France team as expected and is pretty solid throughout.
Don't get the Argie team selection. 2 world class strikers in Aguero and Higuain and you pick neither. Dybala once again on the bench. Perez who wasn't even named in the original squad starts yet again despite being awful in most games.
Think France will edge it against a suspect Argentina defence.
The idea of a draw for the second round is a good one I mentioned it myself last week. No major need to worry about scheduling - you just make it 3 days between group/knockouts instead of 1. As for the possible disadvantage of teams having to play sooner than others, build that into the draw as an advantage for the teams who finished first- i.e all 1st place teams keep their playing order and only the second placed teams actually get drawn, randomly against them. That way NOBODY will try to finish second if they can help it.
They can do the draws for the quarter finals and semi finals at the same time since knowing the route to the final from the round of 16 will make no difference to how teams play.
How would supporters plan ahead if they don't have a rough idea of what city they could potentially be playing in?
The idea of a draw for the second round is a good one I mentioned it myself last week. No major need to worry about scheduling - you just make it 3 days between group/knockouts instead of 1. As for the possible disadvantage of teams having to play sooner than others, build that into the draw as an advantage for the teams who finished first- i.e all 1st place teams keep their playing order and only the second placed teams actually get drawn, randomly against them. That way NOBODY will try to finish second if they can help it.
They can do the draws for the quarter finals and semi finals at the same time since knowing the route to the final from the round of 16 will make no difference to how teams play.
How would supporters plan ahead if they don't have a rough idea of what city they could potentially be playing in?
Same way they do before the groups are over. Belgium/England fans for example had 4 days to plan their trip for the last 16 - could have gone one of two cities. Does 1 extra day make that much difference?
I think this first 20 minutes proves one thing - the conversation about how certain teams played in the group stages is mute. Knockouts are a different ball game. France playing like we had expected from the start. Imagine Spain and Brazil will follow suit
I think this first 20 minutes proves one thing - the conversation about how certain teams played in the group stages is mute. Knockouts are a different ball game. France playing like we had expected from the start. Imagine Spain and Brazil will follow suit
Mbappe and Pogba have played well. But in all honesty Argentina are making them look like a much better side than they are
I think this first 20 minutes proves one thing - the conversation about how certain teams played in the group stages is mute. Knockouts are a different ball game. France playing like we had expected from the start. Imagine Spain and Brazil will follow suit
Mbappe and Pogba have played well. But in all honesty Argentina are making them look like a much better side than they are
I think France look well up for this - much more so than V Australia, Denmark and Peru.
Just noticed Pogba has a normal hairstyle for a change. Strange he'd choose the biggest stage in football to do that, usually loves to show off. What are your thoughts Paulie?
I think this first 20 minutes proves one thing - the conversation about how certain teams played in the group stages is mute. Knockouts are a different ball game. France playing like we had expected from the start. Imagine Spain and Brazil will follow suit
no Aguero, Higuain or (surprise suprise) Dybala. Never liked Di Maria (watch him score now) Pavon didn't particularly impress me from what I can remember.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing - given far too much space though!
no Aguero, Higuain or (surprise suprise) Dybala. Never liked Di Maria (watch him score now) Pavon didn't particularly impress me from what I can remember.
...Just gonna leave that there.... Not sure if it makes me a predictions god or the opposite tbh...
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Plus watching Maradona make a fool of himself again.
Don't get the Argie team selection. 2 world class strikers in Aguero and Higuain and you pick neither. Dybala once again on the bench. Perez who wasn't even named in the original squad starts yet again despite being awful in most games.
Think France will edge it against a suspect Argentina defence.
Kicked the ball infront of himself knowing he would be Rojo or be pulled back
holy moly 2 penalties??nearly!Possible last man??
"people forget Messi is a great passer of the ball" ......Err do they?
oh and in case you didn't realise;
"Argentina are a different team to Barcelona" You don't say....
I hope they ain't paying him for this stuff.
Di Maria allowed to pick his spot there. Zero pressure.