Re: World Cup 2014 Teams

by SchinnerC Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:13 am

Belgium's first team players are as good as any nations imo. How they work as a team is another issue. They still have Witsel and Mertens to start if De Bruyne and Thorgan are not mature enough by then.

For Spain, Fabregas is nowhere near good enough to play in Spain/Barca's midfield, let alone Xavi's role IMHO. I would rather see him in the False nine role, Again. Busquets should and will probably keep his place. Will be interesting to see the development of Ander,Muniain and Isco. Busquets,Ander/Thiago,Iniesta Cool

I would also love to see Poli for Italy. We'll see if he's good enough for a regista role or will he be used as the deputy of either DDR or Marchisio.

Euro is just over and I'm already excited for the World Cup!!

by SchinnerC Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:26 am

juventus101 wrote:I disagree heavily with alot of those teams. Your also missing Argentina.

Germany:
--Neuer--
--Boateng-- --Badstuber-- --Hummels-- --Lahm--
--Schweini-- --Khedira--
--Reus-- --Ozil-- --Podolski--
--Muller--

Italy:
--Buffon--
--Maggio-- --Bonucci-- --Chiellini-- --Criscito--
--De Rossi-- --Pirlo-- --Marchisio--
--Giovinco--
--Balotelli-- --Cassano--

Brazil:
--Cesar--
--Alves-- --Silva-- --Dede-- --Marcelo--
--Ramires-- --Ganso--
--Lucas-- --Hulk-- --Neymar--
--Damiao--

Oscar in Brazil's key player imo. And should be played in the lone AMC role, definitely not Hulk in the middle.

I would go for --Lucas--Ganso-- against 'weaker sides'
--Oscar--

--Lucas--Ramires-- against 'stronger sides'
--Oscar--

Once this Brazil side find its balance, it'll be a force to be reckoned with.

by Blue Barrett Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:20 am

Zealous wrote:You'll all look silly when Carvajal explodes in a couple of years

by rwo power Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:16 am

Actually I'm curious who of Europe will qualify for the WorldCup. Mind you, there were 16 teams in this Euro and already some interesting teams missed out (eg Turkey, Belgium and some more), while for the World Cup there are only 13 slots for Europe.

by Catracho Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:35 am

@ these Brazilian 2014 Squad predictions...

We've tried this before, and failed. The Brazilian NT is an anomaly. Noone knows what the squad will be in 2 years.

by SchinnerC Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:40 am

True, we never know when Neymar is going to be displaced by some kid labelled the next Ronaldinho or something. hopefully not though

by rwo power Wed Jul 04, 2012 1:58 pm

By the way, for those who already list Belgium as contender - here's the list of the UEFA qualification groups. Belgium won't have it too easy to get through the qualification, it seems:

World Cup 2014 Teams - Page 3 Wc201410

by S Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:12 pm

People are playing too much FIFA and FM..

There's no way Belgium is a legit contender..Not only do they have that international pedigree,they havent done anything worthwhile on the international stage in the last few years..

I mean for all the talent they possess currently ,they couldnt even make playoff round en route to the EURO finals..

Well obviously some of their young 'stars' would be more mature come 2014 but even if they make it the WC Finals in Brazil i dont expect them to do wreak havoc or anything..Its stupid to rank them as a contender seriously.England are much more of a "contender" than Belgium.

by Jay29 Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:44 pm

Why do we have to play nations entirely located in the East of Europe? :facepalm:

Belgium didn't seem that great when we played them. Lots of possession and neat passing, but hardly any penetration. On paper, their first team looks good but they're lacking in two key areas for me: full back and striker.

Alderweirald and Vermaelen are good, technical defenders but not great fullbacks. With wide men that will always cut inside, this is a problem since it makes most of their attacks predictable.

Lukaku still has a long way to go and they haven't got many other options. They even played a false 9 against us, such is their lack of talent in this area.

It might all come together in a couple of years, but for now, I can't see them as being some sort of force on the world stage.

by RealGunner Wed Jul 04, 2012 2:53 pm

at least we have san marino in the group Very Happy

by Motogp69 Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:46 pm

Milantildeath wrote:
Luca wrote:Pirlo wants to make it to 2014- and I think it is possible
I can see it happening, but do you think he would start? Or even have the fitness to last all tournament? He will be 35 by that tournament, and IDK if he will have the legs for it.

Because the key to his game is pace?

Pirlo is one of those old guys that you play basketball with at the gym who is just so good he moves at half the speed but for some reason you still can't stop him. As long as they give him space to operate in then he will be fine.

Honestly, at his skill level he could play until his late 30's at a world class level if in the right system.

by halamadrid2 Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:55 pm

Sweden:

Isaksson
Granqvist-Mellberg*-Olsson-Wendt
Kallstrom-Wernbloom
Larsson-Ibra-Chippen/Bajrami
Guidetti

*if he decides to continue

by Be/\/ceCALI Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:56 pm

Hungary to finish top of Group D. :bow:

by Onyx Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:01 pm

halamadrid2 wrote:Sweden:

Isaksson
Granqvist-Mellberg*-Olsson-Wendt
Kallstrom-Wernbloom
Larsson-Ibra-Chippen/Bajrami
Guidetti

*if he decides to continue

Ekdal and Elm?

by halamadrid2 Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:03 pm

Ekdal is long gone(where is he anyways??? still with Juve??)and Wernbloom is better than Elm

by BarrileteCosmico Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:03 pm

Argentina's not going to play 4-2-3-1, my bet is on a 4-4-2 and maybe a 4-3-3 depending on the team.

by Onyx Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:06 pm

halamadrid2 wrote:Ekdal is long gone(where is he anyways??? still with Juve??)and Wernbloom is better than Elm

Cagliari I think.

by justdoit_ Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:54 am

We'll be there for sure, so...

GK: Tim Howard (Everton)

LB: Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa)
CB: Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles)
CB: Goeff Cameron (Houston)
RB: Timothy Chandler (Nürnberg)

LM: Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
CM: Michael Bradley (Chievo)
CM: Jermaine Jones (Schalke)
RM: Landon Donovan (Los Angeles)

SS: Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
ST: Jozy Altidore (AZ)

We'll see, though...

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