the Messi + Paper magazine shoot could have easily been incredibly corny instead I love it http://www.papermag.com/leo-messi-goat-2573917928.html Spoiler
I’m hard team sane and went straight to the bargaining stage of grief. He wasn’t going to play over Reus Özil Müller goretzka Draxler anyway. :/
Finally bit the bullet and put a bet down on Belgium because I saw the odds gradually sliding away. Don't believe they'll win but thought it was the best value on the board and wanted a team to pull for (my grandmother is Icelandic and I have lots of family there I keep in touch with, but I'm being realistic). Big fan of a lot of the squad, mostly Chelsea boys (including Batshuayi) and Mertens. Missing personal FIFA favorites Jordan Lukaku and Nainggolan though. Not the biggest Martinez fan so I'm sure I'll bitch about that plenty. Anyway go Red Devils.
I fear this is a transition tournament where the kimmich- Werner - goretzka - sane generation isn’t ready to star and the Özil generation isn’t quite as sharp
Fun read. Kinda crazy looking at some of the lesser known teams. Surprised me that pretty much the entire Senegalese team is on a club in Europe.
Neuer Kimmich - Süle - Hummels - hector Kroos - goretzka - Khedira Özil - Timo - Reus what I’d want from the 11 post sane news for Germany. Özil or Müller is a hard pick Perfectly set up to lose 1-0 to espain or 2-0 to France
Sane wouldn't play because Reus is first choice and Ozil can also slide into the LW if Low wants Kroos higher up. Draxler and Werner can also play LW. Germany had chemistry issues at Euro 2012 from the bench and Low wants to avoid it. Brandt has more flexibility, defends, is well liked within the squad and can accept a bench role. Only game he probably gets is the third group stage game after advancement has already been secured. Sane has never performed well for the National team anyways. This is Reus's tournament. He is going to ball the fuck out.
-----------------Neuer Kimmich----Boateng---Hummels-----Hector ------------Goretzka-----Kroos Muller--------------Ozil---------Reus --------------------Werner
That’s what it will end up being but I always like Germany better in a 433 with 3 power mids. It’s what won 2014. Puts kroos in control and he’s the best cm in the world.
Imagine questioning the greatness of World Cup Muller. 2-0 to France because Euros Muller isn't the same player, Ozil/Kross ran that game but Muller sucked all tournament and the ridiculous handball from Bastian
Can't believe how many people are just dismissing Brazil, Alves injury hurts but they're really fucking good and breezed through qualifying. Would put them in top group of favorites with Germany and Spain
The equation is different with Reus and Werner now anyways. I think Khedira starts against Mexico with Kroos, but Low tries to accommodate Muller, Reus, Ozil and Werner and see what happens. One might get sacrificed later in the tournament to move Kroos forward, certainly possible.
Should we rank the favorites? 1. Germany 2. France 3. Spain ----- 4. Brazil 5. Belgium 6. Portugal 7. Argentina
strongly disagree with france over Brazil. Brazil have developed an identity, good coaching, and Neymar/Jesus can be breathtaking. Also have a better midfield than France and France hasn't even decided who their front 3 will be. Mbappe, Griezmann, Dembele is insane speed and skill but haven't played together much and Giroud Is still the guy producing the most. Kante is the best DM in the EPL but not on the national team level, Pogba is inconsistent, and is Tollisso or Matuidi the other starter. They're so talented but need a David Silva/good Ozil type/any distributor. Their sum doesn't equal their parts for me. Brazil is probably in the best form going in, Germany is in shit form but been resting a lot of guys recently and trying new things.
follow a guy that's pretty hardcore Brazil(he's English but married to a Brazilian) that says the backups to Alves are complete shit.
I'm not convinced in the backline of Brazil. They'll get caught out against better sides. Feel the same about Argentina. I might be overrating France, they have a ton of pieces and it might take Zidane for them to put it all together. They should be the best counter attacking team in the tournament.
Yea If France can sort out their formation/identity then they are Top 3. But its a huge unknown, whereas you dont have that with Brazil.
Can also question Costa's effectiveness for Spain and being reliant on some older players. Germany is aging but most of them are still late 20s vs Iniesta/Silva/Ramos/Pique Not sure who but could see a surprise team winning it.
One or the other would have to finish runner-up in their group, and both would have to make the semis