Today's starting lineups. Iniesta on the bench and Asensio starting for him. Still can't figure out why David Silva is playing. He's been really bad. Also Nacho getting the start over Carvajal who doesn't seem fully fit. He's been bad also.
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Espana XI - De Gea, Nacho, Piqué, Ramos, Alba, Busquets, Koke, Asensio, Isco, Silva, Diego Costa
Russia XI - Akinfeev, Fernandes, Kudryashov, Kutepov, Ignasevich, Zhirkov, Samedov, Kuzyaev, Golovin, Zobnin, Dzyuba
wins. Tremendous kick save by the Russian goalie on the last Spanish penalty kick. Wow.
Kick save and a beauty! I also liked the head fake/ stutter step one way before diving the other. That split second enabled him to still have his foot in position for the kick save.
I don't know if I've seen a better penalty save than that one.
Maybe its bc the US didn't even make it. Maybe its bc all of the political flow of the world or maybe I just am tired of athletes in general.
I used to wake up at all hrs of the day/night to watch all the games. I haven't watched one yet this year. Listen on radio/streaming but that's been it.
Rooting for England of all teams now. And maybe Uruguay
Maybe its bc the US didn't even make it. Maybe its bc all of the political flow of the world or maybe I just am tired of athletes in general.
I used to wake up at all hrs of the day/night to watch all the games. I haven't watched one yet this year. Listen on radio/streaming but that's been it.
Rooting for England of all teams now. And maybe Uruguay
I think you're the opposite of just about every other person. We've had great moments, great games and upsets. Definitely the most exciting World Cup I've ever seen.
Looks really bad right now. Should have never fired Lopetegui.
Ridiculous hot take.
Hot take? The Spanish RFEF put out a statement congratulating Lopetegui. Rubiales flat out lied about when he found out. Fired the coach two days before the World Cup started. Team looked bad in every game under Hierro after going two years undefeated with Lopetegui. The players wanted Lopetegui to stay. Rubiales was mad that Lopetegui didn't vote for him in the elections.
I thought Spain deserved a penalty in extra time, though it would have taken some real guts on the part of the ref. And I can’t say Sergio Ramos really ever deserves the benefit of the doubt
a tremendously exciting World Cup.
I thought Spain deserved a penalty in extra time, though it would have taken some real guts on the part of the ref. And I can’t say Sergio Ramos really ever deserves the benefit of the doubt
- agree on both counts, Kyle
- thing on the non-call of a penalty (as I said, echoes the non-call on Berg inexplicably not reversed) was that Piqué was dragged down just as he was attempting to elevate to make contact on a ball very well w/i his range; yes, Ramos was mugging too, but that's not a reason to have zero call on either
- when was last time Spain was shut out over 120 minutes?
- watching it play out it seems to me Spain came into this match overconfident, there seemed no urgency until very late
- from the keeper's perspective kicks from the mark are pretty much a no win scenario; that said, Afinkeev did, salvaging the center of the net with amazing flic of a kick save, while DeGea dove clear away from two strikes right down the middle, just not to be for the Iberians in this WC
Lopetegui is a scumbag, which makes him perfect for that scumbag club.
The only scumbag here is Rubiales. Lied about when he found out and then fired the coach because of a personal grudge.
Coaches have announced they were leaving after a tournament before. Both van Gaal & Conte did the same thing. There teams outperformed expectations in the respective tournament. Now it's a big deal? Lol what a joke.
Just admit you're wrong. Rubiales fucked up. It was obvious then and even more obvious now. Russia wasn't knocking Spain out if Lopetegui was the manager.
Saying you're going to leave after a tournament has no effect on a team. The players didn't care. That's why both Madrid & Barca players fought for him to stay. Firing a coach has a huge effect on a team.
Money talks. Russian defenders tackling Spanish players all day on free kicks.
Like in boxing, Spain knew it couldn't leave it to chance, and they did.
BHE no clue why it doesn't happen more often. Pulling players down on free kicks rarely gets called. I don't remember if it was this past season or the season before, but Ronaldo got pulled down so hard that his jersey ripped. The ref waived it off like nothing happened.
Lopetegui is a scumbag, which makes him perfect for that scumbag club.
The only scumbag here is Rubiales. Lied about when he found out and then fired the coach because of a personal grudge.
Coaches have announced they were leaving after a tournament before. Both van Gaal & Conte did the same thing. There teams outperformed expectations in the respective tournament. Now it's a big deal? Lol what a joke.
Just admit you're wrong. Rubiales fucked up. It was obvious then and even more obvious now. Russia wasn't knocking Spain out if Lopetegui was the manager.
Saying you're going to leave after a tournament has no effect on a team. The players didn't care. That's why both Madrid & Barca players fought for him to stay. Firing a coach has a huge effect on a team.
I'm not wrong, and it's been reported that way from several sources. You might want to admit you just randomly chose to support soccer's version of the Cowboys on steroids. Scumbag club with fascist roots.
And the loss today had nothing to do with the manager. One team tried to play, and the other parked the bus knowing that as the home team they'd get breaks. Seen this movie before.
Did you see now that Milan is suspended from Europa League for FFP, that Bonucci might be available for around 35M EUR? This has Mourinho or Sarri written all over it.
but I’ve loved every minute of it so far. Most of the games have been competitive, lots of drama already, how can any soccer fan be bored or unhappy with this (outside of a loss to whoever you root for)?
but I’ve loved every minute of it so far. Most of the games have been competitive, lots of drama already, how can any soccer fan be bored or unhappy with this (outside of a loss to whoever you root for)?
I think it's great without the US there. I can just watch the games. No stressing about winners or losers.
Can't believe Denmark scored inside a minute. Crazy.
1-1, I guess that recochet is fair after the wierd Dane goal Â
Makes no sense. They cleaned up the issue of the counterattacks, and Pique's dumb penalty was literally Russia's only real opportunity in 120 minutes. This wasn't a tactical failure.
RE: Spain is getting destroyed everywhere for their tactics Â
Makes no sense. They cleaned up the issue of the counterattacks, and Pique's dumb penalty was literally Russia's only real opportunity in 120 minutes. This wasn't a tactical failure.
Pique has been horrendous this entire WC... FATAL !!!!
RE: Spain is getting destroyed everywhere for their tactics Â
Makes no sense. They cleaned up the issue of the counterattacks, and Pique's dumb penalty was literally Russia's only real opportunity in 120 minutes. This wasn't a tactical failure.
Death by a thousand passes... LOL... No teeth to that Spain Offense...
RE: Spain is getting destroyed everywhere for their tactics Â
Makes no sense. They cleaned up the issue of the counterattacks, and Pique's dumb penalty was literally Russia's only real opportunity in 120 minutes. This wasn't a tactical failure.
Their tactics made no sense. I could count the number of times Diego Costa touched the ball with one hand. With a guy like that you could be more direct at least once in a while (in fact he was lethal at Chelsea when they were the opposite of tiki-taka)
find myself agreeing with Kyle again, the defender did make contact with the ball but it was still at the feet of Rebic and the defender brought him down...couldn't be a more naked example of a DOGSO, straight red and PK
And all of us armchair pundits skewering Rebic and Modric for not "just taking the kick" or what a horrible penalty kick (it wasn't good, he telegraphed it even after Schmeichel began his lean to his left), Mercy, Mercy, they've been on a brutally hot pitch for ~120 minutes
40 minutes of playing time back as Modric was preparing to take a corner, half the players of both teams were bent over at the waist, hands on knees
This is the crucible, enjoy it for what it is, triumphs, failures, uncertainty. but don't glory in players' failures
Really? I thought he just guessed right, made a nice save and didn't give up a rebound. I thought it was more of a shitty PK than great save. Madrid kept it low where he could save it. Put it high and it's a goal IMO.
Only way that PK could've been worse was if it wasn't on goal.
Now the Russian keeper earlier today, that was a great save to me.
find myself agreeing with Kyle again, the defender did make contact with the ball but it was still at the feet of Rebic and the defender brought him down...couldn't be a more naked example of a DOGSO, straight red and PK
And all of us armchair pundits skewering Rebic and Modric for not "just taking the kick" or what a horrible penalty kick (it wasn't good, he telegraphed it even after Schmeichel began his lean to his left), Mercy, Mercy, they've been on a brutally hot pitch for ~120 minutes
40 minutes of playing time back as Modric was preparing to take a corner, half the players of both teams were bent over at the waist, hands on knees
This is the crucible, enjoy it for what it is, triumphs, failures, uncertainty. but don't glory in players' failures
Yeah with only a few minutes left maybe it doesn’t make a difference. But if that’s not a straight red for denying a clear opportunity, I don’t know what is
They played great defense and lucked out on GK
Kick save and a beauty! I also liked the head fake/ stutter step one way before diving the other. That split second enabled him to still have his foot in position for the kick save.
I don't know if I've seen a better penalty save than that one.
Ridiculous hot take.
I used to wake up at all hrs of the day/night to watch all the games. I haven't watched one yet this year. Listen on radio/streaming but that's been it.
Rooting for England of all teams now. And maybe Uruguay
I used to wake up at all hrs of the day/night to watch all the games. I haven't watched one yet this year. Listen on radio/streaming but that's been it.
Rooting for England of all teams now. And maybe Uruguay
I think you're the opposite of just about every other person. We've had great moments, great games and upsets. Definitely the most exciting World Cup I've ever seen.
Quote:
Looks really bad right now. Should have never fired Lopetegui.
Ridiculous hot take.
Hot take? The Spanish RFEF put out a statement congratulating Lopetegui. Rubiales flat out lied about when he found out. Fired the coach two days before the World Cup started. Team looked bad in every game under Hierro after going two years undefeated with Lopetegui. The players wanted Lopetegui to stay. Rubiales was mad that Lopetegui didn't vote for him in the elections.
Russia is doing what Korea did 8 years ago or maybe what France did 20 years ago.
I know some people can't get past the politics, but if you do, this is an exciting tournament.
I thought Spain deserved a penalty in extra time, though it would have taken some real guts on the part of the ref. And I can’t say Sergio Ramos really ever deserves the benefit of the doubt
Say goodbye to the nail biters in a stage where you'll see Brazil take on North Korea and Germany play Ethiopia
Say goodbye to the nail biters in a stage where you'll see Brazil take on North Korea and Germany play Ethiopia
That's atrocious. Keep the 4 teams in a group. You still would get some pretty bad matchups though with 16 extra teams that really don't belong there
I thought Spain deserved a penalty in extra time, though it would have taken some real guts on the part of the ref. And I can’t say Sergio Ramos really ever deserves the benefit of the doubt
- thing on the non-call of a penalty (as I said, echoes the non-call on Berg inexplicably not reversed) was that Piqué was dragged down just as he was attempting to elevate to make contact on a ball very well w/i his range; yes, Ramos was mugging too, but that's not a reason to have zero call on either
- when was last time Spain was shut out over 120 minutes?
- watching it play out it seems to me Spain came into this match overconfident, there seemed no urgency until very late
- from the keeper's perspective kicks from the mark are pretty much a no win scenario; that said, Afinkeev did, salvaging the center of the net with amazing flic of a kick save, while DeGea dove clear away from two strikes right down the middle, just not to be for the Iberians in this WC
The only scumbag here is Rubiales. Lied about when he found out and then fired the coach because of a personal grudge.
Coaches have announced they were leaving after a tournament before. Both van Gaal & Conte did the same thing. There teams outperformed expectations in the respective tournament. Now it's a big deal? Lol what a joke.
Just admit you're wrong. Rubiales fucked up. It was obvious then and even more obvious now. Russia wasn't knocking Spain out if Lopetegui was the manager.
Saying you're going to leave after a tournament has no effect on a team. The players didn't care. That's why both Madrid & Barca players fought for him to stay. Firing a coach has a huge effect on a team.
Like in boxing, Spain knew it couldn't leave it to chance, and they did.
Belgium's path is Japan, Brazil/Mexico, Uruguay & France
England's path is Colombia, Sweden/Switzerland, Russia & Croatia/Denmark.
I know which path I'm choosing.
Like in boxing, Spain knew it couldn't leave it to chance, and they did.
BHE no clue why it doesn't happen more often. Pulling players down on free kicks rarely gets called. I don't remember if it was this past season or the season before, but Ronaldo got pulled down so hard that his jersey ripped. The ref waived it off like nothing happened.
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Lopetegui is a scumbag, which makes him perfect for that scumbag club.
The only scumbag here is Rubiales. Lied about when he found out and then fired the coach because of a personal grudge.
Coaches have announced they were leaving after a tournament before. Both van Gaal & Conte did the same thing. There teams outperformed expectations in the respective tournament. Now it's a big deal? Lol what a joke.
Just admit you're wrong. Rubiales fucked up. It was obvious then and even more obvious now. Russia wasn't knocking Spain out if Lopetegui was the manager.
Saying you're going to leave after a tournament has no effect on a team. The players didn't care. That's why both Madrid & Barca players fought for him to stay. Firing a coach has a huge effect on a team.
I'm not wrong, and it's been reported that way from several sources. You might want to admit you just randomly chose to support soccer's version of the Cowboys on steroids. Scumbag club with fascist roots.
And the loss today had nothing to do with the manager. One team tried to play, and the other parked the bus knowing that as the home team they'd get breaks. Seen this movie before.
Nope. He's letting them get out of the country alive.
I think it's great without the US there. I can just watch the games. No stressing about winners or losers.
Can't believe Denmark scored inside a minute. Crazy.
Pique has been horrendous this entire WC... FATAL !!!!
Death by a thousand passes... LOL... No teeth to that Spain Offense...
Their tactics made no sense. I could count the number of times Diego Costa touched the ball with one hand. With a guy like that you could be more direct at least once in a while (in fact he was lethal at Chelsea when they were the opposite of tiki-taka)
Don't discount Sweden in that bracket.
No clue what he was doing. Should have just shot the ball.
And all of us armchair pundits skewering Rebic and Modric for not "just taking the kick" or what a horrible penalty kick (it wasn't good, he telegraphed it even after Schmeichel began his lean to his left), Mercy, Mercy, they've been on a brutally hot pitch for ~120 minutes
40 minutes of playing time back as Modric was preparing to take a corner, half the players of both teams were bent over at the waist, hands on knees
This is the crucible, enjoy it for what it is, triumphs, failures, uncertainty. but don't glory in players' failures
Really? I thought he just guessed right, made a nice save and didn't give up a rebound. I thought it was more of a shitty PK than great save. Madrid kept it low where he could save it. Put it high and it's a goal IMO.
Only way that PK could've been worse was if it wasn't on goal.
Now the Russian keeper earlier today, that was a great save to me.
Wow both Denmark & Croatia missed their 1st PK.
And all of us armchair pundits skewering Rebic and Modric for not "just taking the kick" or what a horrible penalty kick (it wasn't good, he telegraphed it even after Schmeichel began his lean to his left), Mercy, Mercy, they've been on a brutally hot pitch for ~120 minutes
40 minutes of playing time back as Modric was preparing to take a corner, half the players of both teams were bent over at the waist, hands on knees
This is the crucible, enjoy it for what it is, triumphs, failures, uncertainty. but don't glory in players' failures
Yeah with only a few minutes left maybe it doesn’t make a difference. But if that’s not a straight red for denying a clear opportunity, I don’t know what is