Spain vs Russia @ Innsbruck [R]

[squidward123]

spain's last goal was well offside by the way

[footyfan1]

spain's last goal was well offside by the way

Actually, on the replays I saw, he was barely offside. From what I saw on the replays here, Fabregas was not quite a step past that last defender when the shot was taken.

The defender was trying to move up as the shot was being taken, so many people look at the follow-through and determine that Fabregas was "well offside."

Not from what I saw. Again, I thought he was barely offside and understand how the refs missed that one.

[squidward123]

could be.

I only saw the game once. But my impression was that he was a clear yard or two offside.

[everythingfootball]

great game, good goals and great passing by Spain. If Spain can keep this up then they will win Euro 2008.

[Shichinin]

Awful defending by Russia, which should not have been surprising, but I guess my faith in Hiddink was too great. And why Bystrov on, then Bystrov off? And why didn't the Berezutsky brothers start? I think Hiddink might have lost his mind.

Spain looked impressive, but not without some sloppy defending. More than made up for by the deadly attack, though. They are on course for the group top spot.

[footyfan1]

could be.

I only saw the game once. But my impression was that he was a clear yard or two offside.

Nah man. He wasn't that far off when the ball was struck. Maybe a step. German TV nailed it. He was offside, no doubt, but it was hardly "clear" at full speed.

To point at that is being pretty unfair to the referees. Nobody got it until they saw the replay.

[Bernabeu]

This from a Real Madrid fan? Please. Club football shouldn't matter here and it doesn't with me. Can you say the same??

Take a look. I wasn't the only one who thought Sergio Ramos was crap yesterday.

EDIT: And by the way, I'm a person who thought Raul should be on the roster and agree that Casillas is probably the best keeper at the tourney.

As I said, club football doesn't matter to me. Can you honestly say the same and then tell us that Sergio Ramos wasn't crap yesterday??

No, I don't agree with that. I dodn't want raul and the other veteran mafia around anymore. Raul is over. He is a legend but over long ago. He didn't do that well this season and he is definetely old and slow. I prefer young people around for a change.

Casillas is probably the best keeper in the world and Ramos the best european 2 at the moment, but they must prove it on the ground with Spain. To me Casillas is untouchable, but I wouldn't mind selling Ramos. I don't think he is that good, and makes lots of mistakes, fouls and red cards. Alves is better than him in that position, for instance.

[Slitty]

And why Bystrov on, then Bystrov off?
A mistake by Hiddink and a fine example of why unforced substitutions shouldn't be made during halftime. Bystrov is a man of space in that he needs it to run into with the ball. The game changed in the second half in that the aforementioned space was no longer as available after Spain sat back. Russia was forced to attack more positionally with passes rather than through runs with the ball; consequently making Bystrov's presence on the pitch rather pointless.


And why didn't the Berezutsky brothers start? I think Hiddink might have lost his mind.

There's a reason to the madness on this one. Russia switched from playing with three at the back to a four man defense immediately prior to the tournament. The twins played left and right defense respectively in the old formation, and continue to do so with CSKA. Neither has any recent experience playing centre back. Yet at the same time they are too bulky and not mobile enough to play wing back a la Zhirkov or Anyukov with the defense stretched all the way across the field. One can say that they are a casualty of tactics.