Re: Which team is likely to break the Spanish stronghold of world football ?

by S Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:51 pm

I dont know why people think Oezil and Goetze cant coexist in the same team..

How about playing Oezil as a CM in a three-man midfield hmm

by rwo power Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:53 pm

Surag wrote:I dont know why people think Oezil and Goetze cant coexist in the same team..

How about playing Oezil as a CM in a three-man midfield

Well, when Löw tried it so far, they didn't look convincing together

by Onyx Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:55 pm

How about Reus or Schurrle at CF?

by VivaStPauli Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:02 pm

My vote would be Reus at CF as soon as Klose is out of the running, Götze on the wing, Schürrle as an impact sub, and only one of Müller or Podolski - with Özil at CAM where he belongs, and Khedira at DM/CM with either one of Kroos or Schweinsteiger, depending on current form, dictating play from deep.

by nichabr Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:15 pm

Italy could have done alot better this Euros final so i think they are best suited to beating Spain.

by Valkyrja Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:32 pm

Ghana will be a force too.

by danyjr Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:39 pm

Argentina will do well with a 4-2-3-1 formation and after a long time, we have a good coach in Sabella. I believe Albiceleste have a good chance if we sort out our defence, which has been the achilles heel of the team in the past few years.

Brazil are going through rebuilding their team and by 2014 World Cup they will be having a squad of very talented players with an average age of 25-26. Not to mention the World Cup will be played in Brazil so they will be favourites to win it.

Germany will hit their peak in the World Cup in my opinion. They have been the most consistent team of the past decade and despite not having won anything, I believe they are the ones to watch in the World Cup.

And saying France have a good chance because of Varane is like saying you have a chance of becoming rich by having a few eggs.

by VivaStPauli Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:43 pm

danyjr wrote:Germany will hit their peak in the World Cup in my opinion. They have been the most consistent team of the past decade and despite not having won anything, I believe they are the ones to watch in the World Cup.

We already were the team to watch at this Euros, we just commited tactical suicide.

by Dr. Percival Faust Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:17 pm

VivaStPauli wrote:My vote would be Reus at CF as soon as Klose is out of the running, Götze on the wing, Schürrle as an impact sub, and only one of Müller or Podolski - with Özil at CAM where he belongs, and Khedira at DM/CM with either one of Kroos or Schweinsteiger, depending on current form, dictating play from deep.

Exactly.

------------ Reus
--- Götze --- Özil --- Müller
--- Khedira - Schweinsteiger

The front four constantly interchanging and ruining every defense like a nightmarish cacophony of destruction.

Bench: Kroos, Gündogan, Bender, Bender, Schürrle, Holtby, Podolski, Draxler, Gomez

If Schweinsteiger keeps playing below his top form, he should be replaced by Kroos or Gündogan (who I can see being on another level by 2014 anyway) or Lars Bender.

by VivaStPauli Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:28 pm

And you pointed out exactly why I wanted that formation: we need our quick one-twos, the quick combinations, our passing game. Gomez might be the best actual striker we have, but he slows our entire attack down too much. I don't mind if Reus scores 2 goals less if that means he'll assist 4.

by Dr. Percival Faust Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:41 pm

Yes.

Gomez is useless unless he's constantly catered to, which nullifies several other, better aspects of this team.

He also becomes useless extremely quickly when he doesn't start every single game. Once he's used as a sub, he breaks down mentally and won't perform for 5 weeks or 5 months. Not exactly reliable. He also ruins 10 attacks per game, then scores 1 goal and is considered the match winner for doing so.

It's been the same for Klose vs Gomez in the past few years. Often, games with Gomez on the pitch ended 2-1, with Gomez scoring both goals but ruining 5 other promising attacking moves. With Klose, the game would end 4-1, with Klose ONLY scoring once, but setting up 2-3 of the other goals.

I hope Jogi builds this team around a fluid attacking quartet, with each member contributing goals and assists and not around Gomez.

by teamanarchy Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:43 pm

The thing is... Spain in 2014 could be vastly different. Their key players are already over 30...
The likes of Xavi, Puyol and even Alonso may either be retired or past it. Now there are youngsters who could replace them with distinction... But to replace Xavi will be very hard.
Puyol has already been replaced, but Sergio clearly favours the right back position, and he might not want to be a full-time centre back.
France and Germany on the other hand have very young squads, which will only improve.

by Le Samourai Tue Jul 03, 2012 2:44 pm

-Khedira--Schweini---Bender
-----Ozil-----------Reus
-----------T.Muller--------

by teamanarchy Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:39 pm

Which team is likely to break the Spanish stronghold of world football ? - Page 3 556976_319330658160453_1831535290_n

Even Marcelo and Ronaldo look up to Varane.
Cristiano: "growing up as a football player, I had many heroes such as Ronaldo, Beckham, Figo, Zidane and Rui Costa. However, one player has really stuck out... Raphael Varane. He's accomplished in every asset. Dribbling, passing, tackling, strong in the air and composure that would put even Franz Beckenbauer to shame..."
That quote comes from 04, by the way, when Varane was only 12 :bow:

by S Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:43 pm

Please dont derail the thread with Varane jokes smoking

by stunt Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:46 pm

As far as I can tell Portugal are favorites. They lost 1-0 in the WC unfairly (offside goal), they won 4-0 in a friendly, and lost to spain on penalties but played better on the 90 mins, altough were a little worse in extra time.

In those 3 matches Spain always struggled.

by Körbl Tue Jul 03, 2012 4:11 pm

More people need to jump on the Portugal bandwagon, they will topple spain.

by LeSwagg James Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:22 pm

Brazil because of the ridiculous talent they produce regularly

Argentina because of the beast they call Messi

:coffee:

by McAgger Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:32 pm

danyjr wrote:

Which team is likely to break the Spanish stronghold of world football ? - Page 3 No-Nacho

by Guest Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:39 am

teamanarchy wrote:France.
Why?
The new Beckenbauer (if he was there for the Euros, they would've won...)

Which team is likely to break the Spanish stronghold of world football ? - Page 3 Jerryimout

by SchinnerC Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:58 am

Messiah "Aggerswagger" wrote:
danyjr wrote:

Forlan : "Ed, do you see Oscar?"
Cavani: "No... Hope he doesn't start... "
Suarez: "Thank God"

by The Sanchez Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:30 am

Se7en wrote:I'm surprised none has mentioned Portugal. They have already shown they can go head to head with Spain and possibly win. Last time Spain won it by a luck - Bruno Alves penelty hit the bar and went out, meanwhile Cex penelty hit the post and went in. Spain won it by a inch of luck.

Ronaldo maturity and Portugal can win it... :coffee:

by Dreamau Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:29 pm

NETHERLAND , YEAH WITH A NEW COACH

by djellisdee Thu Jul 05, 2012 1:21 am

Azzuri

by Dreamau Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:51 am

Injuries to vital players, it happened to France in 2002 and can happen to anyone.

They managed without Villa and Puyol but if Iniesta, Xavi, or god forbid Casillas somehow miss a major tournament it could hurt them.

But now (and even in 2014) I think Spain can defeat even the best that Brazil, Argentina, Germany, or anyone has to offer, mostly because they are rock solid defensively. They could even break the trend of Euro teams playing badly in South American World Cups.

I think in 2015-2016 Brazil will be scary good though.

by teamanarchy Thu Jul 05, 2012 9:01 am

Surag wrote:Please dont derail the thread with Varane jokes

It's not jokes

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