Internationals October (Nations League + Euro 2021 play-offs + Friendlies)

[Classical Mechanic]

He was surrounded by creativity at Ajax. Especially in that season where they nearly made the CL final, that team just oozed football. His runs in deep benefited greatly from that type of play. He was a passenger of that side though, not an architect. For our national team he has been completely pointless.

I don't see him succeed at United either. Doesnt have the power and quickness for the premier league.

Small disclaimer that Im always bitter when Oranje loses

I think he’ll ‘do a job’ for us and be a Fellani or Herrera type level.

 

[Sayros]

Mbappe for France's 6th, nice counter-attack and great finish.

 

[KirkDuyt]

I think he’ll ‘do a job’ for us and be a Fellani or Herrera type level.

Yeah fair enough, he'll score some goals.

 

[Piratesoup]

Apologies if someone’s already asked this before but what is the point of having needless International friendlies (the Nations League matches are fine) at a time when there are quite a few players all around Europe who’ve started testing positive for covid?

TV channels get angry when their license is useless.

 

[Samid]

Vintage Depay.

 

[Deery]

Amazing that Ronaldo looked the most dangerous person on the pitch seems like he has found the secret to eternal youth..

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

I'm biased in that I always thought Löw was a fraud and that Germany won despite him, but I guess it's a mix between a couple of key players retiring and the DFBcreating a structure of yes men around Löw. He couldn't tolerate Müller in the dressing room anymore and threw unceremoniously cut him from the team for good. At this point, he's like a blind idiot god that can do what he wants without the media or his supposed bosses calling him out.

Yeah maybe. I think you had some luck vs Algeria (or good goalkeeping if I remember) and could have lost the final easily and vs France. The big win over Brasil made everyone think it was a perfect tournament more than it was. Although that was bloody impressive. You deserved the win though of course and most recent winners have had games with struggle.
I still think Löw has done well in most tournament. It is just in the recent one he really failed. I am from Sweden and pretty happy about that, but it was a big shock. South Korea getting a win was crazy over you.

 

[Ajr]

Is kepa first choice for spain over de gea?

 

[Piratesoup]

Yeah maybe. I think you had some luck vs Algeria (or good goalkeeping if I remember) and could have lost the final easily and vs France.

The biggest piece of luck we had against Algeria was Mustafi getting injured so Löw finally had to play Lahm as RB after every other option was exhausted.
Seeing how Flick has turned Bayern around, one has to wonder how big his contribution to our WC win and our teams general way of playing was. Because it's only gotten worse ever since he left.

 

[Redplane]

Seems like Mexico has had the Dutch' number since that infamous WC game. Like sustained retaliatory torture.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

The biggest piece of luck we had against Algeria was Mustafi getting injured so Löw finally had to play Lahm as RB after every other option was exhausted.
Seeing how Flick has turned Bayern around, one has to wonder how big his contribution to our WC win and our teams general way of playing was. Because it's only gotten worse ever since he left.

How long did Flick work for the national side? He might be a factor for sure. I really enjoyed watching Germany in the 2010 world cup. Played some great stuff before a dull game vs Spain if I remember correctly.

 

[Piratesoup]

How long did Flick work for the national side? He might be a factor for sure. I really enjoyed watching Germany in the 2010 world cup. Played some great stuff before a dull game vs Spain if I remember correctly.

He was Löw's assistant from 2006 to 2014. And we've witnessed a steady climb up to the title followed by a rather steep decline right afterwards. I'm inclinded to think this is not a coincidence.

 

[uamini]

Seeing how Flick has turned Bayern around, one has to wonder how big his contribution to our WC win and our teams general way of playing was. Because it's only gotten worse ever since he left.

While I agree with the general sentiment, are we really having this discussion based on a friendly game that featured no Bayern or Leipzig players? Today's result was pretty meaningless.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

He was Löw's assistant from 2006 to 2014. And we've witnessed a steady climb up to the title followed by a rather steep decline right afterwards. I'm inclinded to think this is not a coincidence.

Yeah I think Muller is the big factor right. He was amazing in 2014 and 2010. He has been amazing for Bayern this season.
I guess Flick knows how to get him to perform.

 

[Piratesoup]

While I agree with the general sentiment, are we really having this discussion based on a friendly game that featured no Bayern or Leipzig players? Today's result was pretty meaningless.

I'm having this discussion on the basis that Germany's played like this for years and years now without a sign of improvement. Whether in "meaningless" friendlies, the Nation's League or the World Cup, it's been years of dross. It's no wonder the ratings are down because it's just a chore to watch this team these days.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Vintage Depay.

When Depay has a bad game, he is infuriating to watch. Look up and stop dribbling like yer in a fecking circus.

 

[Piratesoup]

Yeah I think Muller is the big factor right. He was amazing in 2014 and 2010. He has been amazing for Bayern this season.
I guess Flick knows how to get him to perform.

He's one big factor for sure, he does need a certain freedom and trust from the manager to perform. But even without Müller, this team shouldn't struggle this much against every single opponent. Löw talks about developing something, but every time the team turns up it's like they've never really played with each other before, relying on individual brilliance and luck.

 

[hasanejaz88]

He was Löw's assistant from 2006 to 2014. And we've witnessed a steady climb up to the title followed by a rather steep decline right afterwards. I'm inclinded to think this is not a coincidence.

I think that's a lazy cliche people like to make. The same was said about Löw and Klinsmann in 2006, that Löw was the one responsible for 2006 rather than Klinsmann.

When Buvac left Liverpool, there were similar articles then coming out that Buvac was tactically stronger than Klopp, especially in defense, and that Liverpool would struggle without him.

I don't like Löw, haven't since 2012, but I don't think all his achievements were down to Flick or the players. He should be given credit for 2014, given the huge injury list we had

 

[Piratesoup]

When Buvac left Liverpool, there were similar articles then coming out that Buvac was tactically stronger than Klopp, especially in defense, and that Liverpool would struggle without him.

The difference is that Flick shattered a bunch of records in his first season as headcoach and won the treble. I don't think it's far fetched to think that he's had more influence than just any assistant.

 

[K_Ash]

Vintage Depay.

with the Captain armband though?! has he become that much of a leader now?!

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

The difference is that Flick shattered a bunch of records in his first season as headcoach and won the treble. I don't think it's far fetched to think that he's had more influence than just any assistant.

Flick migh be easy to work with and bring out the best from players and coaches around him. Exactly what he does or do not do I don't know.

 

[Blackwidow]

The difference is that Flick shattered a bunch of records in his first season as headcoach and won the treble. I don't think it's far fetched to think that he's had more influence than just any assistant.

The difference is that Flick has made a bet about scoring with set-pieces prior to the tournament - and Germany did not score any set-piece goal in the two years before. The coaching for the set-pieces Löw left to Flick... Flick let the players bring in ideas and trying out there ideas in teamwork...

Germany scored some decisive goals after set-pieces in that tounament...

How big his influence in open play was I do not know. But in player management it was for sure high.

 

[Bepi]

I am not sure football as we know can survive the incoming covid winter. Major leagues moving to less games (only one half, maybe, considering that the stands are empty and home/away have lost their meaning) and playoffs within bubble environments seems inevitable to me in order to award all the titles while allowing schedule elasticity.

 

[Yagami]

Sooo unpopular opinion. Van de Beek is shit.

Not unpopular for me.

Said it when were linked with him and when he signed that it was a stupid signing.

 

[Cheimoon]

with the Captain armband though?! has he become that much of a leader now?!

He's a key player in the team and kind of a leader, and he has a good mentality, workrate, and motivation. So makes sense that he got the armband when Van Dijk was subbed off. Who else, anyway?

 

[Snow]

When Depay has a bad game, he is infuriating to watch. Look up and stop dribbling like yer in a fecking circus.

Could have typed a little less and still said the same thing.

 

[Luke1995]

Well, this Portugal X Spain match wasn't as cool as the 2018 World Cup one. Maybe I set my expectations too high.

 

[RashyForPM]

I didn’t watch the games but I saw the lineups and I cannot believe Rodrigo is Spain’s main striker, and arguably main attacker. One of the world’s most prestigious footballing countries with one of the best leagues relies on someone who can’t displace Patrick Bamford at Leeds United. Obviously Rodrigo is a good player but, seriously? Didn’t he only get something poultry like 4 goals last season too?

 

[Bwuk]

Hopefully Scotland don’t go with 3 at the back with McTominay at CB. If they do Clarke should get fired tonight.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Apparently Southgate is going to go with

---------------------------Pope------------------------------
-----------Coady-----Keane---------Mings----------
James-----------------------------------------------Saka
-------------------Phillips------JWP----------------------
Barnes--------------------DCL---------------Grealish

Think James feeding DCL will be the key.

 

[footballistic orgasm]

Well, this Portugal X Spain match wasn't as cool as the 2018 World Cup one. Maybe I set my expectations too high.

That's because one team (Spain) with lesser individual talents on paper, dominated the other team (Portugal) that's supposed to have more individual talents for almost 90mins.

Portugal (along with France), has the most talented team in the world right now on paper IMO, but they have a coach that doesn't exploit their talents fully and play a frustrating brand of football (just like France too). Both coaches have led both teams to boring victories though in competitions, so it's like nothing can be said about the type of unattractive football they make their talented teams play...

 

[DelPotro]

Well, this Portugal X Spain match wasn't as cool as the 2018 World Cup one. Maybe I set my expectations too high.

They were just testing out new players. Players like Koke, Saul, Asensio and Thiago weren't in that team.

 

[Andycoleno9]

@R'hllor , @Fracture90 . Morale is low for tonight as i see on b92?

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Hopefully Scotland don’t go with 3 at the back with McTominay at CB. If they do Clarke should get fired tonight.

Is that to accomdate Robertson and Tierney?

 

[Jimmy Skitz]

Apparently Southgate is going to go with

---------------------------Pope------------------------------
-----------Coady-----Keane---------Mings----------
James-----------------------------------------------Saka
-------------------Phillips------JWP----------------------
Barnes--------------------DCL---------------Grealish

Think James feeding DCL will be the key.

so he's not paid attention to where Barnes plays at all then, give a lad a debut but out of position, great way to see the best of them

 

[R'hllor]

@R'hllor , @Fracture90 . Morale is low for tonight as i see on b92?

Lemme me check because i have no clue whats going on with national team nor who got a call. Not like that matters, they probably spent their nights on splavs listening some garbage tuc tuc tuc music.

 

[R'hllor]

@R'hllor , @Fracture90 . Morale is low for tonight as i see on b92?

" Verujem u Boga i Bog će nam pomoći da sačuvamo Halanda. " and " Kada pričamo o mentalitetu, mi Srbi mislimo da i Norvežani imaju sjajan mentalitet. " Yea we are fecked, i am amazed since dark days of 90`s feck all has changed. This "I believe in God and God will help us to kep him quiet" is just a classic, why do some actual work, God will pop on a pitch and do all the heavy lifting.

 

[Bwuk]

Is that to accomdate Robertson and Tierney?

Yeah. Last set of internationals it was McTominay, McKenna and Tierney at the back. Only one real CB in McKenna.

Robertson is always awful for Scotland.

 

[Samid]

Walked past a couple of VAR vans earlier. Are they always stationed completely in the open outside of stadiums? Seems like a recipe for disaster if enough people become aware of them.

 

[FootyGirl88]

so he's not paid attention to where Barnes plays at all then, give a lad a debut but out of position, great way to see the best of them

Where does Barnes play Jimmy?