2018 World Cup

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

Germany have finalised their team, and the 4 players not making the trip are Bernd Leno, Jonathan Tah, Nils Petersen ... and Leroy Sane

Either Löw was drunk or Sane is injured. There's no other explanation.

In his Press Conference he indicates that Sane was dropped in favour of Julien Brandt by the slimmest of margins.

Which is odd because I feel that Sane is by far the better player.

[CroFlames]

Maybe Low is just trying to challenge himself by leaving out an important player? It's really not fair to the field if the Germans start their best squad.



In all seriousness though, there are rumors of an attitude problem and that he's not the right type of player for Lows system.

[SuperMatt18]

Seems like overcoaching IMO.

Look too much at the performance in a friendly last week vs. the performance over the entire course of the last season.

Neither are likely to start, and IMO Sane would be more of a gamebreaker coming off the bench then Brandt would be.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think that's the big one for me, if Germany are down a goal in a knockout game, is there anyone on that squad who is a bigger gamebreaker than Sane? His pace terrifies defenders and the only player in the big five European leagues with more assists this year than Sane is De Bruyne. He can score and create and stretch the field. Pretty much exactly what you'd want from a impact sub.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah - maybe their are issues where he wasn't willing to accept that role but IMO there is no other player on that roster that I'd want to sub on in the 65th minute to use his pace against tired defenders.

[Locke]

Very odd decision.

Among other notable cuts is Christian Benteke for Belgium.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah - maybe their are issues where he wasn't willing to accept that role but IMO there is no other player on that roster that I'd want to sub on in the 65th minute to use his pace against tired defenders.

This is my thinking as well.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

Which is odd because I feel that Sane is by far the better player.

yeah he clearly is.

It seems this was primarily a decision based on systems (as in Sanes City role is different than what Löw wants from his wingers). Still crazy though because he'd be a great sub that could make a difference ... especially when you count on a fragile player like Reus who could go down every minute.

[GirlySports]

this one is for Beninho

How coach Tite has brought Brazil into the modern age

[White Out 403]

Should I not be shocked Leno was left at home? Did he have a bad season? Personality issues?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by devo22

yeah he clearly is.

It seems this was primarily a decision based on systems (as in Sanes City role is different than what Löw wants from his wingers). Still crazy though because he'd be a great sub that could make a difference ... especially when you count on a fragile player like Reus who could go down every minute.

The systems thing makes less sense to me when you are talking about the guy you are taking as the 23rd player on the roster too. In the end you need to be flexible to get the best players on your squad.

When it comes to late in a game where you need a goal, or when you get to extra time in the knockout rounds, you want your gamebreakers on the pitch... system be damned.

When Italy beat Germany in the 06 semi-finals (still my favorite game ever) they had Totti, Del Piero, Iquinta, Gilardino all on the pitch in extra time, taking off two midfielders to add two more strikers. Seemed crazy at the time but they they couldn't risk going to PK with Germany and needed a goal.

I feel like if they get to a game where they are in extra time and need a goal in the 100th minute they are going to regret not having Sane as an option to come in and change the game.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by White Out 403

Should I not be shocked Leno was left at home? Did he have a bad season? Personality issues?

no it was also a surprise, everyone expected Trapp to be the odd man out. It's especially weird given that neither Neuer nor Trapp have any match rhythm. I don't get it either, but it's "only" the 3rd goalie anyway.

The whole goalie thing is crazy anyway and it's hard not to feel a bit for ter Stegen. He's had a really solid season, and having an unfit Neuer just waltz into the number 1 position ahead of him despite not playing for 9 months is harsh on him.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Bigger question is where is Karius? How can you drop him?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Bigger question is where is Karius? How can you drop him?

You just get Sergio Ramos to elbow him in the head...

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The systems thing makes less sense to me when you are talking about the guy you are taking as the 23rd player on the roster too. In the end you need to be flexible to get the best players on your squad.

When it comes to late in a game where you need a goal, or when you get to extra time in the knockout rounds, you want your gamebreakers on the pitch... system be damned.

When Italy beat Germany in the 06 semi-finals (still my favorite game ever) they had Totti, Del Piero, Iquinta, Gilardino all on the pitch in extra time, taking off two midfielders to add two more strikers. Seemed crazy at the time but they they couldn't risk going to PK with Germany and needed a goal.

I feel like if they get to a game where they are in extra time and need a goal in the 100th minute they are going to regret not having Sane as an option to come in and change the game.

In your least favorite game ever, Korea did the same thing.
Down 1-0 to Italy, Korea took off captain and sweeper Hong Myung-Bo for striker Cha Du-Ri. They also had 4 strikers on. Korea put on the pressure, tied the game and continued that pressure in overtime. A manager has to be super flexible in knockout rounds and make risky decisions.

I had to throw that in

[devo22]

plus Korea also had Byron Moreno, which wasn't a bad thing for them either.

sorry, had to throw that in

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by devo22

plus Korea also had Byron Moreno, which wasn't a bad thing for them either.

sorry, had to throw that in

Still it took a 90th minute equalizer with 4 forwards. Maybe he would have found another phantom penalty at the end!

[Senator Clay Davis]

I just hope if Canada gets to co-host 2026 we get a similar rigging from FIFA. It'd be good for the game after all.

[Locke]

It should also be noted that Maradonna liked playing with 4 forwards and then when things got desperate had no Plan B.

You know what? Dropping Sane seems like crazy-sauce to me, but its Low, he knows what hes doing.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

In your least favorite game ever, Korea did the same thing.
Down 1-0 to Italy, Korea took off captain and sweeper Hong Myung-Bo for striker Cha Du-Ri. They also had 4 strikers on. Korea put on the pressure, tied the game and continued that pressure in overtime. A manager has to be super flexible in knockout rounds and make risky decisions.

I had to throw that in

F^%^% fixed game. Totti red card was B.S. as were the 3 offside decisions on good Italy goals.

I hate you.

Honestly the fact that the ref was pretty much banned from reffing for fixing games, and a convicted criminal after that game just proves it was rigged IMO...I feel like that game being fixed was swept under the rug by FIFA since they allowed him to ref in a major tournament to start with.

That stretch of soccer was so painful for Italy fans since they had what was a "Golden Generation" that looked like it wouldn't win anything.

94 - PK loss in finals
96 - Don't make it out of group stage after shock loss to Czech Republic (coach rested 4 starters and then got an early red card)
98 - PK loss to champion France in Quarters
00 - Lose Euro finals after conceding in the 93rd minute
02 - Lose Controversial game to Korea
04 - Don't make it out of group stage at Euro despite not losing a game

Then they win in 06 when everyone thought the team was past it's prime and too old to win.