Iniesta is definately onside when the ball is played and Navas is on when Iniesta plays it across. When Iniesta controls the ball, a new phase of play starts and Navas' position when the initial pass is played is irrelevant. Definately onside. I'm amazed by how average Spain looked. Their defence looked poor. They'll fall apart against an incisive counter attacking side. Croatia's defence are hardly world beaters, but they had Spain in their pocket until they started throwing men forward. If Rakitic hadn't headed the ball straight at Casillas, Croatia would have qualified. You could bet your bottom dollar that Rooney, Carroll or Wellbeck would bury that. I'd very much fancy our chances in a QF against Spain and would prefer to meet them than the Italians.
Lol. No definitely about anything other than the second phase which was 1000% onside. The first ball to Iniesta was unbelievably tight
What's great about this tournament is that all of the teams who are supposed to be better than us seem to have lowered themselves to roundabout our standard.
Jesus, it was close wasn't it. Lets see what the little white line says. Oh, never mind, itv prefer adverts to analysis!
Reasons? I had the same thought earlier, because I reckon we turn it on against better sides who come out and play, and are often out-strategised when we're up against a side we're expected to beat. The thought of playing Spain certainly does seem a lot less daunting than it did before the tournament began. They still play nice, attacking football, but their defense certainly looks penetrable. Italy just don't look like they could score against us.
I just think Spain are so one-dimensional trying to force it down the middle that we can deal with them parking the bus and nick a goal on the break. Chelsea players have experience to lend to the other English players about how they beat Barcelona in the CL. I fancy us more playing negative and hard to beat at this stage. I don't think we are 'better' than any of the sides in the quarters (but where we can overcome them is tactically) other than Greece and whoever we get it will be an upset if we make the semis. I think we'd have got outplayed by Croatia. We'd try to be more positive similar to Sweden and I think they'd tear us apart completely. Italy don't look like they could score against us in open play but the worry is they are so good at set pieces which we are an absolute shambles at, they are also good defensively so I think they'd beat us sadly but you never know..we might get our act together on set pieces obviously we have to get out the group first !
And why do ITV insist on having a studio in which vehicles' engines and people outside can be heard very loudly? Piss-poor.
I hope Ukraine will get something from the game tomorrow, just so ITV will stop patronising (why do they have football? ), mind you can't wait for Roy Keane's review for the ROI/Italy game. (Evening all first time poster, longtime lurker, I'd of joined SaintsWeb, but I can't be arsed paying to whinge)
Welcome! Few whinging dicks on here but your get that anywhere, looking forward to seeing your contribution!
I live in France , and they are already talking about playing Italy , they think they have already won the group . I think this could come back to haunt them ( hopefully ) i can see them being beaten this evening .
