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The Best Football Teams Of All Time

23K views 93 replies 27 participants last post by  ashishgohil  
#1 · (Edited)
Your contributions please

Hello friends of the History of Football forum, let us make a consolidation of the Best Football Teams Of All Time.

What made these teams great?
What tactical innovations did they develop?
Who were their key players?
When was their crowning performance?
What effective offensive / defensive systems did they use?

Your analysis, pictures and videos are welcome.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1944-45


River Plate

Image


Formation 3-2-5

[GK] Soriano (c)

[RB] Yácono [CB] Vaghi [LB] Ferreyra

[CM] Rodolfi [CM] Ramos

[RW] Muñoz [SS] Moreno [SS] Pedernera [CF] Lebruna [LW] Loustau​

Nickname: La Máquina
Coach: Renato Cesarini
Key Player: José Manuel Moreno
Strengths: Team dynamism. Their 5 forwards constantly rotated, all very talented with great physical stamina.
Comments:
Heroearaucano: River Plate's machine was the first team in history that combined a Deep-lying forward (insider) with a classic 10. Moreover, the machine was one of the predecessors of the splitting-functions within the field, and the modifying the idea of dynamic MW. The dinamic and the aggressiveness in retrieving balls became a patent characteristic of rioplatense style. To this is added the talent and good technique. The máquina de River Plate is: Technique + splitting-functions + dinamic MW. To this must be added the pioneering innovation of unite a insider with a center forward as at modern style of box to box with a 10 classic.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1958-59

Real Madrid C.F

Image


Formation 3-2-5

[GK] Domínguez

[RB] Marquitos [CB] Santamaría [LB] Zárraga (c)

[CM] Santisteban [CM] Ruiz

[RW] Kopa [SS] Rial [SS] Di Stéfano [SS] Puskás [LW] Gento

Coach: Miguel Muñoz
Key Player: Alfredo Di Stéfano
Achievements: European Cup

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1966-67

Celtic F.C.

Image


Formation 4-2-4

[GK] Simpson

[RB] Craig [CB] McNeill (c) [CB] Clark [LB] Gemmell

[CM] Murdoch [CM] Auld

[RW] Johnstone [CF] Wallace [CF] Chalmers [LW] Lennox

Nickname: The Lisbon Lions
Coach: Jock Stein
Key Player: Bobby Murdoch
Key Game: [1967 European Cup Final] Celtic F.C. 2-1 Internazionale Milano
Strengths: fast-paced and wide-open style
Achievements: Scottish League Championships, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup, European Cup
Comments:
Heroearaucano: The concept of verticality and the attack zone.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1969-1970

Brazil

Image


Formation 4-2-4

[GK] Félix

[RB] Carlos Alberto (c) [CB] Brito [CB] Wilson Piazza [LB] Everaldo

[CM] Clodoaldo [CM] Gérson

[RW] Jairzinho [CF] Tostão [SS] Pelé [LW] Rivelino​

Coach: Mário Zagallo
Key Player: Pelé
Key Game: [1970 FIFA World Cup Final] Brazil 4-1 Italy
Achievements: FIFA World Cup 1970

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1971-72

AFC Ajax

Image


Formation 4-3-3

[GK] Stuy

[SW] Blankenburg

[RB] Suurbier [CB] Hulshoff [LB] Krol

[CM] Neeskens [DM] Arie Haan [CM] Mühren

[RW] Swart [FW] Cruyff (c) [LW] Keizer

Coach: Ștefan Kovács
Key Player: Johan Cruyff
Key Game
: [1972 European Cup Final] AFC Ajax 2-0 Internazionale Milano
Comments:
Heroearaucano:Football in blocks and the splitting of functions. Formations 4-3-3 with wing back.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1981-82

Brazil

Image


Formation 4-2-2-2

[GK] Valdir Peres

[RB] Leandro [CB] Oscar [CB] Luizinho [LB] Júnior

[DM] Toninho Cerezo [DM] Falcão

[AM] Sócrates (c) [AM] Zico

[ST] Serginho [ST] Éder
Coach: Telê Santana
Key Player: Zico
Strengths: Fluid passing, blessed with creative geniuses.
Comments:
Heroearaucano: Preponderance of the wing-back for triangulation in attack. (to wit a reactualization of the joga bonito). Consolidation of 4-2-2-2 formation

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1987-88

PSV Eindhoven

Image


Formation 4-4-2

[GK] van Breukelen

[RB] Gerets (c) [CB] Nielsen [CB] Koeman [LB] Heintze

[RM] Vanenburg [CM] van Aerle [CM] Lerby [LM] Linskens

[CF] Kieft [CF] Gillhaus​

Coach: Guus Hiddink
Achievements: Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, European Cup

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1989-90

A.C. Milan

Image


Formation 4-4-2

[GK] Galli

[RB] Tassotti [CB] Costacurta [CB] Baresi (c) [LB] Maldini

[RM] Donadoni [CM] Rijkaard [CM] Ancelotti [LM] Colombo

[SS] Ruud Gullit
[CF] Marco van Basten​

Nickname: Gli Immortali
Coach: Arrigo Sacchi
Key Player: Marco van Basten
Achievements: UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup
Comments:
Heroearaucano: Reissue of zone defense and overtaking of the offside line as a pressing to the rival.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1989-1990

Italy

Image


Formation 3-5-1-1

[GK] Zenga

[CB] Bergomi (c) [CB] Baresi [CB] Ferri

[RWB] Donadoni [CM] De Napoli [CM] Giannini [CM] De Agostini [LWB] Maldini

[SS] Baggio

[CF] Schillaci​

Coach: Azeglio Vicini
Key Player: Salvatore Schillaci

----------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-91

Red Star Belgrade

Image


Formation 4-5-1

[GK] Stojanović (c)

[RB] Radinović [CB] Belodedici [CB] Najdoski [LB] Marović

[CM] Jugović

[RM] Binić [CM] Prosinečki [CM] Savićević [LM] Mihajlović

[CF] Pančev​

Coach: Ljupko Petrović
Key Game: [1990-91 UEFA Champions League Semi-finals Second leg] Red Star Belgrade 2-2 Bayern Munich
Achievements: Yugoslav First League, European Cup, Intercontinental Cup
Comments:
Heroearaucano: The possession in midfield and consolidation of 3-1-3-1-2 formation.
alchemist: The '90-91 Red Star team was a very good, young, technical side and they dominated domestically and against smaller teams in Europe. On the bigger stage against bigger teams, they were able to absorb pressure and hit on the counter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
2007-08

Spain

Image


Formation 4-5-1

[GK] Casillas (c)

[RB] Sergio Ramos [CB] Puyol [CB] Marchena [LB] Capdevilla

[DM] Marcos Senna

[AM] David Silva [AM] Xavi [AM] Fàbregas [AM] Iniesta

[CF] David Villa​

Coach: Luis Aragonés Suárez
Key Player: Xavi Hernández
Key Game: [UEFA Euro 2008 Final] Spain 1-0 Germany
Strengths: Ball retension, playmaking, control
Achievements: UEFA Euro 2008
Comments:
Heroearaucano: Football in blocks, the splitting of functions and lateralization and good domain of the ball

----------------------------------------------------------------------
2009-10


Internazionale Milano


Image


Formation 4-2-1-3

[GK] Júlio César

[RB] Maicon [CB] Lúcio [CB] Samuel [LB] Zanetti (c)

[CM] Cambiasso [CM] Thiago Motta

[AM] Sneijder

[WF] Eto'o [CF] Milito [WF] Pandev

Coach: José Mourinho
Key Player: Wesley Sneijder
Key Game: [2009–10 UEFA Champions League Semi-finals First leg] F.C. Internazionale Milano 3-1 FC Barcelona
Strengths: Rock defence, dangerous on counter attack, efficient functional roles
Achievements: Serie A, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[Teams proposed by posters, waiting to be referenced]

1917-25 MTK Budapest
1919-23 Sparta Praha
1927-28 Scotland
1931-33 Austria
1930-34 Arsenal
1933-34 Italy
1937-38 Italy
1938-44 Hungary
1944-50 Hungary
1946-47 Torino
1950-54 Millonarios
1950-54 Barcelona
1953-54 West Germany
1950-56 Hungary
1956-57 Stade de Reims
1957-58 Brazil
1957-58 Manchester United
1959-60 Real Madrid
1960-61 Santos
1960-61 Penarol
1960-61 Tottenham Hotspur
1961-62 Brazil
1961-62 Santos
1961-62 Benfica
1962-63 Santos
1962-63 Botafogo
1964-65 Inter Milan
1965-66 England
1966-67 Club Atlético Peñarol
1966-68 Dynamo Kiev
1967-68 Manchester United
1971-72 West Germany
1973-74 Bayern Munich
1973-74 Holland
1973-74 Palmeiras
1973-74 West Germany
1975-76 Bayern Munich
1975-76 Internacional
1975-76 Fluminense
1976-77 Liverpool
1977-78 Holland
1977-78 Argentina
1978-79 Internacional
1978-79 Nottingham Forest
1980-81 Flamengo
1981-82 Flamengo
1981-82 Italy
1982-83 Juventus
1982-83 Flamengo
1982-83 Hamburger SV
1983-84 Liverpool
1983-84 France
1983-84 Fluminense
1984-85 Everton
1984-85 Juventus
1985-86 Argentina
1985-86 France
1985-86 Dynamo Kiev
1986-87 Flamengo
1986-87 Dynamo Kiev
1987-88 AC Milan
1987-88 Holland
1987-88 Liverpool
1989-90 Napoli
1989-90 West Germany
1990-91 Sampdoria
1990-91 Argentina
1991-92 Sao Paulo
1992-93 Sao Paulo
1993-94 Brazil
1993-94 Palmeiras
1994-95 Ajax
1995-96 Juventus
1995-96 Ajax
1995-96 River Plate
1995-96 Palmeiras
1995-96 Barcelona
1996-97 Juventus
1996-97 Borussia Dortmund
1996-97 Vasco da Gama
1997-98 France
1997-98 Juventus
1997-98 Real Madrid
1998-99 Manchester United
1998-99 Corinthians
1999-00 France
2000-01 Boca Juniors
2001-02 Brazil
2001-02 Real Madrid
2002-03 Real Madrid
2002-03 AC Milan
2003-04 Arsenal
2004-05 Brazil
2005-06 Italy
2005-06 Barcelona
2006-07 AC Milan
2007-08 Manchester United
2008-09 Brazil
2008-09 Barcelona
2009-10 Spain
2009-10 Barcelona
2010-11 Barcelona
2011-12 Barcelona
2011-12 Real Madrid
 
#2 ·
Misleading title and the best team always doesnt win, with all the respect Porto wasnt best team. Good, solid, well built team, but also a team which had players who had the last opportunity to do something special before the end of their careers, and obviously Mourinho played huge part in it also.
 
#8 ·
Stop the press! Ze and I agree on something. Greece were a special type of garbage for even Ze to accurately notice it.

Seriously, there was no great defensive play or team play for Greece. They just parked the bus. They used the basest tactic in all of football, which absolutely any team in the world can pass off, they hit a string of good results, and that was that. Even Finland crushed these same fools 5-1.
 
#12 ·
Crvena Zvezda Belgrad 1991 anyone? Dynamo Kiev 1986-87 anyone?
 
#15 ·
Best NT: Hungary '50-'56

Best club team: The current Barca before Guardiola thought proper CBs aren't necessary, lol

Best not-on-paper "team" I ever saw: A local high school team. We were vastly superior skill-wise (we beat them 7-1 in regular season), but they were vastly superior in commitment, teamwork, and organization. They relied on their "#10" - who was as good as our bench players - in counterattacks, and he scored two goals out of the only two chances they had. We lost the game 1-2.
 
#16 ·
I summarize in short the contribution of these teams.

* Celtic F.C. 1966-67: The concept of verticality and the attack zone.

* AFC Ajax 1971-72 : Football in blocks and the splitting of functions. Formations 4-3-3 with wing back.

* Brazil 1981-82: Preponderance of the wing-back for triangulation in attack.
(to wit a reactualization of the joga bonito). Consolidation of 4-2-2-2 formation

* A.C. Milan 1989-90: Reissue of zone defense and overtaking of the offside line as a pressing to the rival.

* Red Star Belgrade 1990-91: The possession in midfield and consolidation of 3-1-3-1-2 formation.

* Spain 2007-08: Football in blocks, the splitting of functions and lateralization and good domain of the ball.

Also I would name other big teams like:

The Machine of River Plate, Wunderteam of Hugo Meisl, passing game of the Liverpool , Budapest Honved of Jeno Kalmar and Púskas, Real Madrid of the 5 cup, Il grande Inter of H.H. Peñarol 60s, Dinamo de Kiev de Viktor Maslov, Bayern 70s, Stade Reims of Batteux, Chilean team of Riera, Colombia of Maturana, Argentina of Bilardo (rioplatense style), Brasil 70 and original joga bonito, Santos of Pelé, Hamburgo of 80s, Pep Team Barcelona, Fergie Babes M.United

Just to name a few original equipment but we need to talk more.
Even I could many teams more describe here.
 
#19 · (Edited)
People forget about Italia 1990 which is most definelty the greatest Italian team of the modern era and one of the better sides not to win the tournament in general.

formation 352 Achievment 3rd place (semi final shootout loss notable) key player Schilacci golden boot

---------------------------------------Zenga

-------------Bergomi----------------Baresi---------------------Ferri

---------------------De Napoli------ Giannini--------D'Agostini
------Donadoni------------------------------------------------------Maldini


----------------------------------------------------------Baggio
---------------------------------Schillaci


Baggio/Maldini/Bergomi/Baresi are all alltime greats in there posistions while the remaining six starters were all star players in their time. The bench also included many star names such as
Ciro Ferrara Ancelotti Mancini Viali etc
 
#21 ·
Thanks for these Kajoo, I appreciate the links. I will study the xtratime threads for these teams and add to our consolidation.

Regarding my reference to the season, instead of picking a team representing an era or a decade of dominance I'd prefer for us to select individual teams / seasons. For an example, look at AC Milan, the makeup and philosophy of the '89-90 team was different to the '93-94 AC Milan team, although only 3 years apart.
 
#22 · (Edited)
FF


Let me put my suggestions here for you:

81: Flamengo of Zico, Adilio, Andrade, Leandro, Junior, Mozer & Nunes
82: Brazil Nt & Flamengo
83: Juventus & Flamengo
84: Liverpool & Fluminense
85: Juventus
86: France was probably the best team. As they din't win a bunch of people will question that. But had a dream midfield
87: Flamengo
88: AC Milan, Holland & Liverpool
89: Ac Milan
90: Napoli & West Germany
91: Red Star Belgrade & Sampdoria
92: Sao Paulo
93: Sao Paulo
94: Brazil & Palmeiras
95: Ajax
96: Palmeiras & Barcelona
97: Brazil & Vasco
98: France & Real Madrid
99: Man Utd & Corinthians
00: France & Boca Juniors
01: Argentina
02: Brazil & Real Madrid
03: Real Madrid & AC Milan
04: Arsenal
05: Brazil
06: Italy & Barcelona
07: AC Milan
08: Spain & Man Utd
09: Barcelona & Brazil
10: Barcelona & Spain
11: Barcelona
12: Barcelona or Real Madrid flip a coin.
 
#48 ·
how come?

95-96: Juventus FC - European Champions / League Runner-Up / Intercontinental Cup/ Supercup
96-97: Juventus FC - European Runner-Up / League Champions
97-98: Juventus FC - European Runner-Up / League Champions

Underrated team of the modern era. In that 3 year period Juventus reached 3 EC finals and finished top 2 in the league. There were great players; Del Piero, Zidane, Deschamps, Davids, Conte, Ferrara, Montero, Inzaghi, Vieri, Vialli, Vierchowod etc
A great coach in Lippi aswell
i agree, that group is prolly one of the underrated teams outside italy nowadays.
 
#27 ·
Ze trying to say South American clubs in the modern era were best.

Never change bro, I don't know what XT would be like with your embarrassing crush on South American mediocrity :proud:

Also were Brazil that great in '82? I mean as a team? They got pumped in the World Cup final...I know people are keen on saying they are the best team to have never won the World Cup, but does that make them better than the team who DID win the World Cup?
 
#31 ·
Ze trying to say South American clubs in the modern era were best.

Never change bro, I don't know what XT would be like with your embarrassing crush on South American mediocrity :proud:

Also were Brazil that great in '82? I mean as a team? They got pumped in the World Cup final...I know people are keen on saying they are the best team to have never won the World Cup, but does that make them better than the team who DID win the World Cup?
quarterfinal.

Brazil ´82 is nostalgic choice, same like Hungary ´54, both beautifull losers that are impossible to forget.
 
#29 ·
Cam

all the brazilian teams listed are better than any gobshite Scotland or Parma have introduced the world.

Btw, that Brazil team beat the mighty scotland of Andy Goram, Hansen, Souness, Dalglish & Strachan 4x1 in the world cup. All of them, with the exception of Goram, were legends in liverpool or man utd.

With the exception of Falcao, all the other players played in Brazil at the time:thumbsup:


Then you think of the football lesson that Flamengo gave Liverpool in 45 minutes in 1981. 3x0 in the first half and liverpool din't even touch the ball. Phil Neal said that after the game, that defeat helped Liverpool tweak their football even more and continue dominating Europe. Livepool dominated Europe from 77 to 85 (when they lost in that tragic game).

Get your facts straight:thumbsup:
 
#32 ·
They were.

We beat Italy twice, we beat Uruguay on the road (we had not won in montivideo for 30 years, always a tough place for us to play) , argentina on the road, confed cup winning in style.

The team worked and got the best results that year by any national team. So it is not a stretch... its FACTUAL.:thumbsup::drunk:
 
#40 ·
FF

some more teams here for you:

61: Santos
62: Santos
63: Santos & Botafogo
66: Cruzeiro
67
68:
69:
70: Brazil
71:
72:
73:
74: Palmeiras
76: Fluminense
1977: Liverpool
78:
79: Internacional of Falcao and guess who?? FIGUEROA :howler:

96: River Plate (brill team) with Francescoli, Salas, Crespo, Ortega, Gallardo,


Fangio could help out on the great Independiente teams etc..
 
#44 ·
95-96: Juventus FC - European Champions / League Runner-Up / Intercontinental Cup/ Supercup
96-97: Juventus FC - European Runner-Up / League Champions
97-98: Juventus FC - European Runner-Up / League Champions

Underrated team of the modern era. In that 3 year period Juventus reached 3 EC finals and finished top 2 in the league. There were great players; Del Piero, Zidane, Deschamps, Davids, Conte, Ferrara, Montero, Inzaghi, Vieri, Vialli, Vierchowod etc
A great coach in Lippi aswell
 
#49 ·
Juve in '96 sounds right. Good shout for '97 as well but that's a tougher year to call.

Inter for 2010 for sure. That team not only won a Treble but also beat the champions of the English, Spanish and German leagues on the way.

Ze, what did the Brazilian team gain in 2009 and lose after that which made them better than Spain?
 
#51 ·
Formation MW The máquina de Riber Plate

--------------------------[-------]-------------------------------
-----------------------[GK] Soriano-------------------------------------

-------[RB] Tacono --[CB] Vaghi (c) --[CB] Ferreira---------------------

-------------[CM] Rodolfi ----------[CM] Ramos--------------------------

----------- Moreno----[CF] Pedernera----------------------------------
--------------------------------- [F] Labruna----------[LW] Loustau
[RW] Muñoz -------------------------------------------------------


River Plate's machine was the first team in history that combined
a Deep-lying forward (insider) with a classic 10
(although he was considered front center).
This directly influenced footballing identity Colombia in the 90s
(Not to mention the millonarios FC).
Moreover, the machine was one of
the predecessors of the splitting-functions within the field,
and the modifying the idea of dynamic MW.
The dinamic and the aggressiveness in retrieving balls
became a patent characteristic of rioplatense style.
(Uruguay Argentina)
To this is added the talent and good technique.
The máquina de River Plate is:
Technique + splitting-functions + dinamic MW
In my view, the machine is very similar to pep team.
To this must be added the pioneering innovation of unite a insider with a center forward as at modern style of box to box with a 10 classic.
 
#52 ·
------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-91

Red Star Belgrade

Image


Formation 4-5-1

[GK] Stojanović (c)

[RB] Šabanadžović [CB] Belodedici [CB] Najdoski [LB] Marović

[CM] Jugović

[RM] Binić [CM] Prosinečki [CM] Mihajlović [LM] Savićević

[CF] Pančev​

Coach: Ljupko Petrović
Key Game: [1990-91 UEFA Champions League Semi-finals Second leg] Red Star Belgrade 2-2 Bayern Munich
Achievements: Yugoslav First League, European Cup, Intercontinental Cup
Comments:
Heroearaucano: The possession in midfield and consolidation of 3-1-3-1-2 formation.
if i may, a full strength Red Star at the time had Dusko Radinovic at RB and not Sabanadzovic... he was just injured for the final in Bari

Savicevic and Mihajlovic should also be switched around