No Nani? No martial, no smalling.
Seems to be a tournament where big players are gonna be missing out. Strange.
Seems to be a tournament where big players are gonna be missing out. Strange.
World Cup 2018 - General discussion
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
- Status
If you think this, you don't know the teams you're comparing well enough. (2014 & 2016)
This team has champions with a champion mentality.
That team was led by Paulo Bento and had players like Miguel Veloso, Varela, Ricardo Costa, etc. These players are not at the level the current crop is, from top to bottom.
The current crop are high performers at a continental level, and have proven so through form and conquest. And again, they were led by Paulo Bento.
Most importantly, however, they were led by Cristiano Ronaldo with only one knee.
This time he'll have both knees. And if you think that isn't a crucial distinction in and of itself between 2014 and now, then I'll be very frank and say that you are not analyzing correctly.
I'll let the players speak for themselves come the tournament.
Ricardo Costa would be a starter in this team, Veloso would make the 23 man squad and I think Varela that year was pretty good (maybe it was 2012). It is a stronger squad in general though, that year we got completely fecked by injuries and Pepe getting sent off.
I agree that the mentality of this team is a big factor, we have leaders and experienced players on the big stages. I just dislike how people are underrating Morocco and Iran as if we'll easily make it through when I guarantee you that won't be the case if we lose the first game against Spain.
I'd make a correction to my last post.
The most important distinction between 2014 and 2018..... this is CRISTIANO RONALDO's last chance at World Cup victory. And he's already conquered Europe.
At club and national team level. He is the undisputed King of the Champions League and will be forever as his closest competitor to that title is Lionel Messi.
And all Messi does is continue to see the distance between him and Ronaldo, in the most difficult competition of all time (The Champions League) grow with each passing year.
And if you think Cristiano Ronaldo, the most driven person this sport has seen and will see, will not give his absolute everything to attain to the highest title.
Win the Ultimate and achieve Perfection in front of the eyes of the World...
You don't know who he is and what that Portugal team will be capable of.
I'll tell you before they show everyone else. They can beat anyone.
The most important distinction between 2014 and 2018..... this is CRISTIANO RONALDO's last chance at World Cup victory. And he's already conquered Europe.
At club and national team level. He is the undisputed King of the Champions League and will be forever as his closest competitor to that title is Lionel Messi.
And all Messi does is continue to see the distance between him and Ronaldo, in the most difficult competition of all time (The Champions League) grow with each passing year.
And if you think Cristiano Ronaldo, the most driven person this sport has seen and will see, will not give his absolute everything to attain to the highest title.
Win the Ultimate and achieve Perfection in front of the eyes of the World...
You don't know who he is and what that Portugal team will be capable of.
I'll tell you before they show everyone else. They can beat anyone.
Бамби на льду
I think Portugal has chances of being out in group stage if they lose against Spain (probably) and screw it against Iran or Morocco. Same go to Spain if they lose the first game.
But we'll see..
But we'll see..
Last edited by a moderator:
Have you seen my tagline? You’re telling that to the wrong person, I’m fully aware of what having a fit Ronaldo means.
That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be worried about several problems in the team.
Those selections are actually reasonable.
Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire
Trippier Henderson Dier Rose
Sterling Kane Lingard
I assume that's the eleven for England? Maybe Young for Rose, Cahill for Maguire?
Walker Stones Maguire
Trippier Henderson Dier Rose
Sterling Kane Lingard
I assume that's the eleven for England? Maybe Young for Rose, Cahill for Maguire?
Last edited:
Puts thing into perspective. Only Kane would get into the French XI, perhaps Sterling depending on the setup.
At least Santos called Guedes up. Deserved for the big season he has had with Valencia.
I don't get Silva, instead. I know Portugal doesn't have many strikers, but the guy is terrible.
Surprised too see Lacazette out for France, but i guess he has regained form too late.
I don't get Silva, instead. I know Portugal doesn't have many strikers, but the guy is terrible.
Surprised too see Lacazette out for France, but i guess he has regained form too late.
It was on the tip of my tongue. Thanks.
Wait Martial isn't in the French squad? As a Germany fan, I'm loving that, he's played really well against us in the last two friendlies we've had aganist France.
Don't forgot Iran who have the trump card of being coached by Carlos Queiroz who will know Portugal team and players inside-out. He will play for the draw and frustrate Portugal, who will have 1 point from 2 games and need to beat Morocco or risk an embarrassing group-stage exit after winning the Euro's, which isn't easy as they have some decent players.. Portugal relying too much on Pepe to hold this fragile defence together but this Pep isn't in his pomp.
Portugal are screwed. And it will dubbed a shock and embarrassment because they won the Euro's.
Santos, the Portugal manager has dropped a massive clanger by not integrating more Portuguese youngsters.. too many old players who are in the squad for a swan song. You can't just introduce 4 or 5 young players in one tournament and expect magic.. you need to introduce them slowly friendly games etc. Well he probably doesn't care if he gets the sack
Plus Ronaldo will be knackered after a long season and playing a Champion's League final ! the man is 34 next birthday - Giggs and Figo retired from international football around that age as it's too much for their legs week-in and week-out - and they were as fit as a butchers dog !
Ronaldo isn't taking any game "by the scruff of the neck" in this tournament as he's no longer capable, he relies on teammates for service.
Last edited by a moderator:
Danny Welbeck
Roberto Martinez unexpectedly extends his contract with the Belgium NT for 2 more years. He always said he was going back to England after the WC.
FFS. The way Glaston has put people off about Spurs, you lot are going to put people off about Ronaldo.Damn you Peyroto and your endless Ronaldo bashing!
Why isn't Barcelona's right back playing for Portugal? N. Semedo is surely better than any other alternative, or?
He's been poor for the national team whenever he's had chances. Cedric was the starter at the Euros and deserves to keep his spot and Ricardo Pereira had a great season. It's a surprise that Pereira got picked ahead of him but we have too many great rightbacks and Santos has never really seemed like a big fan of him.
Great post and well said! It was about time someone showed some balls and called out @Peyroteo for his contstant downplaying of Ronaldo's ability.
Seriously though, it'll be interesting to see what happens with Portugal. France winning back to back tournaments, and Spain between 2008-2012 are one thing.
But what you see quite a lot in international football is that high peaks are followed by very deep lows. World Cup 2006 finalists Italy and France got completely trashed in the 2008 group fase by the Netherlands. Same Dutch team made it to the 2010 World Cup final, but left Euro 2012 with 0 points after three matches scoring only two goals. Then they went on to finish 3rd in 2014 in Brazil, after which they completely failed to qualify for Euro 2016.
Italy making the 2012 final, knocked out in the group fase in 2014. Spain trashed 5-1 and knocked out in the group phase after such dominance and winning Euro 2012. Portugal themselves knocked out in the group phase in 2014, winning it in 2016. I guess there's also the Germans who are nearly always very solid and consistent, and the English who tend to be consistently shite. Though I actually think something half decent could happen with England this year.
But what you see quite a lot in international football is that high peaks are followed by very deep lows. World Cup 2006 finalists Italy and France got completely trashed in the 2008 group fase by the Netherlands. Same Dutch team made it to the 2010 World Cup final, but left Euro 2012 with 0 points after three matches scoring only two goals. Then they went on to finish 3rd in 2014 in Brazil, after which they completely failed to qualify for Euro 2016.
Italy making the 2012 final, knocked out in the group fase in 2014. Spain trashed 5-1 and knocked out in the group phase after such dominance and winning Euro 2012. Portugal themselves knocked out in the group phase in 2014, winning it in 2016. I guess there's also the Germans who are nearly always very solid and consistent, and the English who tend to be consistently shite. Though I actually think something half decent could happen with England this year.
Damn the FA. How about we see how Martinez does at the WC before extending him
I guess he's been a breath of fresh air to the players, after Wilmots. Maybe they've indicated that they want him to stay, who knows.
Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
The England squad seems well balanced, just very few players with massive reputations.
Pretty much the opposite of what other England managers have gone with in the past.
Pretty much the opposite of what other England managers have gone with in the past.
Plenty surprise. Nzonzi gets involved in place of Rabiot despite rarely got into the squad even now. Sidebe and Mendy injuries ain't preventing the call up. Rami still being trusted while Laporte is left out.
Last edited:
They can play 3 at the back with wingers system (will be more attacking than defensive than 5 at the back). Their CBs is comfortable to step into midfield acting as temporary midfielder so there is no real worries about being left outnumbered. Just because the the formation look not different it doesn't mean the functionality would be the same. Pogba has been playing in midfield 2 for France for awhile. While one can say France as a whole hasn't completely clicked, it's far from non functional.What is up with that french squad? 6 CBs and just 2 FBs?
One fullback injured and your game becomes lopsided, two fullbacks injured and your attacking play will look like it was coached by Mourinho
Also, I don‘t understand the formation. You need 442 for Griezmann, but Kante and Pogba 2-man-midfield is bound to fail. No protection in front of the defence.
He is not that good. Just because one play for Barcelona doesn't mean he's better.
Costa, sure. But Veloso? Even if he made it, he likely wouldn't play. I think Adrien and Moutinho are better players, fullstop.
N'Zonzi over Rabiot is a great call. There's an obvious 6 shaped hole in the French team and Diarra not bossing the league means N'Zonzi finally gets that spot. Rabiot is a good midfielder but Tolisso and Matuidi are there to backup Kante and Pogba if they play 3 proper central midfielders and one of those 2 can start and one replace them with fresh legs if Kante is the 6 ahead of N'Zonzi.
I assume Rami is in over Laporte since Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez and Kimpembe are all left-footed and so is Laporte.
Thauvin over Martial surprised me only because if Mbappe is up top, there's no right-sided goalscorer and maybe having Lemar or Dembele out left makes more sense if Giroud is the 9 to convert crosses, but even if Giroud gets hurt or benched I can see the case for Griezmann awkardly playing LW if they need a goal over Martial with Dembele, Lemar or Fekir (or now Thauvin) out right.
Can't see taking Sterling over Mbappe, Dembele or Fekir as the 3rd or 4th attacker along with Kane and Griezmann and Pogba probably should be in a midfield 3 anyways so it's really just one of that first French group. Do think Walker would play even though I'm not his biggest fan. Maybe Rose too (he and Walker do have experience with Lloris at least) though it would be good if he was in better form.
----------Kane--------
--Dembele---Griezmann
-----Pogba---Kante-----
---------N'Zonzi---------
Rose-Umtiti-Varane-Walker
---------Lloris-----------
would probably be my choice, with one of Kante or N'Zonzi droppable for a more creative mid like Lemar, Tolisso, Fekir or even Alli to goose the attack, or Mbappe or Griezmann one of them tossed up top and a 4-4-2 the choice.
Moutinho's better. Adrien has barely played this season due to not getting signed on time and when he's played he hasn't looked good. 2014 Miguel Veloso wouldn't start but he'd have a place in this squad. We definitely have more and better options in midfield now though
Seeing the Belgium squad reminds me they should have hired a German or Bundesliga coach. It's a real German or Bayern style squad. They have a classic 9 (Gomez-Klose/Lukaku), a creative 10 (Ozil/De Bruyne), a right-footed dribbling creative winger (Ribery for Bayern/Hazard), a goalscorer on the right (Muller/Mertens), B2B mids (Schweinsteger-Khedira partnership could be somewhat echoed by Dembele-Nainngolan), a CB at LB (Howedes/Vertonghen) and ballplaying CBs. Really quite similar.
Not sure who the coach should have been, but I do think it should have been a Bundesliga guy or Low assistant or whatever, the Germans here could give a realistic name as I'm not sure if someone like Favre or Nagelsmann would take an international job or if Lahm or someone left-field like that Turkish guy would make more sense.
Not sure who the coach should have been, but I do think it should have been a Bundesliga guy or Low assistant or whatever, the Germans here could give a realistic name as I'm not sure if someone like Favre or Nagelsmann would take an international job or if Lahm or someone left-field like that Turkish guy would make more sense.
Don't you think Gomes provides the composure Veloso did and Adrien more of a battler? I think squad layout means he'd miss out, though I ain't Portuguese so could be wrong/misremembering.
He usually played the more defensive midfielder so he'd be the alternative to William that we're currently missing. It could have been Neves, I have no idea how our midfield will look if William gets injured.
Gomes wasn't called and for us plays out wide so Veloso would be a bit different.
Nani was a big(ger) player. The others never were.
Besides Anthony Martial, France has a couple of world-class forwards like Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappe (Paris St Germain), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Nabil Fekir (Olympique Lyonnais), Florian Thauvin (Olympique de Marseille), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) and they are very dangerous to any other team in the world.
There’s a very slim chance England will win any WC.
- Status