PBP Thread: Match #6, Uruguay vs. Russia, 25 June 2018 [R]

Yes, its not 5-10 years ago. But they are well suited to lots of stops, chippy play. They don't even need to be the 'aggressors.' It doesn't mess them up like other teams who prefer rhythms. They dont mind short spurts and disruption.

 

so i was right afterall about russia being overrated. their first 2 games, the result was inflated as a result of the piss poor level of their opponents. they played against 2 of the 3 worst teams in the world cup.

did russia rest many starters today?

 

‪I think this is the most unpredictable World cup I have ever watched‬

 

Smart move, anyway. Uruguay looks like they want to prove something

 

And yet Uruguay struggled a lot more against those "2 of the 3 worst teams in the cup". Not necessarily disagreeing with the assessment that Russia became a little too overrated, but I also don't want to take away credit for comprehensively winning their first two games.

 

It’s way better to be in second place for them. They get to play in Moscow 3/4 ko rounds. 80000 Russian fans descend upon you. Their numbers will blot out the sun.

I predict Portugal finishes first in group B. Regardless Russia will have their way with the winner of Group B in Moscow this weekend.

 

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dude russia is going to get raped against spain.

 

No they will not..

you really dont think Putin has a say in some of this? defeat can be accepted. Humiliation will not.

If spain get up by 2 goals.. they will most certainly take their foot off the pedal if they feel they are in control of the game..

 

Spain have been far from exceptional this WC, but don't see them spanking Russia. One or two goals at most I feel.

 

Technique wise sure. But Russia is gonna butcher them physically. They were just resting today so they can go to Moscow. Do not underestimate Russia on their homeland. Trust me they have a history of this.

 

Political history or sports history?

A Russian team was taken apart without any gas pedal being throttled: 3 goals against, 1 red card at minute 36 (2-0), 3rd goal scored at minute 90.

All of that under Putin's gaze.

Hopefully, Russian players won't resort to violent play against Spain.

 

This is different. This is very likely Tabarez's last World Cup, his last cycle.

Oscar Tabarez has been a coach in the old-fashioned tradition, 12 years in control and with close ties to his players, who adore him. The "tata" tradition, where the NT coach is like a father figure ("tata" is a Spanish word meaning more or less "daddy," probably influenced by the Quechua "taita," dad).

But Tabarez is 71 and everything comes to an end. He's had a great run with Uruguay, you never see these days a manager accomplish so much for such a long time.

 

Not sure where you get that Tabarez is a paternalistic figure in the Uruguayan squad.

As far as I have seen, Tabarez keeps such patronizing management out of his system.

Never heard an Uruguayan player refer to that coach in such colloquial manner. Always referred to respectfully, as "professor Tabarez".

 

That's part of it. Respect. When you respect your coach, you stick to his discipline.

It's not paternalistic in the micromanaging style it's understood here. It's the old-fashioned thing, when you kept your distance to your father and knew the way to earn his love was doing the right thing at the right time.

I guess you need to be part of the culture to get it.

 

Nah, no need to be a native to assume that such patronizing coaching style in Uruguay.

This ain't Scolari's theater school.