Pretty much, injuries and age are big concerns for this German team.
If the World Cup had been last year I'd have been much happier, but now we're seriously relying on Miro Klose to score.
Klose should be the old guy sitting on the bench who comes in and plays the last 25 minutes of the match. Now it's looking like he will play a much larger role. Don't get me wrong, Klose is my favourite German player, but there are better players than him that are unfortunately unavailable. That said I would love to see Klose break Ronaldo's record.
I also see Portugal as a team that will surprise people this year. I could see them making a run to the quarters or even the semis
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Klose should be the old guy sitting on the bench who comes in and plays the last 25 minutes of the match. Now it's looking like he will play a much larger role. Don't get me wrong, Klose is my favourite German player, but there are better players than him that are unfortunately unavailable. That said I would love to see Klose break Ronaldo's record.
I also see Portugal as a team that will surprise people this year. I could see them making a run to the quarters or even the semis
For me Portugal are a lot like France, they could be great or they could suck out loud.
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I think both Portugal and France actually put it together this time around and dominate the group stages. Granted France is in the easiest group but I see Portugal actually figuring it out.
For me Portugal are a lot like France, they could be great or they could suck out loud.
Portugal is similar to Argentina '86 to me. Ronaldo has thrown that nation on his shoulders and qualified them. It'd make for great watching to see it continue.
(While I'm watching ESPN, and these muppets think Messi will do exactly that for Argentina- solidifying his best player ever -- wouldn't that be something, he finally comes out to play for his homeland)
I think both Portugal and France actually put it together this time around and dominate the group stages. Granted France is in the easiest group but I see Portugal actually figuring it out.
It helps that CR7 has been playing out of his mind this entire year both domestically and internationally.
EDIT: I used to be a huge Ronaldo detractor but the guy has turned into an absolute beast, and it's hard to cheer against him now.
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Portugal is similar to Argentina '86 to me. Ronaldo has thrown that nation on his shoulders and qualified them. It'd make for great watching to see it continue.
(While I'm watching ESPN, and these muppets think Messi will do exactly that for Argentina- solidifying his best player ever -- wouldn't that be something, he finally comes out to play for his homeland)
The only real issue I have with that is that at this level a single player can be targeted and his effectiveness reduced. Not to mention the fact that while Ronaldo has been playing out of his mind this season hes played a hell of a lot and is just coming off an injury and hes in the toughest group.
Portugal are in tough even if they get it together.
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Costa is still hurt too. He might be ready to go soon, but it's hard to imagine him playing as well as he can if he even plays at all.
Suarez and Ronaldo are struggling with injuries too. Can't see those 2 teams going anywhere if those 2 are hurt.
Costa is also a bit of a round peg in a square hole, hes not the typical Spanish player and hes only played for Spain twice, so in addition to his injury hes going to have to hit the ground running to gel with the rest of his team all while the entirety of Brazil roundly boos him.
As for Suarez, I think a diminished role for him will be good for Uruguay. They've relied on him too much and Edinson Cavani is more than good enough to shoulder some of the load and its really time for him to step up for Uruguay. Suarez should be Cavani's setup man similar to Suarez/Strurridge.
And Forlan isnt washed up yet either.
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This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
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If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Does anyone know formation Uruguay was primarily rolling with in qualifiers? You'd think those three would merit some kind of 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, although didn't Liverpool run some 4-4-2 this year where Suarez found success?
I'm cheering for Uruguay. Would love to a repeat of 1950 with them beating Brazil on their turf in the final. It might drive the Brazillians to build a new capital city in the middle of nowhere out of spite.
It's also a decent retirement option for those of us who are not your typical Calgarian pulling in 400 grand a year to be document control at an engineering office. For those of us trying to make a go on under 200k a year...Uruguay is a livable cheap option with decent health care, and nice weather.
Really I maybe know like 10 players in the world going into this tournament, but when I have a chance I'll watch the games and no a lot more come the end of it. Always liked the World Cup since they hosted it in Mexico in 86.
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I'll be wearing my Dutch jersey on Friday. That being said, I don't think this year will be a great year for them. I don't follow soccer that closely (not at all) except for World Cup time.
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-- wouldn't that be something, he finally comes out to play for his homeland)
