June 19, 2020 – Tactic Wars solution

Before we show you Nicholas’s solution, let’s remind ourselves of the challenge he was posed.

https://twitter.com/TotalAnalysis/status/1272619969398923266

Before I dive into my Tactics Wars solution, let’s remind ourselves the challenge… This summer is the inaugural Continental Cup. Each of the six FIFA governing bodies will be competing against each other.

While you were hoping to manage team UEFA or CONMEBOL, you ended drawing a chance to manage team CAF. This means you can pick players from any African nation to represent your team. Your first match of the tournament is against team CONCACAF.

After scouting some of their friendly matches, you know them to be an attack-minded team who are possession heavy and will look to play out from the back.

They play with aggressive centre-backs and move into a 2-3-5 in possession pushing the WB’s up high to support with Hirving Lozano and Christian Pulisic dropping next to Raul Jimenez. Michael Bradley steps into the midfield during the attack, attempting to help dictate the tempo of the play.

Lineups

CONCACAF (1-3-4-3): Keylor Navas, Jesus Corona, Roman Torres, Michael Bradley, John Brooks, Alphonso Davies, Weston McKennie, Rodolpho Pizarro, Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez, Christian Pulisic.

As mentioned above, CONCACAF is an aggressive team in possession adopting a 2-3-5 formation with Bradley stepping out of the backline which could create overloads centrally and facilitate their ball circulation. Additionally, I expect they will attempt to use the pace of Bayern Munich wing-back Davies down the left flank whenever possible and the wing-back battle will be key in this match. With the aerial threat of target man, Jimenez who is clinical in the box, preventing crossing opportunities from wide areas and the half-space will be key. The danger of Lozano and Chelsea’s Pulisic in between the lines where they notoriously cause problems will be something that we must cater for by preventing the use of the half-space in the final third.