World Cup GDT: July 4th - Semifinals

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

France being totally lifeless certainly has helped Germany today. Look at the US desperation when they needed a tying goal. France is just disinterested it seems.

As Itse said, they hadn't missed Ribery until now, a player like him could have troubled the Germans more. Or even Nasri.

Germans keep on ticking, their usual strong midfield controlled the game.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

France being totally lifeless certainly has helped Germany today. Look at the US desperation when they needed a tying goal. France is just disinterested it seems.

Yeah, this was a somewhat boring game. But I'd say it was mostly because France just pretty much sucked. Germany could and should have scored at least two, maybe three from those spots, so it's not really that they stopped attacking. If they had a guy like Robben instead of Schürrle, this game would have been 3-0 for sure.

Not that they went all out or anything, but Germany never needed to take any chances anywhere, so they didn't. I mean Algeria could push Germany to go really hard for the 2-0 goal because in that game it was clear that Algeria was dangerous.

Germany was never in danger here.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Caught most of the first half and the last 5 minutes of the match. Pumped they won. In the first half they were definitely the better side.

I'm also shocked the Loew figured it out and got Klose on the field and Lahm at his natural position. The team is so much better with those players in those positions

[Burke Salad]

For all you betting men and women, I am rooting for the Dutch and Belgium tomorrow. Bet the opposite it's a cant miss.

[GirlySports]

interesting to see what the Brazil lineup will look like without the suspended Luis Gustavo.

If I were coach I would put Dante into defense and push David Liuz up to midfield into Gustavo's position.

[Itse]

Two European teams playing a careful slow game is not ultimately that surprising, but I'd be shocked if we saw anything like that in Brazil-Columbia.

[GirlySports]

Brazil lineup is out. No Dani Alves. Maicon at RB. Fernandinho and Paulinho in the midfield.

Not good.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by fotze

You mean germans are also clinical and efficient in sports as well?

Kinda, yeah

(Although the French played a rather defensive game too.)

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Caught most of the first half and the last 5 minutes of the match. Pumped they won. In the first half they were definitely the better side.

I'm also shocked the Loew figured it out and got Klose on the field and Lahm at his natural position. The team is so much better with those players in those positions

Agree with Lahm but not too sure about Klose.

Didn't think he had a great game, and he actually might be more effective in the super-sub goal poacher role at this stage in his career.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Brazil lineup is out. No Dani Alves. Maicon at RB. Fernandinho and Paulinho in the midfield.

Not good.

I don't know their team that well, but from watching the WC, Dani Alves has been weak, this should improve the lineup somewhat

[Itse]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Agree with Lahm but not too sure about Klose.

Didn't think he had a great game, and he actually might be more effective in the super-sub goal poacher role at this stage in his career.

Agreed. He can still put it in if he gets the balls, but it's getting harder and harder for him to get those balls.

But I think he was alright in the first half and not a bad tactical choice. With Müller, Kroos, Özil, Klose and Schweinsteiger the Germans had enough skill up front to threaten the French defense even in a careful defensive game like this.

Schürrle on the other hand was good at getting those spots, but absolutely crapped the bed when it came to putting those spots in. But he's good when you want movement. He was good in the Algeria game (even though he missed a few spots there too.)

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I don't know their team that well, but from watching the WC, Dani Alves has been weak, this should improve the lineup somewhat

Except Maicon is 100 years old.

[vennegoor of hesselink]

Brazil playing 4-2-3-1

So much for Samba Soccer

[Locke]

Originally Posted by fotze

One thing that drives me nuts as a casual fan of this is the constant foregoing of good chances for extremely low percentage plays to try to get into a better spot.

Have a really good chance for a shot inside the box but have to try and deke one more guy or make a near impossible pass.

Maybe its the hockey guy in me, shots on the net.

Its not that easy. Look at all the Americans gushing over Tim Howard, he made a ton of saves from shots that were straight at him. If you dont go for the riskier play you wind up just taking low percentage shots like the Belgians did.

Originally Posted by Itse

HUMMELS <3

Doesn't usually work in soccer. Generally goalies take the shots that can be taken. There's a reason they don't count sv% in soccer.

Yes. See Belgium vs. USA.

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I was expecting one of the games of the tournament between these two. Not so much. Germany almost seems to have parked the bus.

Germany tend to try and own the midfield. If Schurrle could hit the broadside of a bus that game could have been 3 or 4 nothing.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Except Maicon is 100 years old.

Maicon is collecting a freaking pension! I have no idea what Scolari is thinking with that move unless its a necessity.

[Pagal4321]

Someone get Maicon is walking stick!

[Itse]

Brazil not wasting time.

[Acey]

What an intimidating place to play for Colombia. They've got it tough.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Itse

Brazil not wasting time.

#6 was ballwatching.

[Locke]

Thiago Silva!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

#6 was ballwatching.

I dont know what he was watching, but it wasnt Silva, and it wasnt the ball. WTF was he doing there?