World Cup: National Team threads #2

[Power Man]

Algerian legend Lakhdar Belloumi’s son with his first NT call up

Well deserved tbh, based on his excellent start of the season in Portugal and not his name

 

[cgf]

Can't help but be curious how the NT looks under JN. The summer friendlies were a disaster and the results were a bummer, but they played well in Qatar and there's enough talent there to get back into that second tier of teams behind France.

Really hope Behrens gets into a match, even though I'll be shocked if he makes the EM roster. Happy for Andrich too, even if he left.

Judging by how JN used Bayern's roster and the selection, I'm guessing we'll see a back 4 with 3 CBs. Although I'd be curious to see how we did with Groß & Kimmich at the FB spots and Andrich at the 6 next to Ilkay behind Sane - Musiala/Wirtz - Wirtz/Havertz & Füllkrug.

 

[Power Man]

2 active players will participate in the next AFCON draw, a tournament they will mist likely be a part of….

Only in Africa

 

[gary69]

Group E seems like the poorest quality.

Senegal and Cameroon being in the same group, ditto for Ivory & Nigeria, makes those two groups probably the toughest ones.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

A beautiful volley to open the scoring for Argentina. From captain Otamendi of all people

Alvarez+Enzo and Lautaro also combining for a wonder goal. I miss the best team playing…

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

No idea how Argentina aren’t up 5-0. Some beautiful football being displayed and Messi still on the bench

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Good game no idea how Argentina only scored one goal. Anyone still ignorant to think this team is just Messi should've tuned in. On to the next one.

Sidenote, Chelsea should do the football world a favour and sell Enzo back to Benfica.

 

[Power Man]

well damn

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

well damn

Everyone knows Mahrez>Salah

 

[Power Man]

I usually don’t mind international breaks at all. Actually look forward to them. However, I have to say this year it has been annoying. It’s almost like footy is paused, I only get to watch Argentina this Friday that’s it. Then boredom for a week.

Argentina has depth but more importantly it’s a well baIanced squad
And Scaloni is a total leader

Everyone knows Mahrez>Salah

Don’t jinx us man, we’re playing Egypt in a few days lol

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Lool you pulled up a post I had from 4 years ago! But yeah I agree.

 

[luiginb]

Great public in the States against Germany, but what was with that anthem singing? haha

Nagelsmann trying to win some ugly shirt competition, he's well placed.

Sane is feasting on Dest so far.

 

[cgf]

Great public in the States against Germany, but what was with that anthem singing? haha

Nagelsmann trying to win some ugly shirt competition, he's well placed.

Sane is feasting on Dest so far.

Only kinda got to watch, but it was nice to see our best front 4 (Sane, Musiala, Wirtz, Füllkrug) + Gosens & Gundogan building chemistry. Match reminded me of the U21s win over Bulgaria.

From what I saw Groß fit in well but we still need more of lockdown 6 next to Ilkay or Kimmich...Martel can't develop fast enough...but at least we have the firepower to compensate for our defensive let downs.

Also not sure how to feel about the goals our NTs on all levels give up being such excellent efforts. At some point it can't just be bad luck, but whatever it is, if you want your goal to make a highlight reel, score it against a German NT...

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Seems like Brahim Diaz to Morocco has major smoke again but Real Madrid is putting pressure on him because they don't want to lose him for AFCON. Same thing that sunk the Bono deal.

 

[Power Man]

Why is Benrahma starting instead of Amoura vs Egypt?

 

[Power Man]

I've defended Benrahma for a while but I can' t anymore

 

[Power Man]

Thank you @Duchene2MacKinnon

 

[Power Man]

Pheeeww, saved in stoppage time by the Algerian Giroud (Slimani)

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Thank you @Duchene2MacKinnon

I mean he didn’t score so you’re welcome

 

[Power Man]

I mean he didn’t score so you’re welcome

Yeah I guess

 

[cgf]

Wonder if Behrens gets to play today with the Dortmund contingent returning to Germany for their match on Friday and if we stick to the 3CBs set up. With the Dortmund guys heading home, we have just Thiaw, Tah, and Rüdi, so it could make sense to test out the 2 defensive FBs + holding 6 set up. Something like:

Behrens/Havertz
Sane - Musiala - Wirtz
Andrich - Gundogan
Groß - Rüdiger/Tah - Thiaw - Kimmich
ter Stegen​

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

MAtS got such a raw deal. Almost Messi like.

 

[cgf]

MAtS got such a raw deal. Almost Messi like.

MAtS and Sane have probably suffered the most from our oldies hanging on for too long.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

MAtS and Sane have probably suffered the most from our oldies hanging on for too long.

Sane should count himself lucky not to play keeper with that “defence”

 

[Ajacied]

What these two games meant for Oranje:

- de Roon should never ever wear the orange jersey. Absolutely useless.
- Simons needs a bit more seasoning. Isn’t playing the same for Oranje as he is for his clubs.
- Hartman is the LB for the foreseeable future.
- Reijnders pretty much cemented his spot as a starter at CM, next to Frenkie. He was our best player in both games with Hartman.
- Weghorst is crap.
- van Dijk looked like his old self.
- Geertruida didn’t do very well. One of De Ligt, Botman and van der Ven (and Timber when he’s healthy) will likely pass him on the depth chart and slot in next to Virgil and Aké.
- Frimpong and Dumfries is a luxery to have as RB options.
- We miss Frenkie
- We miss a decent striker more