OT: 2023 - 2024 Football / Calcio / Futbol / Fußball Thread

[Gsinill]

Originally Posted by Waldo62

Fair enough, but who can forget Ramos's foul on Salah, which pretty much decided the 2018 CL final.

Not a fan of him either but I still think Pepe is in a league of his own.

[Fat Cat]

Originally Posted by Waldo62

Fair enough, but who can forget Ramos's foul on Salah, which pretty much decided the 2018 CL final.

Yeah. I think that was the most deliberate trying to injure foul that I've ever seen. Way beyond just knocking someone down.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Waldo62

In the second half, the three lions looked cowardly.

And it happens again, except this time England paid for it.

Stolen from a reddit thread re: England avg position

[Waldo62]

I nominate Turkish international Samet Akaydin's effort on behalf of Portugal as Own Goal of the tournament. Cast your vote here.

[wc1934]

Thought Belgium would easily win Group E - last day will be interesting as all tied with 3 points. GD may determine it.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Waldo62

I nominate Turkish international Samet Akaydin's effort on behalf of Portugal as Own Goal of the tournament. Cast your vote here.

A lot of the OGs so far are just results of forced errors. This one is just clown car...

[Gsinill]

Probably the weakest Squadra Azzura I've ever watched.

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Gsinill

Probably the weakest Squadra Azzura I've ever watched.

Donnaruma was a one-man fire fighting brigade, but he could do only so much.

[echappist]

Also, horrendous call by Michael Oliver to rule out the goal.

English refs…

[Gsinill]

Originally Posted by echappist

Also, horrendous call by Michael Oliver to rule out the goal.

English refs…

I'm not sure; little protest from the Germans.
He's making up for it, anyway

[wc1934]

Originally Posted by Gsinill

Probably the weakest Squadra Azzura I've ever watched.

Yup - me too! So disappointing as they have such a great football history.

So frustrating as the entire team lacked energy and grit.
Fingers to be pointed: at players (except Donnarumma), Spalletti (stuck with the system that wasn't working - why not switch to a 3-5-2 formation which most of the backs are used to and would have allowed for a higher press,
and the organization (Italy won the UEFA Under-17 Championship yet those kids won't be seen for years).

Aside - no team has ever repeated as champs - except Spain (WC sandwiched between two Euros).

[echappist]

It's that bad bad man again. I've lost count of the number of times Bellingham had a late game-tying or game-winning goal this year. 5 in total btwn RM and England this year alone?

[martl]

Originally Posted by martl

But if there is a team that left a mark, it is Spain. They look terrifying.

Repeating myself here

Round of sixteen:

SUI - ITA 2:0
GER - DEN 2:0

ENG - SLV 2:1
SPN - GEO 4:1

tbd
FRA - BEL
POR - SLO
ROM - NED
AUT - TUR

points so far:

- the old establishment with the exception of Italy has kept the upper hand
- ENG survived on individual class while playing utter garbage. Its hard to imagine them beating teams who have a similar level of player quality, but go on the pitch with an actual plan
- ESP look scary. William and Yamal so far (almost) stealing the spotlight from the home teams young super talents Wirtz and the other Jamal. Quite a feat!
- GER has to be second favourite based on performance so far. While its clear the win against SCO was flattering, it also became clear that the draw against SUI was actually a good result against a strong team. Still not at a 100% as a team, but improving through the course of a tournament traditionally is what german teams do
- FRA hasnt been brilliant but solid. Bit flying under the radar. Might just snatch the title
- POR a bit like FRA but not quite the same level. Misbalance between CR7 dominance and his clear decline in class may hurt them in the end
- AUT and SUI are on a roll, both may be set up to advance to the Semis (at least)
- NED and BEL: underwhelming.
- TUR and ROM: had a good ride and played great, maybe punching above their weight. May well go out in this round

[Gsinill]

WOW, just wow!

[echappist]

Originally Posted by Gsinill

WOW, just wow!

Genau.

Der fussbal nicht kommt nach hause?

Jest aside, quite the pyhrric victory for Spain. Pedri injured (again), and nasty Carvajal gets suspended. Even Morata will be suspended. It'll be a tough semifinal match.