Spare a Thought for Defenders (possible [R])

[Sempre]

Alessandro Nesta

Immaculate vs. Ghana, mistimed just one tackle vs. the USA.
Italy hasn't conceded a goal (they scored on themselves once!)
and Nesta has been a key reason why other teams are scarcely
getting shots on Buffon. We'll have a chance to see him under
more pressure vs. the Czechs tomorrow.

Rating: 7.5

Rio Ferdinand

Although Terry received much coverage ahead of the WC, Rio
has been better for England IMO. Good vs. Sweden before coming
off with a strain. Less to do vs. Paraguay and T&T.

Rating: 7.0

Charles Puyol

Made a rare error vs. Tunisia, but Puyol has been impressive going
forward and has made some strong interventions. Great assist to Torres
vs. Ukraine.

Rating: 6.5

Fabio Cannavaro

Excellent vs. Ghana, Cannavaro was a bit less secure vs. USA. Has
nonetheless formed his usual strong partnership with Nesta. Strong in
the air and dangerous on set pieces.

Rating: 6.0

Rafa Marquez

Marquez has been playing a more advanced role, but his distribution
has been remarkable. Mexico has not been flawless defensively but
Marquez has looked solid.

Rating: 6.0

Post more thoughts/ comments here. This is a thread we can update
as the tournament progresses.

[GRBomber]

Lucio:

Zero fouls in two matches. Very good defending and poor attacking, which he does more than I would like.

Juan:

4 fouls in two matches. No cards.
Steals the ball and distributes it, instead of "leading" the attack like Lucio.

[Neutral2]

Lahm. No forward can get past him. No defender can stop him.

[midknight]

Marquez' rating just wen down the toilet after the match agianst Portugal...

[dogface]

What about the center of the Dutch defense? Heitinga and Mathijsen. I thought Mathijsen has been good.

[GRBomber]

Marquez' rating just wen down the toilet after the match agianst Portugal...

Yes, he did everything he could to help Portugal.

[Pakalolo]

Lahm. No forward can get past him. No defender can stop him.
They seem to concentrate on centerbacks. But when left-/rightbacks are included, then Lahm belongs in the discussion. He was phenomenal until now.

[Sempre]

I'm no longer able to edit my first post, but I definitely spoke
too soon regarding Marquez. :eek:

And yeah - Lahm deserves mention here, though I don't think
he's really faced great opposition yet.

[dmar]

I think Burdisso has been pretty good.

[leg_breaker]

Lucio:

Zero fouls in two matches. Very good defending and poor attacking, which he does more than I would like.

Juan:

4 fouls in two matches. No cards.
Steals the ball and distributes it, instead of "leading" the attack like Lucio.

I remember Brazil's backline making several careless mistakes against Croatia.

[schafer]

Kali of Angola has impressed so far (didn't see the match today though) considering the backline he's playing in.

[argentine soccer fan]

Roberto Ayala has been awesome.

[GRBomber]

I remember Brazil's backline making several careless mistakes against Croatia.

We are still brazilians, what do you expect? :D

But the stats are pretty good so far.

[EZ-Aussie]

Lucas Neill (Australia) - a R back at club level but playing in central role in WC. Has been the rock at the back, many important tackles, few if any fouls. Made even more impressive considering referees eagerness to stop all Aussie tackling and Australia being short in defence as they attack late in games.

[Excape Goat]

Lucio:

Zero fouls in two matches. Very good defending and poor attacking, which he does more than I would like.

Juan:

4 fouls in two matches. No cards.
Steals the ball and distributes it, instead of "leading" the attack like Lucio.


At least one of them gave away the ball to the Australians a few times and led to some dangerious counter attacks. Overall, they did well, except for those silly mistakes.

[Herou]

Very underrated defender: Teddy Lucic

[Sempre]

Cannavaro didn't have a good game today. He had a GREAT game.
Datasport rates it a 7.5. :)