FIFA World Cup discussion

[Fer!]

Yeah, it is a common problem in football. Unless you're Mourinho (and partially), parking the bus will never work. At least that's the only thing I can blame Herrera on, becuase I can't fathom how they could have thought one goal was enough to clear Holland. People bitch about Robben, and yeah, he might have dived, but he wouldn't have stepped in there unless Mexico had been attacking or being less defensive.

That said, if Herrera was playing in the box, this would have happened to Sneijder.





That said, I dual support Germany because of their impressive teamplay, but after the Portugal match, they have been quite underwhelming to be honest. I have some doubts about them but they keep going forward and while they won, Algeria was defeated with honour. So much spirit and heart on them; we need less Cameroon mercs and more squads like Algeria.

[Gypsy]

@Marin: Yeah Navas was great.

@Cookie: You could tell France would take the game once it got deeper into the 2nd half. I wasn't sure how the goal would materialize but I knew it was coming.

@Fer: Yeah Algeria man...really a quality side when they played encouraging football (ie not how they played against Belgium). Some nice players on their side. I was particularly impressed by Halliche today. Their keeper was otherworldly today.

About Germany: Blah. Blah blah blah. It took not having 4 healthy defenders to put Lahm at wing back and wouldn't you know it he played better there. Hope that Low would stick with it now but I doubt it. Overall a wild game and it felt like there should have been goals before extra time probably for both sides but definitely for Germany. Some poor passing again today (Lahm... )and general misplays that the team won't likely get away with against ze Frogs. On the bright side Schurrle was a nice spark in general, and hey his goal was basically passed into the net just as Pep...errrrr God intended. I feel like Muller was unlucky to not score today. Basti played like the all-around stud that he is. A couple of total cannon blasts from range that required saving so that was nice to see out of him. I felt like despite the goal Ozil was freaking awful today. Wouldn't mind seeing Schurrle in his place against les Noses. In addition to Lahm starting at RB and Khedira being in the midfield spot that vacates of course. In current form this team will not win the tournament sadly.

[Cookie Monster]

And Angel saved Argentina from being condemned It just confirms his good season this year. Ancelotti was very generous with him during a good part of the season letting him play a lot in the first team in Madrid (even when he didn't deserve it...), increasing his chances to be part of the first team in his national team as well.

As for Germany, it felt like I was watching Spain a couple of years ago. Go away already tiki-taken, you are inane and boring
We've already commented the waste that is using Lahm as a midfield player, sadly, Löw isn't going to change that unless forced by the circumstances, like yesterday. He insists in showing how bad he reads the matches with his initial team, insisting in populating the german midfield with similar players, banning the pure forwards and making the specialists a rara avis (I wonder what would he do with Reus, weren't him injured.. would his position be next to Klose, in the bench? ). At least he let Schüerrle in to change things a bit..
I don't want to forget mentioning the fantastic match Neuer played as a sweeper, always alert and quick when needed.

[Gypsy]

Messi kinda helped out too.

And yeah, it's killing me. All the quality on this team (current defenders aside) but the team is playing a broken style. Neuer absolutely freaking saved the day. I would imagine Reus would be the striker if he weren't injured but... So many midfield options and Low can't figure out the puzzle. If Lahm is back in midfield and Ozil is still starting against France I won't take it well. :/

[Elmdor Rizer]

Sorry Fer :/ As Gyps said Mexico really went for it until they scored. Then they relied too much on Ochoa to defend the result. And doing that against teams with quality players like the dutchies it's almost suicidal :/ You can be proud of the good impression your guys left.

Personally I'm super disappointed they didn't play the really, really old guy from four years ago in goal again. It was funny seeing him being, like, old and stuff while Ochoa was sitting on the bench (meanwhile I was telling people about how you're supposed to snatch Ochoa and Enyeama on day 1 in Football Manager 06-09... oh, I'm so delightful).

For me that's Robben. He never disappoints.
Just hope the songs of the sirens telling that James could sign for Madrid don't distract the guy. Jorge Méndez is going to make some good money this summer (James, Costa, Falcao..)!

Just a shame he can't say on his feet, eh?

I felt like despite the goal Ozil was freaking awful today. Wouldn't mind seeing Schurrle in his place against les Noses. In addition to Lahm starting at RB and Khedira being in the midfield spot that vacates of course. In current form this team will not win the tournament sadly.

Not that I don't totally adore ol' fisheyes, but his overall passing did seem pretty shit. That's sort of a cause for concern, maybe.

Eh, I'd be surprised to see France beat them honestly.

I don't want to forget mentioning the fantastic match Neuer played as a sweeper, always alert and quick when needed.

I'd say that he totally lucked the fuck out. Then again, he tends to do that, so...

LOL SWEDISH REF IN SWITZERLAND v ARGENTINA LOL

[Cookie Monster]

Sorry, Gyps :/ That finale was epic, Belgium deserved the victory but you guys can be proud of your guys (I keep repeating it because I'm anything but proud of our guys ).
It's kinda fun to see USA playing, they do it in such an orthodox way that it makes me go back in time to how footie was years ago. Klinsmann is doing a great job, you guys play like a team that's only lacking a competent striker. If only Klinsi weren't retired!

Messi kinda helped out too.

And yeah, it's killing me. All the quality on this team (current defenders aside) but the team is playing a broken style. Neuer absolutely freaking saved the day. I would imagine Reus would be the striker if he weren't injured but... So many midfield options and Low can't figure out the puzzle. If Lahm is back in midfield and Ozil is still starting against France I won't take it well. :/

Didn't see him scoring. Did you see him puking?

Prepare for the worse. I'm sure he'll want to battle France in the midfield, there were France is really strong..

Personally I'm super disappointed they didn't play the really, really old guy from four years ago in goal again. It was funny seeing him being, like, old and stuff while Ochoa was sitting on the bench (meanwhile I was telling people about how you're supposed to snatch Ochoa and Enyeama on day 1 in Football Manager 06-09... oh, I'm so delightful).



Just a shame he can't say on his feet, eh?



Not that I don't totally adore ol' fisheyes, but his overall passing did seem pretty shit. That's sort of a cause for concern, maybe.

Eh, I'd be surprised to see France beat them honestly.



I'd say that he totally lucked the fuck out. Then again, he tends to do that, so...

LOL SWEDISH REF IN SWITZERLAND v ARGENTINA LOL

El Conejo?

Oh, c'mon. It was a clear penalty. And so it was the one in the first half. I mean, he is no diver like Cesc, Busquets or Di Maria

Fisheyes needs a static reference up there to play vertically instead of horizontally. The more he's forced to play the former way, the more passes he is going to miss.
BTW, have you guys noticed how little counters Germany was able to do so far? This silly style is going to ruin everything that was good in footie :/

There was some luck but it was his own merit mostly. It's not easy to play that way so many times when you are forced to do it and no every goalie can do it even if they were required to do it

[Sting]

It has been a while since I've posted here!

Today's result was really upsetting but the US have no one to blame but themselves. If Wondo had put that chance in then he would have been the hero and we'd be on our way to the quarter-finals. All in all, a successful World Cup I think. Now I'm shifting my support to the remaining Latino teams.

[Gypsy]

Sorry, Gyps :/ That finale was epic, Belgium deserved the victory but you guys can be proud of your guys (I keep repeating it because I'm anything but proud of our guys ).
It's kinda fun to see USA playing, they do it in such an orthodox way that it makes me go back in time to how footie was years ago. Klinsmann is doing a great job, you guys play like a team that's only lacking a competent striker. If only Klinsi weren't retired!

Yeah Belgium was the better side, but the US still almost pinched it late. Would have been the ultimate smash and grab but Wondo shit the bed. Hindsight 20/20 and all but I said at the time of the sub elsewhere that I would have put on Aron instead of Wondo.

And yeah it's a shame Jozy couldn't go.

I was really sad for Zusi today, he got destroyed by Hazard.

Didn't see him scoring. Did you see him puking?

Prepare for the worse. I'm sure he'll want to battle France in the midfield, there were France is really strong..

He did create that goal.

Of course...I'm thinking 3-1 France.

Fisheyes needs a static reference up there to play vertically instead of horizontally. The more he's forced to play the former way, the more passes he is going to miss.
BTW, have you guys noticed how little counters Germany was able to do so far? This silly style is going to ruin everything that was good in footie :/

I'm waiting for the players to say eff it and play a different way.

@Sting: Progress was made, to be sure. Julian looks like he could be special.

[Fer!]

Haha, Conejo Pérez.

My work as a reporter also covers going to the Liga MX matches, so I have seen some players in person (Héctor Herrera is one of the coolest guys ever, I swear) and in that same visit, Óscar Pérez gave us a few words about the match. It was my first time to see him in person and people think he's old and frail, but motherfucker is fit and built like a tank. If he didn't have that 'nice uncle' face he would be the latino cousin of Vin Diesel. I'd hate to get smashed as an attacker by him on a corner kick.

[Gypsy]

Well Low has come to his senses in regards to the line-up, if only he could do the same with the strategy.

[Cookie Monster]

Well Low has come to his senses in regards to the line-up, if only he could do the same with the strategy.

Finally! The changes he made were enough to win with just an strategy goal. It may sound kinda poor for Germany but playing against France isn't easy. I feel Germany has improved, it's more rocky and solid defending. And hell, we even saw them countering! :O
Neuer, spectacular again.

[Gypsy]

I'd say so. It's the first time France had trailed all tournament. They were a good side.

If Germany somehow pulls this off, Neuer could run for Chancellor.

[Cookie Monster]

I'd say so. It's the first time France had trailed all tournament. They were a good side.

If Germany somehow pulls this off, Neuer could run for Chancellor.

Merkel was recently re-elected with good results there, I don't see that happening

[Gypsy]

Well obviously not until well after Neuer retires.

[Cookie Monster]

Bye bye, Neymar. Underwhelming performance today but it's a pity to see him go that way :/

I liked James a lot today again. But a €75m move to Madrid is kinda excessive... we'll see what happens. I don't even know where Colombia would be now had Falcao been healthy. He and James would have been the sensation of the tournament.

It's funny that all the goals scored today, except for James', had a central defender as author. Not too usual but it shows how important strategy and set-pieces are in the KO phase.