Spain vs Portugal match thread

[Chris]

From what I've read over the last few weeks Del Bosque has been getting hammered in Spain for playing Alonso and Busquets, got to agree really, as boss as both are having the two of them seems to have a negative impact on Xavi and then Iniesta who's moved more wide to accomodate them. You've got the best central 3 in the world, just use em that way. Feels like they are winning this tournament on experience rather than because the manager is getting the best out of them.

Doesnt help that Real and especially Barca players have been playing a ridiculous amount for years though, and Villa is out leaving a supposed half fit Llorente, an average Negredo and arguably the poorest striker in the tournment in Torres. But it does feel like they could play a lot better.

[Muddled]

I know it's not a good penalty because it didn't go in, but it was *kinda* a good penalty, in the sense it was millimetres from being right on the postage stamp. Not a bad effort, just shows the margins; Alves' effort bounces off the underside of the bar and out, Fabregas' effort was going wide until it skipped (and slightly spun) off the surface with enough momentum to sneak in.

It's a shame he can't count though.

But yeah, BadPiggy is on the money - Ronaldo is a cuntflap.

[Kenneth]

From what I've read over the last few weeks Del Bosque has been getting hammered in Spain for playing Alonso and Busquets, got to agree really, as boss as both are having the two of them seems to have a negative impact on Xavi and then Iniesta who's moved more wide to accomodate them. You've got the best central 3 in the world, just use em that way. Feels like they are winning this tournament on experience rather than because the manager is getting the best out of them.

Doesnt help that Real and especially Barca players have been playing a ridiculous amount for years though, and Villa is out leaving a supposed half fit Llorente, an average Negredo and arguably the poorest striker in the tournment in Torres. But it does feel like they could play a lot better.

[danperkins]

From what I've read over the last few weeks Del Bosque has been getting hammered in Spain for playing Alonso and Busquets, got to agree really, as boss as both are having the two of them seems to have a negative impact on Xavi and then Iniesta who's moved more wide to accomodate them. You've got the best central 3 in the world, just use em that way. Feels like they are winning this tournament on experience rather than because the manager is getting the best out of them.

Doesnt help that Real and especially Barca players have been playing a ridiculous amount for years though, and Villa is out leaving a supposed half fit Llorente, an average Negredo and arguably the poorest striker in the tournment in Torres. But it does feel like they could play a lot better.

Your hatred for Torres is funny dude. He's out of form but poorest striker in the tournament? Not a chance

[Chris]

I had to get in a dig!

[danperkins]

I had to get in a dig!

[Shaggy]

From what I've read over the last few weeks Del Bosque has been getting hammered in Spain for playing Alonso and Busquets, got to agree really, as boss as both are having the two of them seems to have a negative impact on Xavi and then Iniesta who's moved more wide to accomodate them. You've got the best central 3 in the world, just use em that way. Feels like they are winning this tournament on experience rather than because the manager is getting the best out of them.

Definitely a conundrum, they've got a lot of players who are pretty similar.

If you moved Iniesta into the middle alongside Xavi plus one more, which one would you drop?

[Maxiedge]

The thing about Spain is that they have the pool of players to play any formation/tactic they want really. So much so, that they can completely change their approach mid-game, which they did last night.

However, they do look a little ragged just from the sheer no. of games their top players have played.

[Chris]

Definitely a conundrum, they've got a lot of players who are pretty similar.

If you moved Iniesta into the middle alongside Xavi plus one more, which one would you drop?

Defo Alonso, the club form and relationship from that trio over the years is just to much to ignore even though Xabi on his own is better than Busquets on his own.

[Daniel 7]

They're playing different roles as well. Busquets can't provide what Alonso can, and Alonso isn't as effective a screen.

It has to be the best international midfield squad in history though - no nation has ever come as close to having that depth available to them.

Xavi will probably be phased out over the next couple of years, possibly Alonso as well.

[Gingawaria]

Stunning insight from Keown last night

"They need to take off either Alonso or Busquets - they're doing the same thing"

How to completely miss the point. What an idiot. I remember numpties like him saying similair about Alonso and Masch being partnered by Benitez. Keown must think that if good old George Graham didn't have it, then it must be wrong. He is an ape.

I hate Ingerlish punditry, its so lowest common denominator.

He also said Pedro hadn't been playing much this season.

The same Pedro that's played 49 times for Barca this season.

He's a joke of a commentator.

[Shaggy]

Defo Alonso, the club form and relationship from that trio over the years is just to much to ignore even though Xabi on his own is better than Busquets on his own.

Aye that's probably the decisive point. It's a right ****in headache for them though.

[Neil Young]

Yes, it is.

Imagine how much better they'd be if they had fewer world class players.

[Shaggy]

Yes, it is.

Imagine how much better they'd be if they had fewer world class players.

You could pick about 20 different teams/permutations out of that squad and they'd all probably win it.

I know it's been said a million times, but their bench is insane. Every one of them would walk into the England team. Reina/Valdes, Fabregas, Mata, Llorente, Torres, Javi Martinez, Jesus Navas, Pedro, Santi Cazorla, Juanfran, Albiol........etc! It's unreal, surely the best squad I've ever seen in my life.

[tufty]

Keown watched the slow motion replay clearly showing that Iniesta was incapable of crossing a ball with his left foot so took it on a pace and crossed with his right foot but ball went out and said ' great footwork '

sad I know but got on my tits that such a player cannot use both feet and still the pundits won't slag him off




I'm in a bad mood today