I thought Tite said he wanted to stay on until 2022. Whatever happens( besides another 7-1) I hope he continues because I really don't know who we'd get after him.
Watching Gabriel Jesus makes me genuinely excited for the World Cup. I still can't believe Fred's performance after all this time. I know he didn't get service so its not totally his fault but still.
I want to see a Jesus take on defenders a little more. He doesn’t dribble as much since he converted to a full time CF. His link up play, hold up and movement is fantastic though.
Most of his goals are coming from positioning inside the box. Lots of tap ins and some headers. As long as we are creating chances, I am OK with it. Specially if he plays the hold up striker role well too
It looks like the match vs Argentina has been cancelled on 3/23/18 and instead we will be playing Russia in Moscow on that date!! Then the Germany game comes on the 28th!!
I am not too happy about playing Germany so close to the WC. A loss can have some psychological damage.
Buddy, I disagree!! I think a draw or a loss will be very motivating!! I rather us lose to Germany in a friendly than a knockout match!! The game vs Russia should be easy with the Russians will be coming off their 3 month winter break!!
Me either. Germany half ass friendlies. How many times Argentina beats them in a friendly just to lose to them in the WC. A win might give us a false sense of security and a loss might not help either. I think had we not played them at all and met them in Russia we would of had a chip on our shoulders and probably played extra motivated or something.
It all depends on the player's minds. It can have both effects. I wouldn't care if it wasn't for that damn 7 x 1. Would have liked this friendly 2 years ago. 3 months before the WC is pointless to me. You're also giving them a better feel at how we play. But whatever, we may not even meet in 2018.
Yes I do see and understand your point!! And Yes again I would've loved to have that friendly 2 years ago, but for some reason Germany avoided it!! And Yes again(Damn I'm beginning to sound like Daniel Bryan!!LOL) we may not even face Germany in the WC(hopefully the 2 'curses' will kick in!!)
Goleiros: Alisson, Ederson e Cassio Defensores: Alex Sandro, Daniel Alves, Danilo, Jemerson, Marcelo, Marquinhos, Miranda e Thiago Silva Meio-campistas: Casemiro, Diego, Fernandinho, Giuliano, Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho, Renato Augusto e Willian Atacantes: Diego Souza, Douglas Costa, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar e Taison No new faces other than the return of Douglas Costa.
I like DC but his play this season so far hasn’t warrant a recall. While I’m not surprised but I’m disappointed Tite hasn’t used this opportunity to test out some inform players. You can pretty much tell what the WC18 23 man squad will be.
I'm glad its this close to the WC and I hope Germany plays full strength because I have a feeling certain players will get exposed. Its obvious Tite seems way too stuck in this specific XI and subs. Let him realize we aren't as invincible as he seems to believe and perhaps he can tweak some stuff around before the WC.
Better just to realize the squad isn't as good as he thinks earlier than having another failed tournament. We were soooooo sure we had a strong squad in 2014 esp after 2013. Neymar goes down and it turns to flames. I don't want major changes but guys like Diego and Diego Souza aren't the solution to the bench. Does anyone watch Shakter to see what Taison does to be on the squad?
2014 had a completely different feel than this time around. Even though we won the CC, we weren't playing that well IMO. We weren't playing through the midfield like we are now. Not to mention they didn't go through qualifiers. I am convinced we have a decent chance this time around as long as players hold their form and like you say, we don't see an injury to a major player. You have to also keep in mind that Tite picked this train up halfway through the 4 year period and he had to battle WCQ right away. Unfortunately many of our starters don't really have adequate replacements even if you look for them. If Neymar goes down, the best you can do is play Coutinho in that position or maybe DC if he is in form. Diego and Diego Souza are definitely head scratchers for me. But it's impossible for a WC IMO to have a solid Plan B for every position unless your generation is incredibly deep.
Had some really good games in WCQ when Tite first took over but in the last few he games hasn't done as well.
I can’t remember one game Taison got at least a cameo in. At least Diego and Souza were tested in a friendly I think. Makes no sense to me.
I understand that but it's not a good enough reason IMO for him to occupy a spot unlike Paulinho and RA who have at the very least contributed,
Although there will be a week in between games, the 2nd friendly will be 1 week before the Libertadores SF. I would think Tite considered that in not calling Geromel and Arthur.