Tactics Submission

Europa Cup Match Dates:

The Europa 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 Europa 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
  

Europa 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.

Leverkusen v SCHALKE

--------------Adler----------------
-Hoogland--Howedes--Djourou--Izaguirre-
--Dzagoev---Capoue---Witsel---Fuchs--
--------Bojan------Mandzukic--------

Subs: Hoogland (RB), Metzelder (CB), Tőzsér (CM), Leitner (CM, Kenia (CM/LM), Yilmaz (ST), Donovan (LW)

Captain: Big Bad Benedikt
Free-kicks: Christian Fuchs
Penalties: Mandzukic

1) Overview - We're away from home so (almost) same tactics as Roma game: Let them pass it all they want in their own half but when they are in our half press them in packs of 2.

2) Slightly more attacking though, Bojan should stay upfield and we look to attack when we have the ball. Possession is paramount so when you have the ball, keep it and keep it moving!!

3) Adler - Same as always, brave strong and tall, catching everything possible and looking to start off the counter attack.

4) Djourou - If Giroud plays him, man mark him. Not much height difference between you and him. If not, BBB will mark the striker and you can "sweep up".

5) Djourou - No rash tackles, stay on your feet. Go up for corners and get back quickly.

6) BBB - As the captain you lead by example. Organise the defence and come up for corners.

7) Hoogland - Dzagoev won't track back so stay put. Force the LM/LW into the middle and into the path of BBB or Capoue. Stay back at all times.

8) Izaguirre - Fuchs will track back so feel free to go marauding forward. Overlap with him and when you do go forward, attack the RB by going on the outside then cutting in. Very few are as quick as you.

9) Dzagoev- You're not all alone on the wing (see later) so work with Bojan. Get forward and attack the LB or alternatively look for a striker. Or have a shot yourself.

10) Fuchs - Track back to help Izaguirre but get forward sometimes. When Izaguirre goes forward, you slot into LB. As a master of freekicks, I expect you to bury anything within 35 yards from goal.

11) Capoue - DM duties so sit in front of the 2 CB's. Keep their AM (or playmaker) quiet. Get the ball to the wingers or send it up front for Mandzukic. Stay back when we have corners. Provide assistance to Hoogland.

12) Witsel - Creative midfielder duties. You are the playmaker so look to start off attacks when possble. Take the ball and travel forwards, send it to a winger or pass to a forward.

13) Mandzukic - You are the main striker. Stay forward at all times and look for either the long ball from Capoue or the ball in behind the defence. Also, try and get on the end of the crosses from the wings. I'm expecting YOU to get me the goals in this match so shoot when you can.

14) Bojan - Ok, listen up. When Dzagoev has the ball go to the right wing and help him out. When the ball is on the left, play on the shoulder of the CB's and move around, causing them trouble. This will alow Mandzukic space to shoot.

15) Everyone - Remember, keep the balling moving, let them chase you about and most importantly, no mistakes at the back. Draw would be good, but we want the win!!

Subs:
1) If losing after 65 mins, take off Fuchs and replace with Donovan. Donovan will then look to get forward as much as possible.
2) If still losing after 73 mins, take off Bojan and replace with Yilmaz. Different tactic, long ball game from upfield and Yilmaz is the battering ram.
3) If STILL losing after 80 mins, take off Capoue and replace with Toszer. Toszer then goes forward and the whole team goes into all out attack mode.
4) If winning after 65 mins, Hoogland off and Metzelder on. BBB goes to RB and Metzelder slots into CB.
5) If still winning after 73 mins, Bojan off and replace with Toszer. Play 4-5-1 with Mandzukic the loan man up front.
6) If still winning after 85 minutes, Witsel off and Leitner on. Fresh legs in midfield and Leitner will be the person chasing the ball in midfield.

PSG vs Lyon


-------------------Mcgregor----------------
-Walker-----Sakho--------Skrtel----matheu
--------------Courgnet------Diarra-----------
Menez------------------------------Greizman
-------------De Jong------DeFoe-------------

Subs, Areola, Westerman, Ceara, Sandro, Danny, Naismith, Derdioyk

Captain : Sakho

1) We will today move to play a 4-4-2 formation, we will look to press quickly and use the wings as our main area of attack.
2) Goalie - Command the area, catch crosses, release the ball to the full backs
3) centre backs - 2 strikers, both mark, one striker skrtel marks, sakho sweeps. Sakho you are defensive leader. stay on feet, show strikers onto bad feet
4) Full Backs - Defence is number one priority, show wingers to bad feet, dont dive in, block crosses, when the opportunity arises get forward and help the winger using overlaps
5) Diarra - you sit and protect the defence, playing simple passes out.
6) courgnet - you are box to box midfielder, help out Diarra at all times and attack when opportunity arises looking to get the ball out wide, get into box with late runs for knock downs and rebounds
7) Wingers - you will fill in to help the fullbacks when we are defending, use the overlapping runs of the fullback and work to gethor to get crosses in, low drilled crosses with the occasional high ball.
8) Strikers, de jong you drop, defoe n the shoulder, make sure you differ runs and look to get on end of crosses, press the defenders for mistakes
9) As a team we will play a pressing game, hunting in packs

Freekicks - Menez
Corners - Menez
Penalties - De jong

1) Naismith on for griezman - naismith and menez switch wings - 75th min
2) Sandro on for courgnet - 70th min
3) Derdioyk for De Jong - 75th min

LEVERKUSEN v Schalke

Injuries: Aaron Ramsey, Daniel van Buyten


Captain: William Gallas
Freek Kicks: Granero, Gameiro
Pens: Gameiro
Corners: Miyaichi, Granero

• We’re going with the same formation that beat Everton. Let’s stick to what we know and believe in ourselves.

• Fabian to look to distribute quickly and attack the wings.

• Seb and Luis to use the lines and work channels, bring the DM’s into play to create space. Don’t venture too far forward and get caught.

• Blaise and Lewis, shackle their midfield. If they play a bank of 4, break up the play and hit the wings quick.

• Wingers, hog the touchline and draw them out wide. Their fullbacks have pace but are positionally week.

• Yoann to work as the extra anchor in midfield, be the link that allows us to run at them. Don’t be afraid to run at them.

• Kevin to play on the shoulder of Howedes, he’s their star player so make sure he knows where you are. Occupy his time and make him follow you.

• When attacking, Esteban and Ryu to join the attack. Let Yoann drop deep to pick up the ball if needed.

• Gallas to dictate the line the defence plays. Talk to your wing backs and be a calming presence on Marc.

• Keep the ball on the deck, no hoof ball. Let’s make possession count.


Subs:

65 Minutes: Cazorla for Miyaici .
75 Minutes: Giroud for Gourcuff, team go 4-4-2.

Lyon v Villareal

Injuries: Marvin Martin, Lamine Gassama, Aly Cissokho

Subs: Almunia, Bosingwa, Astori, Aogo, Bastos, Grenier, Cisse

1) Wingbacks stick to usual defending duties, attacking push forward, get up the flanks acting as the wide midfielders, get crosses in.
2) Cb's stay tight, man mark. No nonsense defending! Kone act as sweeper.
3) Tchoyi & Nainggolan both play as box to box. Get tackles in, interception etc, be physical, make your presence known, feed the wingbacks, Dempsey and strikers.
4) Dempsey Support CM's in tackling etc. push forward and support the strikers, shoot from distance and attack crosses late looking to get your head on them.
5) Lacazette & Tafer attack the defenders. Shoot on sight. Make forward runs encouraging through balls. Pressure the defenders and work their keeper.

Subs: None

lyon vs VILLARREAL

Starting Eleven

-------------------------------Sanchez
------Anyukov-----Musacchio--------Zapata-------Monreal
--------------------------------Motta
---------------------Pirlo----------------Teixeira
-------Giovinco-------------------------------------Boudebouz
-------------------------------Soldado

SUBS - Marchena, Simao, Kuyt, Fernandez, van Bommel, van Nistelrooy

Captain - Pirlo
FKs - Giovinco (25 yards or less) , Pirlo (long range)
Pens - Soldado
Corners - Pirlo

Tactics

1- Fullbacks will push forward and also do their defending job as well. One forward at a time.
2 - CBs pick up the striker(s). If 2 both pick one and mark em tight and be physical. Challenge for long balls and win em.
3 - Motta main DM. Sit and defend ONLY JOB.
4 - Pirlo deep-lying playmaker. Make short passes around the middle and keep the ball moving. Also play long balls and use your passing range.
5 - Teixeira AM. Will go forward and not worry about the back. Feed balls for striker and wingers, link up and shoot.
6 - Wingers cut inside and shoot. Look for striker and midfielders running in. Also track back.
7 - Soldado lone main. Get on the end of the crosses, long balls, thru balls and get us a goal. Defend from front.

Substitutions

IF LOSING - After 65 mins - Bring ON Fernandez and Simao for Boudebouz and Motta. Pirlo goes main DM with Fernandez and Teixeira as Ams pushing more forward. Simao more advanced LW.

IF WINNING - After 65mins - Kuyt for Giovinco. Kuyt more defensive job and stay back more marking their winger.

After 75 mins - van Bommel for Teixeira and sit back with Motta.

Midweek 2/3 - European GW2

MALAGA v Leverkusen

Injuries:
Gabi
Darron Gibson

Captain: Michael Dawson
Free Kicks: Pjanic
Corners: Pjanic
Penalties: Barrios

Formation: 4-4-2

-----------------------------------------Weise--------------------------------------
Taylor------------------Alderweireld------------------Dawson-------------------Agger
Salvio------------------Rodwell------------------------Pjanic------------------Ramirez
----------------------------------------Kalou----------------------------------------
---------------------------------------Barrios----------------------------------------

Subs: Kameni, Samba, Catalá, Dabo, Kovacic, Anelka, Bendtner

Tactics:

1) Strong and compact back four, able to deal with anything Leverkusen chuck at us
2) Taylor and Agger to get to the centre circle to release the wingers, but no further.
3) Dawson and Alderweireld to man-mark the Leverkusen CF's out of the game
4) Rodwell to play as CDM, and to watch for AM (probably Gourcuff).
5) When attacking, Rodwell pushes further up the field, ready in case Leverkusen get the ball back and to stop their counter attack.
6) Pjanic to be our creator. Sit behind Kalou and feed the ball to him, Ramirez and Salvio.
7) When defending, Pjanic to sit in front of Rodwell ready for a quick counter attack by releasing the wingers.
8) Ramirez and Salvio to look to run the wings and to come inside often. This produces a 3 man strike force just behind Barrios.
9) Kalou to have a free role. Look to get on either wing, as well as playing just off the shoulder of Barrios.
10) Speed is the key for Kalou. In this free role, I want you to get on the ball and attack the Leverkusen defence with pace.
11) Barrios to dominate a weak Leverkusen CB pairing. Pull them apart if they man-mark you, to generate space for Kalou to attack.


1) If Losing after 70mins = Kovacic FOR Salvio AND Anelka FOR Taylor. Formation: 3-5-2
2) Defense of Alderweireld--Dawson--Agger. Midfield of Kalou--Kovacic--Rodwell--Pjanic--Ramirez. Strikers are Anelka--Barrios
3) Kovacic to provide added creativity. Anelka to provide an added striker.
4) If losing after 80mins: Barrios FOR Bendtner. Straight swap....launch the ball up to the new target man to lay off balls for our fast wingers and Anelka
5) If winning after 70mins = Dabo FOR Taylor AND Catala FOR Salvio. Formation: 5-4-1
6) Defense of Dabo--Alderweireld--Dawson--Agger--Catala. Midfield of Kalou--Rodwell--Pjanic--Ramirez. Striker is Barrios.
7) Look to see the game out. Leverkusen will change to a more attacking formation, so damage them on counter-attack.
8) Pjanic should have a much more free role as Leverkusen pile forward. Look to support Barrios as well and shoot from range.

GAMEWEEK 2 TACTICS

Midweek 2/3 - European GW2

MALAGA v Leverkusen

Injuries:
Gabi
Darron Gibson

Captain: Michael Dawson
Free Kicks: Pjanic
Corners: Pjanic
Penalties: Barrios

Formation: 4-4-2

-----------------------------------------Weise--------------------------------------
Taylor------------------Alderweireld------------------Dawson-------------------Agger
Salvio------------------Rodwell------------------------Pjanic------------------Ramirez
----------------------------------------Kalou----------------------------------------
---------------------------------------Barrios----------------------------------------

Subs: Kameni, Samba, Catalá, Dabo, Kovacic, Anelka, Bendtner

Tactics:

1) Strong and compact back four, able to deal with anything Leverkusen chuck at us
2) Taylor and Agger to get to the centre circle to release the wingers, but no further.
3) Dawson and Alderweireld to man-mark the Leverkusen CF's out of the game
4) Rodwell to play as CDM, and to watch for AM (probably Gourcuff).
5) When attacking, Rodwell pushes further up the field, ready in case Leverkusen get the ball back and to stop their counter attack.
6) Pjanic to be our creator. Sit behind Kalou and feed the ball to him, Ramirez and Salvio.
7) When defending, Pjanic to sit in front of Rodwell ready for a quick counter attack by releasing the wingers.
8) Ramirez and Salvio to look to run the wings and to come inside often. This produces a 3 man strike force just behind Barrios.
9) Kalou to have a free role. Look to get on either wing, as well as playing just off the shoulder of Barrios.
10) Speed is the key for Kalou. In this free role, I want you to get on the ball and attack the Leverkusen defence with pace.
11) Barrios to dominate a weak Leverkusen CB pairing. Pull them apart if they man-mark you, to generate space for Kalou to attack.


1) If Losing after 70mins = Kovacic FOR Salvio AND Anelka FOR Taylor. Formation: 3-5-2
2) Defense of Alderweireld--Dawson--Agger. Midfield of Kalou--Kovacic--Rodwell--Pjanic--Ramirez. Strikers are Anelka--Barrios
3) Kovacic to provide added creativity. Anelka to provide an added striker.
4) If losing after 80mins: Barrios FOR Bendtner. Straight swap....launch the ball up to the new target man to lay off balls for our fast wingers and Anelka
5) If winning after 70mins = Dabo FOR Taylor AND Catala FOR Salvio. Formation: 5-4-1
6) Defense of Dabo--Alderweireld--Dawson--Agger--Catala. Midfield of Kalou--Rodwell--Pjanic--Ramirez. Striker is Barrios.
7) Look to see the game out. Leverkusen will change to a more attacking formation, so damage them on counter-attack.
8) Pjanic should have a much more free role as Leverkusen pile forward. Look to support Barrios as well and shoot from range.

PSG vs Lyon


-------------------Mcgregor----------------
-Walker-----Sakho--------Skrtel----Assou ekottp
--------------Courgnet------Diarra-----------
Menez------------------------------Greizman
-------------De Jong------Walter-------------

Subs, Areola, Westerman, Ceara, Merida, Danny, Naismith, bahbeek

Captain : Sakho

1) We will today move to play a 4-4-2 formation, we will look to press quickly and use the wings as our main area of attack.
2) Goalie - Command the area, catch crosses, release the ball to the full backs
3) centre backs - 2 strikers, both mark, one striker skrtel marks, sakho sweeps. Sakho you are defensive leader. stay on feet, show strikers onto bad feet
4) Full Backs - Defence is number one priority, show wingers to bad feet, dont dive in, block crosses, when the opportunity arises get forward and help the winger using overlaps
5) Diarra - you sit and protect the defence, playing simple passes out.
6) courgnet - you are box to box midfielder, help out Diarra at all times and attack when opportunity arises looking to get the ball out wide, get into box with late runs for knock downs and rebounds
7) Wingers - you will fill in to help the fullbacks when we are defending, use the overlapping runs of the fullback and work to gethor to get crosses in, low drilled crosses with the occasional high ball.
8) Strikers, de jong you drop, Walter on the shoulder, make sure you differ runs and look to get on end of crosses, press the defenders for mistakes
9) As a team we will play a pressing game, hunting in packs

Freekicks - Menez
Corners - Menez
Penalties - De jong

1) Danny on for griezman - naismith and menez switch wings - 75th min
2) merida fr Courgnet if losing 72 min Merida goes AM
3) Naismith for De Jong - 75th min

Malaga v LEVERKUSEN

Europa Cup (Gameweek 2)

Injuries: Holtby, Santos


Subs: Leno, Gallas, Jung, Miyaichi, Ortega, Jorgenson, Gourcuff

Formation: 4-5-1
Captain: Ramsey
Free Kicks: Toulalan, Granero
Penalties: Giroud

~ Goalkeeper to command his area, distribute early.
~ Kone to lead the line, talk to his full backs and pull them up when required.
~ Full backs, don't stray forward, no further than the halfway line if possible but be supportive.
~ Toulalan and Matuidi to break up play and dictate possession. Keep the ball on the deck.
~ Ramsey to be the link between the DM's and wingers. Look to exploit the space.
~ Granero and Remy, attack with pace, look to draw the full backs out and cut inside. Switch flanks.
~ Giroud to be an aerial threat, but use the ball on the floor when Remy and Granero attack.
~ Keep possesion, make space and talk to each other.
~ Don't be afraid to take chances and shoot when you have a sight on goal.
~ Kone and Toulalan up for corners, Matuidi to drop back.

Subs:

70 Mins ~ Miyachi for Granero
80 Mins ~ Jorgenson for Remy

~ Team to pressure more when Miyaichi comes on.
~ Keep ball.
~ 85 mins, look to hold up in the corners.

PSG v LYON

Injuries: Marvin Martin, Lamine Gassama, Aly Cissokho

Subs: Almunia, Bosingwa, Astori, Aogo, Bastos, Grenier, Cisse

1) 442 set up. Will look to close down in our half, look to play counter attack using our pace on the break.
2) Cb's stay tight, man mark. No nonsense defending! Challange for everything.
3) Réveillère and Kolodziejczak focus on marking wingers, keep them wide and block crosses. Dont attack today, around halfway line to support is fine.
4) Tchoyi & Nainggolan both play as box to box. Get tackles in, interception etc, be physical, make your presence known, feed the wingers and strikers. Get around the midfield and make it yours.
5) Frei is playing on the right, Id like him to get crosses in but also cut inside link up play with midfield and strikers.
6) Dempsey is on the left. Im happy for him to have a free role and drift around the left/centre area of the pitch. Dont go to the right side. Link up play, mark forward runs and support the strikers.
7) Lacazette & Tafer attack the defenders. Shoot on sight. Make forward runs encouraging through balls. Pressure the defenders and work their keeper.

Subs: None

GAMEWEEK 3 TACTICS

GW3

Schalke v MALAGA

Formation:

----------------------Weise-------------------------
Dabo----------Dawson---------Samba----------Catala
----------------------Soriano------------------------
Salvio---------Pjanic-----------Kovacic--------Ramirez
----------------------Cardozo------------------------

Subs: Guaita, Agger, Gabi, Forshaw, Kalou, Oliveira, Anelka

Captain: Dawson
Freekicks/Corners: Pjanic

Tactics:

1) Weise, be dominate in the air. I expect a lot of crosses to come in. I need you to watch for these and take them cleanly

2) Dawson and Samba, with Bojan injured the attacking threat is less. Samba to man-mark if one-up front; zonal marking if otherwise.

3) Dabo and Catala not to venture too far forward. I expect 5 in midfield, geared for get crosses into the box, so the main aim with you two is to stop this happening.

4) Soriano to mark the AM, probably Witsel. Use your strength to stop his game plan. Keep tight to him and stop Schalke using him as an attacking outlet.

5) Pjanic and Kovacic will provide our creativity. Support Cardozo and be ready for knock-ons he provides.

6) Both of you to move up the field as a unit, using quick one-twos between you before releasing our wingers left and right with through balls

7) Ramirez and Salvio to cut inside more than usual. I expect Shalke to believe we will be pinging in crosses, so this will throw them.

8) Cut inside in he gap between CB and FB. You have more pace than the Schalke backline so I want you to use it and attack the goal rather than act as simply crosses of the ball.

9) Cardozo to act as provider on the most part. I strongly believe that Schalke will man-mark you, so if you are marked out of the game, I do not want it to affect our attacking threat.

10) Use your power to lay off the ball to our attacking midfielder. Then when the CB and FB are trying to stop our wingers cutting inside, lose your marker and get into the box ready for shot rebounds and quick through balls.

11) Stay in the final third of the pitch and break left on right if you see their FB's getting forward to use the space and drag your man-marker out.

If losing after 70 mins:

Kalou FOR Kovacic

1) Change to 4-1-3-2. Kalou now supporting Cardozo up-front.

2) Ramirez and Salvio to now concentrate on crosses to Cardozo to use his aerial threat.

3) Cardozo looking for knock-downs for Kalou to run onto and blitz the tiring CB pairing.

4) Pjanic to sit a little further back now, just in front of Soriano, and dictate the play from distance with balls peppered to the wings.

5) Samba and Dawson to launch the ball up to Cardozo after 80mins to get the goal.

6) All other tactics remain.

VILLARREAL vs psg

starting 11

-------------------------Sanchez
----A.Lopez----Rodrigues-------Musacchio----Capdevilla
-----------------------van Bommel
----------M. Fernandez---------------Kuyt
-----Cani----------------------------------------Boudebouz
---------------------------olic

bench: friedel, marchena, olic, arteta, monreal, otamendi

tactics

1- Fullbacks will push forward and also do their defending job as well. One forward at a time.
2 - CBs pick up the striker(s). If 2 both pick one and mark em tight and be physical. Challenge for long balls and win em.
3 - van Bommel main DM. Sit and defend ONLY JOB.
4 - Kuyt the work horse in midfield. Make short passes around the middle and keep the ball moving. Also play long balls. Attack with the ball.
5 - Matias Fernandez AM. Will go forward and not worry about the back. Feed balls for striker and wingers, link up and shoot.
6 - Wingers cut inside and shoot. Look for striker and midfielders running in. Also track back.
7 - Olic lone main. Get on the end of the crosses, long balls, thru balls and get us a goal. Defend from front. hold ball up.

captain - van bommel
pens - van nistelrooy
fks - kuyt

subs

van nistelrooy for Olic - 65 mins

PSG vs Lyon


-------------------Mcgregor----------------
-Walker-----Sakho--------Skrtel----Ceara
--------------Courgnet------Diarra-----------
-Menez------------------------------Palacio-
-------------De Jong------DeFoe-------------

Subs, Areola, Westerman, Tiene, Sandro, Danny, Ben Arfa, Di Natalie

Captain : Sakho

1) We will today move to play a 4-4-2 formation, we will look to press quickly and use the wings as our main area of attack.
2) Goalie - Command the area, catch crosses, release the ball to the full backs
3) centre backs - 2 strikers, both mark, one striker skrtel marks, sakho sweeps. Sakho you are defensive leader. stay on feet, show strikers onto bad feet
4) Full Backs - Defence is number one priority, show wingers to bad feet, dont dive in, block crosses, when the opportunity arises get forward and help the winger using overlaps
5) Diarra - you sit and protect the defence, playing simple passes out.
6) courgnet - you are box to box midfielder, help out Diarra at all times and attack when opportunity arises looking to get the ball out wide, get into box with late runs for knock downs and rebounds
7) Wingers - you will fill in to help the fullbacks when we are defending, use the overlapping runs of the fullback and work to gethor to get crosses in, low drilled crosses with the occasional high ball.
8) Strikers, de jong you drop, defoe n the shoulder, make sure you differ runs and look to get on end of crosses, press the defenders for mistakes
9) As a team we will play a pressing game, hunting in packs

Freekicks - Menez
Corners - Menez
Penalties - De jong

1) Naismith on for Palacio - 75th min
2) Sandro on for courgnet - 70th min
3) Di Natalie for De Jong - 75th min

SCHALKE v Malaga

--------------Adler----------------
--Uchida-Howedes--Metzelder-Izaguirre--
----------Capoue----Adam----------
---Dzagoev-----Witsel-----Donovan---
------------Mandzukic-------------

Subs: Duffy, Fuchs, Tőzsér, Yilmaz, Zaha, Kenia, Leitner

Captain: BBB

Set pieces: Mr. Charlie Adam

1) Overview: Look to pass the ball quickly and don't hold onto it too long. Work together to play around the opposition.

2) Adler: Safety first as always, never punch the ball unless it absolutely necessary. Look to start off the counter attack when you can.

3) Uchida: First choice RB is back, look to attack down the wings with Dzagoev when possible but remember to defend when the opposition attacks!!

4) BBB: Captain - Lead by example! Organise the defence and man-mark a striker.

5) Metzelder: If Malaga play a 2nd striker, you man-mark him otherwise look to sweep up when BBB gets the ball away from the attacker.

6) Izaguirre: Attack down the wing with Donovan but always remember to defend first and foremost. Use your pace to beat anyone in your way.

7) Full-backs: Attack when you can but remember to get back and defend when Malaga attack. Only one of you go forward at a time.

8) Capoue: You are the "presence" in midfield. You stay back to help with defending, this allows Adam to get forward. Mark the AM and stop him dictating play.

9): Adam: Playmaker so look to start off any attack. Keep the ball moving and if anyone is marking you, don't let them bog you down. Get forward and look to play in the striker or a winger.

10) Dzagoev: Work with Uchida down the wing to beat the FB. Cross the ball to Mandzukic or have a go yourself. Pitch in to help in midfield. If you're up against Agger you can beat him for pace.

11) Witsel: Play a bit behind Mandzukic and look to attack the CB's; give them something to think about. Thread the ball to the Mandzukic or play it out to the wingers.

12) Donovan: Get forward and attack the Malaga defenders. Cross the ball to Mandzukic or have a go yourself.

13) Midfielders: We can win this midfield battle so work together and don't give Malaga any room in the centre of the park to dictate play. Close them down!!

14) Mandzukic: Try your best to get past the CB's. I'm not expecting you to outmuscle them so try and out manoeuvre them. Remember to look for crosses along the ground and in the air from the wingers or from further back.

15) Whole team: Remember, close the Malaga players down. We have numbers in midfield so if we can control the midfield we can win the game!!

Subs:

1) If losing after 65 minutes, Witsel off and Yilmaz on. Revert to 4-4-2. Yilmaz will be used as a battering ram up front.

2) If winning after 65 minutes, Metzelder off and Duffy on. Some fresh legs in defence. Follow Metzelder's tactics as above.

3) Regardless after 75 minutes, Witsel off and Zaha on. Swap places with Dzagoev. Dzagoev plays behind Mandzukic, Zaha on the wing.

4) If losing after 75 minutes, Capoue off and Tőzsér on. Tőzsér stays back which allows Adam to play much further forward.

GAMEWEEK 4 TACTICS

LEVERKUSEN

GW4

MALAGA v Schalke

Injuries:
Javi Garcia
Nicolas Anelka

Captain: Soriano
Free Kicks/Penalties: Cardozo

------------------------------------Weise-------------------------------
Schwaab-------------Samba-----------------Heitinga--------------Santos
-----------------------------------Soriano-------------------------------
----------Reus--------------------Kovacic---------------Ramirez---------
---------------------Cardozo-----------------Derdiyok-------------------

Subs: Guaita, Agger, Dabo, Catala, Lodeiro, Forshaw, Oliveira

1) We wish to progress further in the cups, so we have picked an attacking line-up to get the goals against a weak Schalke back four, that was picked apart last week.
2) Weise to distribute the ball quickly. We want to use our pace to get at Schalke from minute one.
3) Samba and Heitinga to be compact. I don't rate the Schalke forward line but I need you to be watchful anyway. Heitinga to man mark if one up front.
4) Schwaab and Santos to get forward if oppotunites arise, but first and foremost to keep a strong defensive line with our two CB's
5) Soriano to be DM, and watch for the AM, probably Witsel. Use your pace and power to dictate the midfield and get the ball to the right and left for our wingers.
6) Kovacic to play just in front of Soriano and to ping the balls to the flanks. I don't want you to get too far forward. I just need you to be creative in the middle and keep the game ticking over.
7) Reus and Ramirez to run the wings and get crosses in to our two target men. Take on the full backs and get the ball in the box.
8) Both of you to shoot from distance if the FB has blocked a path.
9) Cardozo and Derdiyok to wait for crosses and beat the smaller Schalke CB's. Derdiyok to come in from deep and help set up the play in a second striker role.

Formation Change if Winning after 70mins

Lodeiro FOR Kovacic
Agger FOR Derdiyok
Catala FOR Santos

------------------------------------Weise-------------------------------
Schwaab-------------Samba---------------Agger------------------Catala
Ramirez---------------Heitinga---------------Soriano---------------Lodeiro
------------------------------------Reus--------------------------------
----------------------------------Cardozo-------------------------------

10) Santos comes off for the more defensive minded Catala. Agger comes on to partner Samba in defensive with Heitinga moving to a CDM role to partner Soriano.
11) Ramirez to switch flanks and Lodeiro to go on the left. Reus now has a free role behind Cardozo
12) Strong midfield partnership to see the game out and out muscle a weak Schalke CM that would change to be overly attacking.
13) Ramirez and Lodeiro to break forward and attack the tiring FB's
14) Cardozo to knock down balls for Reus to run onto. Reus becomes our main attacking threat.

psg vs VIALLRREAL GW4

Starting 11

----------------------------Friedel
-----Anyukov----Zapata-------------Musacchio----Capdevilla
-------------------------van Bommel
----------------Teixeira--------------Arteta
-----Simao------------------------------------------Boudebouz
------------------------------Olic

SUBS - Sanchez, Monreal, van Nistelrooy, Kuyt, Simao, Rodriguez

Tactics

1- Fullbacks will push forward and also do their defending job as well. One forward at a time.
2 - CBs pick up the striker(s). If 2 both pick one and mark em tight and be physical. Challenge for long balls and win em.
3 - van Bommel main DM. Sit and defend ONLY JOB.
4 - Arteta the creative force from central midfield. Make short passes around the middle and keep the ball moving. Also play long balls. Attack with the ball.
5 - Alex Teixeira AM. Will go forward and not worry about the back. Feed balls for striker and wingers, link up and shoot.
6 - Wingers cut inside and shoot. Look for striker and midfielders running in. Also track back.
7 - Olic lone main. Get on the end of the crosses, long balls, thru balls and get us a goal. Defend from front. hold ball up.

captain - van bommel
pens - Olic
fks - Arteta
corers - Simao

SUBS

Van Nistelrooy for Olic - 70mins

Malaga v SCHALKE

--------------Adler----------------
--Uchida-Howedes--Metzelder-Izaguirre--
--Dzagoev---Witsel---Adam---Donovan--
---------Yilmaz----Mandzukic---------

Subs: Duffy, Fuchs, Tőzsér, McAleny, Zaha, Kenia, Leitner
Injured: Leitner and Capoue

Captain: BBB
Set-pieces: Adam

Tactics:

0) 0verview - We have 2 target men up front who will look to barge through the defence. Plenty of long balls up to them a la Stoke City!!

1) Adler - Safety first. Start the counter attack if you have time, hoof the ball away if you don't. Claim everything high in the 6 yard box.

2) Izaguirre - Work with Donovan to attack down the wing. Attack the FB, you can beat him from pace. Remember to get back in position though to defend a counter.

3) CB's - Different tactic this week. Unless Malaga strikers have instructions to hang about you (in which case you man-mark), zonally mark the centre of the pitch. Don't let the strikers get away from you. Come up when we have corners but remember to get back. I want to see some good old fashioned challenges; get the ball fairly but take some of the man with you.

4) Metzelder - Be big and strong, bully the strikers off the ball. Work with BBB to shut out the opposition; you are a formidable CB pairing.

5) BBB - You are the captain, organise that defence and lead by example. Same as Metzelder, bully the strikers but don't give away free-kicks near the goal!!

6) Uchida - Same with Iza; work with Dzagoev to get past the FB's and get balls into the box for Yilmaz to stick his head on. Remember to get back though.

7) FB's - Only one goes forward at a time. Stay back when we have corners, ready to defend a counter.

8) Dzagoev - Work with Uchida to get past the FB's/RCB or play the ball into the strikers. Cross it into the box too!

9) Adam - Playmaker duties but act in a slightly DM role. Drop a little bit back but still do the usual: Long balls to the wingers, short balls on the ground or balls over the defence.

10) Witsel - Get forward when possible to play in the two strikers. Have the occasional ranged shot but supplying the strikers is crucial.

11) Donovan - You are a master of the cross so I want to see you getting down that wing and putting in some excellent crosses to Yilmaz or Mandzukic. Work with Iza to get past the CB's.

12) Yilmaz - You are our battering ram in the defence. Bully the defenders and be strong in mid-air. Expect plenty of crosses from the wings and get on the end of them.

13) Mandzukic - With Yilmaz being a battering ram, he will force defenders into mistakes. Your job is to take advantage of any mistakes defenders will make and to take them.

14) Defenders - Safety first approach, get rid of it if there's any hint of danger.

Subs:

1) Regardless after 65 mins, like for like swap with Metzelder going off and Duffy going on.

2) If still winning after 79 mins, Witsel off and Tőzsér on. Tőzsér drops deep and Adam moves forward slightly.
3) If still winning after 85 mins, pack the midfield in a 4-5-1 formation by taking Mandzukic off and putting on Kenia.

4) If losing after 70 mins (2-0 or less), take Witsel off and replace him with Zaha. Go to a 4-3-3 formation with Zaha on the right, Yilmaz in the middle and Mandzukic on the right.
5) Plenty of long balls to Yilmaz.

PSG vs Lyon


-------------------Mcgregor----------------
-Debuchy-----Sakho--------Westermen----Assou ekottp
--------------Sandro-----------Diarra-----------
Menez--------Van Der vaart-------------Palacio
----------------------Di Natalie-------------

Subs, Areola, Westerman, Ceara, Landre, Ben arfa, De Jong, greizman

Captain : Sakho

1) We will today move to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, we will look to press quickly especially there front 5 players playing, give them no time on the ball, they can keep the ball from DMS back as they are no threat.
2) Goalie - Command the area, catch crosses, release the ball to the full backs
3) centre backs - 2 strikers, both mark, one striker skrtel marks, sakho sweeps. Sakho you are defensive leader. stay on feet, show strikers onto bad feet
4) Full Backs - Defence is number one priority, show wingers to bad feet, dont dive in, block crosses, when the opportunity arises get forward and help the winger using overlaps, watch for runs from Wingers
5) Diarra - you sit and protect the defence, playing simple passes out. Watch for runs from expected 3 am/wingers
6) Sandro - you sit and protect the defence, playing simple passes out. Watch for runs from expected 3 am/wingers
7) Menez/Palacio - Play quick 1-2s with Di natalie, vdv and each other, you have great touch, speed of though and vision. You will create space as they only have 1 DM. Shoot when the opportunity arises. Work back pressing as per team instructions
8) VDV - free role today,find that space and work your magic looking to release and create chances for menez, palcios, and Di Natalie Shoot when the opportunity arises.
8) Di Natalie, make sure you differ runs, spending most time on the shoulder, link with the support men with 1-2s and always be alert for the return, shoot whent the opportunity arises
9) As a team we will play a pressing game, hunting in packs

Freekicks - VDV
Corners - VDV
Penalties - Di Natalie

1) Greizman on for Palcios if winning Menez drops back one to centre and VDV moves out Right, greizman left- 75th min
3) De jong for Di natalie - fresh legs for De Jong - 75th min
2) Walter for Sandro - De Jong goes up top - go 4-1-3-2 if losing 80th min