Re: World Cup: Group B discussion

by Casciavit Sun Jun 01, 2014 9:50 pm

rwo power wrote:
M99 wrote:
Casciavit wrote:Nigeria intercepted the ball quite a few times due to that.
Reported for racism.
Nah, not racism. Just beginning loss of short-time memory.

Looool

*Ghana

by Casciavit Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:43 pm

The Franchise wrote:
Casciavit wrote:Van Gaal played a similar style in the 90's with Ajax to combat the 4-4-2, no? Biggest difference now is that he's using wingbacks. Back then, he used wingers like Overmars and tasked the CMs to mark the oppositions wingers instead.

Speaking of Wingbacks, was really impressed by Blind tbh. Fantastic distributor, can see why De Boer moved him to CM.

Yeah, having 5 players drop deep to build from the back was helpful. But there was way too much space between 5 and the other players. Nigeria intercepted the ball quite a few times due to that.

In 95' (the kids who beat Milan) it was exactly as you said, Davids and De Boer being the cm's who had the ability to do that. That is what has been tradionally great about Dutch players, especially at Ajax, in the acadamies they have to be able to play multiple roles and this gives the kids a truly complete game.

This was the line up vs Milan

100% agree on Blind, said on the Barca section. He is really impressive, two footed, tough, can run, good on the ball, can defend and can cross. Robben missed a sitter from his wonderful cross as you probably saw.

Agree about the space between the 5 and the rest, felt like Snijeder was a little inconsistent coming towards the ball, sometimes RVP came all the way back. Though gotta credit Ghana for being so good defensively, they cover ground very well.

Yep. Ajax and Milan faced each other 3 times, in the 94-95 CL, and Ajax won all the matches. And the main thing that constantly stood out in all three matches was Ajax's numerical superiority in all areas of the pitch.

Capello's arrogance in not changing anything up even after the first two matches, was incredibly naive. His inner Italian-provinciale mentality showed up big time.

As for Blind, he was one of Ajax's worst players a few years ago. It's amazing how a positional change, made him the worst player on the team to the best player in the league. Fantastic coaching from De Boer there.

There was too much space between the five and the others, but with more games and training they'll definitely improve on that. And like you said Ghana closed down space very well.

by Curtinho Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:42 pm

I was reserved at first, but I actually really like the 5 - 3 - 2 for the current Netherlands squad and it gives me a bit of optimism.

Janmaat - BMI - Vlaar - De Vrij - Blind
Clasie (Sneijder) - De Jong
Sneijder (Robben)
Robben (Huntelaar) - RVP

This is my preferred set-up for the players currently available. Although it might not be an awful idea to try sliding Sneijder back with De Jong, making Robben more central and having Huntelaar play as well (which I've left in brackets).

I know they said they'd try a more traditional 4 - 4 - 2 for the game against Wales so that will be interesting. Maybe something more like...

Janmaat - BMI - Vlaar - Blind
Robben - De Jong - Sneijder - Depay
Huntelaar - RVP

?? I could see it being effective.

With that said I'm not really too worried about the Netherlands not making the knockout stages. Chile's backline will not be able to hold up to Sneijder/Robben/RVP IMO.

by BarcaLearning Thu Jun 05, 2014 5:08 am

Anyone else as surprised as me about Jesus Navas' exclusion?

I so clearly remember the last WC and the Euros where Silva were mainly first choice, but often just didnt work out and second half is many games, Navas came on and vitally changed the game for Spain, his running, directness and crosses really helped Spain a lot.

I just think hes a very good option to have and deserves to be included. Having Koke for example I cant help but get the feel its a play maker too much and having too many similar players when should include Navas who provides a plan B.

Also the RB position puzzled about Cavarjal missing out, hes been immense this season.

Anyone else?

by M99 Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:01 am

Navas is not in the squad because he was injured for the last two months.

by RealGunner Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:02 pm

'La Roja' players to earn €720k bonus if Spain win the 2014 World Cup

by BarcaLearning Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:24 am

M99 wrote:Navas is not in the squad because he was injured for the last two months.

That is a blow considering his contributes in the past to the team... his directness will be missed if Spain's usual play dont work which often happens.

by MaraVilla Fri Jun 06, 2014 8:13 am

Its on!!! cant wait till we smash chile 10-1 :coffee:

by RealGunner Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:05 pm

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpdk-R3IcAAvzL4.jpg

by The Franchise Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:11 pm

Alonso hasnt been that far up the pitch in about a decade.

This line up and arrows were made purely for symmetrical purposes Laughing

by RealGunner Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:12 pm

lol no idea about the purpose of the arrows, basically that's VDB's team against Netherlands and he has to decide between Torres n Cesc

by McAgger Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:16 pm

Isn't Costa ahead of Torres in the pecking order?

by RealGunner Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:30 pm

Think he is injured

by messixaviesta Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:50 pm

RealGunner wrote:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpdk-R3IcAAvzL4.jpg

Is it guaranteed that Pedro starts ahead of Silva?

by McAgger Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:55 pm

Del Bosque is in love with Pedro. Plus he provides goalscoring. All the rest of the midfielders are creators anyways. If he plays Cesc as a false 9 then Pedro definitely starts.

by Art Morte Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:09 pm

Those arrows are just lol

by matpol Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:41 am

RealGunner wrote:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpdk-R3IcAAvzL4.jpg

I think Silva will start instead of Pedro and Torres will start first game vs Netherlands if Costa is not fully fit.

by TenMenWonTheLeague Sat Jun 07, 2014 12:44 pm

Think Chile will just squeeze 2nd place in this group. Just don't think The Netherlands have anywhere near a good enough defence.

by BarcaLearning Sat Jun 07, 2014 1:17 pm

Spain look amazing weak from that illustration, especially up front for me.

by messixaviesta Sat Jun 07, 2014 10:53 pm

It seems Costa has been playing the friendly today from start. Is he close to match fitness?

by Winter is Coming Tue Jun 10, 2014 7:32 am

by LuckAndWin Tue Jun 10, 2014 11:46 am

Spain have conceded that they aren't the favourites at World Cup but I can see that they will be a tough fighter since they are the depending Champions while Netherlands are also one of the strongest team.

Chile is one of the dark horse to look for hmm

by Curtinho Tue Jun 10, 2014 3:01 pm

TenMenWonTheLeague wrote:Think Chile will just squeeze 2nd place in this group. Just don't think The Netherlands have anywhere near a good enough defence.

...and Chile has a good defence? Realistically the Netherlands and Chile have similar strengths, but the Netherlands just has better players at pretty much every position. If the Netherlands don't come out of the group it will be because of underperforming (maybe infighting? Indi and Robben already starting the tradition).

by Glory Tue Jun 10, 2014 3:09 pm

Chile will go through probably even topping the group. And Spain might as well on goal difference . :coffee:

by Madvillain Tue Jun 10, 2014 8:22 pm

I read that Vidal is almost certainly out of the picture. I heard something about a new system too? I'm still worried about their pressing and energetic play, but it's good news. The game against Spain worries me less. I'm not saying that it's in the bag or anything, just that I think the 5-3-2 will be a pain for them to deal with.

by Ganso Tue Jun 10, 2014 8:54 pm

Sitting back and countering isn't enough.the secret (not sure it's a secret anymore) is to press and counter.high tempo and fast players are key.Netherlands are playing with one less midfielder/forward in a 5-3-2 and Robben,Sneijder and RVP upfront, who i can't see doing a good job at pressing

I can see something like France vs Spain in euro 2012 happening when Blanc decided to play with a 3 man backline.

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