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Post by STILETT0 on Aug 13, 2021 0:04:22 GMT
England has less of a chance to win Qatar than the European Cup. The Argentines are going to want to give Lionel Messi a good last Cup, and play their hardest, while Italy and Spain are still kicking everyone's butts. The only thing that will make this cup easier is a weak Brazil, and a German national team with a senile manager. Looking skillwise at how everyone's played, it might come down to either Italy or Belgium (yes, Belgium). Also, Argentina's goalkeeper, Martinez, is confident (how confident? confident enough to trash talk Colombian penalty takers in the Semi-Finals), with a clean sheet throughout all of Copa America. Also, he is still very young, and his experience will only make him better. It's a shame Portugal got knocked out in the Round of 16. As much as I respect Lukaku and the Belgians, Portugal is incredibly skilled with or without Cristiano Ronaldo, and I would have liked to have seen the great goalscorer I know is in Quaresma this tournament. Wales was another disappointing case. It really does look like EURO 2016 was a once in a blue moon opportunity for them, with how they played in the qualifiers for Russia, and their performance in the group stages. They were capable of beating Switzerland, yet Switzerland were beating them for much of the match. Congrats also to Denmark. You weren't able to recreate your against all odds victory in 1992, but you went far nevertheless. As for England, you made history for sure, made up for your mistakes in '96 with Southgate, a veteran of that tournament at your lead, but we can do better. I'm not too positive with Belgium. The Belgian defense still rely on Vermaelaen, Vertonghen, and Alderweireld, all of them are at the end of their career and have departed top leagues. Spain could be a good one if Moreno or Morata can stand out; they are really, really, short of prolific forwards. Germany just replaced Low with Hans-Dieter Flick, the manager who brought Bayern the treble. I'd say manager is one of their stronger points now, but their forwards leave a lot to be expected. Emiliano Martinez is already one of the best GKs in the Premier League, the only uncertainty of this Argentinian squad is Otamendi's consistency. Belgium: While they have old defense, I still have faith in Courtois and Lukaku. Of course a goalkeeper is useless without a defense. Ask Pickford. He spent half the European Cup pissed off at the back four. Belgium has also reached the semi-finals in the last World Cup, and they were able to beat Portugal, a team I respect and fear much more, and the previous champions. Italy won mainly by tripping over themselves next to Belgium players for free kicks, while Lukaku was constantly being pushed, pulled, and jostled. Spain: Olmo, and Oryarzabal, are capable forwards. Spain only really needs 3 extra forwards to be capable against teams like Italy. Substitution depth does not matter much, so they will be matched with Italy with just 3 forward subs. Germany: Good for them. Low needs a break. I am still hopeful for Gosens and Werner. Martinez is such an interesting player to follow lol. Otamendi? Never heard of him. |
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Post by Erich von Manstein on Aug 13, 2021 3:58:45 GMT
I'm not too positive with Belgium. The Belgian defense still rely on Vermaelaen, Vertonghen, and Alderweireld, all of them are at the end of their career and have departed top leagues. Spain could be a good one if Moreno or Morata can stand out; they are really, really, short of prolific forwards. Germany just replaced Low with Hans-Dieter Flick, the manager who brought Bayern the treble. I'd say manager is one of their stronger points now, but their forwards leave a lot to be expected. Emiliano Martinez is already one of the best GKs in the Premier League, the only uncertainty of this Argentinian squad is Otamendi's consistency. Belgium: While they have old defense, I still have faith in Courtois and Lukaku. Of course a goalkeeper is useless without a defense. Ask Pickford. He spent half the European Cup pissed off at the back four. Belgium has also reached the semi-finals in the last World Cup, and they were able to beat Portugal, a team I respect and fear much more, and the previous champions. Italy won mainly by tripping over themselves next to Belgium players for free kicks, while Lukaku was constantly being pushed, pulled, and jostled. Spain: Olmo, and Oryarzabal, are capable forwards. Spain only really needs 3 extra forwards to be capable against teams like Italy. Substitution depth does not matter much, so they will be matched with Italy with just 3 forward subs. Germany: Good for them. Low needs a break. I am still hopeful for Gosens and Werner. Martinez is such an interesting player to follow lol. Otamendi? Never heard of him. I think Italy won by their relentless pressing up front, which the Belgian defenders are vulnerable to as well (not because of their lack of skills like the English DMs, but the lack of durability). Lukaku's size makes him more resilient against those kind of stuff, but experienced defenders know how to make him lose balance. Olmo and Oyarzabal are talented enough to break through the opponent's defense, but they lack the ability to put the ball at the back of the net. It's a big issue for countries like Spain and I think Germany right now. They have plenty of good AM/wingers who will thrive behind a good striker, but they don't have a good striker. Otamendi is the Argentinian defender who used to play for Man City. He is good but loses his nerve easily. Good thing Argentina now has Cristian Romero, the best CB in Serie A last season. I think the Netherlands might be able to pull a shocker. Their defense is phenomenal. If Weghorst and Memphis can carry their good form in club football then they really will be a formidable force. |
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