Results - FINAL WEEK

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Jacobo
Stones---Barzagli---Ogbonna
Van Rhijn---Matuidi---Nainggolan---Bernat
Toure------
-------Robben
Mandzukic
Subs
Meyer
Rekik
Holtby
Oliseh
Pozoglu
Injuries
Asterios Giakoumis
Lukasz Piszczek
Jeremy Menez
Team Talk: We welcome the champions today. We will give them a guard of honour, but that is when the niceties stop. We want to let them know that if they are going to have a real fight if they want to retain their title. They are weakened centrally and will be relying a lot on Pogba centrally. We are playing a fluid formation and are planning to keep the ball moving, to really work Pogba and stretch him. We are going to try and limit the space defensively, whilst attacking from all angles when we are on the ball
DEFENSIVE TACTICS
Their threat comes mainly from the workrate of Tevez and the guile of Silva, along with a risk from the set pieces of Calhanoglu. We are playing three centre backs to reduce the space for Tevez to work in, plus we have the energy of Matuidi and Nainggolan ahead of them to get in the faces of Silva and Calhanoglu. We do not see them as strong out wide, so we have asked our full backs to push on, which will push any wide players they do use back.
ATTACKING TACTICS
We really want a fluid style, with constantly changing points of attack. Wingbacks to give us our width and get constant balls into box for our attackers. Toure playing centrally in a number 10 role, rampaging forward through the midfield. Robben to play a free role today. Get on the ball and run at the defence. Go left, go right, go central, get alongside Mandzukic, drop deep. Go wherever you can find space.  Mandzukic always on the move get across your CB for crosses and keep it simple with pass and move. Nainggolan looks to get passes going and controlling the tempo of the game, switching play between central and out wide.

-----------------Rafael----------------
------Zouma---Pepe---Subotic-----
Rafinha----Pogba---Suarez-----Gaya
--------Calhanoglu----Silva----------
-----------------Tevez----------------
This week I'm employing a 3-4-2-1 formation often used by Liverpool to great affect in which it benefits the speed of my wingbacks to patrol the flanks whilst with the strength of my central core provides a powerful spine to gain control and dominate possession in key areas.
All outfield players are known for their hard working engines and this is key for us today as we continue to pressure the opposition throughout the game, enforcing errors and then capitalising on mistakes.
Defence
If the opposition are playing with 4 at the back and wingers then our wingbacks are to be less adventurous, look to keep it tight and only look to push forward when a counter is on. Pogba has been used this week in the role of anchor in front of the back line, puppet master pulling the strings whilst behind the trio of Zouma, Subotic and Pepe combine youthful running, strength and awareness.
Attack
With Pogba employed deeper this allows the more forward options space and movement especially Silva to operate in a free role. We're looking for intelligent positioning with quick interplay, 1 touch football and constant dragging markers out of position.

Two of the high flying teams came out today looking to end their season with a win. PAOK opted to have a guard of honour, until it turned out this was for retiring manager Afro and not for the FC Twente team which Hero has built. This was a good tactical battle with PAOK's midfield dominating the early exchanges and a good through ball found Robben who sent his shot wide. Twente were really on the back foot and Pepe had to be at his best to provide a crucial big tackle on Mandzukic when he broke free and looked like he was going to score. The second half Twente immediately got their chance when Gaya beat Van Rhijn out wide and sent in a low cross which found Tevez but he hit the bar. The game continued with few clear cut opportunities, until the death when Robben charged into the box and chipped the ball to Mandzukic at the far post, who could have headed in but was chopped down by Zouma. Robben stepped up to take the last minute penalty, and smashed it low to the left, sending Raffael the wrong way. But no, it hit the inside of the post and the keeper smashed out to safety to give Twente a point, just.
TACTICAL ANALYSIS (with Lee Dixon)
Similar formations, five at the back and two players in freeish roles behind the striker for both teams. There are clearly more legs in the PAOK midfield, but then I look at their defense which for me is weaker than Twente's. Out wide they also cancel out, with a one on one battle on each side which is close. It's a difficult game to call, Hero maybe could have done a little more tactically but just about gets the point.
PAOK 0-0 Twente

Injuries: Darren Fletcher, Talisca, Antonio di Natale
Starting XI:
----------------- Casillas
Clyne ----- Jedvaj -- Martinez - Durm
---------de Rossi ----- Kehl
Sanson ---------- Totti ------ Zivkovic
----------------- Streller

Subs: Buffon, Vlaar, Eriksen, Kondogbia, Xavi, Sturridge, Aubameyang
Defending instructions:
1. FBs to keep wingers on the outside; Sanson and Zivkovic to keep opposition FBs back in position in fear of the counter.
2. Jedvaj to man-mark the main striker, Martinez to beware runs from others and step up to deal with them.
3. de Rossi and Kehl to patrol ahead of them, shepherd play out wide if possible so wingers can start the counter.
Attacking tactics:
1. Counter attacking game, look to utilise Zivkovic's pace and Streller's runs.
2. Totti to have a free role.
3. Kehl and de Rossi to keep play ticking over, nothing clever just keep the ball moving.
Subs on 75mins:
Buffon, Vlaar and Aubameyang on for Casillas, Martinez and Totti - like for like swaps, give these three club stalwarts a round of applause from the fans for their efforts this season.

MONTPELLIER v Granada
Injuries: Karim Bellarabi, Sebastien Frey, Modou Barrow
-----------------Speroni
Flanagan - Manolas - Howedes - Willems
-------------------Pirlo
-------------Clasie - Cazorla
-----Perisic------------------Lavezzi
-----------------Dost x2
Subs: Mitryushkin, Yedlin, Campagnaro, Motta, Barkley, Bakkali, Solanke
Tough game today against Granada, they have some exceptional players but we have the midfield trio and attack to cause them real problems. Changed the system today to be more solid, Clasie and Pirlo can dictate possession in the middle of the park with Cazorla supporting without the ball, but becoming the box to box attacker in possession. Perisic and Lavezzi can target Granada's fullbacks with their pace. I've gone with Dost x2 upfront with his real life record being so ridiculous, use your strength and positioning to make runs in behind for Clasie and Pirlo to look for the ball over the top, use your pace against Granada's CB's.
Defence: Speroni to stay big for one on ones and distribute to Clasie/Pirlo. Howedes to track their striker, beat him to any passes towards him and force him to drop deeper to frustrate him, Manolas to be the first to any second balls. If they play a second striker, Manolas to mark him and Clasie to track any AM. In possession supply Clasie/Pirlo. Flanagan and Willems to overlap the wingers going forward and get crosses into Dost x2. Make sure you get back into position ASAP to avoid being caught out. Defensively force their wingers wide and block the crosses. Don't let them cut inside.
Midfield: Clasie/Pirlo sit infront of the back four, get the ball and look to supply the front four. Perisic and Lavezzi will play wide so they are able to switch from playing alongside the midfield when we're attacking but drop and form a midfield five with Pirlo, Clasie and Cazorla when defending. Utilise Flanagan and Willems overlapping and use them to play them down the wing or use the space to cut inside. Cazorla to play as our box to box CM, when we're attacking get forward, be the link between Clasie/Pirlo and the wingers and Dost x2. Look to supply Dost x2 with plenty of opportunities, and shoot when you get a chance. Perisic and Lavezzi as the wingers, both pick up the ball wide and cut inside to leave space for the overlapping fullback, shoot or create when in advanced positions.
Attack: Dost x2 to mark the deepest Granada defender, use your pace and positioning to worry their defenders, drift wide to drag defenders with you, to allow Cazorla/Perisic/Lavezzi to make runs down the middle into space for Clasie/Pirlo to pick them out. You more than capable of scoring and assisting, so get shots in where you can and look for your teammate in a better position. Switch positions on occasion to keep the Granada players guessing and drag them out of position.
Subs 70 mins:
If winning: Cazorla off, Motta on. More defensive 4-5-1 with Motta playing at DM alongside Clasie and Pirlo, and forming a midfield three, Perisic/Lavezzi to wide midfield. Absorb pressure then look for Dost x2 on the counter.
-----------------Speroni
Flanagan - Manolas - Howedes - Willems
Perisic - Clasie - Pirlo - Motta - Lavezzi
------------------Dost x2
If drawing: No change, but push for the winner.
If losing: Willems and Clasie off, Solanke and Barkley on. Change to 3-1-4-2; Push for goals.
--------------Speroni
----Flanagan - Manolas - Howedes
----------------Pirlo
Perisic - Cazorla - Barkley - Lavezzi
----------Dost x2 - Solanke

The side sent out by Granada was missing a few of their star players. Not through injury, but they appeared a little unhappy at being left on the bench. Ian Holloway, our guest pundit has said that a manager should be allowed to pick any side of his squad that he likes and I suppose that is correct. Montpellier looked as strong as ever with a 4-5-1 with Perisic and Lavezzi supporting striker Bas Dost (I don't appreciate the x2)
Montpellier started the stronger side and opened the scoring straight away with Pirlo feeding Perisic who made a brilliant run down the wing, and hit a low shot across the goal which found the far post and went in. Cazorla doubled their lead when good work from Perisic down the right, beating Durm found Cazorla at the edge of the box who blasted home a second. They then went three up on the stroke of half time when Jedvaj tripped Clasie just outside the box. This was Pirlo territory and he sent his free kick over the wall. Casillas got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out and it looked like game over at half time.
The second half started with Montpellier continuing to dominate, Cazorla and Lavezzi both missing good chances early on. Granada had a plan though and brought on Aubemayang who caused problems at last. He had a real go at the defense and got past Willems down the right hand side before cutting in and smashing a shot past Speroni to make it 3-1. There was something happening here, and substitute Motta played a dodgy pass back to Speroni which Streller looked to pounce on, but they just about got away with it this time. Clyne made an excellent overlapping run down the wing and crossed the ball, finding Streller who headed home a second. Granada quickly got the ball back to centre circle for the restart, but it was to no avail as Montpellier got the win they deserved.
TACTICAL ANALYSIS (with Martin Keown)
Granada looked a bit weak all over, with the likes of Eriksen, Sturridge and Aubemayang not starting the game which they had every opportunity to win. Their midfield was over-ran with no real energy there. Montpellier were excellent, aside from Dostx2 who is just called Bas Dost and fully deserved their win despite Granada putting in a bit of effort late on.
Montpellier 3-2 Granada
Perisic 4', Cazorla 21', Pirlo 39';

------------------Jug
Coleman -- Silva -- Rugani -- Azpilicueta
------------Alonso -- Bender
Sterling --------- Fekir -------Griezmann
----------------Aguero
Benchizzle: Chalme/Bellerin/El Ghazi,Guedes,Drogba & Perez
Tactics
Put 11 men behind the ball and kick the Poopie out of them
One their crippled run forwards and tap into the empty net.

Nothing.

2-0 Aguero 1', 2'. Everyone packed up and went home, except cherriesfna.
TACTICAL ANALYSIS (with Cherriesfna - a game worthy of his opinion)
The 11 Montpellier sent out did not look like gladiators in the arena tonight, they looked more like hamsters in a cage. It's a bit hard to win games when you don't submit a team, and that's what Basel did.

---------------------------------Howard----------------------------
Jallet--------------Caceres-------------Mascherano----------------Kurzawa
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------Carroll--------------------Essien------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tello----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Miralles
---------------------------------------Pjanic---------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------D Costa-------------------------------------------
Subs -
A Dominguez
Van Aanholt
Keisuke Honda
Leroy Sane
Kalou
Captain - Mascherano
Corner Kicks - Pjanic
Free Kicks - Pjanic
Stay compact in defence. Close down the opposition. Quick passes. Shoot if you see a chance. Nuff said.

Injuries: Adrien Rabiot, Clemens Fritz, Roman Weidenfeller.
-----------------Wolf----------------
Ivanovic---Terry----Veltman---Cole
----------------Toulalan--------------
-------------Isco-----Maher----------
Carillo-------------------------Talisca
---------------Huntelaar------------
Pretty much playing a 4-1-4-1 today.
Team Talk –
It’s the last match of the season and we are up against a Verona side who have bundles of quality over the field and defensively we need to be solid today, they are missing Schneiderlin today so I want the midfield 3 to stay tight and compact and look to dominate the midfield area. Toulalan I need you to watch out for the inevitable presence of Pjanic throughout the game who is likely to be getting in behind Diego Costa and looking to open the door for them, look to cut the ball out at the source. As well as looking to run down the channels Diego Costa will be looking to hold the ball up and bring others into the game and Terry this is where you come in, I want you to stay with him, stand your ground and not let him get too much time on the ball. Cole you will stay back more and look to cover on the left hand side for the runs of Mirallas looking to get at us down that wing.
We have the players to make things tick in midfield today hence why I want us to look to take advantage in that area and control the game. Toulalan you won’t get forward too much today, we will need you to patrol that space in between the midfield and defence. Isco everything will go through you today, moving the ball around into quality areas and looking to open the door up front for us. Huntelaar you are to get in and around the defence and look to turn and get at the back 4. Ivanovic you will get forward on the overlap in support of Carrillo and look to put the ball into Huntelaar who should be in the box ready to pounce. Maher you will support the attacks but also get back and defend, we need your energy in this game to help us take control of the midfield area. Talisca will also get forward and provide another option for spreading the play out wide and to provide crosses into the box.
Subs:
Afellay on for Talisca – 75th Minute.
Lorenzen on for Huntelaar – 85th Minute.
Buffel on for Carrillo – 90th Minute.

This game had an end of season feel about it to the Verona players who came out onto the pitch rather jovially. There was none of that from Holymiky today who wanted the win, and his fired up players were unlucky not to score with the first chance of the game when Toulalan robbed Pjanic and found Carrillo on the right who cut inside and saw his shot saved by Howard. Bremen continued to knock on the door and finally got the goal they deserved on the stroke of half time when Terry headed home from a corner. The second half came out and Verona got their one chance of the game, Costa could see the goal from fifty yards out and as instructed by his manager, shot. This went miles wide but at least they registered it. Werder Bremen kept going and wanted that second goal to make sure of the points, Isco set up good chances for Huntelaar and Talisca but both went agonisingly wide. Isco had saved his best for last when picking the ball up in his own half he charged through the midfield and rounded the goalkeeper, before unselfishly squaring the ball to substitute Affelay to dribble into the empty net to be sure of the points.

TACTICAL ANALYSIS (by Thierry Henry)
Werder Bremen got a deserved win today against a cba Verona side. Their side has came on so much when compared to the start of the season, Isco completely dominated the game whenever he got on the ball. They still have a couple of weaknesses in their side, Cole and Wolf stand out for me. But they are getting there and I look forward to seeing what they do next season.
Verona 0-2 Werder Bremen
Terry 26', Affelay 82'