Euro 2020 Draft - Match Thread - Group B

GLaDOS

Euro 2020 Draft competition, chat thread and picks thread.



Group B
Hello 2D Person Below
martyos121
Lucas Hood


Vote for who you think should win the group.

Votes from people taking part will be counted without a post explaining their decision (but a post is appreciated all the same).

Votes from people not taking part will not be counted without a post explaining their decision. This is to ensure everyone voting understands the rules.

(Voting will be public so I can see who has voted which way and ensure it's valid).

Voting will close 24h after the the final team write up is posted.

martyos121

My Team
My philosophy is simple; tiki-taka, Guardiola-ball, dominate possession. There’s also an element of Klopp’s Liverpool here with a false 9 and pacey wingers up front and a high line in defence to keep possession and maintain pressure on my opponent.

It all stems from the midfield and I strongly believe I’ve assembled the most talented and well-rounded midfield in this competition, with the added bonus of a proven world class partnership between Modric and Kroos. Fabinho will complement them beautifully as the anchorman with his skills both on the ball and off it, protecting my defence and giving the midfield and forwards more freedom to express themselves.

In attack, I have the legendary Johan Cruyff acting as the false 9 and dropping into the 10 position to keep well involved in the play, and keeping Sane and Coman further up in attack to cut in from wide. Their pace will be very useful to me on counter attacks and for creating chances quickly from turnovers high up the pitch. With Cruyff operating in such a free role in attack, he should be able to create some excellent chances for my wingers and midfielders getting into the box, but also be a decent goal threat himself.

In defence, I’ll be playing a high line with Van Dijk and Vertonghen, with the former’s pace and athleticism making this possible, and Vertonghen in his prime being a top class reader of the game and brilliant in a tackle, it’s a partnership that should flourish. Digne and Semedo will be pushing high up the pitch and being a constant presence in attack, with Digne staying a little wider and crossing from all angles, and Semedo doing the hard yards and overlapping with Sane on the right to fire in crosses from the byline.

Patricio is a fine goalkeeper and one who’s pretty confident in possession, so he’ll be an asset to me on the ball, as well as being a superb shot-stopper when required.

My Opponents

Deleted User has assembled a fine team loaded with a good mixture of pace, skill and toughness but I see areas that don’t stack up well against my team. Firstly, I’d fully expect to dominate the midfield battle as I feel the balance is a little off there for H2PB. Modric, Kroos and Fabinho would have Henderson and Goretzka largely chasing shadows while Zidane would be isolated a little higher up and struggling to get on the ball as much as he’d like.

This has a knock-on effect when it comes to his full-backs as Robertson and Cancelo are two players that aren’t used to defending for large parts of the game, and they’ll be penned in if I dominate possession and unable to contribute as much going forward. Hello’s attack will cause a problem or two for me on the counter, but with Van Dijk’s incredible recovery pace making him able to keep up with Mane or Gnabry and Vertonghen using his experience to deny spaces for Zlatan, I’d bet on few clear cut chances going to my opponent.

I’d back my team to win by a goal or two to nil in this one.

Lucas Hood has also put together a strong looking team, and I really like his defensive pairing of Baresi and Pique, one of the strongest in this draft IMO. Having said that, Trippier and Spinazzola for me is one of the weaker full-back pairings and against a side like mine that aims to dominate possession, I’d expect them to be his downfall in this match, particularly Trippier who is often caught out defensively when playing in an attacking side (Atletico and England cover his weaknesses pretty well, but Lucas’ team appears to be much more attack-minded).

Vidal, Thiago and Pogba is a good, balanced midfield and each of them cover’s the other’s weaknesses fairly well, but at the end of the day, I see it as a slightly poorer version of my own midfield. The possession battle will be a little tighter in this match, but I’d still favour my own to get the better of it and as a result, create more goal scoring opportunities.

Lucas has a well-rounded attack also, but without enough supply to Bale and Depay, Benzema will struggle to impose himself in this match and there’s enough pace in my back line to compete with his wingers on the counter attack.

A closer match, I’d back my team to win by a goal but a clean sheet against his attack is probably not on the cards.

Lucas Hood

Szczęsny has turned into a dependable goalkeeper since moving to Italy especially with my 2 cbs in front of him.

Defence Pique & Baresi the standouts here both World Class nuff said. Trippier whilst not the best going forward he is capable here an excellent crosser of the ball and a big threat from free kick /corner kicks. Spinazzola the more adventours full back, We've seen him cause problems down the left side for Italy already in the euros.

Midfield
3 midfielders i see complimenting each other well. Thiago the deepest of the 3 setting the tempo, Vidal the tough guy in here , tough tackling, energetic, agressive midfielder.
Pogba the midfielder with freedom to drift forward and pick out runs from the attackers or get a shot off himself.

Attack

Bale one of the best wingers in world football in the past 10 years or so cutting in of the right onto his left theres not many better.
Benzema Real Madrids striker for the past 12 years or so. Not many strikers who put themselves about as much as he does but still absolutely deadly in front of goal.
Memphis cutting in off the left onto his right foot is dangerous.

Opponets.
Overall i feel ive the better balanced team of the 3 but we'll all probably say that. If i had to pick weakness in the other teams, Hello 2D Person cbs arent of the standard as my own and i feel martyos121 2 wingers are worse than my own. They'll argue Memphis is a striker but he shown he can play lw before. Both games be tough but id back my team to get a result against both. Good luck to both.

My team is Klopp inspired, built upon a sound structural base in midfield and creativity out wide.

No possession, no problem. Devastating on the counter. As Klopp has proven time and again, he's tiki-taka's kryptonite.

Martyos has a strong spine to his team but where are his goals coming from, certainly not from midfield or out wide... If he's is going to have so much possession who's creating the space for Cryuff? If Cryuff drops deep, who's scoring? Coman and Sané are far from prolific and Robertson and Cancelo totally outmatch them.

To suggest I'd create few clear-cut chances with a front four of Zlatan, Zidane, Mané and Gnabry and the two elite attacking fullbacks is fanciful.

As for Lucas. Again, solid spine but Depay isn't a winger and as for those fullbacks up against Mané, Gnabry, Robertson and Canelo...I agree with Martyos when he said he sees and issue with Bale and Benzema supply line. Going the other way, who's trying to keep a leash on Zidane in midfield?

Ferris_Bueller

martyos121

I'm voting for Hello 2d. His front four are very dangerous and his full backs some of the best available in the draft. I think his point about martyos struggling for goals is valid and he would outclass him in the wing positions. I think he could exploit Lucas down his left side as I'm not sure how solid defensively Memphis and Spinazola would be. G

redzerdrog

Iv changed my mind 3 times already

Bounty Hunter

martyos121

I think I am going for Hello2d but it is very close between him and Lucas hood, which tbh surprised me as I didn't actually realize that Marty was lacking an out an out striker until seeing the write ups. His team could dominate the midfield against a lot of sides but when you are up against the likes of Baresi and the standard of players available in this draft you probably need a clearly defined source of goals.

I think the difference maker for me was Zidane behind Ibra. I really like Lucas Hood's midfield 3 also and think Benzema could be argued to have been just as good as prime Zlatan but while Bale at his best was immense I think Zidane will have more influence and it edges the midfield battle for me in 2ds direction.

3 of the best midfields in the draft here really.

SlickRic

I think it's Lucas. Just.

It's the most well rounded of the 3. It has enough solidity and enough goals to get through this.

Marty's lack of goals will frustrate him, and I think there's a mistake or 2 in Hello2D's backline and goalie compared to others.

All of this is nitpicking though, as we all have to, such is the strength of all the teams.

GLaDOS

martyos121

Going with Hello 2D.

In a decision of very fine margins, His front line gives him the edge for me.

dr.kenneth noisewater

martyos121

Voted for H2D, probably the most balanced side in my view and Zidane is the difference maker. Great attacking FBs but CB's could get caught for pace and GK is weak in my view.

Marty, just not sure how that attack would function together and I dont think they provide much support in defence. VVD will be busy trying to cover for Semedo all game and he's a real weak link especially against Bale and Mane.

Lucas, strong CB pairing and attack but not sure how the midfield would blend together, not enough defensive cover in there for me especially with the 2 wide attackers not known for their defensive work rate.

IncognitoMan

martyos121

My vote goes for Andrea Salmon Rumba

Hello 2D Person - 2 of the most slick players of the game in Ibra and Zidane and probably 2 of my favourite players to watch. You did very well to balance their touch and control with pace out wide IMO. I think this balance gives you the best options to score goals which is what has given you the edge for me. Probably 2 of the better full backs as well.

Only real weakness for me is Ibra and his performances in big games in the past - will he step up the same way as some of the other strikers picked? Having said that Zidane is such a big game player - showed it at multiple World Cups and CL etc.. The bigger the game the more Zidane seems to enjoy.


martyos121 - probably has the best possession side in the competition - and the genius of Cruyff up front.

The wide players are the only real question mark for me and I don't see there being enough goals from them. Cruyff (as big a genius as he is) isn't an exceptional goal scorer especially when you see the record of other attacking players picked. If Cruyff had 2 goal scoring wide players either side you could well have had the strongest team in the tournament.

Lucas - Unlucky in the 2 sides you came against. Just missing that superstar in attack in Zidane or Cruyff. Your side would no doubt score some nice goals and Benzema and Bale have shown they link up very well.

I've no doubt it would be a very difficult side to beat, but the other 2 teams I just feel have that big game moment from Zidane and Cruyff in their locker - In a tight game that can usually be the difference.

Lucas Hood

I really had trouble deciding on this one. I think it would be 2D if just going on the players but the fact he's said that he's going for a Klopp style while not having the tactics of the Klopp teams and having Zlatan and Zidane up front who are the least Klopp players I can think of is giving me pause for thought as I think the midfield of marty would have a field day and edge such a game. With Cruyff dropping deep I could see Goretzka and Henderson being overrun and chasing shadows. Maybe not as much of a goal threat as there could be but this individual matchup makes me go that way.

Because of this and I believe the other games would be draws I'm going for martyos121 as the winner but that was after really looking for something to edge it one way or the other.

wrestlemaniac

martyos121

I've gone for H2D just ahead of Lucas.

I think his keeper and central defence are suspect and will concede goals, however I don't think either of the two teams in his group are set up enough to expose this.

I just can't see a clinical focal point for martyos team, as Cruyff likes to drop into a 10 position and Sane and Coman, although great wingers, aren't accustomed to playing centrally.

Lucas with a weak pick keeper for me and feel his full backs are going to exposed by H2D wingers and full backs doubling up going forward. Benzema and Bale would have a field day up against H2D defence but that's it as a goal threat. Whereas H2D front 4 can all pitch in with goals.

Mr.Nice Guy

martyos121

Like others, I find this a tough one to call. I like H2DPB's attack a lot, and there's a solid midfield into the bargain. I'd have some concerns over de Vrij, not that he's a bad player, but just that the calibre of attackers he'd face would be immense. Think Cancelo would be vulnerable to Sane and Bale too.

martyos' midfield is outstanding. Probably my favourite in the draft. I see them winning the midfield battles and there's strength out wide too. Cruyff's a legend, though I'd like to see this team with a real 9 and the Dutchman supporting. Defence is strong too and think it will compete well.

Really like Lucas' attacking three. Big fan of those players and I can see them getting joy. The midfield is strong as well and should be able to create openings up front. The centre-backs will be very tough, but could see some issues for the FBs against the opponent's attack.

Gone back and forth on this but going to give my vote to H2DPB for the balance and shape, and the flair up top to get the key goals.

bucketybuck

My random thoughts.

A very tight round.

Sane and Coman stand out to me as a negative, they just don't have the peaks of some other players in other teams. Bale, Benzema and Memphis could be a very good trio. People talking about Zidane and Zlatan, I think Mane is not getting mentioned enough, he can be a very good player that could work very well with them, assuming he is on form.

Weak midfield behind them though, neither Henderson nor Goretza would get into either of the other teams. Fabinho, Modric and Kroos, hard to top that one. Thiago and Vidal also top class. I simply don't rate Pogba however, would not have him near my side and consider him a weakness.

The defences appear to be a bit of a wash, all a mixture of some stand out players and some obvious weaknesses. I'd say Lucas Hoods defence is the strongest.

I'm going to vote for Lucas Hood, it is the most balanced team and I think it would top a group of three.

redzerdrog

I will just about go for Lucas. I think berasi at the back just about gives him enough defensive solidity to get him through. Well balanced in midfield and attack with peak bale brilliant coming in from the right

GLaDOS

martyos121

Voting closed, final tally below (valid votes)

Andrea Salmon Rumba - 7
martyos121 - 1
Lucas Hood - 3

Congrats Andrea Salmon Rumba!

Lucas Hood

Congrats Andrea Salmon Rumba