2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil - Tracking Our Players

whatever shape he is now in, Banega could easily make into this team. we dont have world class midfielders that we can easily leave banega at home. Maxi should never be used other than as supersub. with Gago not fit why sabella went in defensive mode, probably because Enzho(i din see him though) is alo not good defensively...the other midfielder probably will never see any mins in the entire WC. if we would take Banega with us atleast it would not harm the team, i believe

I agree. With as much talent Argentina is fabled to have, why bring 33 year old Maxi? Surely they could of picked Banega or another winger over him no?

Neymar,Alexis,Messi - three MOM winner in first round....simply great!!!

Spain Line Up:

Casillas, Martinez, Ramos, Alba, Azpilicueta, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Iniesta, Silva, Pedro, Costa

Chile Line Up:

Bravo, Mena, Isla, Silva, Sanchez, Vidal, Vargas, Medel, Jara, Aranguiz, Dias

I guess no Xavi or Pique.

Hope this is a wake up call for Pique. However, in my opinion Ramos is the one who should be dropped. I would assume Pique most probably has more experience in dealing with Sanchez.

Would have liked to see Xavi play but oh well.

Pique also has a better understanding playing with a defensive midfield as CB, which in this case is Martinez. However I believe it may be tactical reason rather then last game. If the reason is for Pique/Xavi poor performance last game how Casillas, Ramos, Azpi are in the starting XI is bound me after last game as well.

Pique is just shat and always has been. So he gets dropped rightfully.

Xavi is resting because Spain need to add to their goal difference. Remember: if they beat Chile and Australia, Chile can still advance by beating Netherlands due to goal difference. Which means Spain need to be more direct and add some goals. Xavi will return once more game control is required in the knockout stages (if they make it that far that is).

Pique will hopefully remain on the bench. Which he should if Martinez performs.

Martinez, Ramos, Alba, Azpilicueta, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Iniesta, Silva, Pedro, Costa

So..?

-----------Casillas
Azpi--Martinez--Ramos--Alba
-------Busq---Alonso
-Pedro-----Silva------Iniesta
------------Costa

Wonder why Spain doesnt just use Ramos at RB again. He is always up wanting to attack anyway. He was on point at the last World Cup, and have Javi and Pique as the CB's. Could use either Alba or Azpi at LB.

Pique and Martinez are too slow. Together it would be awful.

Chile have met Spain 10 in history and have won none Spain have beaten them 8 times with 2 draws. Let's see what happens today and if Chile can get the first win.

1-0 goal BY Vargas. What a play by Sanchez.

2-0 half time Chile lead.

Real Madrid players killing this spain, my god how bad is iker ramos and xabi xD

Sanchez ffs sell Pedro and keep Sanchez

And Bravo are back up goal keeper next season

Wow, I'm in shock. I didn't expect Spain to get past the quarters, but I didn't think they would go out in the groups. Koke looked solid btw, lol.

Koke changed the game imo. He reminded me of a young Xavi minus the intelligence.

Is del Bosque tactically inept?

Song with a *bleep* Hulk Hogan elbow to get sent off in important match for his country.

Meanwhile Rakatic looked solid again, even though it was against Cameroon

Trash

Pique rightly dropped after the first game. Is he already past his best?

Busquet flopped together with everyone though.... his speed at covering the back will always be a problem...

Pedro well I dont know what it is, probably over perform under Pep and just not elite in the end?

Villa not our player anymore, but I think he fully deserved to feature, Del Bosque messing up bad this time.

Rakatic hasnt impressed me much, vs a 10 men Cameroon....

Sanchez as we know plays amazing for Chile, and im happy with him with us.

Damn Messi, erhm Silva, his non existent pressing and walking made Spain lose. Wait, no it didn't. Lets all still blame Messi for the biggest fall of the previous champion.

Iniesta in this world cup

Winter is Coming wrote:Iniesta in this world cup

He can hold his head up high, he's been great for the most part.

Rakatic set up a great goal today

Rakitic played so deep...I couldn't help but feel Croatia were misusing him. I think he's much better when he's closer to the goal. I like the fact that he's comfortable playing deep but when I see him playing in the CB position numerous times (A LOT in the first 30 or so minutes, he started to push higher up as time went on after that) I wonder why Croatia is playing him that deep. It's not the best use of him, I feel.

Then again, as Rakitic got higher up and Croatia started pushing for a goal, they were overrun, so perhaps I don't know what I'm talking about. I feel that had less to do with Rakitic though and more just shitty defense and being too open on the counter (and bad goalkeeping by Pletikosa to let the first in, which just flipped the first domino...)

Anybody see Neymar? I didn't see the game. I have it recorded though, perhaps I'll look through it to watch him.

Watch Neymar, it was incredible.

Messi and Neymar both have 4 goals at this WC. Sanchez has 1 goal, so thats 9 goals for the Barcelona players this WC.