March friendlies

futbol wrote:France have so much talent in every position. But you just know they will still mess it up with another random scandal come the Euros.

He says with Evra, Lass Diara, Jallet, Lolscielny and Lolrane in defensive positions today (:

Lass is a beast these days and would probably boss the premier league the same way Kante does .

You say that like it's an achievement

I don't get this "france mess up" bs.
-  We've won both tournaments organized in France so far (Euro 1984 and WC 1998)
-  We "messed up" in 2002 because both Zidane and Pires got injured before the tournament.  There was no link to the attack as a result, as it was painfully shown
- Euro 2004 loss to Greece happened because Greece did a "Chelsea". They scored goal on a set piece and parked the bus. They managed to do that to everyone.
-  In our recent golden area from 1998 to 2006, we won a WC, won a Euro and made another WC final...  so in that 8 year span, we did incredibly well.  Same thing in our other golden era from 1982-1986...  we made two WC semis and won the Euro.

If anything, France does a pretty good job of doing really well and we have a very good team.  Our downside is that we don't manage downcycles very well...  so either we're good or we tend to be poorer than we should be.

But right now, we're good.  So I expect us to do as we've always done in our better years unless injury strikes.

To get back to this friendly...  it's like all our friendlies:  Either we don't care and we look poor OR when we actually care, we have a good half and then a poor one with all the subs.  Friendlies have become a complete waste of time for us other than the guys trying to win a roster spot.  Since most of those are secured, it's not that many players.

I think it's more of a representation of how people feel about the current make up of French players mentally Sports more than it is an historical thing.

Our make up is good.  BUT, we have GLARING weaknesses.   Both fullback positions are questionable (with right back being an absolute disaster).  Varane is the only consistent CB.  All the other guys are on a roller coaster.

The midfield is solid and the attack is solid assuming Benzema is there.

We're far from perfect...  i think we can easily lose it because of our defensive issues.  That's why imo Deschamps has moved to play a DM in Lass or Kante...  we need that cover.  I also hope that Matuidi and Pogba can cover enough of the issues of our fullbacks.  Personally, I'd put Griezmann on the right because he's a damn good defender now and we need him there.  Evra doesn't need as much help.

In the end, like with most tournaments, it really comes down to making the elimination rounds (which we should) and getting past that one game that swings the tournaments (we lost that one in the 2014 WC to Germany).  In 1998, without Laurent Blanc scoring the winner in extra time, i don't think we get past Chilavert in the PKs...  just as an example.  Same in 1984...  If Domergue (a fullback sub) doesn't pull 2 goals out of his arse in the semis, we don't win that.

It's nowhere near an exact science.  But we have a chance.

Agree with that.

Suarez back at it again with a goal

But Suarez is not playing in a friendly

Alisson should have done better for Suarez's goal I feel. I don't think he is better than Diego Alves any way, he shouldn't start.

http://footyroom.com/portugal-0-1-bulgaria-2016-03/

Cronaldo with only 11 shots, 3 1on1's, 2 sitters and penalty missed. Surely one of the worst performances ever from an attacker.

Agreed

sportsczy wrote:Our make up is good.  BUT, we have GLARING weaknesses.   Both fullback positions are questionable (with right back being an absolute disaster).  Varane is the only consistent CB.  All the other guys are on a roller coaster.

The midfield is solid and the attack is solid assuming Benzema is there.

We're far from perfect...  i think we can easily lose it because of our defensive issues.  That's why imo Deschamps has moved to play a DM in Lass or Kante...  we need that cover.  I also hope that Matuidi and Pogba can cover enough of the issues of our fullbacks.  Personally, I'd put Griezmann on the right because he's a damn good defender now and we need him there.  Evra doesn't need as much help.

Isn't Sagna playing? He's good isn't he?
Better than any so called 'right back' we might have, that's for sure.

France is an exciting team, and IMO the top favourtie for the Euros, not only because they like to win their tournaments at home.
And it's exciting how good they can become in the future.

Some of these young players are so phenomenal.
And let's not forget how young Pogba still is.

France is my pick for favorites. After that Germany. Then its open between a lot of teams (Italy, Spain, England, etc).

England team to play Germany tonight has been announced:

Butland; Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Rose; Dier, Henderson; Welbeck, Alli, Lallana; Kane

I'm looking forward to watching Jack Butland in the match. I heard some goodish things about him and want to see for myself how he will do ^^

Jay29 wrote:England team to play Germany tonight has been announced:

Butland; Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Rose; Dier, Henderson; Welbeck, Alli, Lallana; Kane

looks like it will be a 442

Excited for the England-Germany game. Anyone knows Germany's lineup?

Italy's lineup in practice for the Germany match on tuesday:

Italy: Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Astori; Florenzi, Jorginho, Thiago Motta, Bernardeschi; Insigne, Zaza, El Shaarawy

bolded the changes from the Spain game. Awesome linup, exciting and full of young players. Too attacking for the actual tournament, but good for a friendly. Conte with good experiments

Brazil missed out on Jorginho ? as if they don't have a lack of central / passing midfielders as it is .

rincon wrote:Excited for the England-Germany game. Anyone knows Germany's lineup?

Nothing official yet - only that Mario Gomez will start, while Mario Götze might or might not be subbed in today, but will start against Italy in Munich.

Germany team:

Neuer; Hector, Rudiger, Hummels, Can; Kroos, Khedria; Mueller, Oezil, Reus; Gomez

Bellerin playing for Germany

Since when the f do you have to sign in to watch itv 1 live ffs

What happened to Lahm? otherwise thats a great lineup. Gonna destroy England

He retired after the WC.

Damn, didn't know. Makes Germany's defense seem so much worse. One of my favorite German players.