Euro 2020 Draft - Match Thread - Semi Final 2

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Leno
Trent---De Ligt---Thiago Silva---Tierney
De Bruyne---Busquets---Bernardo Silva
Sancho---Van Basten---Perisic

Overview

I think the great strength of my team is balance. From the CB partnership being able to do the dirty stuff, as well as play, to my full backs being able to defend and distribute, to my midfield having huge energy, with great quality in the final 3rd, to my attack, which boasts a striker an all-round game to rival any the world has ever seen, who can finish any chance, to my wing forwards who bring energy and end product - the team will be very difficult to handle.

The individual talent is there, but I believe that what you get will be even greater than the sum of it's parts.

Leno

Not the top keeper in the draft, but is close to perfect for what I need. A shot stopper, who can distribute effectively. I have no qualms about him whatsoever, and can more than do the job.

CB partnership

Big, strong, quick, and can play. There are better CB partnerships on paper, but what they can give me in terms of team structure, and having the experience to press high up the pitch to condense the pitch- its ideal.

Full backs

Trent is the best attacking RB in Europe, and his stats prove his defence is among the best around in the Premier League. Dribbling, crossing, switching play - all in the locker.

Tierney is Andy Robertson light, and is arguably a better crosser. Solid as a rock, and brings more balance.

Midfield

The strongest collective part of the team.

Busquets is as exquisite a reader of the game as there is at his peak, and will mop things up as my fullbacks push on.

Bernardo Silva has energy in bucketloads. His game has developed under Pep to the point that he's a major part of the midfield 3. He can keep the ball, can find a killer pass, and can harass and press. He and De Bruyne either side of Busquets is a dream.

De Bruyne is simply the best in the world not named Messi. He's also high energy, and now has Trent on his side to help with the creative load.

Attack

Van Basten is as good as there's ever been. He can link play, dropping deep on occasion, can outpace you, and finish on the ground or in the air.

Either side of him are Perisic, who has provided width and penetration all his career … and Jadon Sancho, who has 40+ goal involvements in the last year. He can score, create and carry the ball.

Opponent


I recognise that he may shape up a little different to the above, but the basis of points will be the same, really.

This is a tough game. Zidane is the obvious problem for any team. I like the Mané pick, and I think it gives my midfield, and Trent, plenty to think about when Hello 2D has the ball in transition.

However, I think my team's overall balance and solidity edge this. As good as Robbo is, I think he'll have a problem on the right side with Trent and KDB. As good as Henderson is, and as physical as Goretzka is, neither are best as a pure DM. you're relying on their box-to-box ability to do a lot. At which point, if you assume my midfield is very strong, Zidane will have choices to make as to whether he helps out, or focuses on the attacking end.

I think I have more of the ball in this game, and I think it's a question of whether Hello2D can get behind me enough times, and clinically enough, to score enough to outscore me. Ibra is a superstar, but I'm not convinced in a high octane game like I think this would be.

And i think he struggles in defence against me. Alderweireld and de Vrij are strong and quick, but I think our guile in attack, and the way we'd press the game, will bring a lot of pressure. I also think Cancelo is a superb attacking RB, but if he's asked to do a lot in defence, I'm not quite as sure.

I think my midfield gets too much of a foothold, there is too much pressure in Hello 2D's half, and I edge the win.

I think this would be a great game, and hopefully you lean Slick

Voting for Ric here, another tight game with evenly matched teams but I think his defence is just a bit stronger

Maybe it's the bitterness in me as he won our group but i feel H2PB is outclassed here.

Slick for me.

Struggling to separate the 2 sides.

The wingers are the area where there is an obvious gap in quality between the 2 sides. Hello 2D Person is far stronger here.

I still have questions about Ibra being the guy to come up clutch but when 2 sides are setup solid enough you have to look at the attacking ends as to who is more likely to produce a match winning moment. The sum of Hello 2D Person attacking threat is slightly more for me

Slick win this one for me, dominates the midfield battle and therefore the possession game and while H2PB will be dangerous on the counter with Mane and Gnabry, I see Slick’s defence having just enough to contain that threat.

While H2PB probably has the stronger defence, it’ll be worked a lot more than Slick’s and with the constant threat of Van Basten lurking up front, not just scoring himself but creating space for Sancho and Perisic, I see goals in this one for Slick with the likes of KDB and Silva well able to create them.