World Cup 2022

[Nazario1985]

World Cup full of surprises. Pretty bad football though. Maybe the worst World Cup since I can remember.

One of the best for me.

The worst one is by far 1994.

2014 Argentina played the final while being shit, brazil the host got trashed 7-1 and no other team had even a decent level.

 

[serghei]

Dont agree with that on Pedri but Gavi has issues finding ball as well as Pedri and FDJ and is much more limited on ball in terms of his passing etc.

Busi as a DM is a fair draw back for all of them when Xavi and at times Lucho have him as the one they want on the ball and other midfielders giving options.

The best Pedri has been this season was away to Sociedad where he ran game as got on it deep.

Pedri has been Spains best player though and was far better than Busi and Gavi again tonight.

As said before would prefer Rodri in at DM and even Koke in at midfield to let Pedri have bit more freedom as he is much more likely to open game up further forward than Gavi is.

I agree Pedri should play deeper, but you still lack a midfielder that can play AM. Someone like De Bruyne for example, able to activate and make decisive moves in the last third.

For Barca, Bernardo was supposed to be that player. Player who would be comfortable playing in midfield, but also comfortable in the last third.

 

[eaman]

No that is not what mean.. you can tell before last 16 which winners cant meet until the final and Brazil/France are two of those.

Ok my mistake. I actually they were on the same side. I worked it out wrong with the whole c1 g1 thing

 

[JamDav1982]

I agree Pedri should play deeper, but you still lack a midfielde that can play AM.

I think Pedri can play AM and at much higher level than Gavi at this point but like any other player needs freedom and the right players around him.

Its s fucking tough Spain team to try and run from midfield.

Folk get too suckered in by Spain fucking about passing ball at back and into midfield and out again too much. Comms are worst for it. They seem to purr when Spain are barely getting into opposition final third with any quality.

 

[gregorrin10]

I have said this Months ago

Pedri is a supportive midfielder, he is not a maestro

I agree Pedri should play deeper, but you still lack a midfielder that can play AM. Someone like De Bruyne for example, able to activate and make decisive moves in the last third.

For Barca, Bernardo was supposed to be that player. Player who would be comfortable playing in midfield, but also comfortable in the last third.

I guess we can see why Xavi wanted Bernardo so bad then. But it would mean Pedri and Gavi having to fight for that one spot in the lineup, which would be less than ideal, especially from Barca (Spain) PR point. Gavi and Pedri together, 18 and 19-year old, 'the future' 'new Xavi and Iniesta' together sounds much better, even if it's not the best thing for Barca, tactically wise.

 

[JamDav1982]

Bernardo would face same issues as other midfielders do at Barca.

Also Busi, Pedri and Bernardo... that is too weak.

 

[serghei]

But still, plenty of teams are able to function without a main midfield creator. Liverpool did that for years. You need better fullbacks for that though, and more muscle in midfield to deal with the more cagey nature of games.

 

[JamDav1982]

But still, plenty of teams are able to function without main midfield creators. Liverpool did that for years. You need better fullbacks for that though.

No way Barca or Spain play like that.

 

[serghei]

Bernardo would face same issues as other midfielders do at Barca.

Also Busi, Pedri and Bernardo... that is too weak.

True, not my ideal choice either.

I would go at it like we are doing, and improve the fullbacks and add a central defender.

 

[Daniele]

the only team that can really lose this world cup is France. Brazil may surprise exit sooner than expected. Portugal could surprise win

 

[serghei]

France and Brazil are the best for me. Most firepower upfront is basically the most important asset I feel, considering that neither team looks very connected and focused.

But this World Cup is also very good for pragmatic managers like Fernando Santos.

 

[fergus90]

The Spanish national team bore me to death to be honest. Once teams just allow them to ping it about and sit off them, they got no penetration.

France is the obvious pick, their depth is ridiculous.

 

[te amo barca]

World Cup full of surprises. Pretty bad football though. Maybe the worst World Cup since I can remember.

The level of play from "bad" teams is the highest it's ever been. The level has become more standard worldwide thanks to physical preparation and organization/intensity.

 

[DennyCrane]

Great quote from Oliver Bierhoff just now on Germanys WC performance:

"We know, that things didn't go as they did."

Truly a wordsmith beyond reknown.

 

[Daniele]

France and Brazil are the best for me. Most firepower upfront is basically the most important asset I feel, considering that neither team looks very connected and focused.

But this World Cup is also very good for pragmatic managers like Fernando Santos.

yes, and an't rule out a big surprise that could come far between USa japan Morocco and croatia