OK that I disagree with. In what way have they declined since June 2021? Maybe a little bit but not a noticeable amount.
Several players are not in form anymore. Even though Belgium on their can day can still play some of the best attacking football out there they look much less energetic going forward than in 2018. You could also see that at the EUROs. The defense is garbage and it screams to finally get exposed by teams who know what they are doing. Wales and Poland weren't capable to do that. Believe it or not but I think Morocco will score 2-3 goals on these guys. So will Croatia. Just wait for the World Cup to start and you will l see why I was all the time so down on Belgium. They are a far cry of that 2018 team.
Apart from having a tactically inept manager in Southgate .. currently England don’t have one exceptional defender or CB .. Plus virtually every England player is out of form .. Bellingham is in form and Saka just showing good signs along with Foden and Grealish . The rest are all struggling
I see what you mean, but I think their attack is still fire power. I do expect them to concede quite a bit in the group stage, but they will also score a lot. Don't look too much into the Nations League. Many teams use that to experiment and do not necessarily perform at their strongest. Some people say they expect Croatia to top Belgium in the group, but I wouldn't go that far. Croatia is developing a new team but they aren't there yet and still need time. Their attack is not the same without Mandzukic. They do seem to have some young promising players, but aren't at full potential yet. I expect Belgium to top and Croatia to go through as runners up.
I think that's not true, because Liverpool's midfield is without Wijnaldum and in this current set up quality wise a liability in which the Liverpool defense/Virgil van Dijk has to cover far too much space to be effective.
I don't think it's due to Wijnaldum having left. Gini left before last season, and VvD was just fine in 2021-22. Some Liverpool fans speculate that Virgil is not going 100% because he wants to avoid injury before the World Cup. If that's the case, I'm sure he's not the only one. I can think of some other players who look like they are doing that.
Just take a look at the ratings for the Liverpool midfield the last few games. They suck and it makes the defense having to cover a larger part of the pitch.
I don’t disagree with that, but you specifically cited Wijnaldum. It can’t be due to his departure, because VvD was his usual superlative self last year without Gini.
I'm very close to finalise my grade list. But one thing is for certain. I watched hundreds of prediction videos and I follow social media. Argentina are for me given the hype they receive the most overrated team among the top teams in the world. Portugal on the other hand constantly get overlooked. They are for me the most underrated team among the powerhouses. I don't have any preference for any of these national teams nor for Messi or Ronaldo. It's just my two cents.
Who are the favourites this year? - Brazil - Portugal - Netherlands - France (high risk of flopping but if they turn up you have to consider them) Who is in with a shot? - Spain From the outside looking in are: - Argentina - England - Croatia - Denmark The rest doesn't stand a chance. If I was a betting man I would hedge my bet on one of the top five listed nations here. They are the only sides I can imagine as World Champions in Qatar.
They don't look good at all. No good chemistry upfront and some big holes in midfield and defense. They lack composure and miss still too many chances. Won only a single game out of six in the Nations League. Germany are in complete transition phase still. They don't even snif the World Cup final as far as I'm concerned. I see them in big trouble already in their group with Spain and Japan. Two teams who have the means to expose Germany hard (especially the former) if Flick doesn't change up things a bit. Musiala has to start in any way.
Brazilians will definately feel happy about my words on Germany. I know for a fact that Brazilians are scared of Germany because of the 7-1 tragedy. It's true that a Germany with good chemistry is usually a tough match up for Brazil but Germany isn't there (yet). Even if I'm wrong and they get out of their group I see quarterfinals as their max.
Well, if they both win their groups, quarter-finals for Germany would be against Brazil. Would Brazilian team be intimidated? Probably not. No players left from the 2014 team. Not even Neymar, as he was injured and missed the match.
I don't really agree that Brazil is scared of Germany . After the 7-1. Brazil beat Germany in the Olympics ( Although its not the same stage in terms of importance but still )
OK. But you are scared of France. I'm not sure even how France will do but IF they make it to the final and face Brazil I'm all in on France.
Pls someone correct me if i am wrong but I think after 1998 Brazil always start trembling when they play France. Now after the 7-1 i guess the same thing is happening when they face Germany
Unfortunately I have to agree with you on this point ( France is living in Brazil's head rent free from 1998 onwards )
Eh... I know that opinions on the UEFA Nations League vary significantly, but neither Germany nor France exactly covered themselves in glory. If anything, Brazil should be much more concerned with the likely nasty run-in they'll have in the R16, with (barring upsets) either the old foe Uruguay or a Portugal side that's a true dark horse on paper if Santos can kick his addiction to circling the wagons.
Brazil is going to exorcise all of its demons in Qatar. This is going to be our ultimate redemption. We will be serving eviction notices while telling the other guys to hold our Caipirinha. Second Round - Uruguay Quarters - Germany Semis - Argentina Final - France Well, at least that's how it's going to be if we don't lose to Portugal in the second round (BIG IF). In that case, redemption would turn into despair, I would book a one-way flight to Rishikesh, and start practicing yoga instead of football.
Argentina match vs Brazil will be super tough because messi will be desperate like hell to get hold of that trophy for one last time. Moreover Argentina this time is a very strong team
Brazil would walk over Uruguay. Win by at least 3 goals. No team in South America is a contest for Brazil other than Argentina right now.
Opinions may vary on the significance of Nations League results, but if France reach the WC final we will all be in agreement that the NL results meant nothing wrt France. I think that's essentially the point being made above.