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The 2011-2012 Football Thread

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Goal-mez strikes again. Also what a defender Hummels is, pretty much single-handedly kept Germany's clean sheet.

Why Wenger didn't go for him instead of PM is beyond me. Actually i know why, because PM was the cheaper option :rolleyes:

Oliviera is another player to watch out for. Has some skill that one.
 
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daneoni said:
Goal-mez strikes again. Also what a defender Hummels is, pretty much single-handedly kept Germany's clean sheet.
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what is more amazing is how it took him two years to show the same performance for the national squad as he normally plays for his club every week in the league
 
I was really surprised at the poor offensive performance! Germany basically picked up, where they left off against Switzerland and Israel. No surprising elements in the offensive play. Substituting Hummels for Mertesacker was a move that paid off in this game. Two years ago it was Friedrich(then the rightback), who saved Mertesacker on numerous occassions during the WC.
Why Löw didn't sub in Schürrle for Podolski is beyond me. Podolski's performance in the national team seems to have halted. Three, four years ago he was able to score goals, now his shots are all over the place. Against the Netherlands I hope that Klose will have regained more of his fitness and play in the starting team, also an entirely different performance and attitude is needed for the next two games(Denmark are no pushovers either) or else Germany will suffer the same fate as in 2004.
 
Argentina 4 Brazil 3:

Entertaining game - a bit mates down the park; end-to-end - penalty incidents, red cards, and some good goals - Messi's third after Brazil fluffed a dominant break.

Agree Germany weren't convincing.

Cheers,
OW
 
olup said:
I was really surprised at the poor offensive performance! Germany basically picked up, where they left off against Switzerland and Israel. No surprising elements in the offensive play. Substituting Hummels for Mertesacker was a move that paid off in this game. Two years ago it was Friedrich(then the rightback), who saved Mertesacker on numerous occassions during the WC.
Why Löw didn't sub in Schürrle for Podolski is beyond me. Podolski's performance in the national team seems to have halted. Three, four years ago he was able to score goals, now his shots are all over the place. Against the Netherlands I hope that Klose will have regained more of his fitness and play in the starting team, also an entirely different performance and attitude is needed for the next two games(Denmark are no pushovers either) or else Germany will suffer the same fate as in 2004.
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i guess he didn't really have enough confidence in Schürrle's defensive capabilities & discipline ... after the 70th minute, with the 1 goal lead it was more important to keep the cohesion in the back.. on the other side Schürrle is the perfect joker late in the game when you need a goal

also don't be fooled by the glamorous attacking wingers of Portugal: on paper their biggest strength is by far their defensive with Bruno Alves, Pepe, Contreau , Mereiles, Veloso ... in that regard they are sure one of the top teams in Europe so a game with little room for the german offensive team was to be expected
that's also the reason i think Gomez was chosen over Klose: more penalty box strength vs. more fluid attack movement

i general both teams took very little risks (until Gomez scored) in fear of losing this so important game ... IMHO both squads showed an impressive defensive ability compared to the earlier Netherland vs. Denmark game

that's why i think Germany has a clear advantage for the next game: the Netherlands can't park the bus since they simply _have to_ get some points or else it's over for them(means Germany get many counter attack opportunities) and also their defensive line is the opposite of Portugal: they are always good for a blunder ...
 
Tense match between Spain & Italy. Spain are creating a lot of chances, but Italy are defending very well and have created some very good chances of their own. Both keepers making good saves.

This game needs a goal.

EDIT: And now it has two! 1-1, so we're back to where we started. Both teams looking a little more dangerous, still 20 minutes left for a winner.
 
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Italy Spain has picked up quite a bit, I think it will end 1-1 though. Looking forward to the Ireland Croatia should be a good game.
 
Spain 1-1 Italy

A fair result. Spain looked a little better to me but did not do enough to win the match. Italy will be happier with the result, but neither team will be worried about it. Torres probably should have scored a winner. Balotelli messed up a clear chance and was subbed not long after while on a yellow.

Jesus Navas looked good after he was subbed in on the right wing for Spain. 7 yellow cards in the match - that could be a factor down the road.

Michael Ballack is in the studio for the ESPN coverage. His analysis is extremely laconic: "Fair result. Both teams will go through". Uh, thanks, Michael.
 
Ballack is a waste of space on the analysis team. I didn't think highly of him as a player and I think no higher of him as a analysis. He seems like he says the same stuff every game.
 
2020mike said:
Ballack is a waste of space on the analysis team. I didn't think highly of him as a player and I think no higher of him as a analysis. He seems like he says the same stuff every game.
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Well, he's boring, but at least he isn't a giant, embarrassing twit like Alexi Lalas.
 
Wirelessly posted

Despite Spain and clean sheets, I thought there was a good chance of 0-0. :( As said, a draw seems fair. Not Alonso's best game, and the way the ball sticks to Iniesta's feet :) The gameplan worked for Italy, will it work for Ireland and England?

Navas; blimey, a wide player they pass to.

Now for lots of saves by Given, or substituted after 5 minutes because of his knee.

Edit - ITV - not content tempting Keane with Viera, today it's Carragher. :)

Cheers,
OW
 
2020mike said:
Ballack is a waste of space on the analysis team. I didn't think highly of him as a player and I think no higher of him as a analysis. He seems like he says the same stuff every game.
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Lord Blackadder said:
Well, he's boring, but at least he isn't a giant, embarrassing twit like Alexi Lalas.
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You guys don't have Adrian Chiles. Be very, very grateful for this.
 
As mentioned Jelavic continues to beast mode even after Premier season. Hope he can continue with this form next season at Everton.
 
Beyond pain, to agony. Must say, though, it has been lousy defending on our part; Goal-keeper Given has been exceedingly ill served by his defenders, something which is usually a fairly strong point for us.
 
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