Originally posted by redbadgerIt depends, although i tend to agree with you. Germans can be weak in defense, particularly Mertesacker who may struggle to cope with the pace of Lionel. The problem for the Argies is that they don't really have an out and out goal scorer, the Germans by contrast have lots of goals scorers.
I switched of at five so embarrassing for Brazil/the germans are so well drilled I reckon they will destroy Argentina.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieGermany - Argentina 4:2
It depends, although i tend to agree with you. Germans can be weak in defense, particularly Mertesacker who may struggle to cope with the pace of Lionel. The problem for the Argies is that they don't really have an out and out goal scorer, the Germans by contrast have lots of goals scorers.
Brazil - Netherlands 1:3
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Originally posted by robbie carrobiemertesacker usually gets dropped if playing against pace, so it will likely be hummels and boateng. either way lahm is likely to be the player with the responsibility of keeping messi quiet. with khedira and schweinsteiger offering midfield cover, messi wont touch the ball.
It depends, although i tend to agree with you. Germans can be weak in defense, particularly Mertesacker who may struggle to cope with the pace of Lionel. The problem for the Argies is that they don't really have an out and out goal scorer, the Germans by contrast have lots of goals scorers.
germany, easy win.
Originally posted by stellspalfieI dunno, Messi can drift out wide right side as he did against the Netherlands putting him out of the reaches of Lahm and Levezzi might prove more than a handful for Lahm. Argentina have some great players, hopefully Di Maria is fit. My great disappointment has been Ozil, he hasn't really played to his potential, but when he does Germany are unstoppable.
mertesacker usually gets dropped if playing against pace, so it will likely be hummels and boateng. either way lahm is likely to be the player with the responsibility of keeping messi quiet. with khedira and schweinsteiger offering midfield cover, messi wont touch the ball.
germany, easy win.
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Originally posted by robbie carrobielahm plays both sides. teams have had good results against messi inverting their fullbacks so if messi cuts inside the full back is still using his stronger foot, pushing messi wide where teams want him. id rather argenting didnt play him wide and give him a free role or a false 9.
I dunno, Messi can drift out wide right side as he did against the Netherlands putting him out of the reaches of Lahm and Levezzi might prove more than a handful for Lahm. Argentina have some great players, hopefully Di Maria is fit. My great disappointment has been Ozil, he hasn't really played to his potential, but when he does Germany are unstoppable.
ozil was decent against brazil, but then again stephen hawking would have looked dangerous against david luiz.
I predict 0-0 and Argentina wins in PK.
Why? Because exactly when people think a team can score at will is when the end up not scoring. As the match draws on at 0-0. the pressure will mount for Germany, whom everyone expects to win and that expectation will cause them to tighten up during the game and choke in PKs.
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Originally posted by sh76If it goes to pens I'd fancy Germany, purely because teams don't generally win two shootouts in a row. For sure they would have looked at where Romero dived and where the Argentinean players placed their pens against Holland.
I predict 0-0 and Argentina wins in PK.
Why? Because exactly when people think a team can score at will is when the end up not scoring. As the match draws on at 0-0. the pressure will mount for Germany, whom everyone expects to win and that expectation will cause them to tighten up during the game and choke in PKs.
Argentina didn't look strong in the PK's against the Netherlands. The dutch goalie could/should've stopped two.
Germany is aware of Messi. Very much so. That makes them cautious. And Argentina isn't a blind attacking team and that holding back could eliminate the German strenght. Germany is most dangerous when they can change from defense to offense. In that turning point they are deadly, the field is wide and open, midfield closes in rapidly. Most of their goals against Brazil were scored that way.
No, what about Japan vs Greece to name just one.
Van Gaal found a goal deep down somewhere, and that's leaving the tournament undefeated in regular playing time. maybe they want to fight for something, a last good impression.
But yes, on the other hand, it's a game of the dissapointed.
Just the overall tournament result will do for place 3 and 4 in the future imho.