World Cup 2010
- Thread starter scottdisco
- Start date
IdleRich
IdleRich
Germany have been at their most effective aftrer getting an early goal (or two) as against England and Argentina - then they've been clinical in their attacks with four vs three or whatever. Never really looked as though they were gonna break Spain down today though, the best team definitely won although it's strange (yet surprisingly common) that the goal came from a corner. Pressure tells I suppose. At the end when ahead Spain could suddenly pass it around like Barcelona but I don't find that an amazing thing in itself, I'd have been more impressed with that if they'd been able to do it from the start.
crackerjack
Well-known member
So true. Watching them tiki-taka on the edge of their own box when the pressure should really have been getting to them is such an education.
mixed_biscuits
_________________________
Yes, it actually was nearly as dull as being back at school again.
Spain were all pass and no trousers as usual*, time-wasting from the off. Perhaps they had once heard someone say that the best form of defence is faffing about in midfield until your opponents' legs fall off.
Here's hoping that Holland snatch an early one so that Spain are forced to show some attacking threat. They've scored 7 goals in the tournament OMG possession:goals ratio ftw!!!!11
* P(Spanish goal|interminable passing move) = 0
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don_quixote
Trent End
that's novel; time-wasting by passing the ball around
mixed_biscuits
_________________________
Compared to Barcelona they are pretty ponderous. If there is no clear intention to do anything with the possession then it's either purposefully weak (time-wasting) or just plain uninspired.
Del Bosque had obviously told them to stop mucking about as after the break they resorted to the genius tactic of bypassing their bore-muda triangles completely and just giving it to Alonso to hammer.
don_quixote
Trent End
holland will not score an early one. spain are completely inpenetrable.
grizzleb
Well-known member
I don't see how anyone can see Spain as a side boring to watch, ok they don't bang them in but the way they move about, their passing, getting into space, lovely little touches is so exciting. They were pressing Germany all over the pitch too, not letting them have any possession, and making sure they could never really break (trying to pass it in). Didn't see that result coming at all though - thought de germans were missing Muller.
don_quixote
Trent End
look, usually time wasting consists of: playing the ball into corners, making late substitutes (guilty), taking time over set pieces, diving and rolling around for a long time, hoofing the ball out, taking set pieces and playing them into neutral areas... not playing triangles around defenders in the centre of the park.
mixed_biscuits
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Switzerland managed to take the lead, by which time Spain had already completely bottled it as they realised that they have no plan B, no cutting edge apart from 'let's hope it squeaks through to Villa.'
Watching Spain is like watching a handball team without a shot clock running down.
don_quixote
Trent End
a team like switzerland will beat spain 1 in 100 times. holland will not play like switzerland and will therefore get beaten. simple.
spain is like a red tide in a hurricane and the team playing them is a sea wall. you can keep it out and keep it out and keep it out but there will be a breach and spain will score.
mixed_biscuits
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You win by scoring goals, not by passing round people. If they actually converted their possession - especially their possession around the edge of the box - effectively, then they could be called a great team. Unfortunately, this is what they manifestly fail to do, repeatedly.
By time-wasting I mean 'wasting time' - nothing more, nothing less. If the principle aim in football is to move from possession in the middle of the park (the preamble) to the opportunity to set up a chance to having and taking a chance, then they can be said to waste time, as they spend far too much time in the preamble. In fact, half the times they get close to the box they decide to pass it backwards for no good reason. Weak.
grizzleb
Well-known member
What the hell are you on about? Plan B? Their plan A is simple and effective - retain possession, move the ball about and eventually you'll pick up your chances. Switzerland were-anti football, which stifled their opponents who try to play fluid football. They haven't been amazing to watch all tournament but you get moments of genuis from Iniesta, etc that show what they're about. Tonight they were by far the better side,
don_quixote
Trent End
but what you call wasting time i can quite easily call "grinding down your opponent". the opponents chase and chase and chase and chase until they are blue in the face. look at the paraguay match. by 70 minutes the defenders legs had completely gone. and then finally the spanish tide breaks through and they score.
don_quixote
Trent End
watching spain play is like watching a talented boxer toy with an less talented opponent. they dodge, weave, tire out their opponent, deliver the knockout blow and then there is no recovery.
mixed_biscuits
_________________________
Well if it's 'grinding down your opponent', that's not the mark of a great footballing team, that's the sign of a team that is good at one aspect of the game - keeping the ball in select areas of the pitch - and a team that ruthlessly exploits their particular advantage.
It also makes for dull viewing.
mixed_biscuits
_________________________
Exactly, no plan B.
mixed_biscuits
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They're talented but limited, just as your boxer is - not good enough to deal decisive blows while their opponent is in a strong position