Well a sore loser who says his team lost deservedly so? Makes sense at all. Actually I met a lot of sore losers, mostly after last WC final.
URUGUAY Lineup: Name (Age) Club Fernando Muslera (31) Galatasaray Martín Cáceres (30) Hellas Verona Diego Godín (31) Atlético de Madrid José María Giménez (22) Atlético de Madrid Mauricio Lemos (21) Las Palmas Matías Vecino (26) Inter de Milan Federico Valverde (19) Real Madrid Rodrigo Bentancur (20) Juventus Gastón Pereiro (22) PSV Eindhoven Luis Suárez (30) Barcelona Edinson Cavani (30) Paris Saint-Germain Substitutes: Gastón Guruceaga (22) Peñarol Gastón Silva (23) Granada Santiago Bueno (19) Barcelona Sebastián Coates (27) Sporting Lisboa Federico Ricca (22) Málaga FC Sebastián Cristóforo (24) Fiorentina Nahitan Nández (21) Boca Juniors Diego Laxalt (24) Genoa C&FC Giorgian de Arrascaeta (23) Cruzeiro Diego Rolan (24) Málaga FC Maximiliano Gómez (21) Celta de Vigo Manager: Oscar W. Tabárez (70)
They were completely outclassed (not outplayed). How easily Cassano owned a great defender such as Hummels (who had a great tournament by the way), that lead to the first goal, then again the whole German defence got outsmarted by Montolivo's excellent eye and that lead to the second goal. If Italy scored first, you're in big, big trouble, they will defend tightly and give up possession to you. You ended up probably losing the game. Italy is not Greece when you played against them at the quarterfinals, it's a whole different opponent. Italian defence is a brick wall. Shot by Lahm as a well-struck from outside the box and it went in against Greece that same thing did not work out for Khedira and Kroos against Italy, against world class keeper wouldn't be hard for him. Germany simply had no answer as Italy proceeded to provide a masterclass of football, defensive quality with serious attacking intent. Italy eventually won the game which is the most important thing, while Germany at home bragging about meaningless stats! The funny thing, much weaker Italian side without key midfielders De Rossi, Verratti, Marchisio and Candreva can also controls the way of the game even against Germany in their prime as they did it again in 2016. Germany dominated most of the match but Italy planned to get to a penalty shootout and they succeeded, the penalty shootouts could go either way, one of the worst ever. Of course Germany ended their lifetime curse and finally beat Italy at Euro 2016. But I don't know, it seems Italy always have a psychological edge over Germany. Both results Germany vs Argentina in 2010 and Italy vs Germany in 2012 it can be defined as 'outclassed'. Germany is more muscle and power, hammered Argentina, England, Portugal and Brazil. Italy is more brain and tactically astute, they never trashing their opponents if they played against Malta wouldn't even try to score more than two goals, they playing the game by their own design 'Italian job'.
He announced his retirement from the national team in March 2015 and played no part in the 2018 qualifiers. The 38 year old was part of beIN Sports' Spanish coverage of the final round of CONMEBOL qualifiers this past Tuesday. On the pitch he was last seen in playing for a club in India.
From the poll I would categorically say this: not Chile. No, I don't think Chile quite have what it takes. I could be wrong but you can quote me on that if you wish. Definitely not Chile.
LOL. You're probably right, but as a Dane, I advise you to "never say never." In 1992, we came back from the dead (and the beaches) to replace banned Yugoslavia and win the European Championship.
Brazil wins in Russia. Russia and Brazil have a free Visa agreement. With Germany's WW2 history in Russia and the rivalry between Russia and USA with Western Europe I don't see them winning. They conceded the Confed to them but not the World Cup. Argentina could win it too given the communist backgrounds. My own political take.
The usual suspects is supposed to win. It is to boring to mention any of them. Time for Belgium.The timing is right and they have the golden generation of generations. Belgium to become world champions in Russia 2018. Fellaini with a header in extratime in the final against Brazil.
From your lips to god’s ears, but Nainggolan is needed and Martinez needs to play Tielemans, Nainggolan and Dembele in the middle. Kompany also needs to be healthy along with Alderweireld and Vertonghen.
So all the teams i announced 3-4 years ago are in. Portugal Belgium England Poland Serbia Croatia and the host Russia. Now we will see if you don't have 4 among them in top 16 and 2-3 in top 8.
No man italy is a known great. Just talked about the underestimated european countries that can reach round 16 and 1/4 or more.
Ahh ok, I was just trying to see if there was anymore superstitions that favor us qualifying tomorrow. Its really worrying. Here is what I can think of: -Overall a good history vs Sweden. -Sweden is not nearly as good away from home as they are at home. -Usually there is one playoff in the European Qualifiers where both teams win one game, and the larger aggregate score wins the playoff. None of the other playoffs has been like that so far. Ours is the only possibility. -France prior to 2014 World Cup. Rated as a poor team back then, same qualifying group as Spain, picked up a loss and a draw in the 2 games vs Spain, lost first playoff leg in Ukraine, turned it around in France and qualified. Hoping we are in a similar situation.
Just adding the fact that no team has overcome a 1-0 deficit in the european playoffs for WC,including us.We lost 1-0 first leg to Portugal in the 2013 playoffs and Ronaldo buried us from then on. We are not a bad team playing away.We almost always scores.We really were unlucky not to draw against France in the group play and we scored goals in every away game except against Holland where we only played to avoid losing big. IF we score tonight,Italy has to score three.I don´t see that happening.
It will be hard, but let me point out France turned around a 2-0 deficit last year against Ukraine and it was actually a similar scenario. Prior to 2014 World Cup: The French team was questioned big time, and most people expected them not to get out of their group, despite reaching the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. They were in the same group as Spain as well with losing one and drawing one to them. Went to the playoffs and went 2-0 down, but then started to show up and beat them 3-0 and did pretty good in the World Cup. Prior to 2018 World Cup: Italy in a similar position. We are being questioned right now. We are in same group as Spain, drew a game and lost one to them. Then went to the playoffs and are 1-0 down. Hopefully we overturn the deficit by a 2-0 win at least and than do well in World Cup.
Really? France had a group with Ecuador, Honduras and Switzerland. I think everyone expected them to qualify, the only question mark was whether from first or second spot.
After the group was drawn yes they were expected to qualify, but before the draw, many people doubted the French team in general and expected a group stage exit or Round of 16 at best. They played much better than people thought they would. The French fans themselves were surprised even.
Well... to be honest they never should have made it passed the 1/8 final. They played 12 against 11 vs Nigeria and reverted to hacking, elbowing and bearhugging their opponents to win the game.
Well, I guess Italy can be taken off the list with Chile. Maybe those people should be allowed to vote again.
I think the final will be Italy vs Holland..... USA, Cameroon, or Ghana could be a dark horse to reach the semis....