After plenty of entertaining action in Match Week One, Group B took their places in London for Match Week Two of the FC Pro Open on Monday night. It’s now time for the FC Pro Open draft review where we take a look at who secured the edge with their draft picks.
All players had 5 million coins to put together their squads, and with FC24’s Radioactive promotion currently ongoing, all participants from Group B were allowed to select one player from the line-up. In similarity to Match Week One, when all players chose Ronaldinho for their Thunderstruck option, this time it was Real Madrid’s Radioactive Federico Valverde that was selected by all five competitors – leaving no room for Lionel Messi.
Teams in full
Bonanno - Alisson, Mendy, van Dijk, Eder Militao, Hakimi, RTTK Modric, Radioactive Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Mbappe, TOTW Son 88
FacuCowen - Alisson, Mendy, Varane TS, van Dijk, Hakimi, Neymar, RTTK Modric, Radioactive Valverde, Hansen, Mbappe, TOTW Son 88
PHzin - Schmeichel, Mendy, Eder Militao, van Dijk, Cancelo TB, Putellas, Radioactive Valverde, Modric RTTK, TOTW Son 88, Mbappe, Hansen
Happy - Alisson, Mendy, Kounde, van Dijk, Cancelo TB, Putellas, Radioactive Valverde, RTTK Modric, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, Hansen
Young - Schmeichel, Mendy, Eder Militao, van Dijk, Cancelo TB, Putellas, RTTK Modric, Radioactive Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe, Hansen
FC Pro Open Week Two FC Pro Draft Review
Monday’s first broadcast match saw PHzin erase questions over whether less time at LAN events so far on FC24 would put him at a disadvantage, as the Brazilian eWorld Cup 2023 semi-finalist put in a convincing 5-2 win over Bonanno. TOTW Heung Min-Son looked to continue his form after being a star performer last week, with the South Korea international as reliable as ever in the box.
Caroline Graham Hansen was selected in four of the five teams for Match Week Two, and she stood out for her dribbling ability that makes her a nightmare for defenders in dangerous areas. The Norwegian has now been selected six times across the FC Pro Open, though the inclusion of Thunderstruck Ronaldinho as a free item last week may have impacted her overall pick rate of 60%.
Kylian Mbappe was picked by all five players in Match Week Two, and the selection of that item certainly paid dividends again, not least when he was paired with TOTW Heung Min-Son. Bonanno, FacuCowen, and PHzin all opted for that duo, who stood out in each pros' respective best performances on the night. Mbappe has now been selected in nine of the 10 teams across the FC Pro Open, with only Lukas not choosing him.
One of the more unique picks on the night came from FacuCowen as he drafted Thunderstruck Raphael Varane into his side. His results were mixed on that one, for while Varane scored a late equaliser to register an important point in a 4-4 draw against group leader PHzin, there were some errors in which the item was at fault for conceding goals in the 3-1 defeat to Happy.
Happy enjoyed a strong defensive performance in that game, and he benefited from his selection of centre-back Jules Kounde. It was only the second team that Kounde has been selected in so far across the FC Pro Open, though Mexico international star Happy looked comfortable when timing his tackles with the agile defender while utilising the jockey Playstyle+.
PHzin was comfortably the best defender on the night as he conceded just nine goals in the four games. The Brazilian was aggressive with his pressing and was quick to select defenders when reading passes, while his two full-backs Ferland Mendy and Trailblazer Joao Cancelo played a significant role in his best attacks.
Alisson was the smart value pick on Match Week One, and although both Bonanno, Happy, and FacuCowen showed good manual goalkeeper movement to make important stops with the Liverpool shot-stopper, it was the Icon item that took the plaudits this week, with Schmeichel between the posts for both PHzin and Young.
We also got to see the first sights of RTTK Luka Modric as a strong link alongside Radioactive Federico Valverde. Both Real Madrid stars featured in all five teams, and they made an impact across all matches. RTTK Modric scored an impressive free-kick in Bonanno’s opening game against PHzin, and he also stood out for his driven pass ability.
Some percentages from Match Week Two of the FC Pro Open
Only one item maintained a 100% pick rate from Match Week One, and that was, as you’ve likely seen in many of your Champions games, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. He has now been picked by all 10 teams at the FC Pro Open.
There were more 100% pick rates from the individual Match Week this time around, as Kylian Mbappe, Ferland Mendy, RTTK Luka Modric, and Radioactive Federico Valverde joined Virgil van Dijk to make up five items that were present in all five teams.
Alexia Putellas is now the most selected midfielder, with her three selections this week giving her an overall pick rate of 70% across the two Match Weeks. Her Barcelona team mate Caroline Graham Hansen was also popular on Match Week Two, having been selected in four of the five teams.
Neymar continues to be modestly used at the FC Pro Open, after he was picked by FacuCowen and Bonanno in Match Week Two, but that is still just a 30% pick rate across the first two weeks of the FC Pro Open.
Here’s how the group looks after Match Week Two of the FC Pro Open
PHzin was the clear best performer in Match Week Two as he secured the highest points while scoring the most and conceding the fewest goals. Ten points means FC Pro Live Branco van den Boomen is set for two IF upgrades that will take him to 88 OVR, as well as a new playing position and relative playstyle. An excellent value item for anyone that completed the Squad Building Challenge that has now expired. Bad luck if you missed out!
It’s also good news for FC Pro Live Willian, Manuel Locatelli and Florian Thauvin owners, who will see their items receive an IF upgrade as well as a new playing position and playstyle. By contrast, a nightmare start for Bonanno means there is a mountain to climb ahead of the next round of games.
Group B will return to action in the new year on January 15.
Who won the draft on Match Week Two of the FC Pro Open?
So, who do you think won the FC Pro Draft in Match Week Two of the FC Pro Open?
The clear answer points toward PHzin for his dominant performance, but in similarity to Match Week One, there wasn’t a lot to divide the squads on paper. The decision to select Thunderstruck Raphael Varane was an interesting one from FacuCowen, particularly given it is much more expensive than some of the other alternatives.
Happy was on form with his skill moves across the night but could have done more in terms of scoring output. Of course, that could see an argument made for him to select an item such as TOTW Heung Min-Son in the future, but Vinicius Jr and Caroline Graham Hansen look better suited to his style of play. Young also put together a very similar team to Happy, with only Icon Schmeichel and Eder Militao the two contrasting items.
That makes it a difficult call when deciding who won the draft in Match Week Two, but with PHzin only missing out on a perfect four wins from four from a late corner against FacuCowen, it is the Brazilian that takes it this week after the impact that TOTW Heung Min-Son made for the second week in a row at the FC Pro Open.
What are your thoughts? Be sure to let us know at @EASportsFCPro on X.
