Would anyone happen to the 1970 Braziliian team's formation (the team second only to the 1958 class/skill wise)? I thinking somewhere along the lines of: -----------------Felix------------------\ -----------Brito-----Piazza-------------- Defense C. Alberto-------------------Everaldo---/ --Clodoaldo ------------Gerson --------------------Rivelino (as a false left winger?) Jairzinho(as a right winger?)--Pele--Tostao ???? But I'm not really too sure. can anyone help?
Essentially it was: ----- Clodoaldo ----- Gérson ----- ------------ Pelé ------------ Jairzinho ---- Tostão ---- Rivelino But only Jairzinho was really an out-and-out forward. Tostão was a number 10 for his club - not a center-forward and Rivelino was a withdrawn left-wing here and a number 10 for his club. Similarly Gerson and Clodoaldo, while both deep-lying midfielders on paper, had very different roles. While some people would refer to it as a 4-3-3 it was really a very flexible midfield where Pelé, Gérson, Tostão and Rivelino all played on both sides of the ball. Curiously, Clodoaldo, the one who played almost exclusively on the defensive side, scored his only career goal for Brazil at the World Cup, whereas Jairzinho of course scored in every game. Also, Piazza, on the backline, was a defensive midfielder for his club who was converted to central defense.
Regarding Pelé being in midfield... shouldn't he be a more inlying forward, like a second-striker? Also, should Rivelino perhaps be a false foward, or false winger, like Zagallo in 58? Or is it that Pelé, Rivelino, and Tostao were all second-strikers, contributing to the play (thereby making it more free flowing), and ossacionally getting a shot on goal? Finally wan't Gerson more in the center?
Yes, Rivelino essentially became a midfielder. Pelé was not limited to being a second-striker in 1970 and it was indeed a very free-flowing formation for those guys. Yes, essentially he was a Pirlo type player.
How good was Clodoaldo as a player, looking at his whole career? I know he played a great WC1970 but I don't know whether it might be something exceptional (there have been several players who played a tournament much over their real skill level, like Fontaine in WC1958 or Schillaci in WC1990) or he was really a very good player. Same, I don't know why it seemed to disappear at an international level after the WC ... injuries or whatever else?
Yeah, as you can see form where he ended up during the play that lead to the goal against England. Tostao's job was all about creating space for others, hustling, sacrificing for the team. He might have a similar physical shape to Romario, but his game was the polar opposite. He still scored a few goals though. In fact everyone in that midfield and forward starting set scored during the World Cup.
I asked myself the same question about a year ago and started a thread down in the Brazil forum. You can check it here.
Probably the most interesting role in this team was that of Rivelino. He was always an amazing player but it was in this World Cup that he secured his status as one of the greatest players of all time. I think it was Marradona who once said "People came to the Mexico World Cup watch Pele, instead they saw Rivelino." He'd start out on the left and essentially play wherever he wanted, and would cut in and hit some ferocious shots from the centre. The only player I've ever heard of in this team was Clodoaldo. To be honest he was the only one that didn't gain immortality from that that team.
Well, not, according all journalists who attended the WC1970, Clodoaldo was fundamental for the team and played a great tournament. And, he is considered one of the best all-time brasilian defensive midfielders, together with Zito, Cerezo and Dunga. The less talented players (and the ones who are less remembered) of that Brasil were probably the keeper (Felix), the left wingback Everaldo and the 2 central defenders (Brito and Piazza, the latest being a defensive midfielders who played a WC as central defender like Haan did for Holland four years later).
This was the formation of Brazil: https://www.imortaisdofutebol.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ttbrasil1970.jpg
At club level, Paulo Cesar Caju played as Left Winger or midfielder. On paper, Brazil played 4-2-4 (with a false left winger), but also Pelé withdrawing, so it looks more like a 4-4-2. But a lot of rotation, Jairzinho cutting into the area (C.Alberto overlaping as winger). Any of Pelé, Tostao or Rivelino could do the 10 role. By the left side played mainly Rivelino, but also Tostao or even Pelé In midfield, in absence of Gerson, Rivelinho played the main playmaker role. The only exception was the Romania game, in which Fontana played centreback, Piazza as defensive mid and Clodoaldo played the Gerson's role. Answer to your question, for Brazil 1970, Paulo Cesar played as False Left Winger everytime he gets playing time.
"In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing which lead to goals, through their vision, technique, ball control, creativity, and passing ability". (wikipedia) That was Pele, not Rivelino. Remember, Chances created per game: Pele (4.7), Gerson (3.8) and Rivelino (3.0) Pele was the playmaker (attacking midfielder), a variant, the Deep-lying playmakers were Gerson and Rivelino. As is very similar to the role of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta in Barcelona.
Thanks. So, Gerson was the deep-lying playmaker, and when he was absent, Rivelinho placed himself as the D-L playmaker. Being P.Cesar the left winger.
Effectively, Pelé was the Advanced playmaker. Gerson was the Deep-lying playmakers.and when he was absent, Rivelinho placed himself as the D-L playmaker. Regards