A new trend ?

Where are all the goals from set pieces

I don't count Ruud or Sverkos because the original corner/free-kick didn't work and was cleared.

I make that only Russia to score from a free-kick or corner out of 16 goals?

You could argue new balls or the fact that international teams don't get as much preparation time but there were no goals like this in the CL final or semi's - Adebayor and Hypiia in the QF's but it still seems very little.

Are teams just too organised to concede this way?

Zonal Marking

Olé wrote:Zonal Marking

No, most teams are simply $h!t at them this time around. Nothing to do with international vs. club football, some international teams (e.g. Greece) won titles with dangerous set pieces.

I'd actually argue that the defences in this tournament are worse (worse organised) than in previous tournaments. It's the set pieces that are $h!t / not precise enough.

blutgraetsche wrote:No, most teams are simply $h!t at them this time around. Nothing to do with international vs. club football, some international teams (e.g. Greece) won titles with dangerous set pieces.

I'd actually argue that the defences in this tournament are worse (worse organised) than in previous tournaments. It's the set pieces that are $h!t / not precise enough.

Why though ?

We have Sneijder, VDV, Pirlo, Chivu, Svensson, Karagounis etc

No David Beckham

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:No, most teams are simply $h!t at them this time around. Nothing to do with international vs. club football, some international teams (e.g. Greece) won titles with dangerous set pieces.

I'd actually argue that the defences in this tournament are worse (worse organised) than in previous tournaments. It's the set pieces that are $h!t / not precise enough.

Why though ?

We have Sneijder, VDV, Pirlo, Chivu, Svensson, Karagounis etc

VDV is one of the worst Corner takers at Euro 2008.

It's not like Chivu gets much practice is it?

blutgraetsche wrote:No, most teams are simply $h!t at them this time around. Nothing to do with international vs. club football, some international teams (e.g. Greece) won titles with dangerous set pieces.

I'd actually argue that the defences in this tournament are worse (worse organised) than in previous tournaments. It's the set pieces that are $h!t / not precise enough.

A gues would be that perhaps teams pull back more players to defend now. i havent really looked at it but it could be a reason.
But like Blut said the set pieces have been really poorly taken. it wasnt until yesterday that i saw some great set pieces and that was mostly down to Pirlo and Snejider at times.

I really don't know. It might be too early to draw conclusions though, let us wait until the knock out stages.

We didn't see many distance shots yet either, this could change in the upcoming matches.

BMKB wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:No, most teams are simply $h!t at them this time around. Nothing to do with international vs. club football, some international teams (e.g. Greece) won titles with dangerous set pieces.

I'd actually argue that the defences in this tournament are worse (worse organised) than in previous tournaments. It's the set pieces that are $h!t / not precise enough.

Why though ?

We have Sneijder, VDV, Pirlo, Chivu, Svensson, Karagounis etc

VDV is one of the worst Corner takers at Euro 2008.

It's not like Chivu gets much practice is it?

He was great at set-pieces when he played for your lot.

He is so a midfielder BTW - should never play in defence again.

blutgraetsche wrote:I really don't know. It might be too early to draw conclusions though, let us wait until the knock out stages.

We didn't see many distance shots yet either, this could change in the upcoming matches.

May be the balls then.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

BMKB wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:No, most teams are simply $h!t at them this time around. Nothing to do with international vs. club football, some international teams (e.g. Greece) won titles with dangerous set pieces.

I'd actually argue that the defences in this tournament are worse (worse organised) than in previous tournaments. It's the set pieces that are $h!t / not precise enough.

Why though ?

We have Sneijder, VDV, Pirlo, Chivu, Svensson, Karagounis etc

VDV is one of the worst Corner takers at Euro 2008.

It's not like Chivu gets much practice is it?

He was great at set-pieces when he played for your lot.

He is so a midfielder BTW - should never play in defence again.

A set piece outside the box is very different to taking a corner.

I've always said - Chivu is a midfielder playing in defence.

BMKB wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

BMKB wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:No, most teams are simply $h!t at them this time around. Nothing to do with international vs. club football, some international teams (e.g. Greece) won titles with dangerous set pieces.

I'd actually argue that the defences in this tournament are worse (worse organised) than in previous tournaments. It's the set pieces that are $h!t / not precise enough.

Why though ?

We have Sneijder, VDV, Pirlo, Chivu, Svensson, Karagounis etc

VDV is one of the worst Corner takers at Euro 2008.

It's not like Chivu gets much practice is it?

He was great at set-pieces when he played for your lot.

He is so a midfielder BTW - should never play in defence again.

A set piece outside the box is very different to taking a corner.

I've always said - Chivu is a midfielder playing in defence.

So is Rozehnal for me - they just have too much ability to be back there and its wasted.

I dont know about that. I like talented players at the back who can play as midfielder if needed.it adds more to a team.

It's like playing Frings at CB, he'd do well there but you know he'd be so much better in midfield.

Teams bring back all 10 men for it.

Giovani Dos Spurs™ wrote:Teams bring back all 10 men for it.

So a suppose its normally 10 v 8.

Maybe its that.

It's early days.... im sure we'll get loads in the next few rounds.

It's not like zonal marking is full proof. Think the attacking set pieces have been poor so far. Think I haven't seen a single player given a free chance because 1 of his team mates blocked the player covering a zone out (a pattern you can train).
I also think it has to do with these new balls. Seen a too high percentage of set pieces and crosses overhit going past everybody

The delivery has been poor and the will to attack the ball is non existent.

One more for the list. Good ball in for once and a fine header from Sionko even if the marking was suspect.

Sheffield gunner wrote:One more for the list. Good ball in for once and a fine header from Sionko even if the marking was suspect.

Portugal are the only team that don't bring all 10 outfield players back for a corner in this year's chamionships.

Don Leo wrote:It's not like zonal marking is full proof. Think the attacking set pieces have been poor so far. Think I haven't seen a single player given a free chance because 1 of his team mates blocked the player covering a zone out (a pattern you can train).
I also think it has to do with these new balls. Seen a too high percentage of set pieces and crosses overhit going past everybody

I personally think that man-marking is more vulnerable to this.