Euro 16 gamethread
- Thread starter Schnerres
- Start date
Yes...same for the 2-0. They were sleeping on the short corner and Hamsik´s perfect shot. No chance for Akinfeev. Two shots on goal, 2-0 into the half.
There are rumblings that Deschamps may put Podga and Griezmann on the bench. I guess he doesn't like winning? That decision may be even more curious with Benzema and Gameiro both watching from home.
Edit: I'm a big fan of Coman, so perhaps this change may not be as crazy as I thought it could be.
Edit: I'm a big fan of Coman, so perhaps this change may not be as crazy as I thought it could be.
Agreed, many major teams are resting starters after game 1 or 2 in the group both in Eurocup and Copa America. France also has Giroud, Martial, and a host of capable MF to cover for this. Squad rotation is to France's benefit early on IMO.
What a strike, thought the defender would get there and block it, but that was a quality volley. Romania really needs to hold on for a result here to feel confident about going thru (presumably after beating Albania).
That was an entertaining match. Romania are a lot tougher side than I imagined. Max Bretos and Alejandro Moreno were terrible, weren't they? Most football commentators are content to let the action speak for itself - these guys were distractingly bad IMHO.
It´s true, lineups out:
France:
Lloris(C) - Evra, Koscielny, Rami, Sagna - Matuidi, Kanté - Martial, Payet, Coman - Giroud.
Albania:
Berisha - Agolli(C), Mavraj, Ajeti, Hysaj - Kukeli - Memushaj, Abrashi - Lenjani, Lila - Sadiku
France with 2 changes (Pogba, Griezmann out, Martial, Coman in). Albania with 3 changes (Cana was sent off, T.Xhaka, Roshi out Memushaj, Ajeti, Lila in).
Martial is not a consistently good player yet. Struggling here, if he doesn't turn it around have to think this is his last start of the Euros.
He is having a nightmare. This might be the worst performance I've ever seen from him.
To be fair, France has just been really poor overall. They are playing at a very low pace in possession, in substantial part because neither Kante nor Matuidi is much of a passer.
France is playing the same stuff like in the 1st match. They are a group full of great players, but their play as a team is less than the sum of their parts. They rely on single-player-actions and not on teamplay or on the play of a unit. Maybe they improve by playing as an outsider and run counters..but like snowplow said, with Kanté and Matuidi in DM, they aren´t showing much creativity. Maybe bring Pogba in DM for Matuidi...Payet has shown he belongs in the middle, IMO. I´m curious who leaves for Pogba in the 2nd half...
I thought Giroud looked like the worst French player on the pitch that half. No real positioning or awareness of where his teammates were, missed the one gettable cross early on, and has been too slow to threaten on long balls. They could really use 45' of Benzema right now.
Payet just laying beautiful crosses into the path of players who screw up easy chances. He's been really great again.
Yeah, it looks like it is going to take a hefty fee (twice what he was worth coming in), plus a large pay day, plus Payet holding out for a move to happen. I would've loved to see Arsenal move for him to succeed Santi, who is also a short, chubby cheeked magician of a player.
Glad everyone gets to see how frustrated Giroud makes Arsenal fans on a weekly basis. That dude's conversion rate on a per chance basis is terrible. I shudder every time he misses a chance.
Looking forward to the Wales-England match. Hope Wales is able to pull it out.
Glad everyone gets to see how frustrated Giroud makes Arsenal fans on a weekly basis. That dude's conversion rate on a per chance basis is terrible. I shudder every time he misses a chance.
Looking forward to the Wales-England match. Hope Wales is able to pull it out.
If like Giroud, you were scratching your head after one of his missed chances:
England: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Smailing, Rose, Dier, Alli, Rooney, Sterling, Lallana, Kane
Wales: Hennessey, Chester, Williams, Gunter, Taylor, Davies, Allen, Ramsey, Ledley, Bale, Robson-Kanu
Should be a good one.
England: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Smailing, Rose, Dier, Alli, Rooney, Sterling, Lallana, Kane
Wales: Hennessey, Chester, Williams, Gunter, Taylor, Davies, Allen, Ramsey, Ledley, Bale, Robson-Kanu
Should be a good one.
Ohh Sterling, Lallana crosses it in on the break and Sterling skies it, like the £50M player that he is.
Agree, I would take off Kane and Sterling and try Vardy and Sturridge/Rashford.
I don't think it's a good thing to case yourself as an underdog in this case, and Wales have done that. We can see that England as a unit are not strong, maybe player v player they have more talent, but as a side - they aren't anything to fear. I'd like to see Wales play some football, find some space, pass it about.
You have to wonder if he called Big Sam an all. He should have called Don Ranieri...
Oh yes Bale...yes
You ain't getting that, now.
NOW, they should park the motherfucking bus and hope to hang on.
The GLFFHNGKLLRRRN coming from Wales right now can be heard as far away as Newfoundland.
Slo-Mo showed only 2 revolutions on that ball. Great strike but Hart should have deflected it out.
Just want to say I have lined up five song by Welsh artists on my radio show tonight, so i am really hoping Wales can hang on.
this is a good un for when the adverts are on.
this is a good un for when the adverts are on.
Sterling definitely has to come off. I'd like to see Vardy come on cos i think it's set up for him. But if i was a Welshman, i'd rather things stayed as they are. Rashford over Sturridge for me.
Absolutely. Lallana has been actually moving off the ball in the final third, unlike the rest of the team.
I see Sterling spending a lot of time with City's U21 team once Pep sours on his ball skills. He'll eventually have to force a move elsewhere. But it will be difficult - not as bad as Micah Richards, but close - because City desperately needs HG players for UCL roster slots. What England player can they bring in to offset the (eventual) sale of Sterling?
Maybe this forces Roy to put out a better lineup? Sterling has to come off, maybe Sturridge, Vardy and Rashford should to come on. But more important are the players, they are in shock and have to man up or go home. It's only one goal but their faces make it feel like 100-0.
Darke & McManaman mentioned that both Bale FK goals should have been saved. I think they may be underestimating just how much of a knuckleball style effect he manages to create. Chaotic little movements that are hard to pick up on camera but really mess with a keeper.