Jun 16, 2018

You got broads in Iceland?

 

Jun 16, 2018

Legendary moment

 

Jun 16, 2018

He made the World Cup but not the national team

Australia holding up well with a great medium block, doesn't allow the French Midfield to get touches or occupy the center zones comfortably. They are deadly on the counter, that's what Australia got to look out for

 

Jun 16, 2018

daamnnn man u missed greatness

id rather miss the birth of my child than miss a match like this

 

Jun 15, 2018

Real Madrid players on international duty in the world cup proving why and how Real Madrid won 4 Champions League trophies in the last 5 years and why Real Madrid is the absolute best team. Outstanding performance by them, especially Isco, Nacho, Ramos & of course Ronaldo. No match in the world cup will top this one. Pleased that neither team lost tbh. What a match.

@Guma @Fire Squad

 

Jun 15, 2018

Very good team shape from Egypt, they are playing a good ball oriented press when Uruguay builds from the back and then revert quickly to an effective low block when Uruguay manage to move up.

Will be interesting when/if Salah gets subbed in, still they need to keep up this discipline, Suarez is ruthless even with one chance at goal

 

Jun 14, 2018

 

Jun 14, 2018

featured is enough

also this is the first world cup where i legit cannot predict a winner

 

Jun 14, 2018

Can we sticky this thread to the home page pls

 

Jun 14, 2018

I feel for Saudi, Middle Eastern teams need more development since you can see these guys don't ever make constructive movements to aid in possession--half the time they run behind the midfield line but no one comes to receive and progress the ball.

Happy for Denis, always glad to see La Fabrica alumni do well!

 

May 31, 2018

Brazil

Spoiler

After many years of clinging onto Neymar's back and hoping the defense plays disciplined, they managed to assemble a very strong and secure team that's solid across the board. Tite's 4-3-3 has achieved arguably the best balance of any team since the midfield is robust, Casemiro shields the defense meanwhile their deadly fullbacks bomb up and join their young & exciting offense. There are some worries I do have; Neymar just returned after a huge lay-off and maybe might be rusty--but when he pulls on that yellow shirt he's a monster. The other is the loss of Dani Alves, they might be extremely dependent on the left and opponents can overload that side to frustrate them. Overall I do expect them to still make top 4.

France

Spoiler

The fact that they could literally have brought in another competitive national team speaks of the unrivaled depth and talent they have produced. It's a very young team and besides Brazil have the perfect blend of being physically imposing without compromising flair. Deschamps is an excellent man-manager and these guys are gonna fight with the knife in the teeth for him, my only concern is can they finally achieve that perfect balance that's been strangely absent when they play? And lastly can all this remarkable talent finally find the right scheme; Deschamps is still undecided with the 4-4-2 & 4-3-3 that either benefits Griezmann playing off Giroud or do they keep Giroud out entirely? Of these 4 it's the one I have the most question marks for but I think they will be the most fun to watch.

I'll do more for next time when I get the chance

 

May 31, 2018

Here's some summaries I've written about some of the particular big nations:

Spain:

Spoiler

I think this is my safest bet for at least making the top 4--just the perfect blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the squad has played with each other since the youth divisions and still play at the best clubs in the world--nearly half the squad either came up through La Fabrica, La Masia and Atletico's academy. Lopetegui is one of the few coaches that managed to get this team to form a somewhat cohesive high press and that midfield depth is insane. The question marks is can Ramos-Pique stop being buffoons and will their under-the-radar strike force (Aspas & Rodrigo are likely to start with Costa coming off the bench) be effective?

Germany

Spoiler

Along with Spain the other safe bet of the top 4. It's still comprised of the last edition's winning side and I'd argue they have even more dangerous options coming into this one--now they finally have a striker in Timo Werner. Low has implanted a strong tactical nous on this team as they resemble the closest thing to any international side to an elite club; they transition to attack with the ball at frightening speeds and have incredible depth in every other position. But keep an eye out for their inconsistent defense and injury-prone midfield, or in usual German circumstance they come against a spirited team that defies the odds and beats them, other than that this team really doesn't have many weaknesses.

 

Jul 15, 2018

Every Denis Cheryshev goal...but they were juiced up

Aside from that Pavard's volley and Mbappe's 2nd goal (incredible team movement in relation to the ball in just a few touches) both against Argentina were my personal favorites.

 

Jul 15, 2018

Yo, he is trolling the American way of calling their teams "World Champions"

 

Jul 15, 2018

Still wish Zizou won in 06

 

Jul 15, 2018

Again i guess wc winner correctly before wc