All you laughed at 7-1 but at least that happened on the semis

Troll away until Serbia knocks out Brazil.

They avoided Italy but got Sweden instead

i recall it been a norm?

defending champion out in next wc group stage.

terrance511 wrote:i recall it been a norm?

defending champion out in next wc group stage.

Yep since France, only Brazil being the outlier in 2006.

With Italy not qualifying and Germany out, Brazil's record of 5 is safe for another 4 years

Really bummed we don't get Brazil Germany again

These absolute melts thought they were good enough to take a bunch of past it scrubs and perennial injured players and not a top 5 player in the best league in the world.

No excuses you *bleep* up, so glad this arrogance got it's comeuppance.

From the grave we did this

@rincon @robespierre @breva..... @cbarca

Actually wanted to make a thread for this, but I'll put here, so what does everyone think is the reason for holders to crash out in group stage all the time?

There must be something to do with the mentality or preparation not sufficient as the holders? Or the other teams fear them and do their homework?

It really probably shows its hard to win it, and even harder to retain it.

BarcaLearning wrote:Actually wanted to make a thread for this, but I'll put here, so what does everyone think is the reason for holders to crash out in group stage all the time?

There must be something to do with the mentality or preparation not sufficient as the holders? Or the other teams fear them and do their homework?

It really probably shows its hard to win it, and even harder to retain it.

I would say it's a bit of both but most importantly usually the winners have a good group of players who are at their peak consdering age. After 4 years they usually bring most of the same winning group which is past their prime.

juvealbanian wrote:
I would say it's a bit of both but most importantly usually the winners have a good group of players who are at their peak consdering age. After 4 years they usually bring most of the same winning group which is past their prime.

Exactly this.

Ozil and Khedira need to be among the first players to be booted out.

Its time Boateng hangs up his boots for Germany too considering they have some good emerging prospects coming up in that area.

Hapless_Hans wrote:

juvealbanian wrote:
I would say it's a bit of both but most importantly usually the winners have a good group of players who are at their peak consdering age. After 4 years they usually bring most of the same winning group which is past their prime.

Exactly this.

Good point.... I thought Brandt looked bright everytime he was introduced, obviously under the stages of the games of course... Reus was disappointing, was thinking he would shine. So true though players like Ozil, Muller, and Lowe himself just couldnt do anything new and seemed past it.

This should be a lesson for any team or manager that u always need to freshen things up... unless u r Zidane or something.

juvealbanian wrote:

BarcaLearning wrote:Actually wanted to make a thread for this, but I'll put here, so what does everyone think is the reason for holders to crash out in group stage all the time?

There must be something to do with the mentality or preparation not sufficient as the holders? Or the other teams fear them and do their homework?

It really probably shows its hard to win it, and even harder to retain it.

I would say it's a bit of both but most importantly usually the winners have a good group of players who are at their peak consdering age. After 4 years they usually bring most of the same winning group which is past their prime.

Then don't rely on players who obviously aren't as good as they were 4 years ago. Don't understand why countries do this, performances in 2018 for a 2018 WC >>>> What you did in 2014.

Some of them it was just obvious, Ozil has been crap since like 2016 for example.

I mean players like Khedira Muller Reus Ozil are no longer what they used to be simple as that.
But this tradition of winners making mediocre apparences next cup will continue because is not easy bringing together a winning group and let alone replacing it in just 4 years.
Plus somehow coaches are forced to still play veterans instead of young players , look at Iniesta for example.
It's all about a balance between experience and age/physical capabilities.That's how you get a winning group.

Löw has always been shite lol

What a great day

zigra wrote:Löw has always been shite lol

What a great day

thing is, I don't think he will leave, or have to leave. Think this disgusting Swabian cabal will continue with högschder Konzentration

Stop it Hans

He must leave today. His career is iver. It ended today

I have struggles to believe it. Sweden definitely killing my vibe this WC but it's deserved for them.

When John Stones has scored more than your entire team, someone has to get fired.

Doc wrote:When John Stones has scored more than your entire team, someone has to get fired.

John Stones for Golden Boot IMO.

Too many past-their-prime players. I mean, to think that Müller scored five goals in each of his previous two World Cups and now look at him, getting deservedly benched, it's just clear their trend is downwards.

podolski would have finished those half chances

Hapless_Hans wrote:

juvealbanian wrote:
I would say it's a bit of both but most importantly usually the winners have a good group of players who are at their peak consdering age. After 4 years they usually bring most of the same winning group which is past their prime.

Exactly this.

ditto.
ditto.

4 years is a long time in football. Exact same thing happened to Spain in 2014.

Now Germany can look forward to post Low era. So who is most likely to succeed him???