FIFA World Cup (Russia)

[Mandon Knight]

Benteke hasn't made the final cut for the Belgium squad....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44353673

 

[LvtLeeTDK]

Sane is out of the Germany squad. Pretty weird decision, considering Julian Brandt is included.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Sane is out of the Germany squad. Pretty weird decision, considering Julian Brandt is included.

That's madness.

 

[LvtLeeTDK]

Absolutely. He has been utter terrible whenever he played for Germany but at least he's better than Julian Brandt.

 

[AverageMan]

Hope to see a new CM trio of Spain. I'm tired of seeing Busquets - Iniesta - someone else. Yes, they were incredibly amazing, but they're old and not in form anymore. I was so dissappointed to see Busquets - Iniesta - Cesc back in Euro 2016 and they did indeed have a bad tournament, completely off form.

Busquets - Thiago - Koke/Saul would be amazing IMO. David Silva's probably gonna play RW, as he always has been for Spain.

There's a reason why Iniesta is still 1st choice for Spain...

 

[Fallen Angel]

 

[Fallen Angel]

 

[LvtLeeTDK]

There's a reason why Iniesta is still 1st choice for Spain...

He's one of the best CM in the history of football but he's not that good anymore.

And mind you Euro 2016 was probably the only big tournament where Iniesta played as CM if I recall correctly.

I just don't think he's that good anymore. At the moment Thiago is clearly superior while Koke can offer something different.

 

[Iceman]

Sane is out of the Germany squad. Pretty weird decision, considering Julian Brandt is included.

Crazy. The guy must be seriously disappointed after the season he's just had.

 

[LvtLeeTDK]

Crazy. The guy must be seriously disappointed after the season he's just had.

People call this decision surprising and crazy. IMO, it's surprising but not crazy at all.

Germany's setup is very different from Pep's MC. In Man City's system the wingers are asked to hug the touchline, constantly looking for space and move while the FBs come inside to build-up the play. While for Loew, his wingers must have the ability to play between the lines and contribute to the build-up. The touchline is FBs' area, while the wingers often play in the halfspace.

Sane is a great player but he can only thrive in Pep's system with kind of a old school winger role. He has been absolutely abysmal and lost for Germany.

That being said, I'd have left Brandt home and brought Sane. At least he offers pace and a different style of play.

 

[Fallen Angel]

Sane will get his time In fact he will be a starter by Euro 2020.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Looking at this page from the BBC site, there are and is a lot of talent not going to the WC this year....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44221854

 

[LvtLeeTDK]

No Julian Weigl but Wanyama included ? Seriously

 

[Kaleb]

 

[AverageMan]

Just drew Argentina in my work's World Cup sweepstake.

Pretty happy with that.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yeah.... I am ready.

[YT]hqaUF2JNY_U[/YT]

[YT]Vm-avsAjrIo[/YT]

 

[Mandon Knight]

All the Home shirts for each country via the bbc website

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44372211

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Thanks for that MK.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Thanks for that MK.

Welcome all

 

[Fallen Angel]

I have drawn Denmark in the sweeps.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

So... not going well there Fallen.

 

[Kaleb]

If anyone is interested in joining a world cup pool

 

[Fallen Angel]

Remember Euro 92? We gonna do it again bro.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Just as a 'side debate' before we get embroiled in the 2018 festivities, what are people's memories of previous WC's, e.g. what was your first, what moments stick out for you etc.

 

[Iceman]

Just as a 'side debate' before we get embroiled in the 2018 festivities, what are people's memories of previous WC's, e.g. what was your first, what moments stick out for you etc.

Mexico 86 I was still young for but won't ever forget the impact of Maradona and also a strong German team.

Italia 90 I remember the 3-2 against Cameroon (and Roger Milla in general), Schillachi as Italian super sub, and the West Germany Vs Holland match with Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten and the spitting incident between Rijkaard and Voller.

Standouts over this period: Maradona, Klinsmann, Baggio, Matthaus