He lost the ball in a bad spot that led to Sweden's goal, but in general he was pretty good esp. in the 2nd half, had like 2 minor mistakes at most, and his FK more than made up for the turnover.
Day 10: Belgium vs Tunisia, South Korea vs Mexico and Germany vs Sweden
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
A Ronaldo special?
Germany had 2/3 chances to score before Sweden did - Draxler missed a sitter and it flashed across goal twice. Reus also missed a sitter with that daft flick.
They had the ball around Sweden’s box putting shite crosses in one after the other. If they showed even the slightest bit of quality they could’ve scored 3 easily.
Boateng looked off his legs for most of his 2nd half. Or is that his style, a lazy/tired looking gait?
Mexico at the minimum have to draw or could get knocked out, pretty insane the way this groups played out, and if Mexico win and South Korea win, South Korea can go through still.
As a side note: If Germany drew, wouldnt they still have a chance? (Kind of like Argentina)
Just curious because most publications are reporting they would completely be out.
As a side note: If Germany drew, wouldnt they still have a chance? (Kind of like Argentina)
Just curious because most publications are reporting they would completely be out.
I was rooting for Sweden as well, but they became very cowardly after Germany were reduced to 10 men. Germany deserved to win this.
I’d rather want this Germany side to face Brazil (and the likes) rather than Sweden. Should make for some tasty matches.
Yes, a draw between Germany and Sweden would have kept Germany alive. However, they would need to win against Korea and would need Sweden to lose.
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Mathematically still in, but by all logic out.
Because Mexico would be on 6, Sweden on 4. They will 99% play out a draw, which will suit both teams just fine, and knocking out the Germans.
Germany knows this, and hence why they pushed so hard and risked even with 1 man down.
True, but its what you gotta do when the opponent forfeits attack, midfield and wings and plays with what felt like 200 8-ft Vikings in the box. Maybe, if one has a super-top team with a couple of Diego Messi-Ronaldos in their prime, you could outplay that, but for mere mortals its a typical case of "try again and again and hope for mistakes/second balls". The public pressure here in D was immense, comparable to what happened to the Brazilians last WC (and we all know how that went).
I still think Sweden will scrape through - but even if they somehow manage to beat Mexico - I stand by what I have said all the time: this is the weakest group of Swedish footballers I have seen in … at least over 20 years. Defensively they work well as a unit, but if I was Swedish I would be seriously worried for the future.
A bunch of players aged 26-32 lacking pace or creativity (Forsberg the only attacking player excluded from that description) - not a single young, talented attacking player in the squad.
A bunch of players aged 26-32 lacking pace or creativity (Forsberg the only attacking player excluded from that description) - not a single young, talented attacking player in the squad.
To me, it's the result of form issues and a physical decline, both consequences of his injury troubles in recent years. He's missing that extra bit of agility and pace that made his style work. His history of injuries combined with his age makes me think it's not just temporary.
Perhaps a lack of mental sharpness too, but it's hard to tell when someone isn't at 100% physically.
We would have been down 2-0 by HT if he didn't fix Rüdigers' screw up, though. I agree with the criticism about him strolling around the box a little too much, but until his send off, he was actually doing ok.
Daylight robbery from the Germans, the referee kept them afloat by denying Sweden at crucial times in the game. That said, coming from the dead is a new beginning and possibly the wake up call Germany needed to start playing their usual fast and efficient style again, instead of the toothless tiki taka we saw in these two games.
Relative to their ability they played miles better than Germany who played mostly impotent football.
I mean what an incredible finish to the game. I bloody loved that moment and wanted Germany to win. However Germany are just an extremely padestrian side. Werner is the player who gives that bit of spark. I also think you'd be better off with Schweinsteigher instead of Kroos who scored a great goal but isnt very dynamic.
Agreed. Seems to have a lethal shot on him. Germany need one more player to add dynamism along with Werner. In the absence of Sane, Brandt is probably that man. Reus looks more of a 10 these days. Not seen him for awhile but he seems to have lost pace.
Didn't say he was that bad, I was just agreeing that Boateng looks a bit off the pace recently. His standard for Germany was extremely high in earlier tournaments, and I simply think he doesn't seem to be on that level currently, possibly for physical reasons. Which wouldn't be surprising, considering his mounting issues with muscle injuries in recent years.
His passing was fine and he was trying to help the attack but he walked a lot, when everyone else was moving a lot faster.
Who’ll take his place now that he’ll miss the next game?
Hummels is expected to be fit enough to play. The question is if Süle will replace Rüdiger.
Rudiger’s out?
Do Germany ever go through a whole tournament without changing their backline? I remember there was different backline in every game they played in 2014.
No, but Rüdiger was rather weak against Sweden. In addition, Löw has said one reason Rüdiger was picked over Süle was because he plays LCB at Chelsea, while Boateng ideally plays RCB. Hummels on the other hand plays LCB, so according that logic, Süle should be his natural partner.
(Edit: Now that I think of it, Rüdiger can easily play on the right side as well. So forget the last sentence - only reason is that Rüdiger didn't play well.)
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2014 Def 4 starting lineups:
vs POR: Boateng/Mertesacker/Hummels/Höwedes
vs GHA: Boateng/Mertesacker/Hummels/Höwedes
vs USA: Boateng/Mertesacker/Hummels/Höwedes
vs ALG: Boateng/Mertesacker/Mustafi/Höwedes (Hummels out with the flu)
vs FRA: Lahm/Boateng//Hummels/Höwedes
vs BRA: Lahm/Boateng//Hummels/Höwedes
vs ARG: Lahm/Boateng//Hummels/Höwedes
So, 1 change (Lahm moved from #6 to RB), no yellow/red bans etc. probably the most consistent def 4 lineup of all participants
It's kind of an inside thing. The media outside of Belgium (and especially in England) have blown this quote totally out of proportion. It was basically Hazard telling Lukaku that he's too important not to participate in the game and that it was hard for him (Hazard) and Mertens to find him.
These lads have known each other for a really long time now, despite Hazard being 27 and Lukaky only 25. For the first time in Belgian history there is not even an issue of Flemish and Wallonian players. These guys are really a group and they have one goal and that's why it was weird to read how international press interpreted Hazard's comments. Because that was not how Rom himself saw it. He saw it as constructive comment. And Hazard is so playful and down to earth nobody could really be angry with him.
Vertongen talked about the tournament and literally said how awesome it would be to win something as huge as this with a bunch of your friends. I don't see many other players talk about their national teammates like this. Him and Dembele are like bossom friends. Fellaini, Chadli and Witsel have also known each other from when they were 5. They switch languages when they speak. Mostly French (or English when the coaches are present), but they don't mind.