Tactics Submission

Champions Cup Match Dates:

The Champions Cup competition will begin Midweek between the Gameweeks listed below.
Each team will play all opponents in their Group Home and Away. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Final.
This will give six Champions Cup matchdays plus Final:

• Midweek 1/2 - European GW1
  
• Midweek 2/3 - European GW2
  
• Midweek 4/5 - European GW3
  
• Midweek 5/6 - European GW4
  
• Midweek 7/8 - European GW5
  
• Midweek 8/9 - European GW6
  
• Midweek 10+ - European Cup Final
  

Champions Cup Rules:

• List the fixture.
  
• You pick only a starting XI & 7 Subs.
  
• State team Captain.
  
• You post brief tactics, no more than 15 bullet point lines.
  
• List Free Kick, Corner and Penalty takers.
  
• List any tactical sub you will make, maximum of 8 bullet point lines.
  

(Bullet Point Lines are as displayed above.)

You are able to select your Match Day Team from your full squad.

For details on Fixture List please click here.

*Injuries will carry over. Meaning your Monday Injuries count for both the League and European games for that week.
On Thursday after European Matches are played an extra injury is drawn from the starting line up + subs bench for each team that competed in Europe.
This Injury WILL be included in the total injuries for that club for the Friday League Match.
Four "No Injuries" are added into the pot to add random factor.

Benfica vs Porto
BENFICA TEAM

Injuries : Artur, Willian.

Captain : Luisao

Line-Up;

---------------Mika-------------------
Costa---Luisao---Dede---Emerson
---------Melo-----Garcia------------
----------------------------------------
----Krasic-------------Hernanes----
--------------------Nilmar------------
------------Helguson-----------------

Substitutes;

Silvio
Danilo
Marco Verratti
Bruno Cesar
Jose Antonio Reyes
Kleber
Gary Hooper


- Porto like to play patiently with the ball. Test their patience – let them have it in the middle third of the pitch, with eight men behind the ball – Hernanes and Krasic getting back to make two banks of four, extremely difficult to pass through.

- Centre backs offer protection to Mika. Young goalkeeper who wants as little to deal with as possible. No ball playing. If you get the opportunity, long ball it in Helguson’s direction.

- Emerson and Costa to play in their own half to resist Porto counter attack. Play arial diagonal balls in Helguson’s direction. Watch for Hulk pressure – so get it towards Helguson when the chance arises.

- Melo and Garcia sit deep, just in front of the back four. Let Porto have the ball until they penetrate our third of the pitch, then attempt to break up play with some stiff tackles.

- Helguson to play your usual game. Strong and up for everything in the air, looking for little flicks onto Nilmar who will play just in behind, making runs off you – or to either winger, then make immediate move into the box looking to get on the end of the cross. Draw centre backs out from around the box to create a gap and one solitary defender for Nilmar to attack. Any team in the Furious League is going to struggle to deal with you. You’re a unit.

- Krasic and Hernanes – looks for Helguson’s flicks. You two need to be bombing up and down the pitch all match, offering defensive strength when without possession, then offering Helguson options to find when with possession. Once you’ve received the ball out wide, I want to see plenty of crosses looking for Helguson.

- Nilmar. Look for Helguson’s flicks to get in behind the defence and force an opportunity. I want to see lots of crossing from the wingers, so always be looking to offer an option at the back post.

- Whole team – thrive on the inevitable cauldron atmosphere created in this Portuguese derby. But don’t allow the fans to force you to pressure the ball in safe areas. The key is going to be testing Porto’s patience then hitting them with a more direct approach that they will struggle to deal with. Drop the ball in between the defensive midfield and the centre backs for Helguson to mix things up.

Corners : Krasic, Hernanes
Free Kicks : Nilmar
Penalties : Helguson

Subs;

- 70 mins = Krasic off for Reyes. Will be worn out by Bale. Reyes to continue the same job – with less getting forward.
- 75 mins = Hernanes off for Bruno Cesar. Again – I’m expecting the first team wingers to bomb up and down all game, so don’t expect there to be much left in the tank come this stage. Bruno Cesar to do the same job as Hernanes.

- IF IN THE LEAD : 80 mins = Helguson off for Verratti. Nilmar to go up top on his own. Verratti to drop back into midfield. 9 men behind the ball. Nilmar to hold it up when he gets it up front.

- IF LOSING : 80 mins = Helguson off for Kleber. Move to traditional two up front pairing in a 4-4-2 set up. Get the ball down on the floor and try and play through the Porto. Full team to play much higher up the pitch, with the full backs now committing to attack.

Benfica v Porto

Captain: Chiellini

• Use the hostile atmosphere to your advantage and attack the Benfica team with high pressure from the first whistle.
• Reina - Be big and vocal in the goal and dominant at set pieces
• Chiellini – Remain close to the ST and time tackles, head the ball down to a blue and white shirt.
• Godin – Stay close to Nilmar whenever he is in a forward position but don’t follow him back to the centre.
• VDW – Keep the winger on the outside and block passes then link up play with Hulk and double up on their full back.
• Pereira- Force the winger into the corners and cut out any balls into the box, play balls down the wing to use the speed of Bale
• Fellaini – Break up the Benfica play today, don’t allow them time to settle on the ball and provide cover to the defensive line, go up for set pieces.
• De Rossi – Get box to box today, be the enforcer in the centre of the pitch, winning every 50/50 ball, being there for the loose balls out of the box etc.
• Hulk – Look to come inside when possible, force the fullback into a mistake where you’ll either beat him or win a freekick in a goal scoring position.
• Bale – Time your runs for balls fed past their FB so be ready to burst past them and cross the ball onto Falcao’s head or to Hulk’s feet.
• Pastore – Use your skills to hit decisive one touch passes past the Benfica CBs to Falcao, invite tackles in dangerous positions to win freekicks.
• Falcao – Start play in an offside position and force the CB’s deep as much as you can, look for clumsy tackles resulting in penalties.
• First half – Pressure from the off through dominating the centre, an early goal will have the home crowd on their back.
• Second half – More of a reserved display, conserve energy and maintain possession if leading, force Benfica to come more out of their half.
• Wear that badge with pride today.


Free kicks: Bale left side, Hulk right side,
Throw ins: Fellaini or Bale
Penalties: Falcao, Gerrard if he comes on

Subs: Alves
Topal
Henrique
Rodriguez
Bodmer
Vertonghen
Gerrard


If losing: 70m take off Fellaini, Pastore & Bale and bring on Rodriguez, Henrique & Gerrard, go 4-4-2 (attacking) and use these fresh legs and added goal threat to bombard the Benfica goal.
If winning: 80m take off Pastore for Gerrard in a 4-1-4-1 formation, look to contain the ball in front of this wall and force Benfica to get more and more desperate before counterattacking with the wingers and Falcao at them at speed to kill them off.

Roma v Fiorentina

Injured: Seculin, van der Vaart, Forshaw

---

subs: Neto, Ansaldi, Samba, Cerci, Draxler, Barkley, Cardozo

---

General Tactics: Try to control the middle of the park and use our width to get balls into the box. Full backs to support wingers in attack to attack the flanks of Roma and expose their full back area. Defence from the front, with pressure on opposition as soon as we lose the ball.

• De Silvestri and Baines to get forward as much as possible. Playing two holding midfielders to give you freedom to do this. When defending, pick up the opposition winger on your side.
  
  
• Jags and Koscielny to stay back. Jags to pick up lone striker, Koscielny to pick up second striker or play as spare man
  
  
• Mbia and Fernando to play as enforcers in the middle of the park. Bully the Roma CMs of the ball, which with no strong CM in their team should be easy and allow us to control possession. Cover the full backs when they go forward
  
  
• Wilshere - box to box midfielder. Pressurise the opposition when we don't have the ball, when we do, be the link between defence and attack, feeding the wingers and dictating play.
  
  
• Farfan & Vargas - you have a lot of freedom to stay wide or move central. My instruction is when you can, get the ball and run at the full backs and get crosses in. When our full backs get forward, tuck in and allow them to overlap. When the ball is on the other flank, get into the box in support of RVP. Defensively, track the opposition full back when they go forward and help out your own FB
  
  
• RVP - lone striker, when they defend high, play off the shoulder and get in behind. When they go deep, drop in to collect the ball. You can then turn and run, or feed the wingers.

---

Captain: Jagielka
Penalties: Baines
Freekicks/corners: Vargas/Baines

---

Subs:
Losing on 65 minutes, Mbia for Cardozo, go 4-4-2 with Cardozo alongside RVP
Winning on 65 minutes, Samba for Koscielny, Cerci for Farfan, fresh legs same formation more of the same
Any score on 70 minutes, Ansaldi for De Silvestre - same tactics as playing at the time.

Roma vs Fiorentina

Stekelenburg
Cassetti---Kjaer---Juan---Maxwell
Aquilani---Lucas---Gonzalez
Downing---------------------Vucinic
Milito

Subs
Lombont
Alex
Podolski
Marin
Montolivo
Martinez
Angel

Injured players
Younes Kaboul
Bruno Soriano
Pablo Osvaldo

I have the midfield that can play a passing game, keep the ball moving and I want my players on the move, we attack as a unit and defend as one, let them keep the ball in their own half to conserve energy and second half we go forward more.


Stekelenburg any balls that come around the 6 yard punch them or catch them, tip shots away from danger, distribute the ball early to start counters.

FB only one push up at a time, watch your man jockey try to push him away from danger. When going forward put early crosses in.

Juan pick up thier main striker, give him little room close him down, Kjaer act as support or dropping back just in case.

Aquilani dictate the tempo pass the ball always look for opening and pass the ball to our wingers behind thier attacking FBs.

Lucas stay back put in tackles closes them down play simple passes be the destructive DM that you are.

Gonzalez push up and down, get into the box make late runs into the box when defending hold your position close the angles down for them.

Downing use the width of the pitch and also cut in and get crosses in if you have the chance to shoot do it, track back and help our FB.

Vucinic make runs into the box drift inside, run at thier FB you have the pace and directness.

Milito target man knock balls on, make runs behind their CB dont stay static always on the move take gambles on your runs.

Subs: Downing off Marin on 65 min
Gonzalez off Podolski on 75 min 4-4-2

GAMEWEEK 2 TACTICS

LIVERPOOL v roma

Injuries

Alba
Oscar
Kerzhakov


Tactics:-

1 - Akinfeev stay tall and dominates the area, close down strikers early to reduce the angle they have on goal, be confident when dealing with high balls and clear any danger. Look to send wingers away early.

2 - Srna will attack and support Perotti when possible, however he must defend the lines first and be strong against the winger, use his experience to keep him away from goal and dont dive in. When getting forward look to go to the outside of Perotti and make an extra man for the LB to try and deal with, get crosses in early.

3 - Pieters stays back and defendes, leaving the attacking to Srna. Defend strongly against the winger and dont allow hiom the time to get free or to cut inside.

4 - Rami man marks the striker, will out muscle him and keep him away from danger, clear the lines early. Ruiz is the spare defender and is there to sweep up the rest or watch for any danger coming through so he is their early to intercept, again clear away everything.

5 - M'Vila, his job is simple, man mark their playmaker/AM, nulify the threat and not allow him to dictate play, get in early and let him know he will be marked tightly, force him into early, stupid misplaced passes.

6 - Marchisio and Vidal will help break up lay and sit in a 5 man mid when defending, however when they get the ball its up to them to get the team driving forward, get it out to the wings and keep going forward looking to support Gomis in the box as much as they can.

7 - Perotti and Ilicic, will look totake on the FB's and get to the bye line and get the ball into danger areas. Perotti will have Srna for support so use him as he drives outside, this will allow Perotti to cut in and look for the return in dangerous areas. Ilicic will use Vidal/Marchisio withone twos to try and break the defense as he runs into the box.

8 - A strong midfield 4-1-4-1 when defending I want them to work for their chances, be quick onto them, be strong in the challenge and never give up...

9 - Gomis is looking to pressure on Kerzhakov so will be keen to put in a tireless performance, he will have to work hard to free himself up so always be on his toes looking for some freedom to get in on goal. Two good feet and a powerful header, he will look to out jump/run defenders to get his efforts away, if he cant they he will have plenty support so look to lay off and bring others into the game.

10 - Keep the ball on the deck when building up, play free flowing one touch football, use triangles to try and break free and get the ball up top. Use wingers to get at the defense and really have a go.

Captain - Vidal
Penalties - Gomis
FK's, Corners Wingers

Subs:-

70 Mins
Losing - Walcott, Dost > Ilicic, Marchisio - 4-4-2 Walcott -RW, Perotti - LW, Dost, Gomis up front
Drawing - Walcott, Dost > Marchisio, Gomis 4-2-3-1 Walcott - RW, Perotti - LW, Ilicic AM
Winning - Matip > Marchisio - sit in a more defensive role beside Mvila, Vidal

80 Mins
Losing - Gervinho > Srna 3-4-3 Gervinho - RW, Walcott CF

Roma tactics vs Liverpool



Subs:
Lombont
Radu
Alex
Lucas
Lamela
Downing
Osvaldo

Injured players:
José Ángel
Riccardo Montolivo
Marko Marin

. Stekelenburg stand big for long as possible close down angle quick throw to start counters claim if you sure.

.Gonul/Maxwell defend first watch ball jockey don't dive in push them away from goal only one of you pushes up.

. Kaboul watch main striker close down use strength and speed to keep him under bay

. Juan pick up other striker or any runners intercept passes close down areas for them to pass

.Soriano stay back keep discpline put pressure when they come in our half don't give them time to settle

.Aquilani get the ball and pass it around look for wingers or Gonzalez always keep the ball moving for us dictate tempo

. Gonzalez get forward into box get shots make runs passed Milito our attacking mid

.Elia use your speed run at defenders use the width of the pitch get crosses in help back

.Vucinic cut inside get into box get shots in or passes play as SS when we attack Maxwell will give the width

.Milito knock balls on be aware of crosses make runs don't stay static pass and move make gambles into danger areas

Subs:
65 min Elia off Downing on fresh legs

75 min if losing
Soriano off Osvaldo on 4-4-2

75 min if winning
Gonzalez off Lucas on more defensive

83 min if losing
Aquilani off Lamela on attacking approach

Benfica vs Arsenal
BENFICA TEAM

Injuries : Helguson, Silvio

Captain : Luisao

Line-Up;

---------------Mika-------------------
Costa---Luisao---Dede---Emerson
-------- -Melo---------------------------
--------------------Hernanes--------------------
----Krasic---------------------Willian
--------------------Nilmar------------
------------Hooper-----------------

Substitutes;

Danilo
Marco Verratti
Bruno Cesar
Jose Antonio Reyes
Kleber


- Play passing football in the diamond formation. Don't play long ball. Good luck.


Corners : Krasic, Hernanes
Free Kicks : Nilmar
Penalties : Hooper

Benfica vs Arsenal

Varela
Jenkinson
Coquelin
Maduro

Parejo
Rosicky
Oxlade Chamberlain
Afobe

Raul
Hernandez
Campbell

1) Keep the ball
2) spread it out wid
3) push their attackers out wide
4) stop crosses coming in
5) Chase down the ball play midfielder putting under pressure
6) Raul drop off the defence and into the space between midfield and defence
7) Hernandez + Campbell run in behind defense
8) Parejo and Afobe take on FB;s
9) Ox and Rosicky be creative spread the play
10)Goalkeeper to clear balls in behind

fiorentina v LIVERPOOL

Injuries:-
Srna
Walcott

Team:-



Tactics:-

1. Akinfeev stay tall makes himself as big as possible to reduce angles. Be confident with high balls. Release wingers early and get it up field.

2. Fullbacks defend 1st and foremost, keep tight on the wingers and dont allow them to cut in, attack one at a time and support our wingers as much as possible.

3. Rami sit spare and keep and eye on any movement from them and intercept anything coming into the danger area, Ruiz man mark the striker, keep close and dont allow him time to turn or get into the box.

4. All 4 defenders - No nonsense, clear the lines, be aggressive when going for headers and be strong in the tackle.

5. M'Vila and Vidal are the muscle, M'Vila picks up the AM/SS and marks him tightly, cant allow the boy to dictate play so be in on him quick. Vidal is like a tiger, snarls at everything that comes near him. A feisty lad who wont give up the cause. Vidal will get forward as well and support the 4 ahead of him, shoot from distance if possible.

6. Gaitan and Perotti are a threat, quick and skillful will look to take on the fullbacks and get the ball in for the striker, also they will look to cut the ball inside to Vidal or Ilicic and make there way into the box looking for a return when they are in dangerous positions.

7. Ilicic is the free role, he comes deep to pick up to start passing about and get it out wide or through to the striker, he also supports the striker as much as possible by getting ahead of him when the ball is out wide. At 6'3 he is a real danger in the box. He will always make himself available to recieve the ball.

8. All 3 will track back and follow there men, DM,RB, LB and stop them getting too far forward and nulify their threat.

9. Kerzhakov in good form with 4 in 2 and will look to continue this, he is always on his toes ready to pounce, will get alot of support so he has got to get himself into dangerous positions to recieve the pass so he can go for goal. Run the line taking defenders out of position for others to move into.

10. Pass and move, one-twos, triangles -keep the ball on the ground, a tough match but we can win. ALways make yourself available after the ball is gone, dont stay static.

Captain - Vidal
Penalties - Kerzhakov
Free Kicks - Gaitan
Corners - Wingers

Subs:-

70 Mins:-
Losing
Rossi & Alba > Ilicic & Pieters - Rossi goes up top with Kerzhakov and have a real go, Alba is more of a attacking threat at LB and will get up and support Gaitan more.

Drawing
Rossi > Ilicic - Will support Kerzhakov and sit a little higher than Ilicic

Winning
Marchisio > Ilicic - will drop a little deeper and create a formidable central midfield 3

80 Mins:-

Losing
Gomis > Kerzhakov - 3-4-1-2 - Onoucha, Rami, Ruiz sit tight at the back - Alba goes to LM, Gaitan supports Rossi and Gomis and we have to go more direct

Drawing
Gomis > Kerzhakov - fresh legs up front to go at the CBs and look for a winner

Winning
Gomis > Kerzhakov, fresh legs and will look to hold onto the ball, whilst still being a danger

Fiorentina v Liverpool

Injured:
Alberto Botia
Juan Manuel Vargas
Apostolos Vellios

---

subs: Neto, Ansaldi, Koscielny, Cerci, Rodwell, Barkley, Gignac

---

General Tactics: Try to control the middle of the park and with control established, have the Full backs bombing on and providing the width, and Farfan and VDV in freer roles, buzzing around RVP as the main attacking focal point (ala Barca and Man City stylee). Defence from the front, with pressure on opposition as soon as we lose the ball. Two holding midfielders to protect the back four to enable more attacking freedom to the full back. Wilshere playing box to box, linking defence and attack and supplying the attacking players.

• De Silvestri and Baines to get forward as much as possible. Playing two holding midfielders to give you freedom to do this. When defending, pick up the opposition winger on your side.
  
  
• Jags and Mbia to stay back. Jags to pick up lone striker, Mbia to pick up second striker or play as spare man
  
  
• Toulalan and Fernando to play as enforcers in the middle of the park. When the midfield battle and get control of the game for us. Protect the defence allowing the FBs to bomb forward. When you get possession, look to play it simple to Wilshere
  
  
• Wilshere - box to box midfielder. Pressurise the opposition when we don't have the ball, when we do, be the link between defence and attack, feeding the advancing FBs, and the attacking 3, and dictating play.
  
  
• Farfan & VDV - You play both play in a supporting role. You are shown narrow on the formation because you are not playing as wingers, but you are also not fixed in the SS/AM role. You should play off RVP, dropping deeper or going wide and collecting the ball. Look to feed it into RVP, or outwide to the advancing FBs. If they play a high line, look to play in RVP in behind, if they play a deep line, run at the defence and take shots from range.
  
  
• RVP -play as the main focal point of the attack, getting on the end of crosses and through balls. If the defence play a high line, play on the shoulder and look to run in behind. If they play deep, hold the ball up for the runners from deep.

---

Captain: Jagielka
Penalties: Baines
Freekicks/corners: Baines

---

Subs:
Losing on 70 minutes, Fernando for Gignac, Cerci for VDV; go 4-4-2.
Winning on 70 minutes, Cerci for VDV, go to 4-5-1
Any score on 80 minute, Rodwell for Toulalan, fresh legs

Porto v Arsenal

Captain: Chiellini

• Use the backing of the crowd to your advantage and attack the Arsenal team with high pressure from the first whistle.
• Reina - Be big and vocal in the goal and dominant at set pieces, catch rather than punch.
• Chiellini – Remain close to the ST and time tackles, head the ball down to a blue and white shirt.
• Godin – Stay close to other striker whenever he is in a forward position but don’t follow him back to the centre.
• VDW – Keep the winger on the outside and block passes then link up play with Hulk and double up on their full back.
• Pereira- Force the winger into the corners and cut out any balls into the box, play balls down the wing to use the speed of Bale
• Fellaini – Break up the Arsenal play today, don’t allow them time to settle on the ball and provide cover to the defensive line, go up for set pieces.
• De Rossi – Get box to box today, be the enforcer in the centre of the pitch, winning every 50/50 ball, being there for the loose balls out of the box etc.
• Hulk – Look to come inside when possible, force the fullback into a mistake where you’ll either beat him or win a freekick in a goal scoring position.
• Bale – Time your runs for balls fed past their FB so be ready to burst past them and cross the ball onto Falcao’s head or to Hulk’s feet.
• Pastore – Use your skills to hit decisive one touch passes past the Arsenal CBs to Falcao, invite tackles in dangerous positions to win freekicks.
• Falcao – Start play in an offside position and force the CB’s deep as much as you can, look for clumsy tackles resulting in penalties.
• First half – Pressure from the off through dominating the centre, an early goal will have the home crowd on their back.
• Second half – More of a reserved display, conserve energy and maintain possession if leading, force Arsenal to come more out of their half.
• Wear that badge with pride today.


Free kicks: Bale left side, Hulk right side,
Throw ins: Fellaini or Bale
Penalties: Falcao, Gerrard if he comes on

Subs: Alves
Topal
Henrique
Rodriguez
Elm
Vertonghen
Gerrard


If losing: 70m take off Fellaini, Pastore & Bale and bring on Rodriguez, Henrique & Gerrard, go 4-4-2 (attacking) and use these fresh legs and added goal threat to bombard the Arsenal goal.
If winning: 80m take off Pastore for Gerrard in a 4-1-4-1 formation, look to contain the ball in front of this wall and force Arsenal to get more and more desperate before counterattacking with the wingers and Falcao at them at speed to kill them off.

GAMEWEEK 4 TACTICS

Liverpool v Fiorentina
Injured:
Salvatore Sirigu
Phil Jagielka
Federico Carraro

---

subs: Seculin, Ansaldi, Botia, Cerci, Rodwell, Barkley, Bent

---

General Tactics: Try to control the middle of the park and with control established, have the Full backs bombing on and providing the width, and Farfan and Vargas in freer roles, buzzing around RVP as the main attacking focal point (ala Barca and Man City stylee). Defence from the front, with pressure on opposition as soon as we lose the ball. Two holding midfielders to protect the back four to enable more attacking freedom to the full back. Wilshere playing box to box, linking defence and attack and supplying the attacking players.

• Walker and Baines to get forward as much as possible. Playing two holding midfielders to give you freedom to do this. When defending, pick up the opposition winger on your side.
  
  
• Kos and Mbia to stay back. Mbia to pick up main striker, Kos to pick up any second striker or play as spare man
  
  
• Toulalan and Fernando to play as enforcers in the middle of the park. When the midfield battle and get control of the game for us. Protect the defence allowing the FBs to bomb forward. When you get possession, look to play it simple to Wilshere
  
  
• Wilshere - box to box midfielder. Pressurise the opposition when we don't have the ball, when we do, be the link between defence and attack, feeding the advancing FBs, and the attacking 3, and dictating play.
  
  
• Farfan & Vargas - You both play in a supporting role. You are shown narrow on the formation because you are not playing as wingers, but you are also not fixed in the SS/AM role. You should play off RVP, dropping deeper or going wide and collecting the ball. Look to feed it into RVP, or outwide to the advancing FBs. If they play a high line, look to play in RVP in behind, if they play a deep line, run at the defence and take shots from range. Use your pace to scare the opposition defence.
  
  
• RVP -play as the main focal point of the attack, getting on the end of crosses and through balls. If the defence play a high line, play on the shoulder and look to run in behind. If they play deep, hold the ball up for the runners from deep.

---

Captain: Toulalan
Penalties: Baines
Freekicks/corners: Baines

---

Subs:
Losing on 65 minutes, Fernando for Bent, go 4-4-2.
Winning on 70 minutes, Cerci for Farfan, go to 4-5-1
Any score on 80 minute, Rodwell for Toulalan, Botia for Koscielny fresh legs

LIVERPOOL v fiorentina

Injuries:-
Alba, Dost

------------Akinfeev------------
D.Srna---Rami---Ruiz---Pieters
---------Vidal-----Mvila--------
Perotti-------------------Gaitan
-------------Rossi-------------
-----------Kerzhakov-----------

Ahamada, Onouha, Marchisio, Matip, Ilicic, Oscar, Gomis

Captain:- Vidal
Penallties:- Kerzhakov
Freekicks/corners:- Wingers

1. Akinfeev stand tall, come out quick to reduce angles and dominate area, release wingers early.

2. Fullbacks defend strongly 1st before attacking. Keep wingers away to the outside and away from danger. Support Wingers one at a time.

3. Rami pick up main striker and keep him away from goal using strength and know how, Ruiz spare and watch for any gaps that appear and intercept any danger.

4. Mvila and Vidal are the muscle in the middle, M'vila man mark the dangerman and keep him out the game, Vidal helps break up play and will aways be harrassing their midfielders quickly.He will get up and support forwards when poss

5. Gaitan and Perotti force the fullbacks into a defensive role and stop them coming forward, always look to beat them either side and get ball in for strikers or cut in using Rossi/Vidal to get into dnagerous positions. Defend when they have to.

6. Rossi is free to do what he want, drift wide taking players away with him freeing up space for others, or looking for the ball from deep to run onto and support Kerzhakov as much as poss.

7. kerzhakov in great form, very hard working player and should link up well with Rossi, laying it off and waiting for him to run passed to put through, Rossi does the same for Kerzhakov, both can interchange and cause havoc up front.

8. One twos, neat passing playing triangles to break the lines of defence.

Subs:-

70 Mins:-

Losing:-
Gomis > Rossi 4-4-2
Winning:-
Marchisio > Rossi - shores up midfield.


80 Mins:-
Losing:-
Ilicic > Srna 3-4-1-2
Winning:-
Gomis > Kerzhakov

Arsenal v Porto

Captain: Chiellini

• Use the hostile crowd to your advantage and attack the Arsenal team with high pressure from the first whistle.
• Reina - Be big and vocal in the goal and dominant at set pieces, catch rather than punch.
• Chiellini – Remain close to the ST and time tackles, head the ball down to a blue and white shirt.
• Vermaelen – Stay close to other striker whenever he is in a forward position but don’t follow him back to the centre.
• VDW – Keep the winger on the outside and block passes then link up play with Hulk and double up on their full back.
• Pereira- Force the winger into the corners and cut out any balls into the box, play balls down the wing to use the speed of Bale
• Modric – Break up the Arsenal play today, don’t allow them time to settle on the ball and provide cover to the defensive line, go up for set pieces.
• De Rossi – Get box to box today, be the enforcer in the centre of the pitch, winning every 50/50 ball, being there for the loose balls out of the box etc.
• Hulk – Look to come inside when possible, force the fullback into a mistake where you’ll either beat him or win a freekick in a goal scoring position.
• Bale – Time your runs for balls fed past their FB so be ready to burst past them and cross the ball onto Falcao’s head or to Hulk’s feet.
• Pastore – Use your skills to hit decisive one touch passes past the Arsenal CBs to Falcao, invite tackles in dangerous positions to win freekicks.
• Falcao – Start play in an offside position and force the CB’s deep as much as you can, look for clumsy tackles resulting in penalties.
• First half – Pressure from the off through dominating the centre, an early goal will have the home crowd on their back.
• Second half – More of a reserved display, conserve energy and maintain possession if leading, force Arsenal to come more out of their half.
• Wear that badge with pride today.


Free kicks: Bale left side, Hulk right side,
Throw ins: Bale
Penalties: Falcao

Arsenal vs Porto

Subs Bench
Hahnemann
Douglas
Gervinho
Moutinho
Raul
Defoe
Adriano

Captain: Gerrard

Kameni: Make sure you keep defence in line. Distribution has to be top class today, rather you play a short ball to defence than risk losing it with a long one.

Sagna: I need you to bomb down the wings today, you're going to have to be up and down all match. Support Song in breaking up any attacks, but do not come inside, as you will leave too much space.

Alves and Godin: Keep your positions, play a deep defence as we don't want to be caught for pace. You're defenders all out today. Avoid attacking.

Enrique: Same as Sagna really, just down the left flank instead. Make sure you keep the ball, no silly errors.

Song: Big day for you. You have to break up any attacks, you'll have support from the fullbacks and Gerrard coming back but anything through the middle you have to catch out. Sit back during attacks as there are enough attacking players.

Gerrard: You're on box to box duty today, getting forward at every oppurtunity. Playing through balls to the wingers and Suarez, but make sure you help Song out defensively. Good passing today, keep the ball.

Carzola and Hazard: Stick to the touchlines today, play a lot of one-twos and use your pace. Avoid cutting inside, but use your fullbacks and Suarez. Whip in crosses towards Adebayor. Whether to his head or feet, it's his job to get the best out of them.

Suarez: Creative best today. You've got a free role, just make sure you're a nuisance. Keep the ball, you're the link between midfield and Adebayor. Press high up the pitch to try and win the ball back high up.

Adebayor: You're going to have to be good at controlling balls today as the wingers are going to be whipping in crosses at you. Hold the ball up if you're the only one attacking and try and beat the offside trap. If Suarez runs ahead of you, drop back a little so not to be caught out on counter attack. Draw fouls from the defence.

General Tactics:
Keep the ball as best you can, don't leave a lot of space. Move as a team. If defending, drop deep, if attacking press higher. At free-kicks and corners, centre-backs stay back, Gerrard on the edge of the box. Try doing something more creative than aiming it at the tallest guy.

Free-kicks: Up to the players.
Corners: Up to the players.
Penalties: Gerrard

If losing: at 65 minutes bring off Adebayor and put on Defoe, and take off Carzola and bring on Gervinho and try and use pace to beat Porto. Song can also then start making runs into the box.
If winning: At 70 take Adebayor off and bring on Moutinho, switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Suarez as main striker, then after a bit take off Suarez and stick on Raul who can use his technique to keep the ball.