1970's Decade All-Star Line-up

The 1970's. It was a decade of brilliant open-attacking football with some of the most technical players the world has ever seen. It was a decade of legendary teams.... such as Brazil 70, West Germany and Bayern Munich, as well as, Holland and Ajax. Also, Argentina 78 and Liverpool 77-80. To be honest, it was a period of far too many great players to fit into this 18 man squad which I call, the 1970's Decade All Star Line-up:

PLEASE NOTE: The "Legendary" Brazil 70 team included players who had peaked at the 1970 World Cup (ex. Pele, Carlos Alberto) and made little impact later in the decade. Hence, they have not been included in the squad. Others such as Jairzinhio and Rivelinio continued to play at a good, although never as good as the 1970 level..... Therefore only Rivelinio made the 1970's Decade starting lineup, not only for his magic at the 70 WC, but also for continued quality lasting until 1978.

Formation: 3-4-3

Maier-Krol, Beckhenbauer, Neal- Neeskens- Rivelinio, Cruyff, Deyna- Cubillas, Muller, Lato.

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GOALKEEPER


1. SEPP MAIER (West Germany)

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LEFT-BACK


4. RUUD KROL (Holland)

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CENTER BACK (SWEEPER)


5. FRANZ BECKHENBAUR (West Germany)

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RIGHT-BACK


2. PHIL NEAL (England)

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CENTRAL MIDFIELD


17. JOHAN NEESKENS (Holland)

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ATTACKING MIDFIELD

7. RIVELINIO (Brazil)


14. JOHAN CRUYFF (Holland)


12. KAZIMIERZ DEYNA (Poland)

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FORWARD (S)

15. TEOFILO CUBILLAS (Peru)


9. GERD MULLER (West Germany)


16. GRZEGORZ LATO (Poland)

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BENCH: ZOFF (G)(Italy), FIGUEROA (CB)(Chile), NETZER (AM) (West Germany), KEMPES (CF) (Argentina), DALGLISH (AM, ST) (Scotland) JAIRZINHO (RW) (Brazil), BLOKHIN (CF) (USSR)
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He deserves to be there.... He would be my 3rd choice between Central Defenders in the 70's....behind the legendary FRANZ and Figueroa. On the list, I only included 2 CB.... .but Passarella....should probably be there as well. He was amazing in 1978.

I think I loaded the 1970's team with West Germany and Holland players simply becasue I considered them to be better teams than Argentina 78. However, I included Mario Kempes 1978 (Bench). Probably Passarella could also be on the bench for the 70's team.

Instead I included Krol and Neal ahead of Passarella simply becasue they were RB and LB. Passarella was a CB. His problem was called FRANZ....and I only used a 3 MAN backline.

 

Breitner wasn't the best. Also Keegan wasn't as good as some of the others on the list. Zico is an 80's story. Passarella, yes, I think he deserves it. Probably should be there.....

Cut Lato and Blokhin??? Cannot. They were outstanding in the 70's.

 

Neal was a fantastic defender one of the reasons for Liverpool's great success in the late 70's and early 80's. They were the best team in the world in those days. I don't see a better option at right back...... give me a better name for that position?

 

Deyna was in the top 3-4 Attacking Midfielders of the 70's. He was a play-maker, although I could see him sacrificed for another great defender (ex. Passarella) inorder to balance my team more. All three, Blokhin, Deyna and Lato were outstanding. One of the best in that decade. I also had a difficult time leaving Kenny Dalglish on the bench....

 

Amoros isn't a bad choice.

 

I have no problem with this lineup, exept for Kempes starting. There were others better, even Blokhin, Dalglish......Jairzinhio (from early 70's) if you wanted some more SA players.

In my original lineup I placed Cubillas and Rivelinio as the only SA players. I tried to find a place for Fiquraua, but I couldn't so I placed him on the bench. Now, I would also admit to a need for Passarella. However, I still think the best players in the 1970's were from Europe. These were Muller, Cruyff, Beckhenbauer, Neeskens and Lato. They were a little better than the likes of Passarella, Kempes and company. However, I would never dispute the talent of Cubillas or Rivelinio. If you want more SA players check the 1960's lineup. You have 5 out of 11 in the starting lineup. That's nearly 50%. Some decades were just better by European Teams. And in my rankings I consider the 1970 Brazil team much more in the 60's All star, because most of its stars never shined as bright following that year. That's why 70's may seem a little "euro" to you.

 

Your squad is as close to my team as it gets Its also very euro-based. In my opinion Europe had the better players in the 70's, while SA had better players in the 60's......