[CHU-LIP]

Friedrich? We'll, I'd say since the days of Sammer, Kohler and maybe Nowotny. Germany lack defensive stability so badly.

Last time Germany were good was at World Cup 2010. Thomas Müller was amazing (after that he never found that form back), and Arne Friedrich was very solid that tournament. The whole team was, really good. Those two were key players that tournament. No coincidence Germany got knocked out when Müller was suspended, though Spain was the only team that wasn't weaker than Germany back then, so that plus that, meant out.

Of course, German defense doesn't look good for a long while now, just saying Friedrich made it solid last World Cup. And about the Dutch team, well, I guess mostly the midfield was too attacking, and the defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong himself again made a huge error. Also, their defense as well is looking very bad. Feyenoord leftback Bruno Martins Indi subbed in amazing though. They scored two quick goals, (partly) because of him.

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Aug 16 2012, 05:14 PM

[Milan Are Brilli...]

Eh? It was Abate's inability to cross or beat his man that made Italy easy for England to defend against.

I think he meant in the Euro's when it actually mattered, last night was completely pointless.

[Fillipo Simone]

I think he meant in the Euro's when it actually mattered, last night was completely pointless.

Yeah this.

Well, agreed on Friedrich. Still, Germany lacks a good defender. Badstuber, Mertesacker, Boateng - even Hummels don't cut it IMO.

[CHU-LIP]

Well, agreed on Friedrich. Still, Germany lacks a good defender. Badstuber, Mertesacker, Boateng - even Hummels don't cut it IMO.

I know, Hummels also have disappointed me. I hope he and Badstuber can grow into a good pair. They are still young, have shown quality as well, so there is hope. I don't believe in Mertesacker and Boateng anymore.

Besides that, both Schmelzer and Boateng look so bad as German fullbacks, also not helping. I know Jantschke is a very solid rightback, so I hope he gets a chance. If he manage to preform solid for Germany as well, then him and Lahm would make good fullbacks for Germany. Maybe Beck is an option too. Just try someone else.

[Fillipo Simone]

Beck? I don't know, not sure about him. Jantschke should get a chance.

[CHU-LIP]

Beck? I don't know, not sure about him. Jantschke should get a chance.

Agreed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) If it was up to me I would start right now fielding Lahm, Badstuber, Hummels and Jantschke in defense, so that they have a little two years the time to get used to each other, and hopefully then at World Cup they will be solid. All are young, so in two years time they can get a lot better. That also was something I didn't like about Löw lately. The games before Euro 2012 he played with different central defenses. For example Mertesacker played quite a lot, even though Löw should have known that Mertesacker isn't a good option anymore (remember World Cup 2006? What happened with him?). If only he would have played Badstuber and Hummels together a whole lot more, then the defense could have looked better during Euro 2012.

This post has been edited by CHU-LIP: Aug 16 2012, 07:06 PM

[kurtsimonw]

I think he meant in the Euro's when it actually mattered, last night was completely pointless.

I was also talking about the Euros. Italy dominated both posession and territory, but Abate's lack of, well, anything, made it easy to defend. They actually caused problems in ET when Maggio came on.

Funny enough, the site I use for all my stats (WhoScored.com) has Abate as the 2nd worst player in that game (Cassano worst).

[han2503]

Congrats. Not a hugely important game, but that's going to give you a HUGE boost of confidence given your record there.


Eh? It was Abate's inability to cross or beat his man that made Italy easy for England to defend against.

I have that game and I've watched it 2 times (live and the replay) the commentators practically threw a part when Abate pulled up and had to come off. He might not produce much in terms of his crossing, but he causes a lot of headaches when he beats his man.

Add to that, he was up against one of your best players (imo) in Cole. And it's not as if Balzaretti or anyone else for that matter did anything better with their final ball. And that is the reason why they couldn't score, not because of Abate

[X-Offender]

I have that game and I've watched it 2 times (live and the replay) the commentators practically threw a part when Abate pulled up and had to come off. He might not produce much in terms of his crossing, but he causes a lot of headaches when he beats his man.

Add to that, he was up against one of your best players (imo) in Cole. And it's not as if Balzaretti or anyone else for that matter did anything better with their final ball. And that is the reason why they couldn't score, not because of Abate

Agreed. Italy wasted so many goals in that game, it wasn't Abate's fault they couldn't score.

[Fillipo Simone]

I also agree with you guys on that one. I don't rate Abate that high, but against England at the Euros he was very good. When Maggio came in the pressure and pace dropped rapidly.

[kurtsimonw]

I disagree. Maggio was far more intelligent and Italy caused more trouble. Instead of mindless running at Cole and never having a hope of winning, he cut inside with the ball. Italy had 2/3 amaing chances in ET to win it. Very few really great created chances in the first 90.

[Jack Bauer]

http://youtu.be/HHI1wltPFjk

[kurtsimonw]

Ciro Immobile is still eligible to play for the U21s? For some reason I thought he was in his mid-20s now.

[Jack Bauer]

He's 22 now but you gotta be at least 21 the the beginning of the qualifyers to take part in the championship. Italy can even use Balotelli if they want.

This post has been edited by Jack Bauer: Sep 7 2012, 06:09 AM

[KillerMax]

http://youtu.be/HHI1wltPFjk

Thanks for this.