WC 2018 | Round of 16 | Russia Vs Spain

The talent is there but it's ill-proportioned.

That's my problem and it's been the problem since 2014.

They leak too many chances to win tournaments, that's my problem

Slow midfield that when bypassed, which will happen a handful of times per game, it leaves the opposition right against the defence which is difficult

Spain need to go back to the Double Pivot (4231) instead of this BS 433 with no natural wingers.

Costa and Aspas should start together... At the expense of Silva or Iniesta. Stop playing Silva out wide. Iniesta doesn't have the legs to play against top teams.

Russia won't park the bus nor has shown they can park it. Asensio has done sh*t in all his sub appearance. Thought he was a super sub? Would prefer a traditional winger instead of Lucas or Asensio. Lucas is just another workhorse who is useless in attack. Sub in to close out games in the last 5 mins.

This lineup Guarantee Spain at least Semis, I don't rate Croatia.

-------Costa---------
-Isco-Iniesta-Aspas-
----Koke---Busq-----
Alba-Ramos-Pique-RB*
------- Kepa---------

*Odriozola/Azpilicueta. I don't rate Carvajal

Done and dusted. No chance for Russia. Easiest opponent in the last 16.

2-1 to Spain.

I do not see Russia as an easy opponent. The host factor is always immense. Also I won't give too much importance to the game against Uruguay when both teams had already qualified. What gives me some hope is that Russia are not a particularly defensive team or have a very good defense.

Doping or not Spain should win

As much as football is athletic, the pure technique/skill level difference between the two teams is massive, and that's putting it lightly.

Not that Spain is the perfect team, but they've got tremendously talented players, and Russia has...no talented players

spain to win

Spain needs to be drinking only bottled water until they kick Russia out

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Spain needs to be drinking only bottled water until they kick Russia out

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Spain needs to be drinking only bottled water imported from Spain until they kick Russia out

Any chance of an upset? I could see Spain keeping a lot of the ball but struggling to create chances against the bus-parking Russians.

I got Russia via doping.

Can't see Russians being as compact at the back as Iranians tbh

I go with 3-1 Spain.

Ganaremos! Vamos a la siguiente - Croatia

Art Morte wrote:Any chance of an upset? I could see Spain keeping a lot of the ball but struggling to create chances against the bus-parking Russians.

I had this as upset of the round, because weather was supposed to be really *bleep* up in Moscow today (thunderstorms, 90% precipitation, exactly the sort of shit that gets the home crowd and team to give extra 10%)....but it looks like the weather has been nowhere near as bad

Just hope for sake of the game that Spain don't score first, or they'll bore us to death. Spain should win this, but with home factor (Russia haven't used their REF decision coupons host usually get yet) and the worst goalie of the tournament in Spain's net, no result would surprise me tbh.

farfan wrote:I got Russia via doping.

Insha'allah.

De Gea; Nacho, Piqué, Ramos, Jordi Alba; Koke, Busquets; Silva, Isco, Marco Asensio y Diego Costa.

Bold line up. No Iniesta. Nacho starting, Asensio starting

Silva should be the one dropped. Has been ass all tournament. But so has Iniesta.

Golovin hattrick hopefully

I hope for a Russian miracle, Spain are really the last one NT that I want to win

This is the line-up I wanted to see. No excuses.

RealGunner wrote:Silva should be the one dropped. Has been ass all tournament. But so has Iniesta.

Both have exactly the same 6.93 rating this WC

Isco in a CM role ffs. Can't wait for him to show us his disco skills. Asensio needs to be more brave this game. He is far too passive. Need them long shots

Old man Iniesta was a huge liability for Spain and i am happy he got sacrificed.

Russian is the goddamn GOAT anthem ffs

just need to play it slower you amateurs