Italians always give the Germans trouble though. It's sort of the German's boogie team.
In fact Germany (East or West or Unified) have never beaten Italy in a competitive match.
And Spain had never won a competitive match against France either. A lot of those historical stats are irrelevant because so much about the sides has changed.
My real concern is Bastian Schweinsteiger. He is complaining that his ankle hasnt healed properly and is making uncharacteristically bad passes. Well, this is the guy that pulls the strings, so what do you do? Do you play him and hope Germany can get by with a 70% Schweinsteiger?
Do you do that when you have a guy like Gotze who can step into his role? They're not exactly the same, but they are similar enough. Then again, based on Gotze's playing time, how fit is he?
Germany could conceivably shuffle the entire formation to accommodate the loss of Schweinsteiger, have Khedira hold the back line on his own and just attack relentlessly through guys like Kroos and Schurrle. But I dont think Low is to keen on fielding such a one-sided lineup.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I would play Kroos into Schweinsteiger's spot. He played it at Bayern when Schweinsteiger was hurt. I think he is more natural in that holding role than Gotze is, at least right now
I would play Kroos into Schweinsteiger's spot. He played it at Bayern when Schweinsteiger was hurt. I think he is more natural in that holding role than Gotze is, at least right now
This is the problem, I liken Gotze closer to Ozil than to Schweinsteiger as a playmaking midfielder.
Ozil and Gotze are more creative and attacking than holding, and the same goes for Kroos but to a lesser degree, and he can be reined in as a holding midfielder more easily. Schweinsteiger is a complete package that is hard to replace, but you cant lean too heavily on an injured guy when the games really matter.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I'm just waiting for the Italians to quit and change sides.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PIMking
This time there wasn't a scuffle after the German game that the cry baby Italians can get players suspended for their game. We will be at full strength this time.
While England getting dismantled by Italy was disappointing, especially in the manner it happened, it wasn't really unexpected. Just winning the group was exceeding expectations.
Fact is with that squad selection and such casual tactics using a simple 4-4-2 they weren't really going to stand a chance against a quality side.
When you have numerous defenders instead of Ferdinand; or Downing, Henderson (who?), Milner, and Parker instead of Scholes, Carrick, and Richards, you are already handicapping your team before the tournament even starts. Add in an out-of-form Rooney suspended for half the matches, a midfield (outside of Gerrard) who gave the ball away like they were allergic to it, and Glen Johnson instead of Jones and it was a recipe for disaster.
How unbelievable is it that the top passing combination was Hart to Carrol (who only played half the game)? Gerrard was a one-man midfield and Pirlo was stupidly given the time and space to rip England to shreds. And what was Hart doing on the penalties? Way to act like a complete dickhead for no purpose, only to have Pirlo embarrass you - as he said he planned to.
Bad squad selection, bad tactics, and yet I'm still disappointed...I'll never learn.
__________________ "I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?" Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
While England getting dismantled by Italy was disappointing, especially in the manner it happened, it wasn't really unexpected. Just winning the group was exceeding expectations.
Fact is with that squad selection and such casual tactics using a simple 4-4-2 they weren't really going to stand a chance against a quality side.
When you have numerous defenders instead of Ferdinand; or Downing, Henderson (who?), Milner, and Parker instead of Scholes, Carrick, and Richards, you are already handicapping your team before the tournament even starts. Add in an out-of-form Rooney suspended for half the matches, a midfield (outside of Gerrard) who gave the ball away like they were allergic to it, and Glen Johnson instead of Jones and it was a recipe for disaster.
How unbelievable is it that the top passing combination was Hart to Carrol (who only played half the game)? Gerrard was a one-man midfield and Pirlo was stupidly given the time and space to rip England to shreds. And what was Hart doing on the penalties? Way to act like a complete dickhead for no purpose, only to have Pirlo embarrass you - as he said he planned to.
Bad squad selection, bad tactics, and yet I'm still disappointed...I'll never learn.
Agree with most sentiments except for Joe Hart. If you anticipate the player punishing his shot, you do your best to read the foot plant and guess.
Quote:
"Way to act like a complete dickhead for no purpose, only to have Pirlo embarrass you - as he said he planned to."
Best keeper we've had since Banks, and you share that? Ridiculously over the top harsh. I think he's usually good for one save, and further was certainly trying to in proper form. Have you played keeper on PK's before? I have for 20+ years. It's FATAing stressful. We'll call that a muligan.
In addition to the absenses you mentioned were Wilshere & Cleverly. Don't forget the under-utilization of Walcott.
Also, I think I would've preferred Leon Britton over Henderson.
I'll agree that the criticism of Hart was overly harsh, but man, that squad would be coming home really, really early.
Lets see how the kids on the rear develop first. A proper DM of 23-28 yrs old would be nice. Scott Parker it most certainly is NOT.. It's a massive hole, and there's no light coming that I can see.
Carrick will be 33, Wilshere needs to play deeper, Richards got kept off the field at the end of Man City's season for being a liability, young shouldn't put the shirt again
Agree with most sentiments except for Joe Hart. If you anticipate the player punishing his shot, you do your best to read the foot plant and guess.
It sounded bad but I didn't mean to refer to his skill. While it probably had next to no effect, I wasn't a fan of his yelling at the Italians, tongue out, type stuff. I'd prefer to see him just go about his business fully concentrated. Again, probably didn't make a difference just frustration. He is definitely a great keeper and I'm a fan of his.
__________________ "I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?" Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
Yes it was. Italy playing offense and not diving!
Balotelli fell in the box once and tried to draw a penalty but he got up quickly and gave the ref a wink.
The game was played in a very good spirit, hardly any fouls and almost any contact was coincidental while battling hard for the ball.
Other than de Rossi's shirt-tug dive (as in, de Rossi was pulling on the England players shirt and fell over) that negated an England corner. I hate that guy, mostly for the elbow on McBride which was just not a soccer play in any way. At least Gattuso's gone...
Too bad England was so disjointed going forward. The loss was deserved but disappointing. They only needed one goal.
I'm now rooting for Germany. I like their style, and they have the best national anthem.
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