2018 FIFA World Cup

sharkman · Jun 17, 2018

In the case of Messi and Ronaldo I am not questioning their talent and numbers they have put up over the years. The only modern day players that were both superstars and had the capability to elevate their teammates to the next level and win the WC are Maradona and Zidane. And yes they are the only 2 modern day players that I know that could control the game and change the space of it in a heartbeat.

Messi and Ronaldo both know it that their career at the country will be defined by a World Cup and none of the 2 have been able to elevate their teammates to that level.
They both have a chance to do it this year.

One or both of them will have a disappointing end to their career in this year's WC.

Versaute · Jun 17, 2018

sharkman said:
German football is all about technique...however, the trend is towards agile players...and they are not agile especially in the back...they are too big and slow and it surely does not look like they have adapted to a more agile and speedier style of play!

Sharkman,

What are you talking about? The central defender position is defined by big and physical players with speed and agility too. This is true for the majority of top teams in the world. You look at Sergio Ramos, Pique, Pepe, Thiago, Van Dyjk. All of these guys are big guys and built no differently than Hummels and Boateng who man central defense for Germany. I don't view Germany's problem today as one in central defense. They need more shots on goal and a productive striker.

Meta not Meta · Jun 17, 2018

Versaute said:
Sharkman,

What are you talking about? The central defender position is defined by big and physical players with speed and agility too. This is true for the majority of top teams in the world. You look at Sergio Ramos, Pique, Pepe, Thiago, Van Dyjk. All of these guys are big guys and built no differently than Hummels and Boateng who man central defense for Germany. I don't view Germany's problem today as one in central defense. They need more shots on goal and a productive striker.

But he's right about Khedira, that guy is done. Low is doing what other winning managers have done before him, being too loyal to the old guard. Didn't Lippi do the same in 2010? How does Leroy Sane not even make this squad?

Versaute · Jun 17, 2018

sharkman said:
The only modern day players that were both superstars and had the capability to elevate their teammates to the next level and win the WC are Maradona and Zidane. And yes they are the only 2 modern day players that I know that could control the game and change the space of it in a heartbeat.

I would add Franz Beckenbauer (WC winner in 1974 as player, WC 1990 as manager) and Lothar Mathaeus (captained Germany as WC winner in 1990) to the list.

Meta not Meta · Jun 17, 2018

sharkman said:
In the case of Messi and Ronaldo I am not questioning their talent and numbers they have put up over the years. The only modern day players that were both superstars and had the capability to elevate their teammates to the next level and win the WC are Maradona and Zidane. And yes they are the only 2 modern day players that I know that could control the game and change the space of it in a heartbeat.

Messi and Ronaldo both know it that their career at the country will be defined by a World Cup and none of the 2 have been able to elevate their teammates to that level.
They both have a chance to do it this year.

One or both of them will have a disappointing end to their career in this year's WC.

If Higuain had buried chances against Germany and Chile Messi might well be a dual WC/Copa champion already and we are not arguing this. So much depends upon ill-fortune ....

Versaute · Jun 17, 2018

Meta said:
But he's right about Khedira, that guy is done. Low is doing what other winning managers have done before him, being too loyal to the old guard. Didn't Lippi do the same in 2010? How does Leroy Sane not even make this squad?

I agree Khedira is toast. Yup, I can't believe Leroy Sane didn't make the roster. Apparently, Low had Draxler, Reus, and Brandt ranked ahead of him. I think it's a mistake.

Meta not Meta · Jun 17, 2018

Gotta say I loved the sight of all the Mexico fans out on the Plateau today. Nothing beats this city come WC time! A lot of disappointed Brazilian and German ones, too.

sharkman · Jun 17, 2018

Versaute said:
Sharkman,

What are you talking about? The central defender position is defined by big and physical players with speed and agility too. This is true for the majority of top teams in the world. You look at Sergio Ramos, Pique, Pepe, Thiago, Van Dyjk. All of these guys are big guys and built no differently than Hummels and Boateng who man central defense for Germany. I don't view Germany's problem today as one in central defense. They need more shots on goal and a productive striker.

No worries, I respect your opinion as well. I just think that as the tournament progresses into the later rounds and the games get more challenging for Germany both Boateng and Hummels will wear down...I grant you that they are big and physical and those are important attributes at their position, however, I believe they are not as agile as they should be especially when they will face teams that exhibit speed and a strong counterattack game. Low will have to make some adjustments that's for sure.

Germany is a great team, I just don't see them winning the WC this year. There are better teams in the mix and I believe there is more parity this year.

sharkman · Jun 17, 2018

Meta said:
Gotta say I loved the sight of all the Mexico fans out on the Plateau today. Nothing beats this city come WC time! A lot of disappointed Brazilian and German ones, too.

It's a long tournament...and even with a set-back in its first game, a team can still recover and make it to the round of 16!

Meta not Meta · Jun 17, 2018

Versaute said:
I agree Khedira is toast. Yup, I can't believe Leroy Sane didn't make the roster. Apparently, Low had Draxler, Reus, and Brandt ranked ahead of him. I think it's a mistake.

And they're seriously hurting for strikers if Gomez is their go-to guy at crunch time ... slow CFs did leave them susceptible to Mex. counter attacks, especially with no coverage in front of them.

sharkman · Jun 17, 2018

Meta said:
And they're seriously hurting for strikers if Gomez is their go-to guy at crunch time ... slow CFs did leave them susceptible to Mex. counter attacks, especially with no coverage in front of them.

I really don't understand Khedira's selection on the German national team.
If he was chosen solely because of his performance with Juventus this year and the fact that he was healthy compared to other years then they definitely made the wrong decision.

Meta not Meta · Jun 17, 2018

Titilleur said:
Eight counties won it... But hey, there were only 20 competitions before this year with only 16 countries or less taking part of them until 1982.

Just from memory, 13/20 have been won by three countries only (Brazil, Germany, Italy) and two countries (Argentina & Uruguay) have won four of the others. Since 78 only France and Spain have joined them. My point stands: a tough club to break into.

EagerBeaver · Jun 17, 2018

I am very troubled by these posts. All of you guys are saying Germany was garbage, not a single post giving any credit whatsoever to the Mexicans. Show some respect! The Mexicans have a good club. Maybe their defense had something to do with the Germans sucking goat balls on offense. Maybe they have some good athletes who marked who they were supposed to mark. The Mexicans think they can make it to the finals. Maybe Germany lost because they came up against an athletic, fired up opponent out to show the world something. Give credit where it is due.

BTW, the Germans statistically dominated the match in both possession, and shots (and shots on goal).

EagerBeaver · Jun 17, 2018

A much closer match, which not a single post has been made on, was Serbia-Costa Rica - dead even on possession (50%/50%) and shots (10-10) and SOG (3-3). Only place it was not close was in the score. These teams should have tied.

sharkman · Jun 17, 2018

sharkman said:
.....Germany is a great team, I just don't see them winning the WC this year. There are better teams in the mix and I believe there is more parity this year.

EagerBeaver said:
I am very troubled by these posts. All of you guys are saying Germany was garbage, not a single post giving any credit whatsoever to the Mexicans. Show some respect! The Mexicans have a good club. Maybe their defense had something to do with the Germans sucking goat balls on offense. Maybe they have some good athletes who marked who they were supposed to mark. The Mexicans think they can make it to the finals. Maybe Germany lost because they came up against an athletic, fired up opponent out to show the world something. Give credit where it is due...

From my viewpoint - and as per my opinion in Post #128 - all I am saying is that I do not believe Germany will win the WC this year. I expressed my supporting argument as to why. I did not and neither did anybody else say that they were garbage. There are better teams out there that can win the WC this year and there is more parity in this year's WC as well.

Titilleur · Jun 17, 2018

Meta said:
Just from memory, 13/20 have been won by three countries only (Brazil, Germany, Italy) and two countries (Argentina & Uruguay) have won four of the others. Since 78 only France and Spain have joined them. My point stands: a tough club to break into.

Well.... Nice rundown... You lack only England...

Meta not Meta · Jun 17, 2018

EagerBeaver said:
BTW, the Germans statistically dominated the match in both possession, and shots (and shots on goal).

Yes, the narrative is changed if Germany are a little luckier; but means nothing when the other team is set-up to counter-attack a superior possession team like Germany. That would have been Mexico's game plan going in ... the same for Liverpool versus Manchester City in the Premier / Champions league last year

Meta not Meta · Jun 17, 2018

Titilleur said:
Well.... Nice rundown... You lack only England...

Not as much as England "lack" England!

sharkman · Jun 17, 2018

I will say this as well...I have a serious concern that the VAR (consulting the video replay for offsides, penalties in the box, hand balls, red cards, etc) will end up screwing some team big time in the tournament. Too much latitude (especially on penalties and fouls) is being given to the VAR officials that are behind the scenes.

Titilleur · Jun 17, 2018

Look up here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_qualification#Qualification_spots_by_continent

It's only beginning in 1982 that you can truly say that the World Cup is a World Wide competition... Before that, there was only one spot reserved for Africa, one for Asia and one for North America... All the others were for European teams and South American teams.

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