I think RVP played well tonight. I'm not sure it will affect his confidence that much if Holland get knocked out.
Podolski and Muller have both just worked really hard and kept their width in both games. Saying he has done naff all is harsh, imo. At the moment he is doing what Milner is doing for England.
Podolski has done his job fairly well. He played a few very good passes in yesterdays game. He can offer alot more going forward but he still has'nt done anything wrong. He was obvioulsy told to stay out wide yesterday.
I think Germany are running in cruise control at the moment. They controlled the game from start to finish against Holland. At present, they have not needed to play beyond 3rd gear, but when they are up against it, i can see players like Podolski being used in a more attacking sense. At the moment, they are keeping it as efficient as possible.
Of course he will, he's done it in the past. At the moment Germany are cruising along. They've looked impressive without actually doing much. The only team that will challenge them is Spain.
I think those who predicted Netherlands to win are realising the fault in their ways. Never bet on the Dutch. De Jong does a better defensive job when Van Bommel isn't playing. This is because he has less to deal with when Holland are attacking. The space Schweinsteiger had on the edge of the box to assist Gomez's goal was astounding. Many here also noted how Holland weren't doing enough to win the ball back against Denmark. What were Van Bommel and De Jong doing then? The problem is they're not players who pressure the ball, they tacklers in a game of passers, they're extinct! It's the fault of the Dutch manager to play two tacklers in front of the back four. He has to leave Van Bommel out and put someone hard-working in there to pressure the ball. Their attack would work fine if they had a player to link it to the back, a real passer of the ball in the mould of Arteta or Alonso. At the moment they have two extreme defensive midfielders and 3 extreme attacking midfielders. It's tactically inept. As for those attacking midfielders, you've got Afellay who can't deliver a final ball, Schneider who is under-performing, and Robben who just blazes shots over the bar. Sure, RVP is missing a few, but with that behind him, he's not totally to blame.
Spot on. They had no fluidity between defence and attack, the midfield was non exsistent at times. It was, pass to one of the front three and see what they'll do. There was no creativity in midfield and no clever play. It was a team v a bunch of individuals....
I was impressed with Italy. I thought they were a bunch of old codgers, past their sell by date, but they seem to be playing some good stuff. Lets see if that @rse, can concentrate on football and not burn something down and stuff.....
Half time Italy 1-0 Croatia. Pirlo was playing 10/10 all through that half, so the goal was kind of expected from him - great free kick though. Interesting players Italy have like Maggio (Baggio?) and Banucci (Panucci?).
Italy looking really really strong. Perfect balance in defense, midfield and attack. They're playing some attractive football as well and their manager has shown he can adapt to the opponent with that formation that proved so effective against Spain. They are looking more and more like a serious contender for the big prize.
fell away in the first half, and then were happy for the draw. i have to say i'm not a fan of their 5-3-2 formation. doesn't give them any number going forwards.
Yup - I don't know how Motta is playing in front of any number of better midfielders and how on Earth can it be that there're no decent fit CBs in Italy that De Rossi - arguably Italy's best midfielder - has to play there !!
Anyone remember that tunnel fight with Keane and Viera? Nice to see them at peace together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlPBV5WYJiY
