Tweet
Today is the final day of the FFO season with some clubs still playing to make or break their season.
The Dave Phillips Trophy will be played today between the Premier Leagues Liverpool and the EFLs Atletico Madrid.
We take a look at the two team on paper. Both teams go into the final with full squads to choose from.
The goalkeepers
-----------------------
E_Martinez 30 arg 25 1 1 1
v
A_Onana 29 cam 25 1 1 1
Nothing to choose between the two goalkeepers with both rated 25. Much will rely on who performs the better on the day.
The defence
-----------------
M_Skriniar 29 slo 1 24 17 13
J_Frimpong 24 ned 1 23 17 13
Van_de_Ven 23 ned 1 22 17 14
S_Botman 24 ned 1 22 17 7
M_Hummels 36 ger 1 23 17 5
D_Carlos 30 bra 1 22 17 5
D_Alaba 32 aus 1 22 18 14
Jordi_Alba 36 esp 1 22 18 13
M_Akanji 28 sui 1 21 19 10
Atletico Madrid shade the defence in tackling ability but Liverpool have the more composed passing defence. If one team is in need of a goal from defence then Atletico just shade it.
Overall it would depend very much on opinion and playing style as to whos defence is the better. Ignoring age some managers would go for the slightly higher tackling and some would go for the slightly higher passing.
The midfield
-----------------
B_Cristante 28 ita 1 21 23 14
R_Sessegnon 24 eng 1 15 22 16
M_Odegaard 25 nor 1 4 22 20
F_Dimarco 26 ita 1 19 21 12
K_Havertz 25 ger 1 6 21 21
J_Grealish 30 eng 1 8 22 19
R_Mahrez 32 alg 1 1 21 21
Rodri 28 esp1 16 21 7
Atletico Madrid have a flexible midfield unit. Often Cristante or DiMarco end up playing defence.
Looking at defensive midfield options then Atletico are stronger in this area. They have the ability to play 2 holding midfielers both who are better than Liverpools Rodri.
In the attacking area there is little to choose between Odegaar/Havertz v Grealish/Mahrez
Sessegnon offers more flexibility to Atletico being able to play defensively, box-to-box or attacking as the game requires.
Overall Atletico shade this area with a bit more defensive steel along with greater flexibility.
The strikers
----------------
R_K_Muani 25 FRA 1 7 17 24
Saint_Maximin 28 fra 1 5 18 23
M_Rashford 26 ENG 1 6 19 24
M_Mudryk 23 ukr 1 10 19 22
Atletico slightly shade the goalscoring skills but Liverpool have a nice pickup on passing skills.
Again this one would to the vote as to whether a manager would want 1 extra shooting skill or 3 passing skills in a cup final.
The form book
--------------------
Liverpool have enjoyed a tremendous season. On the back of a mid-table finish last season they have revamped the team and come back within inches of winning the league title. The disappointment at losing the title in a cruel last day was softened a few days later when they won the FA Cup in fine style.
Atletico on the other hand have had a stuttering league campaign which has never produced what was expected from the squad. EFL Cup was a short-lived experience and so much of the season has relied on a european run of form.
The managers
--------------------
Graeme Edwards has apparently won it all and more. Some respected managers in the game call him the GOAT and the revolutionary changes at Liverpool in just one close season would add huge weight to the claims. Playing in cup finals is second nature.
On the other hand Simon Marsh is still wet behind the ears when it comes to FFO and has zero experience of such a big game. He took unfancied Sevilla to promotion in his first season and then kept them up the following season earning a move to a mid-table Atletico Madrid team who have progressed to finish in the top-8 each season but never threatened to get close to silverware.
Conclusion
---------------
There is very little between the two teams on paper. Atletico Madrid definitely have more flexibility but that is a small advantage over a 90-minute game.
The slight advantage Atletico hold on tackling and shooting skills is negated by Liverpools passing skills.
Liverpool go into the game with the better form but again the form book can be torn up for one-off games.
In reality this one is going to be decided by either the tactical battle between managers or luck of the gods.
It is good to see both teams with their full squads available and the game should be a very interesting one for neutrals of the game.
Comment