I'm a really big fan of this sort of 4-2-2-2 Brazilian formation. Watching the wingbacks and centre mids make all their unpredictable runs off the ball is pretty mesmerising. I wonder how it would take in the EPL.
Wow Neymar has been diving all over the place today that last one was shameless. May be a gifted footballer, but he seems like such a douche
I'm not really sure what the formation is at the moment since the changes. They always start with 4-2-3-1. I like the way the wing backs push up really high as well.
3 minutes of extra time was a laugh, I applaud the ref for giving a penalty from a corner as the amount defenders get away with is ridiculous, but it infuriates me when refs let teams get away with huge amounts of time wasting and cheap free-kicks, just ruins the experience for me. It's what makes part of me wish the clock was just stopped by an official whenever the ball goes out of play or is stopped by the ref.
Around the time I posted the comment, I was seeing something like this: ------------Cesar Alves---Thiago---Luiz---Marcelo --------Dias---Paulinho -----Hernanes-----Neymar ------Bernard------Fred
Ref lost the plot in the last five minutes somewhat, if Uruguay scored there would have been a bloodbath in extra time. But on the other hand the penalty was a good/brave decision which his eyes wouldn't have been focused on. I'm sure we will see a better performance from Howard tomorrow.
------------Cesar -------Thiago---Luiz--- Alves--------------------Marcelo --------Dias---Paulinho ----------Hernanes------ ----Bernard-----------Neymar --------------Fred That's what I was seeing after the subs. Slighty different but obviously similar especially considering some of them were roaming. I think Hulk coming off had a lot to do with them playing better as well.
I thought the referee had a good game. Ramos was getting away with all sorts against Dortmund the last time I saw Webb referee. In all the games of football I've ever watched I've never seen a player commit so many blatant fouls and not get sent off. I don't think Webb would have had the bottle to give the penalty tonight. It annoys me more players aren't booked or sent off(second yellow) for time wasting.
Spain vs Italy, BBC1 right now. Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Torres, Silva. Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Azpilicueta, Villa, Fabregas, Mata, Soldado, Monreal, Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Reina. Italy: Buffon, Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini, Candreva, De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccherini, Gilardino. Subs: Sirigu, Astori, De Sciglio, Aquilani, Giovinco, El Shaarawy, Cerci, Montolivo, Diamanti, Marchetti. Referee: Howard Webb (England)
