WORLD CUP Draw

Formerly known as sheva7 wrote:All matches in the northeast, two of them at 1 pm. Germans will suffer with the sun  

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

debaser wrote:sure I'm not arguing Italy are stronger & will be favourites to go through the group. just don't think it's a laughable notion to say they only a bit better.

no doubt Italy are strong defensively, but at same time I look at squad and it seems Balotelli the only forward to be particularly scared of

Actually defensively I am worried.  After/alongside Balo there is Rossi as well, who is enjoying good form.  But yes Gilardino doesn't evoke fear like Vieri did .

But Prandelli has reconfigured this Italy in so many different ways that players like Candreva and Diamanti make it easier to compensate for out and out strikers.

Anyway, like I said, England may very well get a result, better than a cagey draw even (Houghton in 1994 and all that).

Brian 2468 wrote:Blut you right about Germany they have to be careful, Portugal it seems have grown some balls and could make it tougher. USA will give you a physical workout.
England need to do play intelligently this is the first time in a while the expectations are cooled down this can only help the team
Sturridge and Rooney pairing needs some work. Sturridge has improved there is a missing part two his game and feel he may not be first team choice until he pops in goals every game.

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

debaser wrote:sure I'm not arguing Italy are stronger & will be favourites to go through the group. just don't think it's a laughable notion to say they only a bit better.

no doubt Italy are strong defensively, but at same time I look at squad and it seems Balotelli the only forward to be particularly scared of

Actually defensively I am worried.  After/alongside Balo there is Rossi as well, who is enjoying good form.  But yes Gilardino doesn't evoke fear like Vieri did .

But Prandelli has reconfigured this Italy in so many different ways that players like Candreva and Diamanti make it easier to compensate for out and out strikers.

Anyway, like I said, England may very well get a result, better than a cagey draw even (Houghton in 1994 and all that).

Yes the "Italy will be well organised defensively" stereotype is rather out dated and doesn't apply to this team. The defense is surely the weakest area of the team.

Midfield is very strong and technically gifted, and this is where they can dominate England (as we saw 18 months ago).

Forwards are stronger than 18 months ago. Rossi is back and firing, Insigne has broken through and Cassano isn't just coming off a mini stroke (but i don't know if he will be called up). Believe it or not, Totti may be there too!

blutgraetsche wrote:

Formerly known as sheva7 wrote:All matches in the northeast, two of them at 1 pm. Germans will suffer with the sun  

Panzers roll out no matter the weather.

Interesting groups. I wouldn't exactly call Germany's group "easy" either -  invigorated Portugal with Ronaldo on a mission, Klinsmann trying to outdo his former assistant in front of a German audience that hasn't forgotten his disastrous stint in München that cost him a lot of pretige in the Fatherland, Ghana with Kevin Prince Boateng trying to impress the land of his birth and the team of his brother. Quite a lot of subtext.

christmasborocooper wrote:Any reason for the change?
Is that worse for us..?

Fey wrote:They really wanted to play that game 0200 in the night? In the jungle? Players carried from the pitch cause of malaria attacks. What a shite times though means we have to watch in the middle of the night/early morning.

christmasborocooper wrote:Any reason for the change?
Is that worse for us..?

Fey wrote:Im curious if Brazil can deal with the pressure. Home advantage, sure. But somwhere their 1950 syndrome will cause a lot of pressure. Its highly likely 2nd round will be Brazil-Holland. And allthough it will be a daunting task to keep them out of the quarters. Its not impossible. With van Gaal Holland has one of the best coaches out there. With Clasie taking midgets role and an inform Robben and a random black winger. Holland should be able to grind out a win. Just dont concede for 30 minutes or so.

Germany will fail in the semis as usual.

Fey wrote:They really wanted to play that game 0200 in the night? In the jungle? Players carried from the pitch cause of malaria attacks. What a shite times though means we have to watch in the middle of the night/early morning.

christmasborocooper wrote:Any reason for the change?
Is that worse for us..?

Super Progress wrote:

BoBo Vieri 32 wrote:

Forza Italia!Forza Milan! wrote:

debaser wrote:sure I'm not arguing Italy are stronger & will be favourites to go through the group. just don't think it's a laughable notion to say they only a bit better.

no doubt Italy are strong defensively, but at same time I look at squad and it seems Balotelli the only forward to be particularly scared of

Actually defensively I am worried.  After/alongside Balo there is Rossi as well, who is enjoying good form.  But yes Gilardino doesn't evoke fear like Vieri did .

But Prandelli has reconfigured this Italy in so many different ways that players like Candreva and Diamanti make it easier to compensate for out and out strikers.

Anyway, like I said, England may very well get a result, better than a cagey draw even (Houghton in 1994 and all that).

Yes the "Italy will be well organised defensively" stereotype is rather out dated and doesn't apply to this team. The defense is surely the weakest area of the team.

Midfield is very strong and technically gifted, and this is where they can dominate England (as we saw 18 months ago).

Forwards are stronger than 18 months ago. Rossi is back and firing, Insigne has broken through and Cassano isn't just coming off a mini stroke (but i don't know if he will be called up). Believe it or not, Totti may be there too!

Balotelli, Rossi, Cassano, Totti, Insigne
 

blutgraetsche wrote:I don't think that England is hopeless either. Traditionally, Italian teams didn't like to play English teams, the 'traditional' English style doesn't suit them. And even if this England side isn't really "traditionally English", it's designed to park the bus and counter with pace. Italy tend to struggle against defensive sides. Uruguay are a gritty side with a traditionally well organised defence also. But of course there is no doubt that Italy are the superior team, both to England and Uruguay.

Fey wrote:Why not a free for all draw. I get why FIFA wants a Brazil-Germany final...but still.

COTR wrote:I've got tickets to Holland Spain  

and Korea - Russia

Kimbo wrote:Err, it seems they were referencing the local tourist board.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2519893/World-Cup-2014-Englands-late-game-Italy-risks-run-ins-ALLIGATORS.html

Are Brazilians always this sensitive?