****ing hell. I was so close.
I played a hybrid of a 4-5-1: flat three with a sweeper, 2 centre DH, LH and RH pretty defensive but with arrows forward, OH slightly defensive, and my lone forward in the far corner with an arrow in.
I figured since Mahadavikia is so much better than my other players, I would utilize him. I played him to start in the RH position, and used "stock" formation to get him pushing up the wing, and the CF inside (and the LH and OH up aswell), when I attacked.
I got the exact result from this I wanted. There were many beautiful team plays down the wings in which I tore their team apart. I was all over them the first 20mins. I had a couple short breaks saved 1v1 by buffon, and Ali Daei (the CF) had some chances go begging.
Then came the 29th minute. Mahadavikia got himself, and me, exactly what we wanted: a freekick just outside the box. 6 in the wall, but none were tall enough to stop the breathless chip produced by the foot of Mahadavikia, which resulted in a 1-0 lead for Iran!
I was so excited and felt like I could do this, but at the same time I just knew what was coming. Immediately after my goal, they tear down the field, totti cuts along parallel to the box about 25 yards out, and threads a ball through to Del Piero. He takes a touch and slides it home- only to be denied by a sliding CB out fo nowhere!
30th minute, 1-0 Iran.
They had a corner and several crosses in in the next 15 mins. They won every single one. I was still creating chances, but not as often as earlier.
Injury time of the first half, the inevitable happens: Totti swings in a cross, exactly what I don't want on me, Vieri elevates and levels the game going into the break.
Half time:
1-1
58-42 possession, for Iran.
The second half starts uneventfully. Both teams have half-chances but nothing telling; until the 57th minute when Del Piero releases Vieri in behind the defense. The goalie may get their, but I had a good angle and opt for the slide tackle--big mistake--read card to my CB and a penalty--which Del Piero converts.
2-1 Italy
11-10 men, Italy.
****, if I hadn't made the choice, just maybem I could have pulled this off-no chance now.
Wait, hold the phone, I got a chance--let's do this.
Not thinking, I leave the formation and keep playing. Domination Station for the next 10 minutes. I have several sweeping moves through the middle field. The most brilliant of which earns me a corner--it's cleared out for another. Now the 71st minute, Mahadavikia has another go-Ali Daei doesn;t **** up this time and heads it home.
2-2!
The rest of the game is a bit of a defensive struggle by me. I created little for the rest of the game, but did a good job holding the stalemate.
End of 90:
53-47 possession
8-17 shots
7-2 Free Kicks
I come out pumped for Extra Time. My defense is looking good, I'll stick with that adjustment (i did it finally in the 80th minute, after the red card) which has made my D a little more sound.
My cat walks in. Hints to me she wants to lay in her usual spot on my couch. I oblige and shift to the other side.
9th minute of injury time, immediately after I move: goal!
For Vieri, on a header, yes obviously, and from a Fiore cross.
****
3-2 for Italy.
Next time.
2-1, i got absolutly thrashed, one of my goals was an own goal, and the other one was the only other shot i had in the game! tooti is sh*t hot, vieri is pretty good a well!