Croatia v. Germany [R]

[footyfan1]

Of course "what-ifs" don't have any actual merits, but it's still fun...anyway, my initial point was that this time, our defenders are smart enough, not to pick up a red card.

Really? First it was age, now it's intelligence??

What does "smart" have to do with missing a tackle by a split-second?

Because that's all it takes.......

Some of the smartest players I've ever seen have been sent off for just that.

I remember Mertesacker getting sent off for Bremen this season just for that.

But now he's "too smart" for that?? How??

Germany's defenders haven't been put in a position to have to make saving tackles yet.

I hope they aren't because that would imply a difficult match.

[Cris 09]

I agree wholeheartedly with you ff1. 1998’s failure should have been a wake-up call. 2000’s failure should have been a wake-up call. Needing to win a playoff to get to WM2002 should have been a wake-up call…it goes on and on. We are d@mn lucky that Klinsmann came to the rescue.

Becoming a finalist in 2002 was a blow to German football...it allowed the DFB to sit on their asses again as Vice-Champions (:rolleyes until the shit hit the fan again in Euro 2004) for 2 more years!

Had Germany had an earlier exit in 2002, perhaps with the talent that was up and coming, 2004 might not have been another 1st round disaster!

Speculation, yes...but as Benztown said...fun!

[benztown]

Really? First it was age, now it's intelligence??
Hey, I never brought up the age issue...I brought up Wörns and then nekkibasara brought up age and all I did was trying to point out that while high age was a factor, it didn't apply to Wörns.
What does "smart" have to do with missing a tackle by a split-second?

Because that's all it takes.......

Some of the smartest players I've ever seen have been sent off for just that.

I remember Mertesacker getting sent off for Bremen this season just for that.

But now he's "too smart" for that?? How??

Germany's defenders haven't been put in a position to have to make saving tackles yet.

I hope they aren't because that would imply a difficult match.

Well, missing a tackle is always possible, but Wörns' red card in that game was more than that. That was just stupid.

[footyfan1]

Well, missing a tackle is always possible, but Wörns' red card in that game was more than that. That was just stupid.

I'm talking about the players today.

You said:

Of course "what-ifs" don't have any actual merits, but it's still fun...anyway, my initial point was that this time, our defenders are smart enough, not to pick up a red card.

Again, my question is how are they so "smart" as not to pick up a red card when they haven't been put into a situation where they have to decide whether or not to risk getting one?

Just how is Mertesacker so much "smarter" than he was during the Bundesliga season?

[unclesox]

Players carrying bookings into this match:
today's starters in bold

CROATIA: R.Kovač

GERMANY: Schweinsteiger

[sinner78]

croatia are going with 4-4-1-1.
I guess bilic reads my posts in bigsoccer and decided to go with my earlier plan.

[glennaldo_sf]

croatia are going with 4-4-1-1.
I guess bilic reads my posts in bigsoccer and decided to go with my earlier plan.

Wouldn't be surprised.. didn't their former coach used to consult the stars before big games?

[Bastifantasti]

both teams try,but nothing much works!

[Hungry Dave]

Srna!

[code1390]

Wonderful goal for Croatia.

[Tony Dellbird]

What a great finish. Shit defending by Jansen.

[The Natural]

That goal made Šuker proud.

[-RB-]

Nice to see the Croats go up early.

[-RB-]

THAT was close.

[KumarsS]

I want Jansen out. Now. That was shameful.

[The Natural]

Interesting corner after a series of reflections could be dangerous

[Bastifantasti]

next big mistake by jansen!

[The Natural]

Germany staying in the game thanks to Lehman.

[Hungry Dave]

Croatia has to put another one of these chances away. With the firepower that Germany has, it's gonna be hard to keep a clean sheet today.

[Tony Dellbird]

Get Jansen off the pitch, that attack was all his fault, he was beaten very easily by Corluka who is average at best. Absolutely amazing reflex save by Lehmann but to be honest that should have been a goal from Kranjcar.