FIFA World Cup Brasil 2014

LOL, actually your just meaning the guy with the tammy on at the Uruguay game.

But then again you don't actually know the story behind that.


FD
 
Yes and now we have the history of klinsman, left without a dynamic proven play maker to put in a match due to injury and selection yet he had that siting at home watching the match. As I said before and I say now, terrible decision and USA deserved better
 
gomito#10 said:
Yes and now we have the history of klinsman, left without a dynamic proven play maker to put in a match due to injury and selection yet he had that siting at home watching the match. As I said before and I say now, terrible decision and USA deserved better
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Ok,so,but, and all other conjunction words . Critics always come before and after the decision is made. I get it ! I just don`t know the impact of that player would of done. I didn`t think old man Beasley was ready ,but I was wrong and Klinsman has a more insight then we do.

Theo Walcott ‏@theowalcott 34m

I don't know about anyone else but that was one of the best games I have ever watched FULL-STOP!!! #Brazil2014
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This US is better than Bob`s Bradley USMNT
 
I find it funny how you are all against Argentina, wanting us out of the WC for not playing the best football ever, always supporting whoever is playing against us, yet none of you are that harsh with Brazil or even Germany (which hasn't been THAT good as we expected). Netherlands are doing well, but at times they kinda suck too. Yet none of you are saying this when these teams are playing. The only NT playing proper football, is Colombia. Period.

I can understand this desire for Argentinian blood from the British and Brazilian fellas. But I feel a little dissapointed on the rest of you. You don't judge the rest of the teams with the same measure.

I'm all for well-played football. Like most of us. I'm all for the underdog too. But only when they try to do something valuable. Like Costa-Rica or even Mexico. But you guys wanted Swiss and Iran to win, like they were producing high quality football? Come on. That smells a lot like double standards. Both of them parked the bus and all they cared about throughout 90% of the match was defending. The rest, they just counter-attacked. At least we try.

I'm not saying we are great, nor that we are playing nice. I'm just I don't see you saying the same stuff about other NT which should be producing top notch games. It's quite frustrating to see some of you saying things like "Swiss deserves to win" or "unlucky Swiss".

Now it'll be time for us to measure up against Belgium, and I'm sure most of you will support Belgium. Fine by me. But... have they really played the football you all love?. At least they probably will try to play some actual football instead of setting their minds only to defending.

So far, the only NT that tried to play an even match against Argentina was Nigeria, so it's no surprise that one was our best match. Even with all our flaws (lots of them), we're still ongoing, DESERVEDLY. England, Spain, Italy, can keep watching our matches on TV and criticising us, but at least we're still in it.
 
To be fair, Chuny, plenty of people in this thread have criticised those teams you mentioned. I don't think any of the "major" nations have played well consistently throughout the tournament. Brazil in particular have been very underwhelming.
 
It's Messi best chance to win a WC trophy. No one will remember how they did it , just that they did it.
 
Chuny said:
I find it funny how you are all against Argentina, wanting us out of the WC for not playing the best football ever, always supporting whoever is playing against us, yet none of you are that harsh with Brazil or even Germany (which hasn't been THAT good as we expected). Netherlands are doing well, but at times they kinda suck too. Yet none of you are saying this when these teams are playing. The only NT playing proper football, is Colombia. Period.

I can understand this desire for Argentinian blood from the British and Brazilian fellas. But I feel a little dissapointed on the rest of you. You don't judge the rest of the teams with the same measure.

I'm all for well-played football. Like most of us. I'm all for the underdog too. But only when they try to do something valuable. Like Costa-Rica or even Mexico. But you guys wanted Swiss and Iran to win, like they were producing high quality football? Come on. That smells a lot like double standards. Both of them parked the bus and all they cared about throughout 90% of the match was defending. The rest, they just counter-attacked. At least we try.

I'm not saying we are great, nor that we are playing nice. I'm just I don't see you saying the same stuff about other NT which should be producing top notch games. It's quite frustrating to see some of you saying things like "Swiss deserves to win" or "unlucky Swiss".

Now it'll be time for us to measure up against Belgium, and I'm sure most of you will support Belgium. Fine by me. But... have they really played the football you all love?. At least they probably will try to play some actual football instead of setting their minds only to defending.

So far, the only NT that tried to play an even match against Argentina was Nigeria, so it's no surprise that one was our best match. Even with all our flaws (lots of them), we're still ongoing, DESERVEDLY. England, Spain, Italy, can keep watching our matches on TV and criticising us, but at least we're still in it.
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I´m brazilian(and swiss) and I love Argentina, I would love to see them winning a World Cup again!
It´s disgusting the way Brazil´s popular press insists that the real brazilian supporter should hate argentinians.
I was today at Arena Corinthians stadium to cheer for Switzerland, since my mother is swiss and I have a very strong bound with the country. But deep inside I found great that Argentina won!
The fans are awesome, the chants, the atmosphere they create in stadium is unbelivable!
 
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Jamezinho said:
To be fair, Chuny, plenty of people in this thread have criticised those teams you mentioned. I don't think any of the "major" nations have played well consistently throughout the tournament. Brazil in particular have been very underwhelming.
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Yes, that's true too. But that doesn't make any les disgusting to read how the rest rages against Argentina and supports whatever NT plays against us no matter how horrible or defensive they are. Instead of supporting the team that's trying to win, they just support the one that's trying not to lose. Then they claim we got lucky or that it was unfair.

bebo said:
It's Messi best chance to win a WC trophy. No one will remember how they did it , just that they did it.
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I agree.

Ernesto Lee said:
I´m brazilian(and swiss) and I love Argentina, I would love to see them winning a World Cup again!
It´s disgusting the way Brazil´s popular press insists that the real brazilian supporter should hate argentinians.
I was today at Arena Corinthians stadium to cheer for Switzerland, since my mother is swiss and I have a very strong bound with the country. But deep inside I found great that Argentina won!
The fans are awesome, the chants, the atmosphere they create in stadium is unbelivable!
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That's touching, man. Really. I know deep down we both want the same thing. Brazil v.s. Argentina in the finals. I love Brazil as a country. Been there about 8 times, warm people, good vibes.



My main concern with Argentina relies in the squad itself. Player by player. Because it seems to me, Sabella (our coach) had the starting 11 in his head, and perhaps 2 o 3 solid subs (Lavezzi, Palacio and Biglia), but the rest of them were called up only to fill the spots regardless of what they could do for the team in the World Cup. It's like he chose players that would be happy just to be there and wouldn't make a scene even if they didn't play a single minute in the entire Tournament. He didn't call-up certain players who could become useful for certain specific situations in mind.

It becomes clear to me since he never tried to send in a fresh player that could give the team some mobility like Augusto Fernandez or Enzo Perez could, even when some players were giving clear signs throughout the 4 matches that they needed fresh legs at certain points. Higuain was exhausted for most of the match. So was Gago (which got replaced, but too late... IMO).

This is where other NTs like Netherlands, Germany and even Belgium are becoming really strong. When Plan A isn't working, they have a Plan B. Specially Belgium (3 of the centre-forward players Marc Wilmots put in, scored).

My second issue with the team is the lack of mobility when we attack. We all know is hot in Brazil. And this is the 3rd time in a row Argentina gets the match scheduled for 13:00 (against Belgium, it'll be the 4th). It must be hard to keep moving and running after the 30th minute, but still... damn it!.. they're so static. It's like they're waiting for Messi to get past 3 defenders, shoot and score. They hardly offer him any good passing option. With teams that get so closed up near their own goal, it's mandatory to keep moving, rotating and passing the ball quickly. It feels to me Sabella isn't training these stuff during the week inbetween matches.

At least we improved defensively against Switzerland. The defensive line was a little higher and the team wasn't so stretched up like in previous matches.

It's also imperial that Agüero recovers ASAP. Neither Palacio or Lavezzi are up to the task.
 
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I think if there is a time in which we should win the WC, it's now or never. We currently have one of the best players to ever step on a football pitch at his finest form. We have his perfect companion and partner, who proved to be crucial at hard times. We have the two most panned and criticised players to ever put on an Argentinean shirt playing at their very best and shutting up everyone's mouths, including mine. We have one of the toughest yet most daring players the country has ever produced, doing his job silently and expecting no recognition. Our right wing back and centre back are doing solid work, too. The rest... the rest is just shite, excluding injured, but enough to fulfil (we still have to make them able to replace the starting XI). Even if we need to suffer until the very end, which has become a custom for us (especialy me, an Independiente fan), we will have to leave everything on the pitch against the toughest opponents we are going to face. This is it.
 
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Up to this point this is the most exciting World Cup to watch I remember. Let's cross the fingers and expect even better quarter, semis and finals.

Absolutely loved Belgium, USA, Argelia, Costa Rica and Colombia. The ffects of globalization are very obvious as national teams get on level.
 
bebo said:
This US is better than Bob`s Bradley USMNT
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Actually, Klinsmann has done as much as he can for this team. Bob Bradley is a magician in the locker room and a savvy tactician, more so than Klinsmann.

If USA were truly smart they'd reinstate Bradley. What Klinsmann has mainly done is to secure a few players as US citizens who would normally go under the radar or probably choose another citizenship (Green++). USA were fairly good in 2010 as well and won many hearts already back then. Klinsmann is a motivator and team builder, Löw was his tactician. Bob Bradley is both in one but what he couldn't offer USA at the point when Klinsmann replaced him was that Klinsmann is a WC winner, a proven manager and a winner and USA love those.

Bob Bradley manages a Norwegian team on the brink of bankrupsy who would normally be relegated being dead last with nearly no goals and few points. At the moment he's sitting safely in mid table with a bunch of youth and knock offs.

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I absolutely love the general tone of this forum and particularly this thread since the WC started. It was suggested before the WC started that it would become a flame fest and intense arguments but in general I think it's been quite the opposite. I suspect the more or less non existant economical ramifications for the losing teams have some say in it, I mean if a club doesn't deliver you know that it hurts the squad in some way and you fear becoming weakened for the next season. National teams doesn't have to worry about that and likewise the fans. It's just my theory at least.

Either way, I've never enjoyed this place as much as I have these weeks since the WC started. This place is full of great guys quite simply. Thanks for that, all of you.

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user name 99 said:
I think if there is a time in which we should win the WC, it's now or never. We currently have one of the best players to ever step on a football pitch at his finest form. We have his perfect companion and partner, who proved to be crucial at hard times.
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Messi = Maradona
Di Maria = Burruchaga

I'm still distrusting Sabella though and I'd prefer a "Caniggia" thrown in the mix but I wish Argentine WC victory more than anything at the moment.
 
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ZeroTheHero said:
Messi = Maradona
Di Maria = Burruchaga

I'm still distrusting Sabella though and I'd prefer a "Caniggia" thrown in the mix but I wish Argentine WC victory more than anything at the moment.
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Higuaín should be our Caniggia. He used to be so. He is our only reference of a true striker, and proved to be so in the qualifiers, yet now he's fat, slow abd tired.

I believe one of Sabella's biggest mistakes of his selection was the lack of a plan B. He has only one solud starting XI and a few changes (Lavezzi, Palacio, Biglia), while the rest have only been called for the sake of the experience qnd will most likely be unused (e.g. Demichelis). In cases like Rojo, he "tries" with some "José Basanta" on the left wing, clearly not a competent sub for him.

I can't recall who said that while Argentina produces the best tacticians, we have this clown for a manager, and let me tell him he's absolutely right.
 
user name 99 said:
I can't recall who said that while Argentina produces the best tacticians, we have this clown for a manager, and let me tell him he's absolutely right.
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It was me :)


I'm very impressed by Di Maria's work rate and work ethics so far, he's a proper "Duracell rabbit" and that's quite rare in a creative dribbler type. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaF6FxmixJk)

Looks to me as Argentina plays something like this rather than the official graphics;

------------Romero------------
-------Federico----Garay------
Zaba----------------------Rojo
-------Gago--------Masch------
------------------------------
-----------Di Maria-----------
------------------------------
-------------Messi------------
----Higuain---------Aguero----

But I would suggest something like this if the two striker system is so pivotal;

------------Romero------------
-------Federico----Garay------
Zaba----------------------Rojo
------------------------------
-------Gago------Masch--------
------------------------------
----Messi----------Di Maria---
------------------------------
------Higuain-----Aguero------

And have Messi and Di Maria switch positions and act as "equal" playmakers and also have Messi poach and penetrate the box more often than Di Maria. This way they would have more options forward, opportunity to double on the wings (which quite frankly they've hardly done) and given Messi opportunity for more room and a viable alternative if Messi is heavily marked, he's usually had three people on him so far. The space those three markers leave behind must be punished and I believe this formation with some individual instruction will allow for that. It's irrelevant who plays between Lavezzi and Aguero in my opinion, whichever has the best day is capable of reaping havoc to the best defences in the world. Both strikers need to alternate between meeting deep and poaching the offside line and Messi needs to make runs through as well.

Please Sabella, read these boards :P

Against Belgium (and generally) I'd prefer an even safer approach since attack generally starts from the backline;

Two playmakers where at least one of them is deadlier in front of goal than any other striker on the planet should suffice IMO. Argentina has a luxury problem offensively but so far stuffing all those incredible players on the pitch hasn't given much result. A proper plan and many options on the bench would be a wiser approach in my opinion.

------------Romero------------
-------Federico----Garay------
Zaba----------------------Rojo (Full back / Wing back system, if one goes up the other stays)
------------Masch------------- (Pure Def. Mid/Ballwinner/disruptor)
-------Gago------Biglia------- (Deep lying stabilizing midfield / passing options)
------------------------------
----Messi----------Di Maria--- (AMC / SS types confuse defenses and wreak havoc and create width to stretch opponent.)
------------------------------
------------Higuain----------- (Make runs non stop criss cross up and down to never give opponent rest)

Messi were never better than when he played on the right wing and cutting inside for Barcelona. He's scored a lot more goals as a false 9 but he's harder to take out of the match on the wing with a fairly free role. So far this WC the centre of the park has been congested until the dying minutes of second half, so stuffing Messi in there is a waste of his talent. That space (standard number 10 space) should only be occupied occasionally and when the opportunity arises such as James Rodriguez has done so wonderfully for Colombia so far this WC. Started from the wing and drifted inside on occasion.

I wish Sabella had picked Ansaldi as a backup for Rojo (which clearly was a great choice). Ansaldi is a largely underrated complete and brilliant back/wingback who's also a smart defender. In the AMC/SS role Lavezzi, Aguero, Ricky, Augusto and Enzo can play so there's a lot of options. The squad is clearly unbalanced though, with all those "AMC" types. Maxi is a potato, he can be use all over the offensive side of the formation. This strategy would win the midfield battle against most teams in the WC and still leave room for extreme creativity and offensive possibilities.
 
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it was a daft yellow to pick up it wasn`t even worth the take down at the half way line.

I personally have no favourites btw #ARGBEL both will score late after the 90th min. mark. I'm loving Colombia we use to have a few Colombian members that supported BocaJrs. They might be dead or something shame. I`m supporting GER it will be nice to see just how tough the group was and COS for concacaf!
 
I kind of want Argentina to win too. I watched the game yesterday in a pub with about 100 Argentineans in Amsterdam and it was amazing. Brilliant atmosphere.
 
Much like Brazil, Argentina has been dreadful. They could have lost to Iran, if the Iranians weren't so wasteful on the counters! Same thing for Switzerland yesterday. If they had someone slightly better than Drmic things would be different.

I think Germany will win this. They are a proper team in the sense of the word, a bit like USA but with World Cup pedigree and some real world beaters like Lahm and Schweinsteiger within their ranks.

Holland could win too, I'm expecting them to appear once again in the final.

Belgium can go really far, but reaching a final would be too optimistic a prediction for them. I think they will revel in the underdog role against Argentina though and they will be the toughest test the Argentines will have faced up to this point. I'm putting my money on a Belgium vs Holland semifinal.

The thing with the South American teams, is that the giants are playing horribly bad and the ones showing amazing football are Colombia and, to a lesser extent, Costa Rica.
But both lack pedigree and I suspect they won't be going further from the quarter finals.
 
Colombia can nick it, but they'll have to cope with their mediocre CB(apart from Balanta) that's their only weakness. Ospina, La Roca Sánchez, Cuadrado and James have all been brilliant so far.
 
It appears that Scolari revealed to six trusted journalist that he regreted calling one player among the current 23. Obviously he would never reveal neither to the players and journalists.
Either it´s a strategy to allure the adversaries(which I highly doubt it) or it´s one of the biggest stupidities he could come up with, If the brazilian players were emotionally shattered before imagine now not knowing if one of them is an undesirable piece.
Scolari is totally lost.
CBF is a tragedy.
 
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