World Cup 2014

[joseephuss]

I suggested Spain may struggle and the system was figured out BEFORE the tourney.
.

The system has always been figured out. It really isn't a mystery. It is just having the right personnel to stop it, Spain/Barcelona not having the right personnel to implement it in top form or a combination of both. It is like the Cowboys of the 1990s. Everyone knew what they were going to do on both sides of the ball. When they had the right guys in there at the top of their game it didn't matter that the other teams knew what they were going to do, they just couldn't stop them. Once the talent started to age and depth disappeared, then opponents suddenly figure out the system.

 

[JBS]

Today is the big day! As much as i like this Colombian side, I'm afraid their run is over. I fully expect a competitive game, and i wouldn't be shocked if Colombia pulled it off, but i have to give the edge to the home side. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[barney]

Today is the big day! As much as i like this Colombian side, I'm afraid their run is over. I fully expect a competitive game, and i wouldn't be shocked if Colombia pulled it off, but i have to give the edge to the home side. I hope I'm wrong.

I think Colombia will win but part of me sees Brazil getting a goal near the end then a second when the tired Colombians are trying their hardest to equalise head says Colombia heart says Brazil

 

[Gemini Dolly]

Neymar out of the tournament with a fractured vertebrae. So futbol dudes do really get hurt sometimes. No joke.

 

[joseephuss]

The referee was terrible. Just lost control from the beginning and did nothing to take control. He let the players on both sides run things and issue the justice. Poor officiating really hindered this game. I thought it hurt Colombia more in the game and now in the end it will hurt Brazil going forward with the injury to Neymar.

 

[Ren]

Neymar has a fracture in his back, his wc is over

 

[jterrell]

various: Tiki Taka was designed to bolster a defense that lacked true CB talent. Instead it used ** all over the pitch.
There were always counter measures and as teams built for that it became obvious.
It was painfully obvious when watching the Dutch lay fire to Spain.
Running a possession game from the home goalkeeper to the #10 was always an extreme way of playing.
Arguing Barca much less Spain lost the bodies to run it is silly. They have the same guys (plus massive budgets for any players they want) and have even bolstered the talent.
Barca admitted as much when they moved in a new direction. Watch Spain do the same before the next Euro Cup.
Teams that played a more direct game and defended well always had a good chance to win.

The Cowboys system was simple but effective because it included counters. It wasn't just one thing.
It was either A (run to Emmitt between the tackles) or B (Timing pass to Irvin/TE) and good luck stopping both. Tiki Taka is ONE thing. If they tweak that to have a counter you will see it rise again.
Pep is trying a major tweak with Bayern. Now he is playing that 4-1-4-1 high press.
But the Bayern defense was no where as good as under Heynckes(sp?) as could be expected with a major change.

Sucks that Naymar is lost to the rest of this WC. Losing the top players in an every 4 year tourney is rough.
Brazil has the talent to play defense and try to win via set pieces so it will be intriguing to see what strategies get employed now.
I'd start Willian now and out work teams til you can get big bodies in the box for set piece goals.

Belgium made a huge mistake not starting Lukaku today and playing more direct. I would have played Lukaku all day and brought Origi on for Hazard at 75 minutes.

 

[joseephuss]

I specifically said that both Spain and Barca lack the defensive bodies to effectively run their system. They have plenty of quality in the midfield, but they lack quality on defense and in particular at the center back position. Those aren't just my observations. Plenty of pundits have said the same. Puyol was a truly talented CB for both club and country. Pique used to be the same, but it is clear watching him that he isn't the same player. Neither Spain or Barca have found replacements for those players.

I'm not sure what it is about Lukaku, but his main coaches just don't seem to like him or trust him. It has been suggested in the media that the Belgium coach favored Benteke, but he was out injured for the tournament. I wonder how Lukaku or Origi would have been utilized had Benteke been available.

 

[UKCowboysFan]

I think that Brazil without Neymar & Silva will lose to Germany, and that Argentina will be just too good for the Dutch.

If that is the case lets hope for a final more like that of 1986 rather than that of 1990.

 

[MC KAos]

I still think Brazil will beat Germany. It's preposterous that people think Brazil has no chance or as alexi lalas said, Germany is "licking their chops". I don't know what World Cup he has been watching, but Germany hasn't looked that great, none of these teams have. Having emotions and a stadium full of people on your side could make a huge difference

 

[burmafrd]

the pressure on the Brazilian team will be immense. They could just as easily melt down.

 

[joseephuss]

I still think Brazil will beat Germany. It's preposterous that people think Brazil has no chance or as alexi lalas said, Germany is "licking their chops". I don't know what World Cup he has been watching, but Germany hasn't looked that great, none of these teams have. Having emotions and a stadium full of people and the refs on your side could make a huge difference

I agree.

I favor Germany slightly. I would do so if Silva and Neymar were playing. Either team winning wouldn't be surprising. Same with the Argentina/Netherlands game. This WC has been full of close games.

 

[Ren]

I think Brazil might actually be better now that they don't have force everything through Neymar. Both games are 50/50 at this point

 

[Gemini Dolly]

I get why Neymar is out, but what happened to Silva? Still trying to catch up on futbol rules.

 

[joseephuss]

I get why Neymar is out, but what happened to Silva? Still trying to catch up on futbol rules.

Silva accumulated two yellow cards in the tournament. A players is suspended the game following the one where he gets the second yellow card. This starts over in the semi-final round. Every player on the teams remaining and who is not currently suspended now starts over with zero yellow cards.

 

[Gemini Dolly]

Silva accumulated two yellow cards in the tournament. A players is suspended the game following the one where he gets the second yellow card. This starts over in the semi-final round. Every player on the teams remaining and who is not currently suspended now starts over with zero yellow cards.

thx. if brazil makes it to championship, he will get to play right?

 

[joseephuss]

thx. if brazil makes it to championship, he will get to play right?

Yes, that is correct.

 

[MC KAos]

I agree.

I favor Germany slightly. I would do so if Silva and Neymar were playing. Either team winning wouldn't be surprising. Same with the Argentina/Netherlands game. This WC has been full of close games.

Heh, I feel you, anyone that claims to be sure what will happen in any of these games is out of their mind, it's not an accident the betting odds are 5-2 for Germany, Brazil and Argentina and 3-1 for the Netherlands, it's freaking close!

 

[MC KAos]

I wonder if having Dante in over silva might be a blessing in disguise, seeing as Dante plays in bayern with most of these guys. Thoughts?

 

[MC KAos]

Losing di Maria will hurt argentina, but apparently kun agüero is back! That's a net gain in my book. Can't wait for these semis!