I'm not sure Germany will get anything more out of Werner and Muller. Maybe they need to another Pole to switch allegiances. No Podolski, no Klose... no party.
Southgate copying Alf Ramsey blue print. b4 the World Cup he changed formation in 2 or 3 friendly games, then during the World Cup started with the normal formation then in the knockout rounds changed it
Old secrets to success die hard indeed. I think Southgate could invite a lot of pressure on his players if they don't score first. Nothing wrong with keeping clean sheets and winning 1-0, but eventually you get found out and it becomes very difficult to come back and score. I think Portugal found that to be the case against Belgium and in a final with Belgium, England will probably find out the same thing.
People underestimate how important it is for a team to go through different situations, emotions and scenarios in a tournament. It's not the best preparation for tough mements in the knockout stage having dominated all your oppositions without facing some difficult situations along the way like being down. A tournament winning team needs to adapt quickly to those kind of situations and deal with it. Italy and England have never fallen behind so far. Let for example Belgium score the first goal on Italy and Italy might be in big trouble just because they never were in that situation.
Playing at Home helps, so does a bit of luck, being on the good side of the draw. Thought England were facing Denmark but its the Sweden-Ukraine winner, first game away, hope they lose.
That was a strong contender for worst tackle of the tournament, hard to believe it took VAR for a red.
That seemed a questionable red card in that he kicked the ball and the other player ran into his foot, which was in a natural enough place for a foot to be. He got to the ball far in advance of the other player arriving. That wasn't even a tackle since the other player didn't have any control of the ball. That looks more like a fluke than reckless or violent conduct. Nasty collision, sure, but he didn't kick or otherwise do anything more dangerous than clear the ball. Obviously, everyone else sees it otherwise
Sorry, but rules are simple. You can't go into a ball like that in any way, shape, or form. It doesn't matter at all if he got the ball first.
I felt bad for him, the only reason I get it is that he knew the other guy was coming in and he was spikes up w/the kick.
See I don't think it's that simple at all 1) Was there excessive force? No, it was a generic clearing of the ball. There was no force used at all 2) A tackle that endangered the opponent? It wasn't even a tackle, since the other player didn't have control of the ball. It was bouncing free and was cleared. Any clearance involved the foot off the ground. 3) Lunge at the ball? Also not. VC? Again, he extended his leg and the other player ran into it. I guess the idea is he shouldn't clear teh ball while off his feet because another player might run into his foot. Anyway, I know none of the rest of you think it through this way. To be clear, none of the super experienced refs on the field do either, and that is all that counts.
Yep, I've been checking in since this is the Czech side of the bracket if we get passed Denmark, but it was not an entertaining day. I think Sweden would be the more likely of these sides to challenge England
Really feel bad for Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Germany and France to be watching these two steaming turds try to out do each other in taking no chances whatsoever and be rewarded w/a QF slot to one of them. Had a feeling today’s games would be the polar opposite of yesterday’s and that’s what they’ve been, especially this one. Just utter ——-. Go Sweden at least they have the red card excuse.
I think that is right, but it wasn't a "studs up" tackle but a follow through on a clearance. From a standing position, that's not an issue, but if you kick while falling down, your studs are going to be exposed. Anyway. it's a red, and that's the final word.