Dembele getting a start for France. They are going with 4 attackers (Mbapaypal, Giroud, Dembele, Griezmann) and Rabiot in the mid. Complete lack of respect for Australia
Spain 2010 title is a really weird one for me. One of the greatest NT teams of all time. Played mostly lights out in Euro 2008 and 2012. But their WC campaign was really underwhelming. All KO round games were won 1 x 0 and they were very close to lose to Paraguay and toe nail save away from losing the final. It was a weird campaign.
Yep. The Germany game was the game IMO that Spain was in most control of in the KO round. Maybe with the Portugal game. Which is bizarre that they had so much trouble with Paraguay. Even if Paraguay had some decent teams back then. Just a question of styles IMO.
So with Poland 0-0 Mexico, Arg still have chance to top the group. Must win two remaning matches and hope Saudi lose one.
Yep. We will see what the Saudis have against Poland. Poland suck, but there is a difference between playing a bit on the counter (even if Saudi's block was higher up the field) than having the expectation of winning and being more proactive.
Saudi high line is very risky and with normal VAR instead of this new technology, Argentina would score 3 goals already.
Yep. In 2010, Mourinho's Inter showed that, while no one could hang with that Barça team playing toe-to-toe soccer, by parking the bus you had a chance. So Spain pretty much had to face every team that WC playing negative tactics against them. And then Spain would get criticized for 'tiki taka' and conservative 1-0 wins.
So after that loss, Arg go from favourite to not good enough to compete for the big prize. Well, if you exclude Messi, then Argentina aren't that strong on paper. France are quite opposite. And Brazil too.
It seems to me like Argentina were caught off guard by the compact mid block instead of an expected low block / park the bus defense. Probably not something they practiced for. Messi also played (at least first half) very advanced. It's like they nullified his passing game themselves. Which was kind of weird to me. Again, maybe something to do with his ankle ?
Agree, i feel that too. Saudi pressed really well and played a compact game which stuned Argentina and that made them played hesistantly, like almost save their legs.
Photo v Japan. Anyone know why? EDIT: Apparently in response to FIFA banning the One Love captain's armband.
Probably the whole Qatar censorship issue where they can't show support for LGBTQ. Pretty smart of them.
Look like Germany learn something from Argentina game. They play with their strength and don't let Japan breathe.
France have already scored more group stage goals than they did in 2002 or 2006 or 2010 or 2018— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) November 22, 2022