Official General FIFA Thread

[s0phr0syne]

In the grand scheme of things, I'm a relative novice to all things soccer/futbol. Can someone explain the logic that Bosque seems to be using with his starting 11 line-up?

If he was just going for his best players, I understand the 4-6-0 formation where there are just rotating midfielders up top (Fabregas, Iniesta, or Silva).

But if he's going to start a true forward up top (Torres, Negredo, Llorente), what is the logic of not having any of the pure wingers in the game concurrently (Navas, Pedro Martinez)? And what's worse, when he has these two speed demons in the game late, tearing down the flanks and looking for targets in the box, there's not a single person waiting in the box? So when he has strikers, he has no one generating crosses (unless you count the full backs), and then when he puts the wingers in, there's no one waiting to capitalize....? What am I missing here...

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by s0phr0syne

In the grand scheme of things, I'm a relative novice to all things soccer/futbol. Can someone explain the logic that Bosque seems to be using with his starting 11 line-up?

If he was just going for his best players, I understand the 4-6-0 formation where there are just rotating midfielders up top (Fabregas, Iniesta, or Silva).

But if he's going to start a true forward up top (Torres, Negredo, Llorente), what is the logic of not having any of the pure wingers in the game concurrently (Navas, Pedro Martinez)? And what's worse, when he has these two speed demons in the game late, tearing down the flanks and looking for targets in the box, there's not a single person waiting in the box? So when he has strikers, he has no one generating crosses (unless you count the full backs), and then when he puts the wingers in, there's no one waiting to capitalize....? What am I missing here...

Del Bosque prefers to play 4-5-1 but he realizes that he has no striker who is currently good enough to play alone on top, so rather than play with a player who is not among the 15 best on the roster he has chosen to play his best players. If David Villa was not injured you would see him play up front in every game.

The strategy he likes is short area passing where the forward is used to create space for the offensive mid fielders and vice versa. What he wants to do is control the ball in midfield, get his offensive midfielders in the space between the opposition midfield and defense and use them to create an opening in the defense for a runner or an attacker to go through and recieve the ball in stride.

Using crosses into the box is a very English way to play, some teams play with 1 or 2 central offensive midfielders behind a single forward and the game plan is to pass the ball either deep or with short quick passes to the forward with his back to the goal so he can drop the ball to an offensive mid fielder who will then have space to force the defense to move which will create a seam for the forward to turn and run.

[Swedish Extrovert]

I think its a time of possession technique. Wear them down, then strike at the end. Spain = the Broncos with Tebow, am I right?

[canadianbroncosfan]

The only downfall of Ronaldo not kicking, is the inability to blame the loss on him. Otherwise, BRILLIANT

[Dutch]

Well, here we go again. Time to see if Germany can finally get it done against the Italians. Should be a great match and much more entertaining than yesterday's.

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Well, here we go again. Time to see if Germany can finally get it done against the Italians. Should be a great match and much more entertaining than yesterday's.

This game will have 200% more forwards on the field at the start of the game than the one yesterday.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by gyldenlove

This game will have 200% more forwards on the field at the start of the game than the one yesterday.

Heh heh heh......that alone should help make it more entertaining. Good one, by the way!

[Cmac821]

Still have no idea how the German's forward is named Gomez, really stands out compared to his teammates

Edit: His full name Mario Gomez Garcia

[Smiling Assassin27]

Germany's come to play.

[Dutch]

Balotelli is having a fantastic game. Wow. 2 goals and Germany have a huge hole to dig out of.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Holy.

Shiite.

[Doggcow]

Congrats on another win Spain.

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Balotelli is having a fantastic game. Wow. 2 goals and Germany have a huge hole to dig out of.

Quite honestly, the quality in his first goal was in the service that was provided to him.

[Dutch]

Germany will have to bring on more of their offensive minded players at the half. Italy's ball movement has been superior to Germany's to this point. Let the timekilling histrionics begin on Italy's part, I'm looking at you Cassano.

[Beantown Bronco]

ESPN chat comment: Has anyone ever gotten a hat trick and a red card in the same match in a major international tournament? I predict Mario to be the first...

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by OrangeSe7en

Quite honestly, the quality in his first goal was in the service that was provided to him.

True, but he finished. More than can be said for any of our Dutch players with the same opportunities. The second was a fantastic power shot with pace. The no-call on the handball on Italy's goalline at the start of the game was huge (led to Germany's first corner kick). Refs swollowed the whistles on that one. Germany is going to have to bring in some more of their offensive minded players at the half and pray they don't get killed on the counter.

Halftime: Smoke, fresh beers, headcall....back in 15.....come on Germany, make a game of it.

[Dutch]

Anyone else surprised at the difficulties Germany is having with so many of their first touches? Seems to be a little out of character for them.


Italy on the other hand is showing some really nice ball movement and beautiful first touch control......


Balotelli.....tick, tick, tick...........

[Schism]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Anyone else surprised at the difficulties Germany is having with so many of their first touches? Seems to be a little out of character for them.

They've really been poor. The decision to start Kroos was bizarre, he's hardly played in the tournament.

Italy are a very good team though, I don't expect they'll be a pushover in the final by any means if they finish this game off.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Schism

They've really been poor. The decision to start Kroos was bizarre, he's hardly played in the tournament.

Italy are a very good team though, I don't expect they'll be a pushover in the final by any means if they finish this game off.

Very out of character for Germany in the ball handling department. Keeper dodged a bullet there....

[broncoblue]

IVE GOT ITALY TO WIN EUROS AT 14/1 AND IN A SWEEP AND A CHEEKY FIVER ON SPAIN AT 9/2

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Anyone else surprised at the difficulties Germany is having with so many of their first touches? Seems to be a little out of character for them.


Italy on the other hand is showing some really nice ball movement and beautiful first touch control......


Balotelli.....tick, tick, tick...........

What happens with Italy, is that people often forget that they're a soccer power because their style of play is something like that of Greece. They're more focused on defense than a lot of soccer powers. The problem is, they're really not like Greece in spite of their style of play. Their individual players have incredible skill that's on par with all the other soccer powers at most times over the years.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by OrangeSe7en

What happens with Italy, is that people often forget that they're a soccer power because their style of play is something like that of Greece. They're more focused on defense than a lot of soccer powers. The problem is, they're really not like Greece in spite of their style of play. Their individual players have incredible skill that's on par with all the other soccer powers at most times over the years.

Agreed. I just don't think they have what it takes to dismantle Spain. Then again, I don't think Germany would have done any better based on their showing today. Hugely disappointed in Germany today. Looks like they still haven't got the maturity needed to win at this level.

[Dutch]

How in God's name do you not put that final free kick long range into the box? The ref gives you a gift and you piss it away with a short pass up the side at the end of the 4 min stoppage time? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Italy deserved the win, period. Just don't see how they win against Spain. We'll see. Looking forward to Sunday and hope for a good/entertaining game.

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Agreed. I just don't think they have what it takes to dismantle Spain. Then again, I don't think Germany would have done any better based on their showing today. Hugely disappointed in Germany today. Looks like they still haven't got the maturity needed to win at this level.

Meh. Germany typically has a bad game in tournaments and it's usually the 2nd game. That didn't happen this time. The truth is that soccer is a game where you drastically rely on some bounces going your way. And it's really not typical that you'll get the same game twice in a row. This was the game where Germany was vulnerable. They weren't getting the bounces. Italy is typically strong defensively. But also, Italy was able to capitalize on some chances (which also doesnt always happen). Germany had been riding a grune Wella up until this point. This was the rough patch they needed to find their way past. Obviously, it didn't happen. Germany is still extremely young though too. Today might help them in the long run.

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Dutch

How in God's name do you not put that final free kick long range into the box? The ref gives you a gift and you piss it away with a short pass up the side at the end of the 4 min stoppage time? Stupid, stupid, stupid. Italy deserved the win, period. Just don't see how they win against Spain. We'll see. Looking forward to Sunday and hope for a good/entertaining game.

Italy can win. It's the same as it always is with them. If Italy wins in their back end, it kind of neutralizes Spain winning at midfield. Italy also has the striker that's more in form now.