Jun 28, 2018

I've been cucked in WC Fantasy this round.

Lloris, Pavard, Varela didnt play. Mbappe and Muller were on the bench and came on late. Now Lukaku and Meunier arent starting.



I was looking forward to the England and Belgium game (I've stayed up for this, it starts 3:30am here), shame they arent taking it seriously.

 

Jun 28, 2018

Tell me about it, my boy Benjamin Mendy didn't even start once and he's been on my team all 3 rounds

Very decaffeinated game, would have been better if this was a round 1 or 2 game

 

Jun 28, 2018

Belgium should be ashamed of themselves the way they've passed the ball those last 10 mins.

 

Jun 28, 2018

Phew Panama is winning, much more exciting spectacle, like Zeb^ said Belgium is playing like trash

 

Jun 28, 2018

without Eden Hazard, KDB or Lukaku.

 

Jun 28, 2018

Kept on flicking back and forth between both games, their presence along with Harry Kane were missed.

Not sure how I feel about Belgium's use of KDB as a box-to-box, his real strengths lie running behind the opponent's last line of defense like he used to do for Wolfsburg and sometimes with Pep's City. A disciplined team can also exploit their lack of a proper fullback on the left, Carrasco always looks to overlap or create overloads with Hazard, it's up to opposition managers figuring out key dynamics/positioning to regain possession there--easier said than done really.

 

Jun 28, 2018

I think they should use him as a CDM. Belgium already have great attacking players. Better to use him and fellani (the destroyer) to maintain central control. Plus having someone like KDB deep is great for when you need good long balls on the counter.

 

Jun 28, 2018

Normally Witsel starts alongside him, far better in possession. When teams don't outnumber them in the middle, this is where KDB's dangerous range of passing can dismantle teams especially if Lukaku/Meunier/Carrasco get behind opposition lines. The issue is, and I'm surprised no one has tried it, is putting numbers in the passing lanes (channels to the British) to discourage the runs of Hazard & Mertens, that's when Belgium turns very static under possession and are exposed on the counter...a constant problem during Roberto Martinez' reign as manager.

 

Jun 28, 2018

Static? You have pretty capable target men like fellani and lukaku. If they block the lanes on the ground then send it wide then through the air. Just don't press all your players too high and counters shouldn't be a problem.

 

Jun 28, 2018

Most of this results in recycling possession (passing it backward) regardless, or even trapping Meunier on the right side since he can't cut in if the ball gets switched to him. But you do have a point, in a scenario if they are looking for a late goal stick both of them in the box or zone 14 to create some havoc.

Their game relies on pushing the team forward and letting the back 3 move the ball, on defense I'm curious how they will handle the more difficult teams since if they pass into the Quarters it's a true test from then on. Most of this is very much scenario based, I'm waiting to see if a team can do it since Belgium have done well (Japan's defense is very leaky/lacks quality but oddly quite disciplined, should be a fun game).

 

Jun 28, 2018

No need to cut in. Go down the byline and send it into the box. A big and lethal no.9 can be almost unplayable if he get's service. Against a team like spain, you won't be beating Ramos and Pique in the air, but against a team like Brazil, doing nothing but putting direct balls into the box could destroy them. Especially given how the Brazilian wing backs tend to not do all that much defending, so getting space down the flanks shouldn't be a problem.

I'm kinda looking past Japan at this point. It's highly unreasonable that Belgium would drop out to them, would also be pretty unfortunate to have Brazil getting a free ride to the semi's.


Just playing direct counter attacking football could seriously hurt brazil. I've seen them look pretty vulnerable during the serbia game. (they do nothing to break up attacks since everyone is pressed high, and nobody tackles). Honestly the lack of tactical discipline from brazil is appalling.

I can see them getting embarrassed again this world cup. I fancy Belgium to do it.

 

Jun 28, 2018

moving on to the knockout phase, starting with the round of 16, first game - France vs Argentina, starting on Saturday.
their bracket is crazy, the game on July 6th gonna be legendary


edit: be aware that the time that shows is for Sweden so im not responsible for anyone missing the games lol

 

Jun 28, 2018

I'm usually not a fan of taking sample size from games since sometimes micro-tactics come into play and games end up going into a completely opposite direction of what I expect--it is certainly why I am cautiously optimistic Mexico may have a chance to exploit them but our best defender is out and it's hard to replicate an exhausting performance like we did against Germany, not expecting a win but there is a possibility.

Brazil have a lot of stability even when they are transitioning into defense since they along with France have great rest defense, ultimately it depends on Casemiro and Fernandinho, the former was on a yellow and didn't take risks like he normally does to contain the team's structure so Serbia had some great transitions. I'll be shocked if Roberto Martinez ever plays conservatively, not since he managed Wigan have I seen him try playing on the counter. But let's wait till then, these games got to be played first.

 

Jun 28, 2018

 

Jun 28, 2018

I really f---ing hope Argentina & Portugal don’t both advance. Portugal is a much better team & last thing I need is Ronaldo fan boys going off because Portugal beat an Argentina team with midfielders like Meza & a washed up Mascherano.

 

Jun 29, 2018

 

Jun 29, 2018

France all the way, I really hope they put their s--- together for the 1/8 cause the first 3 games were not that good

 

Jun 29, 2018

France/Brazil vs Spain Final I think.

 

Jun 29, 2018