Here are the starting lineups for France & Argentina. Shocked that Aguero, Dybala & Higuian are all on the bench. Even more shocked that Di Maria is starting since he's had a terrible World Cup.
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France XI: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, L. Hernandez, Kanté, Pogba, Matuidi, Mbappé, Griezmann, Giroud.
Argentina XI: Armani, Mercado, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico, Mascherano, Enzo Pérez, Banega, Pavón, Messi, Di María.
with Courtois, he’s an excellent shot stopper but he’s very poor with the ball at his feet and hasn’t really improved at all in this regard. Of course if it’s going to be one or the other, you’d prefer the shot stopper. But Chelsea just isn’t able to build attacks from the back consistently.
It’s close between him and Alisson. Close enough where if Chelsea can sell Courtois, line up Alisson, and turn a profit, they should absolutely do it. Courtois’ heart seems to be in Madrid anyway
Well that's the thing. Alisson is supposedly going to fetch a higher transfer fee. By a good margin. I guess that's because Courtois isn't going to renew and they don't want him to leave on a free.
Chelsea's entire season was a disaster so I can't blame one player. I was just watching some Chelsea videos last night and Courtois was under seige constantly.
They had the same number of clean sheets. Courtois conceded 4 more goals. Courtois pass accuracy was 7 points lower, but his average distrubition length was longer.
Like I said Alisson is very very good. I like him a lot, but to me one season in Serie A doesn't compare to 7 in the PL & La Liga. Thanks for your input guys!!
They don't know what they're doing game to game. That this is even close doesn't reflect well on France.
Yes Argentina doesn't look good. France has looked better, but they can't finish their chances. I don't think Benzema is a top Striker anymore, but he's a better player overall then Giroud. His link up play and ability to start a counter would really be helping France right now.
with Courtois, he’s an excellent shot stopper but he’s very poor with the ball at his feet and hasn’t really improved at all in this regard. Of course if it’s going to be one or the other, you’d prefer the shot stopper. But Chelsea just isn’t able to build attacks from the back consistently.
It’s close between him and Alisson. Close enough where if Chelsea can sell Courtois, line up Alisson, and turn a profit, they should absolutely do it. Courtois’ heart seems to be in Madrid anyway
Well that's the thing. Alisson is supposedly going to fetch a higher transfer fee. By a good margin. I guess that's because Courtois isn't going to renew and they don't want him to leave on a free.
Chelsea's entire season was a disaster so I can't blame one player. I was just watching some Chelsea videos last night and Courtois was under seige constantly.
They had the same number of clean sheets. Courtois conceded 4 more goals. Courtois pass accuracy was 7 points lower, but his average distrubition length was longer.
Like I said Alisson is very very good. I like him a lot, but to me one season in Serie A doesn't compare to 7 in the PL & La Liga. Thanks for your input guys!!
He was not under siege constantly. Chelsea couldn’t score this season
Chelsea allowed the 2nd most shots and shots on target of the top 6 teams. Behind United. I was watching mostly champions League games.
Both Roma games. The Barca 2nd leg and the 2nd Watford game. I forget the numbers, but it was like 60 shots total and 35 on target. I know it was a lot. So I can't speak on the entire season. Just the handful of games I watched the last few days.
a deft but critical mark there to avert danger, he's been stellar; I believe it was his ball from just outside his own PA to Pogba (?) at half way line that set up Mbappe's second goal
should cash in on Neymar, buy 3-4 players with the money, and build everything around Mbappe. He’s 19. That’s nuts
They don't even need to sell Neymar lol they can keep him and buy whoever they want without repercussions. Somehow they didn't breach Financial fair play after spending 400 million on 2 players. They've spent 556 million the last 3 transfer windows (Including this year that hasn't really started) while only making like 155 million in sales.
a deft but critical mark there to avert danger, he's been stellar; I believe it was his ball from just outside his own PA to Pogba (?) at half way line that set up Mbappe's second goal
One of my favorite non Madrid players. Can't believe Leicester sold him for so cheap. Probably the best DM in the World. Definitely top 3.
a deft but critical mark there to avert danger, he's been stellar; I believe it was his ball from just outside his own PA to Pogba (?) at half way line that set up Mbappe's second goal
Sure was. He’s the best ball winner in the world IMO and he’s improving his passing. I know I’m like a broken record but he’s really fantastic.
Otamendi is an absolute clown. His team has a chance to equalize and kicking the ball at the other team
We saw the starters today, but then they have Nabil Fekir, Areola, Lemar, Dembele, Benjamin Mendy, N'Zonzi, Tolisso, Thauvin & Sidibe on the bench. Anthony Martial didn't even make the World Cup squad. Good lord. They are stacked.
how does Sampaoli, or whoever called the shots for this WC, have Agüero sitting on the bench, coming in seemingly as an afterthought throughout Group play? He had almost immediate impact this afternoon. He's one of the most effective strikers/wings in the world.
Not fun for their fans. US soccer fans know how it feels, we're sitting home, thank you USSF.
how does Sampaoli, or whoever called the shots for this WC, have Agüero sitting on the bench, coming in seemingly as an afterthought throughout Group play? He had almost immediate impact this afternoon. He's one of the most effective strikers/wings in the world.
Not fun for their fans. US soccer fans know how it feels, we're sitting home, thank you USSF.
We are sitting home cause our players aren't very good. Even if we made we would be Panama or Costa Rica. You see how stacked countries like France and Argentina are? We aren't in the same planet. Want to make the U.S. a soccer power? Pour a crap load of money into MLS. You see Americans sitting around saying they are Chelsea supporters or Man City or whatever. Foreign clubs that play half a world away. That is not going to get the best U.S. kids to play soccer. But if American cities have among the best clubs in the world like we have in every other sports league, then you will see a wave of top flight U.S. talent. Until then we will be light years from everyone else.
And before people say England has the best soccer league in the world and not the best national team, well England has 50 million people and is the size of Alabama. The U.S. has 330 million. If the U.S. had the best soccer league in the world, the majority of top players would be American.
And before people say England has the best soccer league in the world and not the best national team, well England has 50 million people and is the size of Alabama. The U.S. has 330 million. If the U.S. had the best soccer league in the world, the majority of top players would be American.
EPL also attracts players from around the world and that is why the EPL is one of the best Leagues in the world, not because of home grown talent.
That injury has to worry Uruguay though. He asked for the switch immediately. Worst officiated game in the World Cup on both sides. That ref shouldn't get another game.
but it's hard to say good things about Suarez. I hate it when a guy with his talent dives more than Greg Louganis. Well, at least he hasn't bitten anybody yet.
ref give Suarez a card for grabbing his head when he isn't even hit there?
Several times in this Cup dives aren't just tolerated, they are rewarded. At least the ref didn't book anyone on Suarez's dives, but he got at least one free kick for it. Way too often a guy goes down grabbing a body part that wasn't even touched, often even forcing medical personnel to come out and treat them and they "earn" a free kick for it.
I get that it is gamesmanship, but it fucking sucks and every 4 years, it is one of the reasons people continue to have misconceptions about soccer.
I obviously don't root for Messi because he plays for my teams biggest rival. I don't hate him though.
I fucking hate Suarez. Dude is on his back more then a crackhead prostitute. Holy shit he's the worst. People who get shot don't hit the ground like that.
Really excited to see the France & Uruguay game. Should be a good one.
Also really excited to see my favorite player play tomorrow. Lukita should be up for player of the tournament as of right now. He's just been awesome for Croatia. Just as he always is for Madrid.
I forgot who said it, but some former player said he thinks Christian Eriksen is better then Modric 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I feel exactly the same way. They should review games afterward and when they find people diving, suspend them for the next game. They can add more severe penalties for constant offenders.
Players acting like they have multiple broken bones when they are barely touched gives the game a bad name.
I feel exactly the same way. They should review games afterward and when they find people diving, suspend them for the next game. They can add more severe penalties for constant offenders.
Players acting like they have multiple broken bones when they are barely touched gives the game a bad name.
Suarez would only play half the season. He'd be suspended every other game.
I feel exactly the same way. They should review games afterward and when they find people diving, suspend them for the next game. They can add more severe penalties for constant offenders.
Players acting like they have multiple broken bones when they are barely touched gives the game a bad name.
Suarez would only play half the season. He'd be suspended every other game.
In comment 14003128 ColHowPepper said:
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got fireworks OEM duties for my town and then a party to watch 'em, so I'll miss being with you boys for Portugal-Uruguay. Make sure it's a corker. ////
It's probably going to be miserable lol like 1 nil. Hopefully I'm wrong though.
Just about done watching recording, to me it was actually a very good, competitive, well played match. I think Portugal played its most appealing soccer in quite some time, certainly to my eye more compelling than the Euros.
Interesting on Pepe's header: both Godin (and I didn't catch the other Uruguan defender) converged on Ronaldo, leaving Pepe unmarked and he buried it.
Laxalt, the Uruguan LOB caught my eye: very active, strong, tough, tenacious, and rarely out of position, and when the opportunity was there, effective on runs. He's a keeper.
Rick, I think Croatia goes through to the quarters, dunno if Spain can lift its game.
It’s close between him and Alisson. Close enough where if Chelsea can sell Courtois, line up Alisson, and turn a profit, they should absolutely do it. Courtois’ heart seems to be in Madrid anyway
Well that's the thing. Alisson is supposedly going to fetch a higher transfer fee. By a good margin. I guess that's because Courtois isn't going to renew and they don't want him to leave on a free.
Chelsea's entire season was a disaster so I can't blame one player. I was just watching some Chelsea videos last night and Courtois was under seige constantly.
They had the same number of clean sheets. Courtois conceded 4 more goals. Courtois pass accuracy was 7 points lower, but his average distrubition length was longer.
Like I said Alisson is very very good. I like him a lot, but to me one season in Serie A doesn't compare to 7 in the PL & La Liga. Thanks for your input guys!!
Yes Argentina doesn't look good. France has looked better, but they can't finish their chances. I don't think Benzema is a top Striker anymore, but he's a better player overall then Giroud. His link up play and ability to start a counter would really be helping France right now.
Quote:
with Courtois, he’s an excellent shot stopper but he’s very poor with the ball at his feet and hasn’t really improved at all in this regard. Of course if it’s going to be one or the other, you’d prefer the shot stopper. But Chelsea just isn’t able to build attacks from the back consistently.
It’s close between him and Alisson. Close enough where if Chelsea can sell Courtois, line up Alisson, and turn a profit, they should absolutely do it. Courtois’ heart seems to be in Madrid anyway
Well that's the thing. Alisson is supposedly going to fetch a higher transfer fee. By a good margin. I guess that's because Courtois isn't going to renew and they don't want him to leave on a free.
Chelsea's entire season was a disaster so I can't blame one player. I was just watching some Chelsea videos last night and Courtois was under seige constantly.
They had the same number of clean sheets. Courtois conceded 4 more goals. Courtois pass accuracy was 7 points lower, but his average distrubition length was longer.
Like I said Alisson is very very good. I like him a lot, but to me one season in Serie A doesn't compare to 7 in the PL & La Liga. Thanks for your input guys!!
He was not under siege constantly. Chelsea couldn’t score this season
Both Roma games. The Barca 2nd leg and the 2nd Watford game. I forget the numbers, but it was like 60 shots total and 35 on target. I know it was a lot. So I can't speak on the entire season. Just the handful of games I watched the last few days.
They don't even need to sell Neymar lol they can keep him and buy whoever they want without repercussions. Somehow they didn't breach Financial fair play after spending 400 million on 2 players. They've spent 556 million the last 3 transfer windows (Including this year that hasn't really started) while only making like 155 million in sales.
One of my favorite non Madrid players. Can't believe Leicester sold him for so cheap. Probably the best DM in the World. Definitely top 3.
Sure was. He’s the best ball winner in the world IMO and he’s improving his passing. I know I’m like a broken record but he’s really fantastic.
Otamendi is an absolute clown. His team has a chance to equalize and kicking the ball at the other team
If they don’t get it together I could see Messi retiring from international duties. And that’d be a damn shame
Merci Le Bleu, Merci Le Bleu
do not jinx it Rick or I will find you.
Not fun for their fans. US soccer fans know how it feels, we're sitting home, thank you USSF.
Mascherano retired from international football.
It's probably going to be miserable lol like 1 nil. Hopefully I'm wrong though.
Not fun for their fans. US soccer fans know how it feels, we're sitting home, thank you USSF.
We are sitting home cause our players aren't very good. Even if we made we would be Panama or Costa Rica. You see how stacked countries like France and Argentina are? We aren't in the same planet. Want to make the U.S. a soccer power? Pour a crap load of money into MLS. You see Americans sitting around saying they are Chelsea supporters or Man City or whatever. Foreign clubs that play half a world away. That is not going to get the best U.S. kids to play soccer. But if American cities have among the best clubs in the world like we have in every other sports league, then you will see a wave of top flight U.S. talent. Until then we will be light years from everyone else.
And before people say England has the best soccer league in the world and not the best national team, well England has 50 million people and is the size of Alabama. The U.S. has 330 million. If the U.S. had the best soccer league in the world, the majority of top players would be American.
And before people say England has the best soccer league in the world and not the best national team, well England has 50 million people and is the size of Alabama. The U.S. has 330 million. If the U.S. had the best soccer league in the world, the majority of top players would be American.
EPL also attracts players from around the world and that is why the EPL is one of the best Leagues in the world, not because of home grown talent.
Several times in this Cup dives aren't just tolerated, they are rewarded. At least the ref didn't book anyone on Suarez's dives, but he got at least one free kick for it. Way too often a guy goes down grabbing a body part that wasn't even touched, often even forcing medical personnel to come out and treat them and they "earn" a free kick for it.
I get that it is gamesmanship, but it fucking sucks and every 4 years, it is one of the reasons people continue to have misconceptions about soccer.
I fucking hate Suarez. Dude is on his back more then a crackhead prostitute. Holy shit he's the worst. People who get shot don't hit the ground like that.
Really excited to see the France & Uruguay game. Should be a good one.
Also really excited to see my favorite player play tomorrow. Lukita should be up for player of the tournament as of right now. He's just been awesome for Croatia. Just as he always is for Madrid.
I forgot who said it, but some former player said he thinks Christian Eriksen is better then Modric 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Players acting like they have multiple broken bones when they are barely touched gives the game a bad name.
Players acting like they have multiple broken bones when they are barely touched gives the game a bad name.
Suarez would only play half the season. He'd be suspended every other game.
Quote:
I feel exactly the same way. They should review games afterward and when they find people diving, suspend them for the next game. They can add more severe penalties for constant offenders.
Players acting like they have multiple broken bones when they are barely touched gives the game a bad name.
Suarez would only play half the season. He'd be suspended every other game.
Well, at least he didn't bite anyone....
Quote:
got fireworks OEM duties for my town and then a party to watch 'em, so I'll miss being with you boys for Portugal-Uruguay. Make sure it's a corker. ////
It's probably going to be miserable lol like 1 nil. Hopefully I'm wrong though.
Interesting on Pepe's header: both Godin (and I didn't catch the other Uruguan defender) converged on Ronaldo, leaving Pepe unmarked and he buried it.
Laxalt, the Uruguan LOB caught my eye: very active, strong, tough, tenacious, and rarely out of position, and when the opportunity was there, effective on runs. He's a keeper.
Rick, I think Croatia goes through to the quarters, dunno if Spain can lift its game.