Why on earth did the Swedes only have two players in that wall at the end? It invited trouble. Good finish like.
Sweden lost that. Three scenarios in the last 5 mins; first, they get the ball, piss around and hoof it to the Germans. Get another counter, Giudetti has Forsberg completely clear square in the box yet he fluffs a crap shot to Neuer. Third, giving away that freekick. Sweden literally threw the game.
I am glad Germany won. Now, before you all call me a lunatic, I just want to note I am getting tired of the less talented sides just spoiling the game and offering nothing in attack. I understand It's a legitimate tactic, and to be fair Sweden weren't as bad as the likes of Panama, Tunisia (against us), Iran etc, but It's genuinely erroding my interest in football. It's so much easier for the 11 men sitting deep against International sides, because the team with better individuals don't play in the same team week in week out, so are always a few gears behind a top club team in terms of being on the same wavelength. I've watched us sit deep all season against top teams we have no chance against because they have multi-billions, and while It's tedious and irritating, it's at least understandable. National teams should have a bit more pride about them though. It's so bad that you can predict how each game will go in terms of pattern of play, based purely on who has the better players. There isn't a plucky nation out there playing a different brand of football. It's all dull, meaningless guff. Look at Iran. They played their best football by a mile after Spain scored, and that nutmeg on Pique was one of the highlights of the World Cup! To a certain extent, the likes of Pep Guardiola are to blame for bringing about this culture of playing from the back, and It's football so it is just a phase which won't last, but this particular period is dying a sad, boring death. The pissy passy style is ineffective now, and needs to be replaced by genuine direct wing play, or going up to a strong striker, to bypass the millions in midfield. Sooner or later the coaches will catch on.
Neville was right in his analysis and comparison to Pep. As are you. I’d love to see a return to aggressive direct attacking next season. Teams having a go.
I think the Swedes were hindered to a degree knowing that a draw against Germany would have been a good result. And they almost held on but those of us who have watched the Germans for decades knew a goal was coming...that's why I cashed out on my 1-1 bet at 80mins. Had the Swedes needed another goal then maybe they would have been more attack-minded? That said, they looked tired and couldn't string three passes together. I'm giving the Swedes the benefit of the doubt here.
