Euro: Quarterfinals: Germany - Spain (July 5th)

[cgf]

Two of the most fun teams so far, shame this isn’t the final.

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[robertmac43]

Best game of the tournament on paper.

 

[cgf]

Best game of the tournament on paper.

The matchup in Qatar was a very good game, even if we were too wasteful…and we still need to get justice for 2010

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Can’t see Germany winning. I don’t think this will be a tight game at all.

 

[cgf]

Can’t see Germany winning. I don’t think this will be a tight game at all.

It probably won’t be tight, we’re likely to win by 2-3 goals, but it should be fun to watch.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

It probably won’t be tight, we’re likely to win by 2-3 goals, but it should be fun to watch.

Do you have a Spanish passport?

Their keeper is better, their defence is better, their midfield is better and their attack is better. Good luck

 

[cgf]

Do you have a Spanish passport?

Their keeper is better, their defence is better, their midfield is better and their attack is better. Good luck

You’re not that wrong…they do have the better LB and 6…

If we’re being serious these teams are way too similar. Neither defense is going to challenge the French, both can be wasteful in front of goal…but both have worldclass midfielders & creatives, lead by arguable 4 of the 5 best young talents at this tourney.

 

[cgf]

Yamal, Williams, Musiala, and Wirtz could go either way depending on the day…and both teams have game breaking talents behind those young superstars. Ilkay - Kroos - Andrich vs Pedri - Ruiz - Rodri is a toss up depending on the day as well. Cucurella/Grimaldi > Mittelstadt/Raum, but Kimmich > Carvajal.

Rudi is arguably the most proven CB on either squad and at his peak, Schlotterbeck can be the best…but we have yet to see peak Nico for the NT, despite the positive step in that direction against the Danes…and I see Tah struggling with those young Spanish wingers if he starts.

I’d take Havertz/Füllkrug over Morata, but it’s not like we have Gerd up front so that’s not a huge advantage even if it is one. And I won’t argue for Neuer being an advantage any more…he’s making the first save so far, but he has yet to really need to scramble to make the second save and he doesn’t have the aura he once did…but again it’s not like Simons has been infallible for Spain.

I won’t be surprised by any outcome. I’m expecting something like what we saw in Qatar only with both teams being much better…but I won’t be shocked if either one falls behind early and just gets pummeled.

 

[gary69]

@cgf Can you add apoll to this thread as there is another thread for this match with a poll but no posts in it yet?

 

[cgf]

@cgf Can you add apoll to this thread as there is another thread for this match with a poll but no posts in it yet?

Donezo

 

[Vasilevskiy]

A por ellos

 

[cgf]

A por ellos

I'll be salty if any team beats us to 4 euros, but I won't hate it if it's a team playing the way you have been so far.

EDIT:
I think I'd play:

Havertz
Wirtz - Gundogan - Musiala
Kroos - Can
Henrichs - Schlotterbeck - Rüdiger - Kimmich
Neuer
​

Maybe start Beier instead of Ilkay and drop Kai to the 10 to give us more speed in the press?

 

[Panteras]

I haven’t been following football in a minute but these seem like the 2 best teams of the tournament so far and one of those games that can go either way. Have to think whoever wins this goes on to win it all.

 

[cgf]

I haven’t been following football in a minute but these seem like the 2 best teams of the tournament so far and one of those games that can go either way. Have to think whoever wins this goes on to win it all.

Both teams have defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of clinicalness that kept them from being the top favorites before the tourney, but so far both have done a wonderful job covering for their defense with their press & possession, while scoring left & right.

Though even if that does hold up, it wouldn't exactly be a shock to see either of them lose to France/Portugal.

 

[les Habs]

Two of the most fun teams so far, shame this isn’t the final.

Yeah, but Spain’s starters can’t play Spain’s backups. UEFA wont’ allow it.

In all seriousness, I wouldn’t bet on this one.

 

[Blender]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808112133101834487

The Cucurenaissance in full swing.

 

[luiginb]

I was fuming when I saw de la Fuente was starting him and Carvajal instead of Grimaldo and Porro, but so far I'm happy with my crow.

 

[cgf]

I was fuming when I saw de la Fuente was starting him and Carvajal instead of Grimaldo and Porro, but so far I'm happy with my crow.

Hopefully tomorrow they justify your complaints

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Wirtz again on the bench, with Sane still preferred at RW despite a pretty mediocre (being generous) performance against Denmark. A shame, I was hoping Cucurella would have a challenge today.

Schlotterbeck also swapped out for Jonathan Tah.

Spain unchanged.

 

[gary69]

Wirtz again on the bench, with Sane still preferred at RW despite a pretty mediocre (being generous) performance against Denmark. A shame, I was hoping Cucurella would have a challenge today.

Schlotterbeck also swapped out for Jonathan Tah.

Spain unchanged.

Also surprising than Can starts and replaces Andrich in the middle. Not sure what to think about Schlotterbeck, maybe Germany doesn't believe that they get many chances by building from back or long range passing.

 

[TBF1972]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808112133101834487

The Cucurenaissance in full swing.

di lorenzo? he might has been italy's worst player during the euros

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Still think Puyol >>>>> Cucurella when it comes to the hair.

 

[K1900L]

There's a good chance that we see a finalist in this game already. In my opinion, these two looked the best so far in this tournament.

 

[Brunkmeister]

So Anthony Taylor get’s to destroy the game.

 

[cgf]

Also surprising than Can starts and replaces Andrich in the middle. Not sure what to think about Schlotterbeck, maybe Germany doesn't believe that they get many chances by building from back or long range passing.

Can makes sense to me. He's a lot faster than Andrich so that helps compensate for going from Nico to Tah.

I'm guessing Sane is out there for his speed in pressing? :-/