Argentina are looking more organized then they have in awhile all things considered. As far as their back four I think the jury is still out with the biggest question on their CB's. I personally do not think Burdisso and Milito will cut it. They started today but I'm not sure what Batista's ideas are going forward. Zanetti looked as good as ever out on the right and barring disaster I think the veteran will get one more chance to represent his country this summer in the Copa America. Rojo, who is a CB by trade apparently, played on the left and he did an admirable job IMO so he is one to keep an eye on. I thought Pastore was delightful and he grows on me a little more everytime I see him, he really is a joy to watch. As far as the win today I thought the scoreline was a bit flattering all things considered but Batista is building this team bit-by-bit but still a ways to go. But if I remember correctly four years ago at the Copa America Argentina were looking quite spectacular while Brazil seemed to be dragging their heels a bit and we know how that ended. It's why you play the game
Scoreline was very flattering and Portugal should have been up a couple of goals. Besides that Portugal pulled their stars out early, Argentina kept their backbone in the full 90 minutes.
^Don't go saying that in the Argentina forum, they'll eat you alive...lol A good number of them are obsessed with bashing Ronaldo and anything associated with him for the most part. Oh Lord, I hope I didn't give you any ideas....
It's really interesting to see all of these NTs looking for their new identities, all at the same time. Brazil, France, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, etc...The old stars have been phased out and now we get to enjoy the organic growth of these squads. I liked watching France and Brazil today, wanted to see M'Vila and thought he was so-so. Not clean enough on the ball for me, stronger and more physical than Lass, but not as good with the ball at his feet. Benzema looked pretty sharp, like the confidence he has with the NT. Rami is a nice looking player, Lille doing some big things in Ligue 1. Also, those French kits are NICE! Didn't watch Portugal-Argentina but followed online, glad to see Ronaldo scored and my boys Rui Patricio and Joao Pereira seemed to have played well. Nice to see Ozil has played well again, dude is having a nice run these past few weeks. I personally can't wait for the Euros, many of these teams that were in shambles not too long ago may be looking pretty solid come summer 2012. Gotta be better than this last World Cup, right?
Was about to ask about him but you have answered it for me. He seems pretty crucial for this French NT. Am glad Benzema is scoring and i am sure/hope he will continue growing in confidence and starts playing to his full potential. Any interesting fullbacks for any of the friendlies?
Forget M'Villa, Capoue is the real deal Dunno if it was mentioned here already, but Rojo from Argentina had a pretty good game last night.
When you fall that far down, the only way is up. French kits are nice. I noticed they've changed from Adidas to Nike. Much improved game from the French, also. HUGE game from the now-out-of-exile Mexes. If only he could be consistent. I enjoyed him, Menez, and Benzema. Big LOLs out of Brazil's defense, though. Seriously, how do you let Benzema run unmarked through you like that?
A good part of the blame has to go on Luiz who Benzema made his personal rag doll for large parts of the game. He hasn't really looked sharp for awhile, hopefully his big money move will motivate him to regain some of that good form he was showing last season.
True. But on that goal, he ran past Dani Alves and behind Thiago Silva, neither of them making a move to stop him or mark him. I don't think Silva even noticed he had made that run behind him and Luiz was ball watching. I saw his debut last weekend for Chelsea. Not impressed. He really does remind me of a young Carvalho, though, with his tendency to make frequent forward runs and vacate the back line. (Which may be the reason why Ancelotti took off Bosingwa and moved Ivanovic to RB when he brought in Luiz.......to cover for the holes he was going to leave). IMO, he's nowhere near the defender that Carvalho was at that age.
Blanc has turned the French national team around like nothing else. Playing good, attacking football while remaining solid at the back. He has got these lazyheads playing for the team and if he can do that there, he can probably cope just about anywhere *IF Mou leaves anytime soon before his contract finishes, i woudnt mind him here*
France v Brasil highlights: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoDBseQzBvg"]YouTube - France vs Brazil 1-0 Benzema Goal & Full Match Highlights 9/2/2011 France 1-0 Brasil[/ame]
Damn the whole Spanish NT is gonna burn in hell.... Spanish NT Cancels Visit to teh Pope. omgz they dared to cancel on God, tsk tsk tsk.
Oh, my bad then The one I read was on AS which I then translated and it said that he might have a possible fracture depending on the xrays and such. I mustve linked the wrong one. Good news though. Was hoping to see him play for his NT, that LB spot for Brazil is winable for him.
The Welsh looked like a high school team out there against England. Can't say I expected them to win but they were abysmal. A more reflective scoreline would have been 4-0.