Well when the same player is at the heart of all the possession, but with slower and worse players around him.... that happens
Day 4: Costa Rica vs Serbia, Germany vs Mexico , Brazil vs Switzerland
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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.
Brilliant. Saudi Arabia were a bit embarrassing in how they couldn't mask their shitness through at least decent tactics, but the rest of it was very good. Even the lower quality games between smaller teams like Morocco-Iran had the dramatic ending (as did Uruguay-Egypt). Most games had either quality tactics and were well drilled to make up for their lack of quality (comparatively to the opposition) like Australia, Iceland, Switzerland and Mexico, while I'd say only Germany played truly stupid and suicidal tactics and they got punished. But they still showed the quality of players that they had in the amount of pressure they pushed on to pull the game back. Tight games, competitive, fast, good amount of goals, great goals, set pieces and penalties, late drama... Only thing lacking so far was a red card somewhere basically! Portugal-Spain obviously the peak so far though.
Tomorrow seems like a chance to be more disappointing. Cant see Tunisia or Panama doing anything against Belgium or England, fully expect easy wins, while Sweden - South Korea is more even but could also end as the first goalless game. Hope it continues though.
It’s been good so far. But the group stages often are. Particularly in the opening week when there’s less to lose. It’s the knockout rounds where it starts getting cagey.
There always seems to be a point early in every WC where people gush over how entertaining it’s been, and whether this could actually be the best World Cup ever!?... Before the first round of 0-1 knockout games starts to dissipate it
There always seems to be a point early in every WC where people gush over how entertaining it’s been, and whether this could actually be the best World Cup ever!?... Before the first round of 0-1 knockout games starts to dissipate it
Is he still carrying the knock from Casemiro clattering him the other week?
Just returned to training I think
The Mexico fans goal celebration apparently caused a small earthquake..
According to reporter Tremor McDonald :/
According to reporter Tremor McDonald :/
You might be right but Croatia didn't even impress against Nigeria.
If Fifa wanted Brazil to win they’d just Var the blatant pen or that push on the back for the goal..
Spain is now the 2nd favorite for the bookmakers, funny.
Did Germany look like they could have used Sane?
Without a doubt. Their game chasing tactics had loads of width on both sides and trying to use play with pace and stretching the pitch. Sane was exactly the type they needed with their tactics (which were suicidal anyway), but already pointed to a mistake in not bringing him if not only for having the option for proper width and pace.
Blatant pen? I hope you're not saying when Jesus pretty clearly dove under nothing more then body pressure
And the push was incredibly soft. Never a foul.
They probably could've but they have Julian Brandt who is a similar player to Sane, same age too. He almost made an immediate impact when he came on too, with a shot just inches wide.
Yeah, but they also should have played Reus and Brandt much earlier (or started them both). Both players, particularly Brandt, looked like they had the Mexican defenders on the ropes when they dribbled at them with pace. Sane would have helped because he's another player who adds that dimension, but if the player selection isn't good it doesn't really matter who you have in your squad. I would expect a shakeup of the starting lineup for the Germans next match.
So it's nothing serious at least.
Blatant pen? I hope you're not saying when Jesus pretty clearly dove under nothing more then body pressure
And the push was incredibly soft. Never a foul.
The penalty is questionable but you are not allowed to push at the back like that. When an attacker is going to head it in, and a defender pushes him in the back like that its a blatant pen, so it is also a disallowed goal.
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Not sure how much of a surprise Mexico's win really was. As soon as I saw the German starting 11 I at least knew that glaring lack of speed and mobility could cost them at some point. Ffs Ozil actually started a WC for Germany that's baffling. He could have chosen to play for Turkey and he'd still have no business starting a WC game if they qualified. Too many players in their 11 that are pretty much done as high level international players, and too many players on their bench that could be ready to step into that role.
They didn't need to be. Nigeria were a sorry excuse that night.
But expect the Croatia v Argentina to be a good battle.
Brazil has limited full blown chances. They hardly troubled the Swiss keeper. Especially after Zuber equalised.
Which just exemplifies my point. Nigeria were terrible and Croatia will struggle against a much better team IMO. Croatia didn't dominate the game, Nigeria handed it to them. I think Argentina will beat them reasonably comfortably if they step it up but yes it could be a good battle.
I don’t think the quality of the football has been great; if it had been, the favourites wouldn’t have struggled like they have.
I agree with all your other points though, and would add the quality of the refereeing which has been excellent. I’m not sure to what extent VAR has helped the refs do a better job, or whether the painless way VAR has been used is down to the excellence of the refs. Whatever, I hope the English FA is paying attention.
But neither did Argentina.
Look at the names they struggled against in qualifying. This is a poor Argentina side with one tactic: give the ball to Messi. Man Mark Messi like Iceland did and they look devoid of ideas.
Their middle field will be walked all over by Croatia who probably have the best midfielder on the planet.
Disagree. Adding a young players who can be inconsistent with his decision wouldn't help. Their weakness is obvious the midfield being overrun. Khedira is no longer fit to do b2b job to cover for Kroos and Ozil. Kroos lacks grit compared to Bastian to play that kind of midfield to cover for Ozil lacking in defensive work. They're prone to counter attack. The lack of balance bewteen defense and attack is huge. If this problem gets fixed, they have no problem suffocating opposition with chances, and there is no really need for Sane when Reus, Brandt are options, and better shooters, crossers. Their full back especially Kimmich is a good attacking option providing width and service.
Issue is I don't see a replacement for Khedira type of player in this squad. Strange to say but the midfield option is very unGerman (lack of grit and workrate) which can be this team Achilles heel.
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Russia looked pretty good as well as Serbia. But I agree, Mexico look tight as a granite sandwich and putting the wood over Germany is a fantastic feat.
Spain looks the best of the bunch atm.
Brazil expect Neymar to carry them like Ronaldugal, but I am not sure he is up to the task yet. Striker position is underwhelming. While Firmino is better than Jesus and should start, he is also a bit overrated by Liverpool fans who think he is the solution to all of Brazil's problems.
In terms of talent but Hiero isnt much of tactician.
Too early for serious estimations of chances and predictions.
Italy were wank in the group in Spain '82 and drew all games, were a bit lucky to get out of the group. And then won the thing.
Italy were wank in the group in Spain '82 and drew all games, were a bit lucky to get out of the group. And then won the thing.
Regarding the Jesus incident, looked like a penalty to me. The same type of fouls Smalling usually gets away with, so no surprise that the Swiss defender got away with it too.
He would have been completely starved on the left wing. When we attacked it was down the right.
Germany has nobody else to do the Khedira job?
Omfg so true
I laughed so hard on this, a couple of days before I wathed this I had the same argument with my girlfriend when my friend's wedding was at the same time at the Champions League final between RM and Liverpool. Its funny because its true. Greetings from a happy mexican.
As mexican, what is your countrymen opinion about the match? reality is, all press media, most of all people I know were expecting to lose, at the very optimistic a draw. We are all very surprised but reality is I expected more from the German team, they didn't seem that dangerous as I expected, what are the german media saying about the german's performance??
I think your problems lied in midfield more, Brandt should have come in earlier as well.
I still think Argentina will do the business against Croatia. We'll revisit this conversation.
Youngsters Goretzka and Rudy are the 1:1 replacements, no clue why Löw didn't bring one of them when the midfield had proven to be nonexistent, they couldn't have made it worse.
Yeah, most of our problems came from the weak CM where Khedira, Kroos, and, in parts, Özil couldn't keep the ball, let alone stop a Mexican counter. I can't wrap my mind around how throwing on every offensive player we have was supposed to help.
Yeah I had a baptism during the CL final. I had just landed back home in the same morning too.
Congratulations on the win. Take a shot of Tequila on me!