OT: Association Football Thread III (All Soccer Talk Here!)

[inranger94]

Wow lots of goals in the second half in this game Portugal Ghana

 

[jniklast]

Was hoping for a return to form from Germany. Horrid coaching. No adaptability, poor creativity, unremarkable pace. And why would you put in Götze, one of the generation’s biggest disappointments, while down late in the game? And why on earth didn’t you start Goretzka? This loss is on the manager and on Rudiger for his horrid defensive coverage.

Fully agree with the first part.

But Götze has been good at Frankfurt, that was ok. And I'd rather say subbing in Goretzka for Gündogan was the turning point, Gündogan should never have gone off. And Rüdiger was by far the best defender yesterday, it was Süle and Schlotterbeck who were horrendous and Neuer also not without blame for the second goal.

But overall it was just a continuation of the last month/years. Very average offensively, in part due to the lack of a quality striker, and with a shaky defensive structure due to both many individual errors but also a bad midfield setup: No two-man combination of Kimmich, Gündogan and Goretzka provides enough defensive responsibility and structure.

 

[will1066]

Brazil just hit the post! So unlucky

 

[CasusBelli]

Fully agree with the first part.

But Götze has been good at Frankfurt, that was ok. And I'd rather say subbing in Goretzka for Gündogan was the turning point, Gündogan should never have gone off. And Rüdiger was by far the best defender yesterday, it was Süle and Schlotterbeck who were horrendous and Neuer also not without blame for the second goal.

But overall it was just a continuation of the last month/years. Very average offensively, in part due to the lack of a quality striker, and with a shaky defensive structure due to both many individual errors but also a bad midfield setup: No two-man combination of Kimmich, Gündogan and Goretzka provides enough defensive responsibility and structure.

I think it comes down to so many players leaving the Bundesliga over the past decade. No longer is Die Manschaft basically playing in Bayern or Dortmund. They’ve lost the cohesion that the 2002-2014 teams had.

 

[jniklast]

I think it comes down to so many players leaving the Bundesliga over the past decade. No longer is Die Manschaft basically playing in Bayern or Dortmund. They’ve lost the cohesion that the 2002-2014 teams had.

That's certainly an aspect of it, there's no doubt the dominance of the EPL increased a lot in the last decade, which hurt the Bundesliga and thus the national team. But overall there has just been a general drop in German talent. But despite less quality in the team, Flick still wants them to play dominantly like in 2014. But without the right personnel, that just doesn't work.

 

[Baby Duck Homme]

Why no Reyna?

 

[inranger94]

Not a bad start so far. Playing a bit too conservative. Belhalter really is not a fan of Reyna

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Pickford the most British looking bloke ever

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Omg close

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Played a real good half but they’re going to need to convert on these chances

 

[bl02]

Played a real good half but they’re going to need to convert on these chances

For sure. In a decent spot. At this point loss of tie is basically same thing (unless we really get blown out and even then doesn't matter much). So play smart and if it's still tied in last 20 min or so then go for it.
Like you said tho they've had their chances

 

[Fitzy]

Why no Reyna?

Reyna and Aaronson seem to be offensive sub options. It's hard to get Pulisic, Weah, Reyna, and Aaronson out there at the same time, especially against a better team on paper.

 

[CasusBelli]

This reminds me of Germany vs. Japan ...

We sure this ref doesn't have English citizenship too?

 

[bl02]

If we could do anything we these corners

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

If we could do anything we these corners

Too short need more size and grit

 

[romba]

Too short need more size and grit

Yes US seems very undersized which really hurts on set pieces. Feel like set pieces used to be US bread and butter.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Moore is not good huh

Yes US seems very undersized which really hurts on set pieces. Feel like set pieces used to be US bread and butter.

Brian McBride was a battering ram

 

[bl02]

Proud of this team great effort but tie doesn't do much.
Park ridge kid great game

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I’ll take it tbh, they played well, mostly. Need to beat those Ayatollahs now

 

[bl02]

Everyone minus Moore was good. that lame cross in the box was our best chance we had them on the run.

Moore is not good huh


Brian McBride was a battering ram

glad you noticed it too. He sucked. I know he only played like 20 min but the drop off was obvious.

 

[inranger94]

Moore was an odd sub. Berhalter kinda sucks at substitutions. Put in too late Reyna and Arrnson but they played a good game overall. Go beat Iran now. If you can’t beat Iran then you shouldn’t be in the World Cup.

 

[Kocur26]

Japan beat Germany - then lost today vs Costa Rica who got beaten by Spain 7-0!
Saudi Arabia missed a PK lost yesterday but were excellent in defeat shoulda coulda won …
Denmark should be sick had 4 clean chances on goal shanked but created

Morocco shocked the heavily loaded Belgium today 2-0. Belgium ranked #2 in world btw .

You know who hasn’t won yet ? Or really shocked anyone and hasn’t really created a plethora of near misses … the United States of America ….

It’s time to go win a fukn game 3-0 ffs …

Stop the moral victory bullshit

 

[Ratelleitlikeitis]

Wow what an opening goal from Davies!

 

[rangersfansince08]

Croatia dicking canada! love to see it!

 

[CasusBelli]

Croatia dicking canada! love to see it!

It’s a nice reminder to them … you excel in only one major sport — and many would debate whether it’s a major sport in the first place. Get off your high horse.

Nice to see Germany playing better today, though.