More likely, if Lippi put Quagliarella in the field in early matches (he played 45min and scored 1 goal + 1 assist...). Just to be clear Italy had the players to reach the finals, but Lippi left home many (Cassano & Balotelli), and he also made mistakes in the formation with the men he had available. Pirlo's injury didn't help, but STILL, we couldn't beat New Zealand!! (this is also one of the worst records of Italy: since 1950 was never out in the group stage!!)
I heard Domenech (the French coach) has created a new strategy, after the classic 4-4-2 and the 4-3-2-1, he's invented the 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 (codename: "I don't pass my ball"). I was dead on the money with group A's results, and we're finally seeing some soccer. I wonder what you guys' predictions are for the 8ths. Uruguay-South Korea: Uruguay USA-Ghana: USA Germany-England: Germany Argentina-Mexico: Argentina Netherlands-Slovakia: Netherlands Brazil-Chili: Brazil Paraguay-Japan: Japan Spain-Portugal: Portugal Most of the remaining teams are good, so I'll probably be wrong on many. Best regards, Emmanuel
Looks like the final might be Brazil - Argentina! Would be quite cool even if now I support Germany/Netherland/England
Still amazed at Italy's exit and Uruguay's non-exit My picks : Germany-England: Germany Argentina-Mexico: Argentina Netherlands-Slovakia: Netherlands Brazil-Chile: Brazil Paraguay-Japan: Paraguay Spain-Portugal: Spain
The writing was on the wall after the group games. Not playing as a team. Rooney off form. Where on earth were our back four, very poor discipline, gotta get the basics right. Why throw so many players forward for free kicks - other teams dont do that. Nice disallowed goal, blimey. Don't think it made a difference, would've lost either way. Edit: my post #88 came horribly true.
I sadly stand by my previous comment of "bunch of over-paid primadonnas" That bloody goal is one of so many reasons why we need video assistance for refs, either that or officials that actual know the rules and can see It /might/ have fired the team up enough but I doubt it. The back four had more holes than swiss-cheese right from the start Well I'm routing for a Brazil - Arge final now I think, with Brazil to win (obviously)
Honestly, I don't think germany was that much superior to england. If they allowed that super-regular goal, the match would have been completely different. The last 2 goals of germany are just typical counter-attack goals because england was all-in-attack. Will be interesting to see germany-argentina in quarter now. Looks like brazil will have an easy path to the finals...
The story repeats again, we won Mexico now Germany will send us back home Actually I hope they don't, bets are againts Germany so far.
Actually I think Argentina has the better and more experienced team. But as long as both teams give 100% and the referees stop giving goals that are not, stop refusing goals that are goals stop giving to many yellow and red cards then I wouldn't be to sad if Germany should loose. The last time these two teams met, it was a dead cruel and exhausting game full of suspense, worth a true final, but helas it wasn't and so a minimilasticly playing fresh Italy could beat a totally exhausted Germany and France who used up their forces against Brazil. BTW, I'm for a video proof. To much has happened in this world cup.
Nice Tevez 2nd goal. Difficult to guess who will win the quarter final. I mean, Mexico gave Arg. a tougher game that we gave Ger. One of Spain/Portugal to go home Tuesday. Another massive game. So, it wont just be England disappointed pretty soon...
Yeah, I think argentina will beat germany I wasn't saying a brazil - arge final out of spite, I thought that germany was starting to look a bit ropey at the back at times against england. I think if we'd got a few more shots on target then I think we'd have got some goals, instead of the "glory attempts" that we had. Time will tell though
Oops, Brazil out. They were awesome when they were in control, then they lost it. Some real quality in the dutch team though. Ghana were kinda robbed by the handball on the line. Ah, football...
URUGUAY !! WAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAA ... This has to be one of the most dramatic wins in history. Hand ball to stop goal, penalty missed, and won the penalty at the end. OMG..
A real heartbreaker for those of us rooting for Ghana. And a heartstopper, I'd imagine, for those rooting for Uruguay. An emotional roller-coaster at the end regardless of who you were rooting for. But Ghana seriously need to practice their penalty kicks...