Wanted France to win only because I rarely root for the team that knocks out Brazil (2014 was the exception of course ). I want Croatia to win the entire thing but I know its a long shot.
I’m for Croatia, That loss to France in ‘86 in PK’s, and the loss 3X0 to France in the finals of ‘98 fuking Zidane, is still stuck in my throat.
Scoring that first goal can be really crucial. Specially at this stage. KDB said after the Brazil game we didn't know what we were doing in the first half .... well, they didn't look that great going a goal behind.
Very enjoyable game with quality all over the pitch. Not a classic, but competitive from the outset. Amazing the outsized importance of set peace goals this WC (and own goals). As quality as this game was, it lacked many opportunities created by run of play. Crime would have to increase so much more than what we could imagine for France to reach US and Brazil levels (especially rape, homicide and other violent crimes). I hope you were joking here, as its not accurate...even terrorism victims included (imagine if we properly characterized non-Islamic domestic terrorism). http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/France/United-States/Crime I didn't think they looked that bad, but the reason would be that France made them look limited. This French team is stacked other than at CF position. Their midfield trio of Kante-Matuidi-Pogba are physical, technical and smart. They are not the fluid passing midfield unit I prefer, but they command the field...and Belgium has a strong midfield as well. France would have managed Brazil's midfield as well. Not to say that Brazil couldn't have beaten them in a one game scenario. Then again, on a different day Belgium is good enough to beat them as well. Today France were just the better team, especially after having gone up. Kante is the most underrated great player in football...he makes every team he plays on better. Of the players left in the tournament, IMO he and Luca Modric are most deserving of being called World Champion -- players that people take for granted just how good and influential they are (in different ways).
You mean Brazil You know what were missing in this WC ... after he got injured, we never stood a chance
I disagree that they would have managed Brazil as well. If Brazil would have gotten past Belgium one would think that Tite would have learned his lessons, namely: Firmino over G Jesus; midfield of Casemiro, R Augusto, Fernandinho; D Costa over Willian; Neymar getting better. In fact, a midfield of Casemiro, R Augusto, Fernandinho would have similar characteristics to Kante, Matuidi, Pogba. Me personally, I will take any midfield with Casemiro in it over any other such unit on earth. And who the F*ck is this Samuel_Clemens Dude? The connection between immigration and an increase in rape, homicide and other violent crimes is suspect at best and is an idea spread by no-nothing retards. In fact, if you want to get coy about it, one could argue that immigration from Brazil has a better chance of increasing those type's of crimes since Brazil's crime rates for those said crimes is among the worlds worst. So lets build a wall around Brazil, then. Just kidding, but still.
Indeed, such a midfield as you propose may have dealt with them better, but you would have lost Coutinho in your line-up changes...weakening the Selecao from an offensive creativity perspective. Casemiro is a bit better than Kante, but Pogba is better than the other two by some ways IMO. The point about France's midfield is that they are creative enough to supply their forwards, while being strong in all other aspects. I propose that we leave politics out of our discussions as we are all on the same team for this event. It is interesting that the children of African immigrants are making such an impact on this WC. According to Globo, 14 of France's and 9 of Belgium's players are from parents immigrating from the continent. Even England have 11 players of either African or Caribbean descent. But, they are French, Belgian and English...born and raised. We have to stop looking at people based on their skin tone relative to where they play. No one raises an eyebrow at the USA basketball team's make-up, or the Selecao's, so we shouldn't do so for any other.
Set piece goals over 40% for this WC ? That's a staggering amount. I need to look to see if that includes PKs. Probably includes direct FKs too although I think there has been maybe a handful in this WC. I guess for next time we need to just concentrate on defensive and offensive set pieces and be done with it.
they're getting there, don't worry. " “[Africans] are mostly turning to Europe because the continent [of Europe] is not an island, because of our location, and because Europe has its destiny bound with Africa,” said the staunchly pro-EU French figure during a two-hour long interview. Smith estimates that the number of Africans living in Europe will grow from nine million to between 150 million and 200 million within the next 30 years. The Rush to Europe describes a massive, unprecedented population transfer still in its infancy, which Smith explains will — “paradoxically” — be triggered mostly as a result of Western foreign aid money financing wannabe migrants’ journeys from Africa."
set pieces are one aspect of the game we need to obsess about in coming years, regardless. In the past 2 decades in games we're koed out of WC we suffered: 2 goals on set pieces against France in 98. 1 goal from set piece against France in '06. 2 goals against Holland in 2010. The first against Germany in 2014. The first against Belgium in 2018
Yep. I called it before the WC even started. Funny thing is that we were strong in the air in 2010 on offense and on defense. KO games ... sometimes shit happens.
Let's agree to disagree. I don't subscribe to right wing nationalist views. And we need to develop ability to turn things around. In 2010 and 2018 we've had front running teams...in the sense that they are almost unbeatable when going up a goal, but kind of give sense that they struggle to deal with organized squads that able to soak up our pressure when we are behind.
With Belgium's defeat, Scolari's 2002 team remains the only one to take the World Cup with a 7W 0L record.
Is that you Coach Dunga? . This has been the Mourinho philosophy for the past decade...set-pieces and counter-attacks. That's why what Guardiola was able to do with Barca and is attempting to do with City is laudable IMV. Take initiative and create chances from run of play.