Day 6: Wales vs Iran | Qatar vs Senegal | Netherlands vs Ecuador | England vs USA

Paul the Wolf

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“Global powerhouse England”, they just said. Lololololol. We could easily get shredded because the England players are miles better than USA, but as a team they have never really caught fire. We are there to play, having no expectations and being the firm underdog. England, on the other hand, are hyped to the moon and their players feel the weight of history.

I just hope it’s a good game, even, no shit ref calls.

USA USA USA
England have played the USA twice at World Cups and the USA haven't lost yet. At least until now.
 

Adam-Utd

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“Global powerhouse England”, they just said. Lololololol. We could easily get shredded because the England players are miles better than USA, but as a team they have never really caught fire. We are there to play, having no expectations and being the firm underdog. England, on the other hand, are hyped to the moon and their players feel the weight of history.

I just hope it’s a good game, even, no shit ref calls.

USA USA USA
we’re world semi finalists and european finalists, fair to say were one of the most in form teams in the world. keep laughing though ;)
 

Tony247

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All this still doesn't make the current squad (Mancini's one / The one after 2019 onwards) anywhere near comparable to Greece 2004... Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone 37 games undefeated. They wouldn't have won the Euros the way they did. Their playing style in the Euros had nothing to do with Greece (11 man behind and pray..).
You are taking that analogy too literally. All I wanted to convey is by winning 2004 Greece wasn't considered as European powerhouse and so is Italy after winning the last Euro. Similarity ends there.

Leave that analogy aside. Italy is not a powerhouse they used to. And it has been unusually for a very long time.
 

Dazzmondo

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i'm honestly surprised that Weston is starting as well....i would have gone with Yusah and Adams in a double pivot with Aaronson at the 10

I don't mind Haji being at the 9 but i would have started Reyna from the beginning especially if injury is a concern because of the warming up/cooling down issue that injuries bring with that

wtih that said....it's bloody nice to be able to debate why guys like Reyna and Aaronson aren't starting as it shows we finally have depth that has quality to it

this game is won or lost in the midfield in particular dealing with Mount and Kane constantly flipping between the 9 and 10
Weston not starting would be very weird. I'd say he's easily one of their best players. Maybe he doesn't perform as well for the US but my understanding was he was important for them and he's a regular starter for Juventus.
 

Jazz

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have to say the American supporters have shown up and out. They well up for this :lol:
 

WI_Red

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Weston not starting would be very weird. I'd say he's easily one of their best players. Maybe he doesn't perform as well for the US but my understanding was he was important for them and he's a regular starter for Juventus.
He is, but he has been out injured for Juve for weeks prior to the WC and pulled up during the Wales game with a groin injury. His game is built on his explosive runs into the box and tracking back, so if he is injured it could negate all of that.
 

Dumbstar

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If USA take an early lead will their creative fans' next chant be: "Stop The Count, Stop The Count"? :lol:
 

GifLord

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Yes. It's been a poor decade by the Italian NT. Euro results are very good. Even 2012 was a good tournament, losing heavily to that Spain is all right. (not to forget they played half the game 10 vs 11, because they had too many injuries and when Motta got injured they'd already used all the subs). All this after having drawn with Spain in the group and having just knocked out Germany (in an exhausting semi-final). The 2016 was a good run as well, this time with a poor squad (Pelle, Eder...) they had no business smashing Belguim and Spain and taking World Champions Germany to pens the way Conte did...

But horrendous WC results from 2010.. No arguing that at all.

All this still doesn't make the current squad (Mancini's one / The one after 2019 onwards) anywhere near comparable to Greece 2004... Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone 37 games undefeated. They wouldn't have won the Euros the way they did. Their playing style in the Euros had nothing to do with Greece (11 man behind and pray..).
Well the squad is pretty average for the high standards of the past Italian teams. They have no standout players, no match winners. Serie A isn't the league it used to be and it's been pretty evident with how italian players have been performing for the national team at the world stage.
 

Sly

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Cmon a nice entertainment game is all I ask and less Maguire mentions
 

Dazzmondo

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He is, but he has been out injured for Juve for weeks prior to the WC and pulled up during the Wales game with a groin injury. His game is built on his explosive runs into the box and tracking back, so if he is injured it could negate all of that.
Ah ok, ya fair enough
 

Anustart89

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Terrible kit clash I can’t believe this is allowed. I know both teams have a long-standing history in the game but this can’t be right?
 

JPRouve

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I rarely want England to batter a team but this is the occasion to do it.