Former coaches Fabio Capello and Arrigo Sacchi have picked their ideal World Cup XIs and six players feature in both teams, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kevin De Bruyne and Kylian Mbappé, but not Leo Messi.
La Gazzetta Dello Sport asked the two legendary coaches to put down their ideal World Cup XI ahead of Qatar 2022.
They look quite similar as both Capello and Sacchi picked Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in goal, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold in defence, Kevin De Bruyne in midfielder Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema up front.
However, there are also some substantial changes, with Sacchi picking Joao Cancelo at left-back, while Capello went for Alphonso Davies. They also have different ideas in midfield where Joshua Kimmich and Pedri join KDB in Sacchi’s team, while Capello picks Casemiro and Luka Modric.
Up front, the ex-England coach chose Phil Foden and snubbed both Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Sacchi included the Argentinean in his attacking trident.
Sacchi’s XI (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Kimmich, Pedri; Messi; Mbappé, Benzema.
Capello’s XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Marquinhos, Van Dijk, Davies; De Bruyne, Casemiro, Modric; Mbappé, Benzema, Foden.
Courtois would have his work cut out with those defences! obviously both going for the score more goals than conceding route…
mine would be 4-3-3
Courtois, Cancelo, pau torres, Marquinhos, alphonso davies, rodri, de bruyne, bernardo silva, mbappe, benzema, messi
Cancelo can’t defend to save his life. It amazes me how armchair pundits talk about Cancelo. I hope everyone realizes that he is a full back and not a winger.