Subs: Ibrahimovic, Lukaku, Hernandez

Rationale: The 4-5-1 will have a fluid attack with the hope of Bale, Sneijder, and Pastore supporting the starting striker in attack and with very little defensive responsibilities. While Bale would stick to the wing on the left, Pastore would be less of a winger and instead be an attacking mid cutting in from the right. Sneijder would be the center attacking mid, but would be given a free roaming role to do what he wants because he’s the man. Luiz Suarez would be the starting forward because of his ability not just to score (81 goals in 110 games for Ajax), but also his creative talents. Barca has shown you don’t need a large target man in a formation with a single forward if the attacking players are technically capable enough to create and move into open positions, so the hope is that this team can replicate some of that in attack. All the attacking mids and forwards have shown they can score, so the scoring burden would be shared between them. In cases where an out-and-out striker is needed with pace and ability, I could put Javier Hernandez in, and when a plan-b target man is necessary, I could put Lukaku in.

The two central midfielders, Jack Wilshere and Ever Banega, would be more defensively minded but they also have the ability to pass and surge forward when needed. One of the two would always stay back depending on the situation and they would alternate in making runs. The two central defenders would be David Luiz and Michael Dawson while the wing-backs would be Michel Bastos on the left and Bacary Sagna on the right. The left wing would be interesting because Bastos and Bale could constantly switch positions in midfield and defence since they both have experience in those positions. On the right, Sagna would make runs as Pastore cuts inside. The keeper, Joe Hart, would be a good shot stopper in the back.