WC 2018 QFs - Brazil vs Belgium

Sorry I just cant wait, Belgium definitely gonna beat Japan so

With so many talents on show - Neymar, Coutinho, Willian, vs De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku, etc., its mouth watering game. Brazil have been defensively solid all along and strong in attack, overall pretty balanced, Belgium probably bit weak defensively but on paper at least I think they at at least as good as Brazil. For some reason I'm rooting for Belgium, although I think it depend largely on their mentality and maturity if they can raise to the occasion, they definitely have the overall ability to beat Brazil...

So what you think?

We will play just like against Mexico, sit deep and wait to counter with Neymar, Coutinho and Willian

I know it's unlikely but considering what's happened in this tournament already I wouldn't be certain Belgium are winning.

Spain, Germany, Argentina and Portugal are all gone so I don't think it's wise to assume anything.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:I know it's unlikely but considering what's happened in this tournament already I wouldn't be certain Belgium are winning.

Spain, Germany, Argentina and Portugal are all gone so I don't think it's wise to assume anything.

Portugal and Argentina went out against better teams though, doesn't really count.
Spain and Germany are special cases imo. Belgium generally looked good.

...you'd think people would know better, really. #GLJinx

Hahahaha, this is gold. Hahahaha

Japannnnnn

BarcaLearning is from Japan I think #GLJinx

Ban.

Jay29 wrote:...you'd think people would know better, really. #GLJinx

Turns out they knew pretty well.

You knew what you were doing Jay.

-75% @RG

Meh, not wanting this to be a troll thread...

Anyway, so now that Belgium is through This game vs Japan exposed a lot of their weaknesses though. They stick to the rigid 3-4-2-1 I think its called? 3 CBs who are slow, 2 wing backs basically who cant defend, if De Bruyne is marked out of the game then there is no link to the e attackers. Hazard having to drop back and do a lot by himself...

It just seems Belgium are tactically pretty naive and Japan kept taking advantage by just putting two players behind Carrassco and Menuier on the counter. I rated Martinez, but now Im not so sure.... they only won thanks to embarrassing height advantage... so I think Martinez needs to work out something else to stop the likes of Neymar and Willian on the wings obviously...

Nainggolan-Witsel-DeBruyne would be more balanced, but Martinez didn't call him. At peast put Dembele or Tielemans instead there because De Bruyne doesn't work in a 2 man midfield. They should play 3-5-2 with Hazard-Lukaku up top...
Brazil is going to miss Casemiro a lot and Hazard vs Fagner should be interesting, Brazil is vulnerable on the wings

This is expected to be the match of the tournament. I don't expect anyone to hold back here so the winner might be the team that outscores the other one. I hope this match is going to fulfill the expectations because it has a lot of potential

I agree, with De Bruyne so deep hes wasted, and Mertens hasnt done much to prove himself. I hope it doesnt come to cost Belgium. Good thing Brazil is a little weakened it seems, but they got Fernandinho, who should know De Bruyne very well... hope Marcelo is still out.

Not impressed by Belgium at all, Brazil take this one as well imo.

I hope Douglas Costa will be available to come on as a sub.

Marcelo and Douglas Costa have been given the green light today

Brazil has got this one. Problem with Belguim is the defence. Company and Vermahlen are good enough against EPL mid table teams but not against the current Brazil attack. T.Silva although on the older side now is miles ahead of ny Belgian defender.

Brazil's organisation is incredible. Best so far in the tournament.

I think the winner of Brazil and France will win the WC

Have a terrible feeling this match will be a repeat of Argentina-Belgium match from 4 years ago. (with Brazil winning in 3rd gear)

Much hyped as a mouth-watering fixture, while being about as flat as Serbia-Costa Rica.

Hope I'm wrong

Zagadka wrote:Have a terrible feeling this match will be a repeat of Argentina-Belgium match from 4 years ago. (with Brazil winning in 3rd gear)

Much hyped as a mouth-watering fixture, while being about as flat as Serbia-Costa Rica.

Hope I'm wrong

Nah, Belgium are way too offensive (and crap defensively) to be a repeat of that borefast

COME ON HAZARD!!!

Blue Barrett wrote:COME ON HAZARD!!!

No love for Willian?

Keep saying it, but pretty sure this will be high scoring or at least I hope, with lots of chances created rather than the cautious football we see so much in the KO games...