THE CHERRY CUP TACTICS

---------------Buffon----------------
-Srna------Vidic------Dante------Lahm-
--------------Martinez----------------
-------Gerrard--------Fellaini----------
-Young------------------------Shaqiri-
---------------Negredo---------------

Subs: Pantilimon, Ferdinand, Schmelzer, Muniain, Tello, Milito, de Jong
Captain: Philipp Lahm
Set pieces: Steven Gerrard

Team talk: I'm back now but you've done brilliantly under Afro's guidance, so keep playing the way he has taught you. A semi-final place is up for grabs. Go for it; Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for. You can't tell me, it's not worth dying for!

Buffon: Stand tall, come for crosses, sweep up anything that is played in behind the defence. Distribute short as much as possible.

Srna & Lahm: Keep your shape and defend together. Pick up any wingers, keep tight and do not let them run. Whenever you get the chance, get forward and support the attack, overlapping the widemen. If they play without FB's, drive into that space and cross in.

Dante & Vidic: Vidic - man mark the main striker and let him know you are there early. Dante – play as spare man sweeping up, attacking any high balls into the box,getting there first. If they play a second striker, you pick him up. Keep the ball and pass it short to the midfield, provide an option for a pass when in space.

Martinez: Sit back in the middle of midfield, ahead of defenders. Throw yourself about and look to break up the opposition attacks. Always make yourself available for a pass and when you have the ball don't waste possession. Dictate the tempo of the game.

Gerrard & Fellaini: Fellaini; you are our presence in midfield with your big size and hair. Get the ball and look to go on Yaya-esque runs through the middle of defence. Play it out to the wingers or have long range shots. Stevie; you are more of the ball playing midfielder. Look to pick the perfect pass when required to. Both of you; chase everything, force the opposition into making mistakes.

Young & Shaqiri: You will start as widemen, but don’t be afraid to come narrower. Get on the ball and run at the defence, feed the striker or Gerrard arriving late. Swaps sides to keep the FBs on their toes. Defensively, pressurise the ball as soon as we lose it.

Negredo: Operate in the width of the 18 yard box. When the ball comes forward centrally, hold it up allowing the wingers and AM to get in support. When the ball is out wide, get into the box to get on the end of anything coming in. Defensively, when we lose possession, harass the defenders in possession and force them to play it quickly.

Subs:
If losing/drawing on 65 minutes,:
Muniain for Shaqiri – fresh legs to run at a tiring defence
Tello for Young – fresh legs to run at a tiring defence
De Jong for Martinez – Extra striker

If winning on 75 minutes:
Muniain for Shaqiri (if applicable)
Martinez moves into a CB role. If we lost the lead, go back to DM.

Viva City vs Atletico Bilbao

De Sanctis
Zanetti---Jones---Barzagli---Cissoko
Pirlo---Javi Garcia---Matudi
Martins
Huntelaar-----Pizzaro

Injured players
Antonio Valencia
Jonny Evans


Subs
Kameni
Radu
Gonzalez
Menez
Valbuena
Bastos
Montolivo

Team Talk: Let's go out and win this game that's all lads.

De Sanctis Always communicate try to catch punch if you have to stand big make goal small.

Jones & Barzagli Pick up main striker who ever is closer other watch AM/SS look to close gaps and shooting chance hold your ground jockey them don't leave too much space between each other

Zanetti & Cissoko One goes forward other stays back don't dive in watch your man block crosses jockey him push him away from goal when going forward look to make runs an early crosses

Pirlo Matudi Garcia Work as a unit close them down put pressure we have the energy and power to match them and passes and technique to play Football. Track back watch runners shadow your man going forward look to bring ball forward or simple passes Pirlo drop deep if they try and pick you up messing up thier shape.

Martins AM float around strikers go wide or middle look for little pockets shoot pass pick up thier DM when they have the ball to stop them passing run with the ball.

Pizzaro & Huntelaar We have gone with two strikers to show we going for win get into box keep it simple pass and move one drops other goes up pitch watch for early crosses make runs behind thier defenders.

Free kick 26 yards or more: Pirlo
Free kick 25 yards or less: Pirlo/Martins
Corners: Pirlo
Penalty: Pirlo

Sub 65 min: Martins off Valbuena on fresh legs

Sub 75 min if losing: Matudi off Menez on go attacking with Menez wide

Sub 75 min if winning: Matudi off Montolivo on we pass and keep ball

Injury: Cole & VDV
Captain: Yaya Toure


Subs: Papadopolous, Xhaka, Ayew, Thiago, Cuenca, Alves, Lewandowski

Team talk

Fantastic win last week and we want to continue in that vein tonight. Into new ground against an adversary we've admired but never played. We've gone with our usual formation so it's one we're comfortable in playing and know well.

De Gea: Be confident and loud, communicate with the back four constantly, make yourself big on shots and rise for the crosses.

Abate & Chiellini: Chiellini to take the role as fullback and to deal with the threat of Menez whilst Abate has the threat of Bastos, both will look to mix up their game so keep your concentration up, time your tackles to when the player is receiving the ball and block any crosses coming in. Chiellini to stay back if Richards goes forward.

Richards & Hummels: Hummels to Huntelaar, physically outmuscle him early on and use your awareness to ensure he doesn't get between you and the goal. Richards to look after a 2nd striker if used, otherwise look to nullify threats or wingers coming inside or midfielders coming forward. When in possession Richards to push forward to swamp midfield.

Cambiasso & De Jong:
Mixture of muscle and brains, both can impose themselves and De Jong has the task of controlling Pirlo, to keep a close check on him and not let him take control of the centre, Cambiasso to spread the ball about looking for movement and space. Both ensure that you assist the defence when required.

Toure: Deeper role than the usual AM to ensure that the midfield battle is won, use Toure's size and ability to run with the ball like its tied to his laces to bulldoze through their defence. Hit through balls to Higuain.

Giovinco & Cazorla Both wingers to use their accelaration and speed to their advantage, Gio to come into the box and act as a 2nd striker if the ball is with Cazorla & vice versa.

Higuain: Timing is key today, I'm not expecting you to backtrack but instead to play high up the pitch and make a real nuisance of yourself in the box off the last shoulder. Use your physical presence to power through their centreback onto crosses or through balls from Yaya.

Subs
If losing/drawing at 70m: bring on Lewandowski for Cambaisso and go 4-4-2 and have the wingers looking to go outside and hit balls across for the two physical strikers.
if winning at 80m: Replace Giovinco with Papadopolous, go 5-4-1 and shore up the defence for the last 10 mins.

Set pieces
Hummels and Toure to all go into the box to use their height to create an aerial threat. Cazorla to take free kicks.

Cherry Cup Semi Final

vs Barearselona

---------------Ochoa
-------Sakho---Pepe---Ranocchia
Debuchy----------------------Nagatomo
-----------Sandro---Sahin
-----------------Ozil
--------Benzema---Mandzukic

Injuries: Ramires and Alexis Sanchez

Ochoa - Communicate with the back three and direct them to where they need to be. Come and catch balls into the box where you can.

Pepe - Anchor the defence and make the central area yours. Pick up anyone that strays into your area and use your strength and keep them at bay. With the ball, feel free to step up out of defence and distribute.

Sakho/Ranocchia - Both on the edges of the back three today so I want to see you covering the wing backs when they get forward and picking up players when they stray to your side of the pitch. Don't go to ground easily, force them back with our numbers.

Debuchy/Nagatomo - Both of you have strong attacking instincts so get up and down the wings today and offer width to us in attack. You have two quality strikers in the box so get the ball in to them where you can. In defence, get back as quickly as possible and hold the attacks up. Force them into the middle and let out defenders and midfielders crowd them out of the ball.

Sandro - Drop back and help the defence out, and look to break up play that comes into your area. Distribute the ball short and keep us ticking.

Sahin - Get your foot on the ball in the deeper areas and look to move us forward with clever passes. Ozil will be ahead and with wing backs and two strikers you won't be short on options, so be patient and incisive.

Ozil - Get between their lines of midfield and defence and get on the ball. There will be movement ahead for you and out wide, so try and pick a way through their defence. They may stick a man on you, so feel free to drift around the final third to look for the space.

Benzema - Be on the move today, look for the space and the ball and get shots away. You have a licence to drop a little deeper and pick the ball up in space from Ozil, and shoot or pass it on. Mand will be available for one twos so try and pick a way through.

Mandzukic - Stay up top, be a target when the balls are coming in from the wings and look to link play with Benzema and Ozil. Drift to the space, but always within the confines of the penalty box.

Set pieces from Mighty Mesut.
Pens from Mighty Mesut.

Subs on 75mins - KPB for Sahin, for energy in the middle

Injured: Lamps + Rodz

--------- Stekelenburg----------
M.Pereira---Godin---Lugano--Evra
---------Motta----Moutinho(C)------------
Blaczs-----Eriksen-----Gotze
--------------Klose--------

Ter Steagan
Carvalleo
Ovideo
Jicek
Pilar
Yacob
Martinez

Team Talk: we are facing the defending champs but we are so close from the final one win and we are in. we may not look strong on paper but we must Believe!!! i want you to do it for the fans. Now then when defending i want you to make them struggle make sure higuain/Cisse(depends on whos striker) struggles and cause him trouble dont let him beat you at header or let him get past you watch him closely as he will be key to them. dont be afraid to get the ball and cause trouble for Toure and dont allow him to create a chance. We May Have to park the bus in order to win and if we must we shall!!!!

Stekinberg: Command your back four tell them where they should be. come out to catch balls if you think you can and make sure you keep your eye on the ball.

Pereira: make sure you make the wings struggle and dont go down to easy if they swich cover the play that is coming your way.

Godin: Make sure to keep them at bay dont allow them to beat you at headers and dont go down to easy force you arena and try to stop passes from being completed if need be make sure there striker(Higuain/cisse) does not get through to easily and struggles.

Lugano: dont let them beat you and mark your mean stop passes and watch higuian if Godin cant you will need to be stong dont let him beat you.

Evra: Givanco is out injured so who ever takes his spot make sure you can cover it. dont let him get past easily make his struggle and try to push him wide and out of the wings.

Motta: stay back and help the defence but be prepared to break any chances that come your way. keep passing short and long if Mouthino/Erisken are not open.

Moutinho: get your foot on the ball. create chances and use cleaver passes. use long balls/Through balls to find players on the wing/middle that they can get to and create chances with. pick a spot and make sure that player can help you link up with them. You have eriksen/Gotze/Blacz/Klose so opotions are not limited and can be used wisely.

Eriksen: Move forward be ready to create chances and any balls that come your way through moutinho or the wings. be on the move and make sure you can open up a space. try to get between there defence and use the wings for back up if needed.

Blaczs: be ready to be on the move as through balls/long balls can come your way. use eriksen if needed and be aware of klose who will be on the move. use crosses and try to create. cut in and take a shot if you see a chance.

Gotze: be prepared to be on the move and cause them problems. watch for any balls towards your way and create chances for Eriksen/Klose who will be on the move.

Klose: watch any balls that come your way either through crosses in the air or ground. cause them problems and make sure you win headers. be ready to be on the move and create a space. dont waste chances and mostly of all play like you do for GERMANY!!

Injuries: Anyukov/Robben


Formation - 4-1-2-2-1

----------------------Reina
Koscielny --- Tasci --- Vermaelen --- Coentrao
------------------ Inler
------------Hamsik -----Nocerino
-----------Remy------------ Suarez
-------------------- Cavani

Bench: Jaaskelainen,Zapata,Albiol,Tymoshchuk, Callejon, Mirallas, Martinez

Captain : Vermaelen
Vice Captain: Koscielny
Corner Taker : Hamsik/Nocerino
FK Taker : Remy/Suarez
Penalty Taker: Cavani

General notes: Keep the ball and dominate the midfield if we can keep them at the half way line with no where to go we're half to winning, Look for gaps in behind their full backs


Reina: Catch crosses and release out to a full back, if ball is knocked in behind come and claim it.

Koscielny: go forward so we have an wing outlet and when defending show them inside.

Tasci: Force the forward away from goal and crowd them into midfield if he gets in behind use your pace to get back and make the interception

Vermaelen: drop a bit deeper then Tasci and sweep on any long balls or if gotten in behind, If play a 2nd forward then force him from goal and leave him offside.

Coentrao - Force the winger inside and bomb forward take on their full back at pace and whip a cross in

Inler (DM): Sole purpose is sit on Ozil make sure frog face has no impact on this game at all if he has the ball get there and force him to pass backwards.

Hamsik (CM): Just sit in midfield today and spray the passes want you to link with the rest of midfield , make sure we overcrowd them

Nocerino (CM) - Sit on their ball playing midfielder force it sideways away from Ozil, If going forwards then get between their midfielders.

Remy (AM) - Playing a different role this week we're being an inside forward, We're going to interchange with Suarez and run in between the full backs and centre backs to keep them busy

Suarez (AM): I want you to drift around make a midfielder follow you to create space, If they don't then have a go at goal or look for a run in behind the defence

Cavani: If we launch it then get onto the small fb other then that drop into midfield and help plug it, when we have the ball then still on their smallest CB and bully them out the way and get in behind them for crosses

SUBS: Martinez for Nocerino - go 4-4-2 if losing , if winning Suarez/Remy off for Tymo/Albiol go 5-4-1

Injury: De Jong & Giovinco
Captain: Yaya Toure




Subs: Coates, Papadopolous, Vidic, Ayew, Thiago, Richards, Alves

Team talk

90 minutes from the final, 90 minutes to return to the scene of last seasons triumphant Cup win and 90 minutes in which we must be clinical and focused. No respite, no prisoners, no mercy. Whilst they have young talent we have a team of winners, you know how to get the job done under pressure and that is what I expect. Do not let them settle, harass for every ball and force them further and further back.


De Gea: Be aware of Klose's presence today and ensure you make yourself big in the goal, be vocal to the back four with instructions and that they give you maximum protection. Look for players moving into space when you gather the ball.

Abate & Cole: Concentration and timing is paramount, keep a line and know when to pounce and when to hit the offside trap on their counters, force them wide whenever possible and block crosses.

Hummels & Chielini: Chileini to mark Klose, really physically impose yourself on him early on and knock him off his game, he's a confidence player so if he feels he's out of the game he'll switch off. Hummels to look after any 2nd striker whilst using his excellent awareness to ensure he picks up wingers coming inside or marauding Eriksen.

Cambiasso & Toure:
Your physical presence is to be used early on to grip the centre with both looking to pressure their incoming midfielders, Toure to come forward with the ball and bulldoze through them like skittles whilst Cambiasso's intelligence is to ensure he maps out the men in front of him like a general at a battlefield.

Cazorla & Cuenca: Both guys to use their speed and close ball control to push their wingbacks on the backfoot. Mix up your game to keep them 2nd guessing between cutting inside and taking on the man and whipping a ball in for Higs. If the opposite winger has the ball then look to come into the box as an extra striker especially to be a nusiance to Godin. Ensure you back track when needed to assist our FBs.

VDV: In the hole for VDV and to link up play through the channels, pass the ball to the wings and let them attack the FBs or look for clinical through balls to Higuain breaking off his marker or Toure pushing forward. If you find space with the ball don't be afraid to hit one from distance.

Higuain: Godin is their key centreback so instead look to target Lugano who's not been the player he was. The wingers will look to keep Godin occupied when they cut in so hang on the shoulder of Lugs and look to be clinical when the opportunity arises.

Subs
If losing/drawing at 70m: bring on Ayew & Thiago for VDV & Cambiasso and go 4-4-2 and have the wingers looking to come inside with speed against a physically sapped defence.
if winning at 80m: Replace VDV with Papadopolous, go 5-4-1 and shore up the defence for the last 10 mins.

Set pieces
VDV to take free kicks.

Injury: Papadopolous & Higuain
Captain: Yaya Toure

De Gea
Richards---Chiellini---Hummels---Cole
De Jong---Y.Toure
Cazorla-----Pastore-----Moura
Giovinco



Subs: Isla, Vidic, Ayew, Alves, Cuenca, Xhaka, Cambiasso

Team talk

History.
Today we are 90 minutes from making it, 90 minutes from achieving it, 90 minutes from being written in the annuls of time as double winners. Go out there and be strong, be willing to fight for every ball, every lost cause, never give them an inch, never let them settle on the ball. This is ours to win now go out there and make me, your families and every single fan proud. Attacking we’re looking to use our close skills and speed to unlock the Nannies defence whilst inviting tackles in dangerous areas for Cazorla to strike home.


De Gea: Be aware of Benzema's presence today and ensure you make yourself big in the goal, be vocal to the back four with instructions and that they give you maximum protection. Look for players moving into space when you gather the ball.

Richards & Cole: Concentration and timing is paramount, keep a line and know when to pounce and when to hit the offside trap on their counters, force them wide whenever possible and block crosses. When we have the ball look to advance down the wing to double team their FB.

Hummels & Chiellini: Chilleini to mark Benzema, really physically impose yourself on him early on and knock him off his game, he's a confidence player so if he feels he's out of the game he'll switch off. Hummels to look after any 2nd striker whilst using his excellent awareness to ensure he picks up Rodriguez or Sanchez coming inside or marauding midfielders.

De Jong & Toure:
The beasts of the centre, today I want you to really impose yourselves, never give them breathing space or let them control the game. De Jong to pay particular attention to their new signing Moutinho, he won’t have had time to settle in the team or practise on the training pitch so ensure he’s knocked off his stride and communication breaks down.

Cazorla & Moura: Both guys to use their speed and close ball control to push their wingbacks on the backfoot. Mix up your game and alternate flanks at times, ensure that when the other winger has the ball to come into the box and act as a second striker. If the opposition have the ball drop back and assist the full back. Moura to use his trickery to gain freekicks in dangerous positions, set pieces could win this for us.

Pastore: In the hole for Pastore and to link up play through the channels, pass the ball to the wings and let them attack the FBs or look to play neat one twos with Giovinco using his speed to burst past Pepe. Keep the ball on the ground and thread it past players to use our attacks pace.

Giovinco: Come deep to collect the ball and run at the defence playing one touch football with our other attacking players, don’t be afraid to use theatrics especially heading towards Pepe as soon as you get in the box.

Subs
If losing/drawing at 70m: bring on Ayew & Cambiasso for Pastore & De Jong and go 4-4-2 and have the wingers looking to come inside with speed against a physically sapped defence.
if winning at 80m: Replace Pastore with Vidic, go 5-4-1 and shore up the defence for the last 10 mins.

Set pieces
Cazorla to take free kicks.

The Cherry Cup Final
The London Silly Nannies vs Athletico Bilbao Baggins

This is the Cup Final. This is Hardcore – if you win, you can ask your Babies, “Do You Remember the First Time?”. It doesn’t happen to Common People, you’re all special, but you have to want it. You have to start it somewhere, so start it, there. I Spy a chance at glory, you can wake up on Monday Morning and say Something Changed – you became champions. Do you want to be able to Party Hard, do you want the Razzmatazz that comes with winning? This is no time to feel The Fear. Go out there and create some Glory Days.

--------------Ochoa
Debuchy---Sakho---Pepe---Caceres
--------------Sandro
--------Moutinho---Ramires
Sanchez-------------------Rodriguez
-------------Benzema

Subs: Schmeichel, Puyol, Nagatomo, Gonalons, Gaitan, Nene

Ochoa - Be vocal, come for balls you know you will get, and stamp out danger at the back. Distribute short.

Debuchy - You can get up the pitch to support attacks today, they have a good left side in defence so doubling up with Sanch should help us attack them. Get back to defend and when they attack look to stand the winger up and force him backwards, or anywhere so long as he isn't past you.

Caceres - Debs will be going forward today, so I want you to focus solely on the defence. When he is up field, come narrower and form a back three with the other CBs to guard against quick counters. Otherwise stay left and stand wingers up and don't let them beyond you.

Pepe/Sakho - Be strong, and be nasty, and dominate. You will be zonal today so whenever someone is in your zone, get close to them and be physical. Slide across when Debs is upfield and make sure we cover the field in case of counters. Don't dive in to challenges or go to ground at all, in fact. Keep the play in front of you and bully them til they go backwards. In possession, play the ball out of defence.

Sandro - Sit in front of the back line and break up play. Follow any midfield runners. Pass it short when you have it.

Ramires - Big role for you today. Toure is a big threat in their side coming from deep so when he breaks forward, keep a track of him. You have a motor to match his so as others tire you two will be key. Don't let him break beyond you and make it difficult for him to get through. On the ball, drive it forward, keep possession and get up to support attacks from deep, without compromising your ability to track back.

Moutinho - Key in possession play, I want you to dictate the flow and look for the ball always. Be smart and patient, and probe them. Look for the wingers and Benz moving ahead of you and pick the lock. Support the attack from deeper and if nothing is on remain patient and keep it.

Sanchez/Rodriguez - Both out and out wingers, so attack the backline inside and outside and try and beat your men or create room for a cross, shot, or pass. Be relentless, and look to link with Benzema in the middle with quick passes to get behind. Track with full backs that break up field and beat them back up field going the other way. Get in the box when the ball is on the other wing.

Benzema - Be on the move today, make runs, drop short, but always be looking for the ball and a chance to shoot. Link with the wingers when the come inside and when they are outside time a run for them to hit you with a cross.

Penz: Benz
Corners: Mout
Free kicks: Benz/Mout

Subs:

If winning on 80 mins: Gonalons on Moutinho off, stuff the middle and make it impossible to break through.
If losing on 75mins: Gaitan for Sandro, Gaitan on the left and Rodriguez through the middle and just hit them with attacks. Nagatomo for Caceres, attack from LB too.