Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[d_phaneuf]

Eriksen went down and Danish media saying ligament damage

[d_phaneuf]

Ronaldo

1-0

what a great header, like a torpedo

[GirlySports]

Great cross too. Sweden have been terrible in the 2nd half. Portugal much better when they replaced Postiga.

[GirlySports]

Wow 2-0 Ukraine.

[d_phaneuf]

Kos with a straight red for a stupid stupid hand to the face

back 4 is all ready the French weakness

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Portugal have an away goal in them. I think they should be okay.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Portugal have an away goal in them. I think they should be okay.

When did the monotune brass band start?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Bagor

When did the monotune brass band start?

i hope the england band just defected

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Bagor

When did the monotune brass band start?

Haha, they need to learn a new song.

[d_phaneuf]

Khedira with a torn ACL

tough break for him, likely out until next september so will miss the WC

ze Germans lose some depth too

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Well that likely opens up a spot for Kroos who I still think will turn out to be the best German midfielder of this generation.

[GirlySports]

Nigeria qualified this morning.

Ivory Coast barely hold on. Up 3-1 from the home first leg, Senegal dominated the 2nd leg but couldn't break through until a 77th minute penalty. Then they attacked and came close to the winner but then Ivory Coast got on right at the end.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Well that likely opens up a spot for Kroos who I still think will turn out to be the best German midfielder of this generation.

I agree on both points

I think the 3 behind the striker are set as Reus/Ozil/Muller, and my guess is they go with Goetze as the furthest forward

leaving Schweiny and Kroos as the CM pair with Gundogan as the next option, and either Bender as a defensive option

so it's not a huge loss

the only big loss would be Goetze IMO, not because he's the best, but I think Klose has finally lost a step too far and they dont have another great option to go their

If they lost Ozil for example they could move Kroos up and bring in Gundogan, or Draxler, or Schurlle etc.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I am fully expecting to see Klose lined up at striker for their opening group game. I also expect Gomez to be there. The German's are lacking a (young) quality striker and I just don't like the lineup as much with Goetze up top. I'd love to see a guy like Max Kruse force management's hand by having a superb second half of the season.

[GirlySports]

The Dinos game? We should play qualifiers in these conditions in November
See how it helped Calgary?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

I am fully expecting to see Klose lined up at striker for their opening group game. I also expect Gomez to be there. The German's are lacking a (young) quality striker and I just don't like the lineup as much with Goetze up top. I'd love to see a guy like Max Kruse force management's hand by having a superb second half of the season.

so then who do you think misses out between Goetze/Reus/Muller?

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

so then who do you think misses out between Goetze/Reus/Muller?

If it's up to me the lineup would look something like:

---------------Klose----------------

Reus----------Ozil-----------Muller

------Schweinsteiger--Kroos---

Schmelzer--Hummels--Mertesacker--Lahm

------------------Neuer---------------

At this point I don't see how Goetze starts as Ozil is better than him.

[d_phaneuf]

no chance Ozil misses but Goetze has been played in all the front 4 spots by Low

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Maybe he slides in for Muller but I don't see that happening. Reus is too good on the left to not be on the field

[d_phaneuf]

ya it's certainly not a bad thing to have 4 players like that who would likely be first names on the team sheet in any other national side in the world