Unofficial World Cup Thread de 2014

[Freak Out]

I guess they might be right....but the ESPN announcers (radio) yesterday went on and on about how neither the Dutch or the Argentinians had a chance against Germany. I call BS and think the Albicelestes have a shot at playing tough D and Messi stealing the game, or winning it on PKs.

[Fritz]

I guess they might be right....but the ESPN announcers (radio) yesterday went on and on about how neither the Dutch or the Argentinians had a chance against Germany. I call BS and think the Albicelestes have a shot at playing tough D and Messi stealing the game, or winning it on PKs.

Messi is like Brett Favre - your team always has a chance when you've got him on your side!

I do think it will be a tight match. Germany has played well at times, but has struggled at times, too.

[red]

if the germans were missing their top player and argentina was missing their top guy, then i would say germany walks all over them

but messi has the ability to have a game for the ages and dominate the field

messi is the key imo, but i'm still going with the krauts

[pbmax]

The Dutch made Messi miserable yesterday. They need someone else to take advantage and open up something.

Funny how narratives changed though. Through the round robin and the first knockout game, everyone thought Germany looked average for them.

[Joemailman]

I'm just glad the Dutch are out. That greatly improves the chances we'll see a goal before penalty kicks. I agree with Freak that if Argentina can play tough D Messi could win it.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Goooooooooooooooooo Deutschland!!!!

[wootah]

Amusing to see all the World War references when the US played Belgium, just now to see the majority root for the Germans

Funny how narratives changed though. Through the round robin and the first knockout game, everyone thought Germany looked average for them.

The last WC's & EC's Germany with these players was always steamrolling through the first games, only to collapse once the playoffs started, it seems they switched strategies now. They have the potential to be dominaned, but I guess Argentina will play like they did against Holland: very sober with the main focus on organisation. If Germany scores quickly, they will be in big trouble.

[Freak Out]

What is the injury status for both teams? I heard the guy who saved the game with that tackle on Robben "tore his anus".

[Joemailman]

Amusing to see all the World War references when the US played Belgium, just now to see the majority root for the Germans

That's because Argentina gave refuge to so many Nazis after the war. Damn Peron!

[wootah]

What is the injury status for both teams? I heard the guy who saved the game with that tackle on Robben "tore his anus".

I think wist will blame the post-game celebrations for that one.

Di Maria is getting prepared to play according to the reports: that'd increase Argentina's chances. Germany seems 100% healthy.

[pbmax]

Zonal Marking guy's (Michael Cox) preview for ESPN FC.

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/tactics-and-analysis/67/post/1945075/germanys-and-argentinas-contrasting-styles-of-winning-possession-will-be-key

Past (2010) Is Prologue

That semifinal (2010 Spain vs. Germany), however, was fascinating. It pitted a possession-based Spain side against a counterattacking Germany, and the game took an obvious pattern: Spain held on to the ball for long periods, continually putting pressure on the German back line and trying to find an angle for a clever through ball. Germany sat back much deeper, invited the pressure, then attempted to counterattack. At 0-0, both approaches were equally viable.

At 1-0, things changed. Carles Puyol's header put Spain in front; his teammates then played keep-ball for the remainder of the second half. The limitations to Germany's approach became clear -- they'd spent the game sitting deep and waiting for Spanish moves to break down. Now they had to push higher up the pitch and win possession themselves. They were unaccustomed to pressing, and their efforts late in the game were surprisingly feeble for such a young, energetic side.

Pressing Up High To Defend

Spain didn't simply give Germany a lesson in passing back in 2010. They educated them in pressing too. The most interesting statistic from that 1-0 semifinal victory concerned Xavi Hernandez's performance. He completed the most passes, as we came to expect, but he also ran the farthest distance.

What happened to that old saying that the ball does the work, and you have to run farther if you don't have possession? It was nonsense. Spain were able to dominate possession because they were mobile too, pressing high up and forcing quick turnovers. Xavi was always leading the pressure, always pointing to teammates behind him to push higher up. Germany have learned from him and his Spanish teammates.

Argentina Are The Reverse

On the other hand, Argentina are the opposite. They've always been cautious under Alejandro Sabella but have made a defensive shift in this tournament and are basically a very static, structured 4-4-1-1 system....

It's much less interesting, but it can be equally effective -- like Spain four years ago and Italy in 2006, Argentina have reached the final having not conceded a single goal in the knockout stage. That in itself is highly surprising considering how Argentina's back four was considered their weak link at the start of the competition. In a way, it still is -- they've simply hidden them well, protecting them keenly with four disciplined midfielders, including the best holding midfielder in the tournament, Javier Mascherano.

How Is It Decided?

This, therefore, is the most interesting tactical feature of this final. It's not so much about what to do with possession -- both teams can counterattack, both can retain the ball in midfield, both can attack through the middle and down the flanks. The difference is how the two sides win possession in the first place and arguably the key question in modern football strategy is simple: Do you concede space behind your defensive block like Germany, or in front of your defensive block like Argentina?

[woodbuck27]

I just can't .....I won't .... I cannot ....I refuse to pull for any team now but.............................. Argentina.

GO Argentina GO !!!!

[Guiness]

Brazil just looks like they just plain old to not want to be there. In their defense, it should be 0-0. Robben got a call on a bad dive...apparently a hand on the shoulder makes your legs fly out from under you...and the second goal was offside. Blind's goal was a thing of beauty though.

[wootah]

Brazil just looks like they just plain old to not want to be there. In their defense, it should be 0-0. Robben got a call on a bad dive...apparently a hand on the shoulder makes your legs fly out from under you...and the second goal was offside. Blind's goal was a thing of beauty though.

That first penalty should be a foul outside the box + a red card for Silva. Robben exaggerates, but the foul is clear IMO. 2nd goal blunder by Luiz; never head the ball back to the center in front of your own goal. Should've given away a corner there.

[Guiness]

Fernandino with a yellow card shortly after being subbed in, then a few minutes later narrowly avoids a second after a tackle on Van Robben that the referee awarded a free kick for. Brazilians being very physical.