As they often are, this season’s Champions League semi-finals were fantastic games of football.  Four very high quality teams testing each other out in attack and defence.  Quite different styles too.

For no reason other than a bit of fun, I thought it might be interesting to see how Inzaghi and Enrique might set us up and by way of the summer rebuild.

Here’s what I reckon it might look like:

Inzaghi

Inter Milan set up in a 352.  At the base of this is Bastoni, Acerbi and Bisseck (three giants, two of whom are very mobile). The key to the entire formation is then the wing backs who dominate the entire flank in Dumfries (the machine) and DiMarco (gifted technician). In midfield, converted winger Calhanoglou is a deep lying playmaker with exceptional technique and passing range. Barella and Mykhitarian offer non-stop pressing and high quality on the ball. In attack, unusually for the modern era, it is big man, little man double act. Thuram is the big man – a strong, pacy and versatile player who is good running channels. Martinez is the superb technical player, small but strong – and good coming deep for the ball.

How might we shape up?

Pickford

Tarkowski

O’Brien

Branthwaite

Pablo Maia – Sao Paulo (£20M) [as the deep lying playmaker]

Garner

Alcaraz – Flamengo (£14M) [as the most attacking of a midfield three]

Couto – Man City (loan) [as the adventurous right wing back]

Diouf – Sparta Prague (£25M) [as the adventurous left wing back]

Castro – Bologna (£35M) [as the Martinez style player in the front two]

Calvert-Lewin

As it happens, I really like the look of this team!

Although some may (understandably) have reservations about Calvert-Lewin, I think he’d thrive in this system with crosses coming in from two fast and high-quality wingbacks.  As an alternative, I think Broja would be even more like Thuram in playing style.

This comes at a circa £100M net spend — but this level of spending on the First XI would leave the Second XI quite patchy or weak.

Enrique

Paris St Germain are interesting in that they play a 4-3-3 formation but with no strikers at all – just three exceptional quality wingers and versatile forwards – usually Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Barcola (or Doue).  The midfield trio has Joao Neves patrolling in front of the defence and Vitinha and Pablo Ruiz pressing a little higher up the pitch. Although they lack height and power, each player is superb technically and very hard working. The full backs are probably the best in the world – Hakimi and Nuno Mendes. Just outstanding in both attack and defence. Finally, centre-backs Marquinhos and Pacho are powerful, tall, mobile and read the game very well.

How might we shape up?

Pickford

O’Brien

Branthwaite

Couto – Man City (loan) [as the adventurous right back]

Locko – Brest (£15M) [as the adventurous left back]

Pablo Maia – Sao Paulo (£20M) [as the deep lying playmaker]

Garner

Alcaraz – Flamengo (£14M) [as the most attacking of a midfield three]

Enciso – Brighton (£30M) [as the left wing / forward]

Nuamah – Lyon (£20M) [as the right wing / forward] 

Ndiaye

Without a striker to speak of, this is a bit of a weird set-up – but you could see how it would be capable of exciting, intricate football.  It is much harder to relate to for fans of conventional teams – but PSG and Barca fans might see it as a logical / sensible way to set up.  Maybe swap Ndiaye for Broja and it starts to look more like a recognisable front three.

This comes in again at about £100M net spend – but leaves the cavalry very weak in case of injuries.

Conclusion

Obviously I’ve just picked, to some extent, random players to fit these systems based on who could realistically be available – and within a vaguely realistic budget too.

What is interesting in each case though is how critical good attacking full-back play now is to Champions League sides – along with the presence of a deep-lying playmaker (as opposed to a blocker or tackling machine).

We sorely lack all of that and it will be difficult to play higher quality football – and higher scoring football – until we have sorted it out.

Reader Comments (5)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 12/05/2025 at 16:17:23
Robert, interesting scenarios. Unrealistic of course with our current manager, but fun to think about.

IMO Yan Couto, who is key to both of your imagined schemes, cannot defend at all (I watch Dortmund often) -- a pure thrill going forward but doesn't recover and can't win a ball or mark an opposing winger to save his life.

We need an attacking right back, but he ain't it.

Andy Crooks
2 Posted 12/05/2025 at 17:27:27
I love stuff like this, Robert. You and Sam Hoard are brilliant at this.The subtext here is obvious, to me anyway.
Should Patterson get a run in the side at the start of next season and be as good as you, me and Derek Knox think, our fretting about transfer budget will disappear!
Andy Crooks
3 Posted 12/05/2025 at 17:59:16
Hoare!!!
Mike Gaynes
4 Posted 12/05/2025 at 18:16:20
Andy, you and DK have to stop swigging out of the same wine bottle on Patterson...
Danny O'Neill
5 Posted 12/05/2025 at 19:52:59
Well researched as usual Robert.

Unrealistic, but always a bit of fun and the principles you talk about make sense.

As I've said on other threads, 3-5-2 works with the right players, but relies on hard working wing backs and a solid defensive midfielder. I've played it and it's the most attacking formation if you get it right in my opinion.

I'm not a fan of 4-3-3, as it can lack width.

But ultimately, you pick players to fit the system. Not the other way around and make the players you have fit into the system you want to play.

I'm not suggesting that's what you say. Interesting and thoughtful post.

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