WCCF: 05-06 Update! -- Commentary (II)

Simulation

The main difference between 05-06 is the much improved simulation.
Moves are now more visible, and more style-specific.

• Technical players will be able to make more feints/turns.
  
• Tough die-hard forwards will slide and poke at loose balls.
  
• Rock-solid defenders will get to clear aerial attacks more often.

I would also like to emphasize on the increased number of combination plays.
For example, the following is a screenshot of a team I played in Japan under the Q.H. style. The forwards are Adriano on the left, Bergkamp on the right. RMF is Valeron, Right Side-back is Cafu.


And here are 2 of the combination plays I managed to come across during my short stay:

1. Valeron --> Cafu --> Adriano
Valeron, playing as a RMF, receives a breakout pass at about 45 yards out on the right side. Rather than attempting the normal advance towards the right baseline, he keeps possession, dribbles slowly towards the middle, and draws 2 defenders. Valeron turns and gives a diagonal pass towards the right wing ahead of oncoming wingback Cafu, Cafu one-timed a cross and Adriano heads it home.

2. Bergkamp --> Cafu --> Valeron
A similar play to begin with, except Bergkamp was the recipient at the right side with most players forced backfield under pressure. With 2 defenders in front, Bergkamp slows down and dribbles towards the middle, waiting for support. Wingback Cafu was first to arrive, and Bergkamp makes a similar diagonal pass. As Cafu was ready to receive the ball, Valeron had already overlapped Bergkamp into the edge of the area. Cafu made an instant short pass and Valeron one-timed it home.

Team Formation / System

I believe it is safe to say that most WCCF players employ a 4-DF system.
Likewise most CPU teams as well as the real teams they model after do employ a 4-DF system.

However, it may be surprising for many to know that:
3-5-2 used to be the most common system in WCCF 01-02!
Back then, about 50% of the teams in Seria A employed a 3-5-2 system with a pair of wingbacks who are each wholly responsible for one side of the field.
Examples of wingback combos:
Grosso -- Ze Maria (Perugia)
Kozminski -- Schopp (Brescia)
Seric -- Oddo (Verona)
Junior -- Diana (Parma)

So, what is the common formation of teams in WCCF 05-06?
Obviously, 4-DF system are common in football nowadays, and the same applies to WCCF 05-06.
In fact, some might argue that most recent teams tend to have a flavour towards a 4-1-2-3 or 4-2-1-3 Total Football style.
e.g. Arsenal, Barcelona, the Eredivisie (Netherlands) teams, and to a lesser degree Lyon and Chelsea.

However, there are some obvious exceptions:
1. Udinese, who has continued to employ a 3-5-2 system with success!
2. Marseille and Real Betis, who seem to employ a variant of 3-6-1 system.
3. Newcastle, who goes with a very visible Power style (e.g. BOUMSONG + BRAMBLE combo).

Understanding the team formations / styles may help you understand the player cards much much more!