In the first 20 minutes of the game. Is there anybody having a worst World Cup then de Gea? He's faced four shots on goal and has saved none of them. The only GK in the World Cup that hasn't made a single save.
In the first 20 minutes of the game. Is there anybody having a worst World Cup then de Gea? He's faced four shots on goal and has saved none of them. The only GK in the World Cup that hasn't made a single save.
Maybe the Madrid player that gifted him a breakaway.
Both of Spain's matches against them have been away games.
And regarding Isco, he's been absolutely brilliant. That said he has changed how Spain plays a bit and they're having a hard time adjusting. They aren't as organized, and it's resulting in extreme vulnerability to counterattacks.
Isco and Iniesta on another level.... But that D, way too loose... The giveaway was between Iniesta and Ramos... Costa also a tad sloppy had several opportunities. I suspect Spain will come through in the second half.
Isco and Iniesta on another level.... But that D, way too loose... The giveaway was between Iniesta and Ramos... Costa also a tad sloppy had several opportunities. I suspect Spain will come through in the second half.
it was ingrained at an early age, but I am down to one game a week and don't buy any of their products anymore and the Giants have way too many whiners.
but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
Iran and Morocco could easily have come out of it themselves.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
RE: That group ended up being a giant pain in the ass
Iran and Morocco could easily have come out of it themselves.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
Agreed.... But the Gallego should be in instead of Costas, don't you think?
Gotta be fair, Costa had three goals before today in two matches
I'd be fine with Aspas in for Costa, but I don't think Costa is necessarily a problem.
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
RE: Gotta be fair, Costa had three goals before today in two matches
I'd be fine with Aspas in for Costa, but I don't think Costa is necessarily a problem.
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
I'd stick with todays lineup sans Costa, I really like Aspas and his speed could come into play, that and he reminds me of a young Villa, sniper kind of striker. We would lose the height taking out Costa but I think it's the way to go Isco is playing lights out so far... The defense worries me in that the counters have been too many and too predictable. Anyhow let's hope the host country doesn't get the calls like South Korea did back in 2002...
You say should the w/e thread stay or should it go. I say start new. You say it should stay. Then there's this thread and you're posting like a banshee and don't even revert to say, oh well, new thread. Outta here!!
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
You say should the w/e thread stay or should it go. I say start new. You say it should stay. Then there's this thread and you're posting like a banshee and don't even revert to say, oh well, new thread. Outta here!!
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
I could see that in real time and in replay with the line drawn as overlay, the Moroccan defender had a leg beyond the Spanish player. Close but onside. I think the Assist Ref was blocked on the play because of the lean.
lol
Yeah, it was Ramos, as messed up as Pique has been. Didn't even seem he tried to elevate much to get his head on the ball on Marocco's go-ahead (winning!! (: ) goal.
It's true, I did not see an illustrator shot where a line was drawn from the his attacking position to the leg of the Morocco defender, so I yield on both counts.
And, you're absolutely correct, as an AR, if there are bodies in your line of vision--and AR's are instructed to keep to a line equal with the second to last defender (with the keeper most of the time being the last) or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line--it is impossible to see through the body blockade.
Boy Russia folded like a cheap suit.
Maybe the Madrid player that gifted him a breakaway.
And regarding Isco, he's been absolutely brilliant. That said he has changed how Spain plays a bit and they're having a hard time adjusting. They aren't as organized, and it's resulting in extreme vulnerability to counterattacks.
That just won't do, especially if they face who I think has been the best team of the first round, Uruguay.
What a save is right.
Yank Costa and slide in Asencio.
Spain has suddenly made things a bit more complicated...
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
...yet you watch the NFL...
Quote:
bunch of guys whining at the ref.
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
...yet you watch the NFL...
it was ingrained at an early age, but I am down to one game a week and don't buy any of their products anymore and the Giants have way too many whiners.
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
Bye! See you in 4 years!
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
Quote:
but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
Saudis had a similar call today.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
Agreed.... But the Gallego should be in instead of Costas, don't you think?
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
I'd stick with todays lineup sans Costa, I really like Aspas and his speed could come into play, that and he reminds me of a young Villa, sniper kind of striker. We would lose the height taking out Costa but I think it's the way to go Isco is playing lights out so far... The defense worries me in that the counters have been too many and too predictable. Anyhow let's hope the host country doesn't get the calls like South Korea did back in 2002...
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
As messed up as Pique has been, it was Ramos...
IMHO, of course.
Yeah, it was Ramos, as messed up as Pique has been. Didn't even seem he tried to elevate much to get his head on the ball on Marocco's go-ahead (winning!! (: ) goal.
It's true, I did not see an illustrator shot where a line was drawn from the his attacking position to the leg of the Morocco defender, so I yield on both counts.
And, you're absolutely correct, as an AR, if there are bodies in your line of vision--and AR's are instructed to keep to a line equal with the second to last defender (with the keeper most of the time being the last) or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line--it is impossible to see through the body blockade.
He scored one in Champions league that was better, he's like a real life NHL 94 trick.
Just saw that replay. Incredible.