thespus
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ESPNFC recently has had pundits (terrible, awful pundits) list their best XI at the COPA and (predictive) for the 2016 Euro. They were both shit. Harry Kane was the starting striker in the EURO XI. Yes, seriously. Alas - I'm bored. What would your XI look like for the respective continents? Which side would win? Would a combined African team have a shot?
Europe XI:
De Gea
Lahm - Pique - Boateng - Alaba
Pogba - Veratti - Iniesta
Hazard - Müller - Ronaldo
Subs - Courtois, Ramos, Matuidi, Modric, Robben, Griezmann, Ibrahimovic
Lahm and Alaba are midfielders now, and not without good reason, but they're still arguably the best fullbacks in world football and can push into midfield when in possession. Superb players and, before I even type up my South American team, I think the defensive advantage is with the Europeans. Pogba and Veratti are going to be the new generation's best midfield players and they're paired with one of the greatest ever. Veratti has to play disciplined to accommodate shape, but Matuidi could fill that spot wonderfully when leading. Tough luck for Matic. There isn't an out and out striker, but with Ronaldo's insistence on playing similar to a striker these days, having the guile of Müller as the CF makes it very difficult to mark that front three. I was torn between Lewandowski/Benzema/Ibra for striker, but Ibra just edged it despite his regression. Müller deserves to start ahead of all three and an argument could be made for Griezmann to play there, too.
South American XI:
Bravo
Godin - Silva - Otamendi
Vidal - Mascherano
Messi - James - Alexis
Aguero - Suarez
Subs - Alves, Miranda, Marcelo, Biglia, Oscar, Neymar, Cavani
Well, I have no idea how to balance that side. That looks like one of the crazy, attack-minded Chile formations circa five years ago, but with those players on the pitch, it could work - and it's almost impossible to leave any of the attackers out. Suarez, Aguero, and Alexis get the nod over Neymar due to their work rates. James gets the nod because he's more adept at dropping deep in the midfield to help transition. Godin and Mascherano are some of the most disciplined, team-first players in world football and Silva has immense athleticism. Otamendi has seen a recent upturn in form and performed well for a Valencia side which maintained an impressive defensive record. With Diego Simeone as the coach, I'd love watching this side.
Verdict: I think Europe has better depth and a more balanced side, but the more I consider the ridiculous ability of that South American team, I think they'd win 6 or 7/10 against Europe. The work-rates and desire of players such as Vidal, Mascherano, Alexis, and Suarez would cover for the imbalance. Vidal has the engine to cover wide right and, as we've seen, Alexis will pop up anywhere to win a tackle. They might not win the posession battle against a Europe side with Veratti, Iniesta, Pogba, Lahm, and Alaba crowding the midfield, but good luck not turning it over in dangerous areas to Aguero, Suarez, and Alexis. Oh, yeah, and have fun tracking Messi's runs from deep while the two strikers are preoccupying you by dropping deep or playing on the shoulder.
Europe XI:
De Gea
Lahm - Pique - Boateng - Alaba
Pogba - Veratti - Iniesta
Hazard - Müller - Ronaldo
Subs - Courtois, Ramos, Matuidi, Modric, Robben, Griezmann, Ibrahimovic
Lahm and Alaba are midfielders now, and not without good reason, but they're still arguably the best fullbacks in world football and can push into midfield when in possession. Superb players and, before I even type up my South American team, I think the defensive advantage is with the Europeans. Pogba and Veratti are going to be the new generation's best midfield players and they're paired with one of the greatest ever. Veratti has to play disciplined to accommodate shape, but Matuidi could fill that spot wonderfully when leading. Tough luck for Matic. There isn't an out and out striker, but with Ronaldo's insistence on playing similar to a striker these days, having the guile of Müller as the CF makes it very difficult to mark that front three. I was torn between Lewandowski/Benzema/Ibra for striker, but Ibra just edged it despite his regression. Müller deserves to start ahead of all three and an argument could be made for Griezmann to play there, too.
South American XI:
Bravo
Godin - Silva - Otamendi
Vidal - Mascherano
Messi - James - Alexis
Aguero - Suarez
Subs - Alves, Miranda, Marcelo, Biglia, Oscar, Neymar, Cavani
Well, I have no idea how to balance that side. That looks like one of the crazy, attack-minded Chile formations circa five years ago, but with those players on the pitch, it could work - and it's almost impossible to leave any of the attackers out. Suarez, Aguero, and Alexis get the nod over Neymar due to their work rates. James gets the nod because he's more adept at dropping deep in the midfield to help transition. Godin and Mascherano are some of the most disciplined, team-first players in world football and Silva has immense athleticism. Otamendi has seen a recent upturn in form and performed well for a Valencia side which maintained an impressive defensive record. With Diego Simeone as the coach, I'd love watching this side.
Verdict: I think Europe has better depth and a more balanced side, but the more I consider the ridiculous ability of that South American team, I think they'd win 6 or 7/10 against Europe. The work-rates and desire of players such as Vidal, Mascherano, Alexis, and Suarez would cover for the imbalance. Vidal has the engine to cover wide right and, as we've seen, Alexis will pop up anywhere to win a tackle. They might not win the posession battle against a Europe side with Veratti, Iniesta, Pogba, Lahm, and Alaba crowding the midfield, but good luck not turning it over in dangerous areas to Aguero, Suarez, and Alexis. Oh, yeah, and have fun tracking Messi's runs from deep while the two strikers are preoccupying you by dropping deep or playing on the shoulder.
