The rules are simple:

1. Choose the opponent

2. Choose the formation

3. Choose the substitutes

4. State your game strategy

5. State why your tactics will work.


Lets see how good YOU guys are!





Opponent:

FC Barcelona



Formation:


-------------------Cassi----------------------

Ramos-------Pepe------Carvalho------Marcello

------------Sahin*-----------Alonso-------------

-----DiMaria--------Ozil*-------Kaka*---------

------------------Benzema--------------------



Subs:
1. Kaka (out) >>>>>> Cronaldo (in) (At half time) [Thats right people ]
2. Sahin (out) >>>>> Lass (in) (Once we take the lead. Applicable after Halftime only.)
3. Ozil (out) >>>>>>>> Khedeira (in) (Once we take the lead. Only after 65th minute IF we're leading. Khediera will move to DM position.)



Strategy:

Our main problem against Barca is that we cant keep the ball when under pressure from them.

Our Second problem is that we cant keep up with thier stamina from the 65th minute mark.

My solution is simple:

1. Bring out the best possible passing team we can offer.

2. Play the possession game.

3. Take the early lead.

4. Switch to a defensive team after the 65th minute.

5. Cristiano on the bench until half time.

6. High Defensive line in the first half. Low Defensive line + Anti Football counter attacking in the second half.


My tactics will work because:

1. Barca wins against us because they get to keep 75% of possession thus MANY chances arise for them and a few for us. If we bring out the best passing team we can offer, they wont be able to create as many chances because they wont get the ball as much. Unfortunately, Cristiano does not integrate very well into a passing game thats why he will come on after half time (more on this later)

2. We will aim to hold 60% possession at least. The more we hold onto possession, the less ball time Barca will have. Thus not only will they be able to create less chances, we can create more chances ourselves as we have the quality and speed.

3. Of course, we cant match up to Barca in terms of stamina any time soon. So taking the early lead is vital for us, even if it means having to leave some gaps in defense to achieve it. Because Cristiano will not be there in the first half, Sahin and Marcello will have to venture out front as much as possible to help create the goal.

4. Once we have the lead, we will bring in FRESH defenders (Lass and Khedeira) and they will be able to keep up with Barca's energetic midfield and will allow us to hold on to the lead.

5. Ahh, now for the controversy. Cristi will be benched as he does not fit in well with the possession game. Hes a good player, but he SEVERELY frustrates me because he doesnt pass the ball enough.
Ill bring him on at Half Time because by that time, Alves will have ran a lot and will be relatively tired. Once we take the lead (before cristi comes on); thats when ill hit the Cristiano bomb. Cristi will take the ball and constantly try to go past Alves and then put in the ball to DiMaria or Benzema to look for another opener. Cristi will be fresh and im sure he can take on Alves.
His increased energy will also allow him to track back in defense and he'll be centuries faster than any of the Barca full backs and thats why he'll be the most effective if he is subbed on later on..


6. Since we will go for the early goal, we will go with a high defensive line in the first half. After half time, once we have the lead. We will switch to Anti Football counter attack mode and defend it out for the rest of the match with a low defensive line. We'll park the bus if we have to.



Weakness:

Barca will have a higher chance of scoring. Yes, HOWEVER, although we will have a high defensive line in the first half, I also mentioned that we will NOT LOSE POSSESSION to barca NO MATTER WHAT. Since we will keep the ball more than them, we will make sure that they cant even attack as much to create their goal.. Basically, we'll do what they have been doing to us so far in the classicos.

So, what do you guys say?