You might remember that last year Nick made all of the Champions League winning teams of the 90s into one wonderful league on the game we all adore. The 10 Blog Squad members met weekly to play out a season in the Scottish Premier Division and Nick brought you the action in blog (and briefly video) form each and every week.

We enjoyed it so much Nick decided to get his editor on again and, with a little help from his friends, created the same from the Cup Winners Cup sides of the 1990s

The Cup Winners Cup has seen some unbelievable teams be triumphant over the years. It does what it says on the tin and pits the cup winners of European countries against one another, a simple concept that was lost over the years and was eventually merged together with the UEFA Cup to make the Europa League. Each and every Thursday, we hope to take you back to these magical 90s nights…but first, let’s meet the teams and managers. Each gaffer has written up their musings on the squad they were randomly assigned, some are happier than others…

Manager: @KingOfTheRooks (Andrew)

Sampdoria won the Cup Winners Cup in the 89/90 season, have been the beaten finalist the season before to Barcelona. It would be their only major European trophy to date, perhaps with their peak footballing squad.

Vialli would be the tournaments top scorer with 7 goals. In this squad he’s the 2^nd best outfield player for ability. The squad is blessed with defenders, 9 no less, and 7 attackers. There’s little between so we’ll setup to make the most of our positional strengths and immediate ability.

I have to admit, it feels a bit cold to leave Carboni out, being one of the star players of this squad but you’ve got to play a shape that suits the most players #nocarbs. Mancini can play in support naturally whereas Salsano has a ‘1’ for midfield but we’ll bump him up and hope for the best. Vialli and Chiesa are FC purely due to having right and/or left positional ability so they are primary ‘up top’ candidates, same goes for Amoruso who, at 16, is benched.

We’re not fancied as in with a chance, likely to do with the fact we’re a squad of players from 1990 which doesn’t tend to play well in 97/98 when bringing back squads, we’re outside of the desired time zone (1996 to 1999).

Barcelona ‘97 are undoubtedly the favourites with Lazio ’99 very close contenders. I’d say we’re in a chasing pack of 3 with Parma ’93, PSG ’96 and Chelsea ’98. That said, nobody can be written off when it comes down to how well tactics will play out against each other, hopefully I’ve read my own advice and the other blog squad members haven’t! 3-1-1-3-2 and this variation of rush could work for us which means at home it might be this at times…

Hopefully I haven’t inherited a bunch of complete frauds like the Champions League Manager 9798 league…but I’m sure I’ll have plenty of excuses to fall back on when my tactical ineptitude and indecision kick in!

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacular whether it be failure or success. It should be some show…

Manager: @Emsonite (Deano)

I actually remember watching Man Utd win the Cup Winners Cup in 1991. I would have been 8 or 9 at the time. My older brother Daniel is a Man Utd fan and we watched Mark Hughes round the keeper and fire in from an impossible angle as Fergie’s men beat Barcelona. 

I didn’t realise how much of an achievement it was at the time. But I do now – because by-Christ this team is shit! 

Had a good laugh with Ajax ‘95 and CD Dons playing Nikolai’s no-keeper formation. I wasn’t planning on doing this again but I’m left with no choice. I’d rather play with no keeper than have Gary Walsh or Les Sealey anywhere near the first team. 

The centre backs pick themselves. Will Steve Bruce be the new Winston Bogarde? Will Gary Pallister be the new Fernando Couto? I’ll try them both in the first 2 fixtures, see who’s best.

The much maligned Danny Wallace will start right wing. 17yr old Giggs on the left. Mark Robins will start up top with Mark Hughes with Brian McClair in the hole. 

In midfield / anchor Bryan Robson will be captain. Then we got Ince, Sharpe and someone else. Haven’t decided yet. Perhaps I’ll play Mike Phelan so we have some bald representation. 

Good luck to my fellow managers. Special thanks to Nick for organising and Ross for taking on blogging duties.  Let the games begin! 

Manager: @CM9798 (Dave)

Urgh, ANYBODY but these. The German leagues are so poorly researched to begin with, going back to 1992 was never going to end well for this lot. I’m not just saying this to play us down but I think it is more likely that we concede double figures at some point than finish any higher than 10th. I don’t even know most of the players, except Dieter Eilts who I suspect will do an awful lot of heavy lifting. With Van Lent up front there is every chance we will give up winning for 40 days and 40 nights and there’s a chance things will turn very Sauer. Also why do we have a sweeper/midfield right centre. It’s a tough challenge and one I’m not really up for. Keep it respectable, lads.

Manager: @RossBell__

When I initially drew Parma ’93 out of the hat I was quite happy, I’d be teaming up with Leeds legend…… Thomas Brolin and Newcastle title ruiner Tino Asprilia, Aside from that it’s a pretty rough and incredibly narrow looking squad!

Tafferel in goal is great I’m sure he’s solid and in the real world he’s a year away from lifting the world cup as part of that fantastic Brazil 94 team. Out of a squad of 22 I’ve got 11 defenders to choose from along with 2 defensive midfielders (and people accuse 90’s Italian football of being boring).

M Osio is my sole standard midfield option so looks like he’s going to be my CM lynchpin, I should maybe research into him to at least find out his first name, I’ve not got a single right sided attacking player which is going to leave me quite short on options on that side of the field, Can Brolin do a job on the right? Having checked the data he has 0 for Left or Right but that may not deter me.

Sergio Berti is a name I recognise but having checked Wiki his 4 game career at Parma is maybe not where I remember him from. He’s another option to play on the right regardless of the game saying his a AMLC, We’ll see.

A Lot is going to rely on Sandro Melli and Tino Asprilla to win me these games. I hope to god they’re good enough or this is going to be a red star situation for me .

After coming so close with Man Utd in our CLM series, this time round I’m in for a struggle. Can I win this ? No. Will I finish bottom? well that relies a lot on Brolin and Dhali… sorry Tino, Lets just say my abiding memory of Brolin isn’t inspiring me with confidence. Game on.

Manager: @Verbist_Philip (Philip)

Looking at this Arsenal team I have been racking my brain what tactic would work best. The team is a bit thin on good offensive players, so I am going to try a bold move and revert back to the 5-3-2 tactic (with direct style). Back to how it all started: in the early days this used to be my go-to tactic. Let’s see how it holds up!

My Starting XI:

1 – David Seaman

2 – Lee Dixon

3 – Nigel Winterburn

4 – Steve Bould

5 – Martin Keown

6 – Tony Adams (captain)

7 – Ray Parlour

8 – Paul Merson (free kicks/corners)

9 – Ian Wright (penalties)

10 – Anders Limpar

11 – John Faxe Jensen

Bench:

12 – Kevin Campbell

13 – Alan Miller

14 – Steve Morrow

15 – Eddie McGoldrick

16 – Neil Heaney

Manager: @Taitanator (Rob)

I have been given the task on managing 1994/95 Cup Winners Cup Winners Real Zaragoza.  I really don’t know much about them, apart from watching Nayim score that wonderful lob over old ‘Clean Sheets’.

Here is a picture of the squad, from a little research it seems like Zaragoza played a fluid 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 formation, something I’m very unlikely to be replicating when I take control.

Looking at Zaragoza’s starting XI in the final, I can find eight of them on the original game.  Pick of the bunch must be Juan Esnaider.  He will be my focal attacking point, he scored 29 goals in 61 appearances for Zaragoza and based on his stats he is strong, aggressive and can shoot so I’ll be needing him to be on top form.

The other goal scorer in the 1995 final was of course Nayim, his stats are alright although he can’t run for very long, is likely to give up easily and has no idea where to stand at defensive set pieces.

After these two Francisco Higuera looks tidy, by 1997 he had left Spain to ply his trade in Mexico with Puebla, he played for Spain, scored for Spain and his stats look solid, hopefully a ‘Dark Horse’ of the competition.

Poyet, Solana and Belsue have all been capped for their respective countries, with Belsue looking like potential captain material and Solana and Poyet looking solid enough.

We finish off with Aguado and Aragon.  Xavier looks like you classic Sunday league centre back and Santi is one of those all style no substance DMCs.

Manager: @CornishZak (Zak)

The Paris Saint-Germain [PSG] team of CM97/98 is one of my favorites; Rai, Bruno N’Gotty, Patrice Loko, Leonardo, Jerome Leroy, Alain Roche and not forgetting superstar Florian Maurice. With that 97/98 squad* I won many a European Cup and French Ligue 1 title. (*In real life, 97-98 would be an 8th placed finish for PSG, with two domestic cup wins). 

Imagine my delight at drawing PSG’s team of 1996 for the Cup Winners Cup Winners (cup).. a team with the core of 97/98 with a sprinkle of Djorkaeff magic up front to replace Maurice. It’s a mouth-watering prospect. 

Paris Saint-Germain of 1995-96 was not the Qatar Sports Investment [QSI] backed superstar-packed social media animal it is today – though it was by no means poor! Backed by Canal+, the French media/TV company, there was money available to spend. Having sold George Weah [AC Milan] and David Ginola [Newcastle] in pre-season for a combined £9million, PSG strengthed by bringing

domestic experience from Loko [Nantes], N’Gotty [Lyon], Laurent Fornier [Bordeaux], and Youri Djorkaeff [Monaco].

PSG’s run to the final of the 1996 Cup Winners Cup started in the Norwegian winter at Molde in September 1995. It was a young baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who opened the scoring in the first leg, before PSG ran out 6-2 aggerate winners. Ole would in 2 seasons score 41 times in 54 appearances, earning his move to Manchester United.

The second round would see PSG host Scottish side Celtic, spearheaded by Pierre van Hooijdonk. PSG won a tight first leg at the Parc des Princes 1-0, courtesy Djorkaeff, before running riot at Celtic Park, winning 4-0 on aggregate. Nouma and Djorkaeff scored three goals each in the first two games.

The quarter finals would see tougher opposition for PSG – hosting the 1993 winners, and [at the time] UEFA cup holders, Parma. Parma won the first leg 1-0 in Italy, courtesy of Hristo Stoichkov. It was a tighter game back in Paris. A Rai penalty evened the tie up in the 9^th minute before twice-capped Italy striker Alessandro Melli scored an away goal in the 26^th minute. The away goal meant PSG needed to score two more, and did so courtesy of Patrice Loko and another Rai penalty.

PSG drew Deportivo la Coruna in the semi-finals and two solid defensive displays helped cement a place in the final. Both legs were won 1-0, courtesy of Loko and Djorkaeff again. Deportivo were managed by future Wales manager, John Toshack.

The road to the final was a hard one for PSG who were rewarded with a tie against Rapid Vienna of Austria. PSG boss Luis Fernandes opted for a diamond 4-4-2 with Rai in behind the front two of Loko and Djorkaeff.

Played in Brussels, Belgium, future Bolton legend Bruno N’Gotty [pictured below] would be the hero with the central defender getting a goal from a corner. There was an early scare as talisman Rai limped off after 12 minutes. This did not defer PSG who, despite the 1-0 score line, dominated and comfortably lifted the 1996 Cup Winners Cup trophy.

I can’t wait to try these lads out against some legendary players/sides. Until next Thursday!

Manager: @NTR9798 (Nick)

Myself and Deano were the last two managers left on the spinning wheel when Ross did the draw to see who would get which team, and as a United fan, I was going to be happy either way, with Man Utd 91 as the other option, but I have to say that I was over the moon to draw Barca 97.

So let’s look at the squad, and to be honest, it’s not a whole lot different to the 97/98 squad. Clearly the biggest loss is Rivaldo, who was at Deportivo in 96/97, but the fact that I’ve gained the best player on the game in Ronaldo more than softens the blow. Other notable absentees from the 97/98 squad are Ruud Hesp, Michael Reiziger, Winston Bogarde, Dragan Ciric, Sonny Anderson, and Jean-Philippe Javari.

Because we’ve gone with 22-man squads for this one, there are a few players who played for Barca in the 96/97 season who miss the cut, namely Albert Celades, José Maria Bakero, and Robert Prosinecki. But in addition to Ronaldo, I also now have Laurent Blanc, Gica Popescu, and Angel Cuellar.

Blanc will no doubt be gutted that he doesn’t have the bald head of Fabien Barthez to kiss for his pre-match ritual, but hopefully the shiners of Ronaldo or Ivan De La Peña will bring him just as much luck.

In terms of balance, I’m overloaded in midfield and attack, as you’d expect from a typical Barca side. I’m not short in central defence either, but the full back positions are where I’m lacking slightly. However, I do have Mr. Versatile himself in Luis Enrique, so he can cover Ferrer or Sergi (or anyone else besides my goalies!) in the event of injuries or suspensions.

There’s no doubt I’ll start this competition as hot favourite with the squad that everyone wanted, but I just hope I can handle the pressure and get these boys to perform like the great sir Bobby and his assistant, a certain Jose Mourinho once did.

My performance in CLM9798 with Real Madrid 98 was poor to say the least, but I’m feeling more confident at the helm of the other half of the El Clasico this time around, and after Philip comfortably guided Barca 92 to victory last time out, I have a tough act to follow…

Manager: @Matt_C_Wills (Matt)

I’m writing this on the train home from a long weekend in London with the family. It was the League Cup final at the weekend and Chelsea were a goalkeepers spot kick away from winning the three handled cup.

That was then though, and this is now, or rather 1997 and I’ve been bequeathed the Chelsea Cup Winners Cup Winners squad.

I’m going in dry but as this is the squad that starts the game, patch-fresh there aren’t too many surprises. Bates-era Chelsea we’re on their way towards a Roman revolution. Chelsea always seem to prevail in the CWC cup, mimicking real life but often have to dispense with player manager Vialli to achieve it. Hopefully the same will not befall me.

So to the squad. I’ll probably line up in some sort of 4-3-3 formation judging by the lack of natural wide men in the squad. 

Ed De Goey is in goal. The other option is Kevin Hitchcock.

Le Saux and Petrescu will provide width down the wings and in the middle it’ll probably be the Two Frankies – Frank The Beef and Frank ‘Sir Clive’ Sinclair. 

Dennis the Menace and Ben Roberts Nightmare Di Matteo will protect the back four with dress room cleaners nemesis Poyet in the attacking midfield pivot.

Up front it’s three wily warriors – Hughes, Zola  and Vialli – lots of flair and skill there.

Pretty solid but we don’t have much strength in depth. Injuries and suspensions will be the death of me. Having said all that, we have 3 previous winners in the team in Hughes, Poyet and Zola – big game cup players – how this will transfer to a league format, we’ll have to see.

As for the opposition – I can’t underestimate anyone – Barcelona 97 with Ronaldo up front will be the team to beat. If I can finish in the top 4 I will have done well. A good start is a must, winning 7-2 in your first game is great, but means nothing if you can’t sustain it over a league season.

Manager: @FMCM_FC (Nath)

Blog Squad!! Assemble!!! We have had a nice break from our Champions League winners of the 90’s league which was an unmitigated disaster when i pulled Dortmund out the hat. This time we take on the Cup Winners Cup erm Winners of the 90’s and this time we have struck lucky!! 

Lazio in 1999 where a team to be feared all over Europe and it’s my job to strike that fear into the Blog Squad. The standout area of this team is the front 3 of Boksic, Salas & Vieri. I had Salas in my last CM Cup venture and he was central to everything. Vieri is an outstanding partner to have with his brute strength and speed as well as lethal finishing. Throw in Boksic and you have a perfect storm. Supporting those 3 will be Italy’s current manager and best dressed manager in world football Roberto Mancini. We also have a fantastic defensive midfield trio who will help those front 3 concentrate on attacking. Stankovic will be a rock in the middle with a young Pavel Nedved classed as a classy DMC and Mihajlovic can operate on the left. Marchegiani is a keeper who has always frustrated me when playing in Italy and i hope he does the same for me. At the back Nesta will standout alongside Okon or Lopez with Nergo, Favelli and Pancaro marshalling the wings. 

This team on paper is a beautiful mix of steel and flair and the pressure of being a dark horse for the title is on me. Finding a formation to suit will be key to any success.