2024 UEFA Men’s European Championship
- Thread starter Dummy Hoy
- Start date
Slovakia passed on the chance to take it to the corner and coughed it up easily, but it appears Belgium are all out of ideas.
Well, that's footie. I mean, that game encapsulates everything that we love and hate about it. It had everything. What a fucking game.
What do you think actually is? I guess Iceland? I don't go back much before 2000.
Surely Denmark over World Cup holders Germany in the 1992 final was bigger.
Denmark had a few top players but they weren't even supposed to be in the tournament and only got in after Yugoslavia got banned due to UN sanctions. Germany was not only the 1990 World Cup winner but had been bolstered by reunification and the addition to that West German side of a few top former East German players.
I'd probably put Greece winning the whole thing in 2004 (including beating Portugal in the final in Portugal), or Denmark winning it in a year they didn't even qualify but got in when Yugoslavia was kicked out.
Rabiot and Kante in midfield for France while Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Zaire-Emery sit on the bench.
International managers love an experienced player who can't run.
International managers love an experienced player who can't run.
Eh. He's starting Saliba which is something of a surprise. But you are right, international managers (looking at you, Southgate) are ridiculously risk averse.
The thing with Denmark, great story though it was, was that it was an eight team tournament in 1992. The ninth best team would be the equivalent of Belgium or Croatia in pre tournament betting this time. Belgium beating the current Germans would be a shock, especially on today's evidence, but not an all timer.
You'd say things like "Well you've got a player like KDB, who on his day..." Same with the Laudrups in 1992. Iceland didn't have a single player who'd start over his English counterpart if they had played at the same club. 2004 Greece was similar; I don't think anyone was starting regularly in a big five league.
Austria is pretty darned good.
Having four third place teams go through makes these early games seem a little bit low stakes. But on the other hand, the fact that there will be a path for teams like Austria and Belgium to still go through even if they lose their first games will probably make for a better knock out round. I guess we'll be saying some of the same things for the world cup.
Having four third place teams go through makes these early games seem a little bit low stakes. But on the other hand, the fact that there will be a path for teams like Austria and Belgium to still go through even if they lose their first games will probably make for a better knock out round. I guess we'll be saying some of the same things for the world cup.
The referee in the Austria-France game is having a rough go of it. Some harsh yellows issued to Austrian fullbacks in the first 30 minutes and really clear, easy calls on corners/goal kicks missed.
Meanwhile, Mbappe just exploded his nose into a defender's shoulder on a header attempt.
Meanwhile, Mbappe just exploded his nose into a defender's shoulder on a header attempt.
It’s been well covered by commentary but can we just reiterate that UEFA is a giant stack of shit for not implementing concussion subs?
Fernando Torres would like to have a palabra
This is good
I didn't watch closely yesterday but one thing Kante can still do is run, no? And I'm a huge fan of Camavinga and Tchoua but Rabiot is no slouch either. I get the impression that Didier may be treating the Euros like 2 competitions as the old adage goes. The XI that start in the first group game is unlikely the one we see in the KOs.
This was already gifted to him. I would be so damn happy if he wore this.
That Slovakia-Belgium game was awesome. Really fun since Slovakia plays a high line but does so in an organized fashion. This Belgium team is going to implode.
I'm also starting to like Landon Donovan's commentary. Yes, he's a sourpuss but his analysis is usually right.
Don’t let Madrid know what they’ve got.
View: https://twitter.com/idoxvi/status/1803116637689635201?s=46&t=GfuLFvTYcOxcFiCZjyIYZw
View: https://twitter.com/idoxvi/status/1803116637689635201?s=46&t=GfuLFvTYcOxcFiCZjyIYZw
The central midfielder that put his arms behind and stopped from like 6 yards away needs a paddlin'.
They are unbelievably stacked in midfield and attack. Mbappe and Valverde are the oldest players here at 25.
Mbappe
Vini
Rodrygo
Endrick
Bellingham
Valverde
Camavinga
Tchouameni
Guler
Brahim
And its not like Florentino is going to resist the urge to buy Wirtz or whoever else in the next couple years.
Liverpool & United are on on Lenny Yoro, but he's holding out for Madrid. Only makes sense - when the front 2/3rds of your roster are stacked, just start recruiting world class 18yo center backs.
I’m pretty sure Florentino knows what he has, and unfortunately this iteration isn’t like the Galácticos era and Perez seems to have a plan for squad construction. Most of the players you listed above had well developed relationships with Real Madrid representatives and Perez going back many years. They haven’t shown a desire to buy the next hot thing like in the past. We usually know months or even yesrs in advance who Madrid will target.
They have a very cheap buy option for Joselu that they need to decide what to do with as well, Kroos just stepped aside, and Modric is being phased out. Real Madrid have shown a willingness to let young players stay and fight for a playing time if that’s what the players want, as well as a fair amount of patience with growing pains- Vini, Valverde, Rodrygo and Guler all come to mind. Endrick looks like he is on the same path. Perez likely knows that Rodrygo might want out after taking a step down role-wise, which will free up more time for Guler.
On defense, Nacho is moving on and they had an injury crisis at CB last season. I expect Florentino will look to address older players at CB, and long term replacements at GK, LB, and RB. They should be set up financially to transition the defense in much the same way that they overhauled the attack bit by bit. Given his recent history for smart squad building, I would bet on Guler staying on at RM as part of their long term plans.
I'm curious to see. I don't think so (surprise), but it may be...huge test for Tedesco who passed his first couple but failed mightily yesterday. Let's see if he fixes his mistakes and puts the team in a position to succeed.