They're sticking to a World Cup winning formula. Giroud has been fantastic for France.
Internationals September (Nations League + Friendlies)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Probably not many here interested in a rant post about my national team (Iceland), but here it comes. It wasn't even a bad performance or result but it's just how I feel the team is moving in a bad direction.
Birkir Bjarnason, previously had taken 1 pen (scored tbf) in his career, 5 years ago. The guy who won the penalty has a record of 20 goals in 22 penalties.
A man up, he puts on Emil Hallfredsson, 36 year old who has barely played in two years. But has his spot in this team. There are so many untouchables because of the good results of the last two national coaches.
Birkir Bjarnason, who only passes backwards but has a knack for being at the right place and scores some important goals, just isn't good enough to warrant his lofty status in the starting eleven anymore. Picked even when he hadn't been on a club for months.
Our goalkeeper, 36 years old and plays in Iceland. The ones not chosen are in Olympiacos and Dijon.
Our centerback, 38 years old and plays in a midtable team in Iceland. Had a wonderful game but only when we park the bus, his distribution is suspect and he hasn't been good in the Icelandic league.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, forward but a scorer of no goals wherever he goes, does not have to perform at any acceptable level as a club player to get his caps.
Arnor Traustason, scored a goal at the Euros four years ago, hasn't had one decent performance since but still gets picked. We have players in CSKA Moscow and a starter at Danish champions Midtjylland behind him. Both Traustason and Bjarnason are mostly used as wingers at an International level but do not pass the ball forward at all. I don't warm to such wingers.
There are some other good young guys around, f.x. the top prospect in the Swedish top division is Icelandic, but isn't picked even when Gylfi and three others can not play. Some players just seem to live off the good results a few years ago. The plan moving forward isn't visible. I for one can't understand why a foreign, ageing manager like Erik Hamren was brought in at that time. The squad desperately needs a good overhaul but he only cares about the short term future and his results.
Birkir Bjarnason, previously had taken 1 pen (scored tbf) in his career, 5 years ago. The guy who won the penalty has a record of 20 goals in 22 penalties.
A man up, he puts on Emil Hallfredsson, 36 year old who has barely played in two years. But has his spot in this team. There are so many untouchables because of the good results of the last two national coaches.
Birkir Bjarnason, who only passes backwards but has a knack for being at the right place and scores some important goals, just isn't good enough to warrant his lofty status in the starting eleven anymore. Picked even when he hadn't been on a club for months.
Our goalkeeper, 36 years old and plays in Iceland. The ones not chosen are in Olympiacos and Dijon.
Our centerback, 38 years old and plays in a midtable team in Iceland. Had a wonderful game but only when we park the bus, his distribution is suspect and he hasn't been good in the Icelandic league.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, forward but a scorer of no goals wherever he goes, does not have to perform at any acceptable level as a club player to get his caps.
Arnor Traustason, scored a goal at the Euros four years ago, hasn't had one decent performance since but still gets picked. We have players in CSKA Moscow and a starter at Danish champions Midtjylland behind him. Both Traustason and Bjarnason are mostly used as wingers at an International level but do not pass the ball forward at all. I don't warm to such wingers.
There are some other good young guys around, f.x. the top prospect in the Swedish top division is Icelandic, but isn't picked even when Gylfi and three others can not play. Some players just seem to live off the good results a few years ago. The plan moving forward isn't visible. I for one can't understand why a foreign, ageing manager like Erik Hamren was brought in at that time. The squad desperately needs a good overhaul but he only cares about the short term future and his results.
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Annoying that Sky are only showing one game in HD, every other one is behind the red button.
The fact they brag about having all the games, but you can only watch one unless you have the full Sky Sports package with main event, so there is the multiscreen. You cannot tape the games if you have Sky q. So why not have the games on later so you can watch them.
Denayer gives Belgium the lead.
What does Tony have to do to get a chance for France? Must be demoralising seeing Giroud & Lacazette get games over him.
It's tactics. Deschamps prefers a traditional 9 up front. Someone who ‘will make the ball stick’.
Bruno is a class player. Always on the ball and trying to create something.
this is even more defensive! 3 at that the back with 2 (Defensive) Wing backs + one DM with Kante...Zidane cant come soon enough to spice things up a little bit
Actually you're right. I got it mixed up with goals being disallowed if it accidentally touches the attacker's arm.
Wtf Portugal
Lacazette doesn't have games over him and Giroud is one of the best performers for France.
Cancelo looks world class for Portugal
Bruno has been excellent for Portugal. Should have had 2 assist and maybe even a goal by now.
Portugal wasting chances for 3 games
Ruben Dias is my favorite defender to watch. Rolls Royce of a center half.
I hate back 3s.
Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva have been breathtaking to watch at times, this is the most progressive footballing side I have seen from Portugal in a long time, if ever.
Where did I say it was a wonderful win?
Just correcting you and letting you know England had bad luck too in that game.
I said we should have bought him instead of Maguire (why the hell Ed didn’t listen)
They finally have a midfield for it.
They used to have like Carvalho, Pereira, Silva trio - all 3 big blokes who are defensive midfielders.Portugal is playing some good stuff but has been very unlucky.
Maguire was the right buy, we should be in for him as well though.
Man Portugal have hit the post what, 4 times?
That was close from Portugal.
Sounds like you dont like to watch defenders for defending
France not creating anything at all.
Whilst I agree Giroud has been fantastic, they haven't exactly stuck to the 'world cup winning formula'. They are playing with a completely different system and their team looks significantly different to their world cup team. That might be down to injuries, though.
The initiative is on the better team to show their quality. If anything, Iceland were more successful in their, albeit limited, plan. England failed miserably and relied on quite a lot of luck to get the win.
Cancelo and Bruno bossing it so far
Great save by Lloris.
Wow Mbappe
What's your argument? He's one of the most coveted defenders in the game.
France and Portugal up.
Great goal by Cancelo
Cancelo gives Portugal the lead with a scorcher.
And he scores a world class goal.
Mbappe
0-1
0-1
And terrible intervention from Varane, it was shambolic.
First chance, first goal.