Alves and Lahm pushing up when in possession to support the attacks, with Alonso dropping deep to spray those pinpoint long passes to them creating space on the flanks so space is freed up in the middle of the pitch for Xavi and Iniesta to interchange positions and play their trademark telepathic short passing and movement while also looking for through balls in adequate situations. Messi playing a deep lying 'trequartista' helping them out in midfield with his outstanding dribbling and ball retention. Messi also to be allowed to do what he wants basically driving at defenders looking for through balls and goalscoring situations, overall the key to the team. C. Ronaldo and Eto'o to play adavanced fowards but Ronaldo slighty deeper due to his quality at shooting from distance and driving runs he is able to due thanks to his good dribbling. But mainly Eto'o is focused on doing what he does best and finding them goalscoring positions to finish from attacks.
Seems pretty spot on, I got question marks on two players though. Lahm is a really good and underrated fullback. His knowledge of positioning is second to none and he is too footed. But personally I would have gone with a more left sided player. Coentrao, Marcelo, Cole.
Now that Eto'o has hit the retirement jackpot, we can remove him from all best/strongest/top 11 considerations. I'd have Rooney with his current form instead.
Good 11 apart from that.
Love how you give Alonso credit for the player he actually is. Busquets is good, but annoying little diving cheat. Xabi Alonso is pure class + his passing is better than Busquet's
