This series looks at what happens when the FM17 Draft Mode is used to create a World Cup where each nation is represented by players who play in each country. For the full explanation of how this tournament will work, see our Introduction.
It’s a weird feeling as this tournament hares towards its close – the excitement is has created has been genuinely brilliantly, but there’s a large part of me that’s sad it’s getting near the end. Last time out Germany had to dig deep to overcome fairytale side Peru, but they managed it thanks to an Aubameyang hat-trick. This time out it’s a similar match-up, as Italy will be favourites against the tenacious Uruguay. Italy will be hoping for an easier ride than Germany, but realistically they’d take any victory.
It’s a weird feeling as this tournament hares towards its close – the excitement is has created has been genuinely brilliantly, but there’s a large part of me that’s sad it’s getting near the end. Last time out Germany had to dig deep to overcome fairytale side Peru, but they managed it thanks to an Aubameyang hat-trick. This time out it’s a similar match-up, as Italy will be favourites against the tenacious Uruguay. Italy will be hoping for an easier ride than Germany, but realistically they’d take any victory.
Italy
Luca Italia’s Italy were part of the first qualification group for this tournament, but they struggled to second place behind Yorkshire, and needed results to go their way on in the final round to avoid ending up in the play-offs. However, once the tournament itself begun Italy were excellent overcoming both Turkey and Central Africa with relative ease to ensure qualification one match early. In their final group game they drew with Portugal, which was the first time their opponents had failed to win during the campaign. In the second round they faced the difficult proposition of the Netherlands, but did well to recover from going behind to prevail 2-1. Their quarter-final match against France was just as tight, and was only decided in extra time when Ricardo Montolivo scored a stunning long-range strike to win the match.
Tactically, Italy like to play on the break, and their 4-3-3 formation is set up well to allow that to happen. Striker Carlos Bacca was instrumental in qualification, and after a slow start is playing dangerously in the finals. He is undoubtedly Italy’s key man, but they also have top quality in the form of the incomparable Gianluigi Buffon.
Uruguay
Tactically, Italy like to play on the break, and their 4-3-3 formation is set up well to allow that to happen. Striker Carlos Bacca was instrumental in qualification, and after a slow start is playing dangerously in the finals. He is undoubtedly Italy’s key man, but they also have top quality in the form of the incomparable Gianluigi Buffon.
Uruguay
It’s fair to say that Uruguay isn’t a side generally favoured by neutrals, but their actual World Cup history is that of colossal overachievement in true underdog fashion. This includes winning the first-ever World Cup, and Thiago Uruguay’s side are in a position to challenge for the first-ever Draft World Cup. In qualification they reopened the scars of 1950 by beating Brazil twice in knocking out their neighbours. In the finals Uruguay continued their giant-killing form by thrashing China and beating Russia to win their group. Uruguay were once again in irresistible form in the second round when they faced a daunting-looking USA side, but smashed their way into a 4-1 half time lead, eventually winning 4-2. Their quarter-final against Greece was settled by an early free kick by Lucas Olaza, as Uruguay showed their defensive strength.
Like fellow South American semi-finalists Peru, Uruguay play with a 4-3-1-2 which denies their opponents much space. Like Italy, Uruguay are focused on counter-attacking, and they aren’t huge exponents of the passing game. Their campaign so far has been all about strikers Sebastian Fernandez and Kevin Ramirez, who have at times been a blur of attacking fury.
Line-ups
Italy are still unable to call upon Niang, meaning that Mertens keeps his place despite struggling across the tournament thus far. Pandev is also unavailable, as Italy make no changes. Likewise, Uruguay are unchanged from the side which has started both of their knockout fixtures.
Like fellow South American semi-finalists Peru, Uruguay play with a 4-3-1-2 which denies their opponents much space. Like Italy, Uruguay are focused on counter-attacking, and they aren’t huge exponents of the passing game. Their campaign so far has been all about strikers Sebastian Fernandez and Kevin Ramirez, who have at times been a blur of attacking fury.
Line-ups
Italy are still unable to call upon Niang, meaning that Mertens keeps his place despite struggling across the tournament thus far. Pandev is also unavailable, as Italy make no changes. Likewise, Uruguay are unchanged from the side which has started both of their knockout fixtures.
Kick-off
The opening shot comes in the 6th minute, when Nandez’s long effort is easily held by Buffon. Uruguay remain on the front foot, and in the 13th minute Sosa clips Fernandez just inside the box, and a penalty is given! It’s Grossmuller who bravely steps up to face Buffon... and sends him the wrong way to open the scoring!
The opening shot comes in the 6th minute, when Nandez’s long effort is easily held by Buffon. Uruguay remain on the front foot, and in the 13th minute Sosa clips Fernandez just inside the box, and a penalty is given! It’s Grossmuller who bravely steps up to face Buffon... and sends him the wrong way to open the scoring!
Italy improve after the goal, but can’t force any good chances until the the 33rd minute when Olaza slides in needlessly on Bacca, and it’s Italy’s turn to have a penalty! A yellow for Olaza, but more important is the spot kick. Bacca picks himself up to place the ball on the spot... Castillo guesses correctly, but the kick is high into the corner and Italy level.
Maksimovic has a big chance to put Italy ahead when he meets a corner at the near post, but he doesn’t connect properly and the chance goes. That’s the last action of the first half, other than a yellow card for Valdez. Looking at the analysis at half time, and Italy have only conceded two fouls, but one was the penalty. Meanwhile, Uruguay are running a lot closer to the wind, with 12 fouls conceded, including the penalty, shown on the map below (Uruguay are shooting right-to-left).
As well as his calmly-taken goal, Grossmuller has run the show in midfield for Uruguay, with his passing map shown below.
Anyway, on with the second half, and neither team has made a change at the break. Italy start the second half much better, but it’s Uruguay who retake the lead on the hour mark when Fernandez is allowed to wriggle into the box and pull the ball across for de la Cruz to poke home – just as Thiago Uruguay was planning on taking de la Cruz off.
Instead, the first change is yellow-carded Olaza being replaced by Polenta, whilst Italy bring on Crisetig for Palombo as they move to a 4-2-3-1. Bacca finds a pocket of space in the 72nd minute, and his pass puts Barbosa through, but Polenta makes a vital block. Ramirez has been muted all match, and is replaced by Costa as Uruguay try and congest the midfield with a 4-1-3-1-1 formation. Italy’s lack of attacking alternatives on the bench are telling, as they can’t replace Barbosa or Mertens, who are doing nothing. Italy’s lack of options is highlighted by the fact they turn to Ravel Morrison, who replaces the tiring Sosa with 10 minutes to go. In added time Italy have a free kick in a tempting position. It eventually falls to Morrison, but his shot is narrowly over, and the final whistle goes!
Uruguay had two decent chances in the match, but their ruthlessness in front of goal sees them through to the inaugural Draft World Cup final! Italy were probably the better side throughout the match, but also struggled to create clear chances. However, the map below shows that Italy had chances that were at least as good as Uruguay’s (penalties are removed from the graphic).
Despite the fact that Uruguay’s tactics deliberately encourage them to run at opponents, they still made more tackles in the match than Italy. In particular, the duo of Nandez and Gonzalez were very effective at regaining possession, as their tackle map below shows.
Before the semi-finals, one might have thought that the fairytale was Peru, but Uruguay are carrying on. With a total squad value of £108m, Uruguay’s squad is worth less than half of that of most teams they’ve faced so far. They only have one more big nation in their way as they look to cause one of the all-time upsets.
Draw
Draw
Next time
It’s only the ruddy final!
It’s only the ruddy final!