EUROPE XI
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Germany has been credited with producing some of the best goalkeepers of all time, and Manuel Neuer certainly is up there among the best of them. Apart from pulling off stellar, impossible and extraordinary saves, Neuer has been renowned for his role as a “sweeper keeper”. Not one to shy away from charging at an attacking striker, Neuer played as a sweeper for a good part of the match against Algeria in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
With Algerian striker Islam Slimani leaving Per Mertesacker in shambles, Neuer charged down the pitch many a time, matching Slimani’s pace to great effect. Despite all these fantastic attributes, Neuer is known to have a strong arm, with the ability to throw the ball more than halfway down the pitch. Having won the Golden Glove at the World Cup, Neuer is without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world by a country mile.
Defenders: Philipp Lahm – Vincent Kompany – Mats Hummels – David Alaba
If there is one place the captain’s armband belongs, it is on the left arm of Philipp Lahm. Regarded as the best full back of his generation, Lahm was deployed in center midfield by German coach Joachim Loew, where the former revelled, showing his adaptability to new roles thrust upon him. Despite his inferior height, Lahm has been renowned all over the world for his precise tackling and amazing dribbling skills that has thus earned him the name “Magic Dwarf”.
For the last couple of years, the German defensive unit has become nearly impenetrable, and Mats Hummels is one of the few men responsible for that. Apart from being strong, athletic and a concrete wall in front of the goal, he is a danger from set pieces. Both his goals in the world cup came from set pieces, and his performance in the final against Argentina showed why he is considered one of the best in the world. His defensive prowess and high intensity passing ability have made him as a strong transfer target across Europe.
He may not have stamped his authority on the World stage or amongst Europe’s finest, but Vincent Kompany has certainly stamped his authority in the Englsih Premier League. Having won the title for the second time with Manchester City, Kompany is the heart beat of the City defence. His strength coupled with his hunger and desire for the ball, makes him one of the most complete centre backs in Europe. His disciplinary record may be horrific, but given his impact on a game, any manager will be willing to take a risk and put him on the team sheet.
The 2011-12 season saw the emergence of David Alaba. Despite not having taken part in the World Cup, Alaba has been one of the most promising in the left back poistion. Having already made a name for himself in Europe, the Austrian international will be hoping that his side secure qualification in the following World Cup.
Midfield: Andrea Pirlo – Paul Pogba – Toni Kroos
Amid all their misery in conceding 7 goals to a rampant German side, the Brazilians nicknamed Toni Kroos “garcon”, the French word that translates to waiter. The precision of his passing and set piece taking ability has made him one of the best midfielders in Europe. Even Joachim Loew went on to say: “How Toni distributes the ball, how he receives it, is very good. He's technically excellent.“ Following a fantastic World Cup campaign, Kroos was eventually signed by Real Madrid.
Despite Italy having a wretched World Cup campaign, Andrea Pirlo remains one of the brightest stars in the Azzuri lineup. With his eagle eye vision and his unparalleled passing ability, the 35-year-old veteran and set piece master has proved time and again that he is the deciding factor and someone who can turn the game on its head. Apart from this, Pirlo is a great reader of the game and always makes a telling impact especially in important fixtures.
Prior to the start of the 2014 World Cup, Paul Pogba was one of the biggest starlets at Juventus, Apart from winning a penalty and providing two assists for Karim Benzema, Pogba scored his first World Cup goal in the 2-0 win against Nigeria to ensure the qualification of Les Bleus to the quarter final. Despite not making an impact in the game against Germany, Pogba received the Best Young Player award for his efforts.
Forwards: Arjen Robben – Cristiano Ronaldo – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
If there is one word that will perhaps fit Arjen Robben’s description, it is “speed”. We almost feel a sense of sympathy for the defenders chasing him, in the hope that one day they may just catch him. Leaving aside his controversial on field theatrics, Robben is blessed with terrific ball control. With the ball sticking to his feet, his pace and his accurate shooting results in a goal more often than not. He is without a doubt a defender’s worst nightmare. The biggest downside to his game however, is the fact that he does not make the important passes. But, on the other hand, given his goal scoring consistency, any manager will be more than inclined to add Robben’s name to the team sheet.
Despite having an extremely poor run in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the name Cristiano Ronaldo is impossible to leave out from the team sheet. Apart from winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo played a crucial part in helping Real Madrid secure their first UEFA Champions league title since 2002. His work rate, goal scoring touch and not to forget those eye-catching step-overs make him one of the best attackers in the world. The arrival of Gareth Bale has only gone on to improve Ronaldo’s goal scoring efficiency, with the latter finding the back of the net 51 times in all competitions.
"One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me is nothing to watch so it is not worthwhile to wait for the World Cup.” Remember this quote? Whether Zlatan Ibrahimovic would have made an impact in the World Cup will never be known. However, here is something we do know. He is Zlatan. Blessed with immense upper body strength, the vision of a sniper and the goal scoring touch of a genius, he is perhaps the one of the greatest centre forwards to play the game. His unbelieveable overhead kick against England in a friendly was the epitome of his greateness as a player and a legend.
Substitutes: Hugo Lloris, Daniel Carvajal, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Karim Benzema, Jan Verthongen
Key Battles
Manuel Neuer vs Neymar
The semi-final of the World Cup did not get to witness the epic battle between Manuel Neuer and Neymar courtesy of an injury to the latter. However, it definitelty will be entertaining to watch the world’s best goalkeeper square off against one of the most feared attackers in the world. The X-Factor of this battle will be Neuer’s pace when he rushes out of the penalty area.
Neuer has been known to actively perform the role of a sweeper when his defence is left stranded. However, should Neymar get the better of Neuer, he would definitely be one of the first people to do so. With the odds even, an exciting battle is on the cards should these two find themselves in each other’s path.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Diego Godin
It is a well known fact that Diego Godin is a tough nut to crack. Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the other hand is one of the best strikers in Europe, whose precise strikes sends shivers down the spine of defenders. Godin however is from the fearless breed and will be unfazed of Ibrahimovic’s reputation. Having not met previously, it will indeed be interesting to see what this mammoth battle will have in store for us.
Prediction
Europe XI 3 - 3 South American XI
Europe Goal scorers: Ibrahimovic, Robben, Hummels
South America Goal scorers: James Rodriguez, Messi, Neyamr
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