teams such as Napoli, Manchester United, Barcelona, Marseille and well, us. He also won Pirata D'Oro in 2000. World Cup winner with France, French Player of the year 1990, titles. To show how massive he was as a player, he was elected 4th in the French player of the Century, after Platini, Zidane and Kopa.

Fabio Cannavaro: Cannavaro is considered one of the greatest defenders of all time, winning the World Cup as Italy's captain, as well as the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 2006. Although he predominantly excelled as a centre-back, due to his ability to read the game, he was also deployed as a right or left sided full back on occasion, in particular under his Inter coach Héctor Cúper. This was made possible due to Cannavaro's tactical intelligence, versatility, technical ability, ball playing ability, stamina, low centre of gravity and pace, which also enabled him to start plays from the backline after winning back possession. He also outjumped many players for being a relative short defender. Absolute legend of the fine Italian defense!

Wingbacks

There's not much to say. I know they aren't the best in their positions but choices were tough yet I still stand by my choices for them.

Christian Maggio: A dynamic, hard-working and tenacious right-footed player, nicknamed "Super-bike", due to his composure, pace, positioning, anticipation and stamina, he is capable of aiding my team both offensively and defensively. Solid player but no match for the better wingers.

Christian Ziege: Starter from Bayern on the left when he joined Bbilan in 97. Pacey boy with a good shot. Nothing more, nothing less. Still collected 72 caps with the German Mannschaft and won serie A with Bbilan as well.

Midfield

The strength of my team along with my defense. De Rossi, Pirlo and Zidane are a good fit and match-up. De Rossi doing all the dirty work while Pirlo and Zidane can be their Maestro selves. Hard-working midfield aside from Pirlo, but still tight together so he'll pick up some lost balls for sure.

Andrea Pirlo: Despite playing for Bbilan and Jube, I simply cannot hate this player. What a flair, what a technique. Most likely the best deep lying playmaker to have ever graced the game. As a playmaker, he is highly regarded by pundits for his outstanding vision, awareness, and football intelligence, as well as his movement, positional sense, inventive play, anticipation, ability to read the game, and his wide range of distribution, which enabled him to play the ball first time and rarely relinquish possession, even when put under pressure; in addition to being capable of playing precise, short exchanges to teammates, he was also known for frequently attempting riskier and more difficult passes and is renowned in particular for his extremely accurate long-range passing, both on the ground or in the air, with either foot. World cup winner, champions league winner, serie A winner, ...
Pirlo can make his feet do whatever he wants. He's a genius. — Johan Cruyff

Daniele De Rossi: A quick, physical, hard-working and tenacious player, with good technique and an excellent ability to read the game, he has been praised for his ball skills, stamina, positional sense and ability in the air, as well as his powerful long distance shooting. De Rossi is a tactically intelligent and versatile player, who can play in various midfield positions, both in a defensive and attacking midfield role. Massive leader and boss in the midfield. World Cup winner.

Zinedine Zidane: Genius. Balon D'Or. World Cup. Champions League. One of the greatest players ever to have played the game. Massive #10. Exceptional first touch, exceptional dribbling, feints, shooting, heading, ...
The best player in the '90s and early 2000s - Xavi
He is the best player I've seen. Supporters arrived earlier at the Bernabéu just to see him warm-up. - Roberto Carlos

Attack

Bromance at Inter duo! Crespo-Vieri had a good but sadly, short partnership.

Christian Vieri: Vieri was a complete, quick, prolific and opportunistic striker, with a keen eye for goal. Due to his notable goal-scoring prowess, Vieri is regarded by pundits as one of the greatest Italian strikers of all time and one of the top strikers of his generation. His unique and direct offensive style of play, which blended power with pace and solid technical skills made him one of the fearsome strikers there was in the game. Forza Bobo

Hernan Crespo: Crespo was a fast, tenacious, powerful, and complete striker, who possessed good technique, composure in possession, and an eye for goal; he also excelled in the air. A prolific and opportunistic goal-scorer, he was capable of finishing well both with his feet and with his head, and was known for his ability to score acrobatic goals. Legendary striker.

Bench

Giuseppe Favalli: Just a solid defensive back up for my LWB position. Played for Lazio, us and Bbilan.

Paul Gascoigne: Ah, where do we start. Gazza is a madman. Absolute madlad. A creative, hard-working and technically gifted playmaker who played as an attacking midfielder, Gascoigne was capable both of scoring and setting up goals, due to his passing accuracy, his powerful striking ability, and heading ability. He had pace, physical strength, balance and excellent dribbling skills, which allowed him to protect the ball, beat opponents and withstand physical challenges.
The most naturally gifted technical footballer that I played with - Gary Lineker
Gazza had everything. He could dribble, take on players, thread defence-splitting passes through the eye of a needle to the strikers and score incredible goals - Lee Clarke

Patrick Kluivert: Although tall in stature, Kluivert possessed a remarkably impressive 'first touch' and quick feet for such a large striker. Similar to Ronaldo, he often used several feints, namely the Cruijff Turn, to great effect to go past defenders, due to his pace, strong technical skills, close control, and football intelligence. Kluivert also utilised his height, power, and strong physique to dominate aerial balls and was considered to possess one of the best headers in the then-contemporary game. A versatile player, with an eye for goal, he also possessed good vision, and was capable of playing in several other positions across the pitch. Champions League winner at young age.

 

[brehme1989]

Why on earth aren't people just clicking on a button to cast a vote?

 

[KevinB]

Epic Comeback in the making? :fap:

 

[KevinB]

Think I'm going to sub in Gazza and Kluivert for the late minute equalizers.

Me: Gazza, I'mma need you to be magical and beat this fucker's defense.

Gazza:

 

[brehme1989]

One day left