Semi-finals: Argentina vs Croatia on 13th December

[theleader82]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

[paolo]

i would love the mulims to beat the frogs

but the frogs are the only chance of stopping the argies

[subsub]

Pundits shouldn't be employed on an independent contractor basis IMO.

Why not? Happens in cricket all the time, doing a couple of hours on TV then doing a spot on radio.

[subsub]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league

[subsub]

i would love the mulims to beat the frogs

but the frogs are the only chance of stopping the argies

Hey, the 70s called, they'd like their material back!

[Reg]

I note that pundit Karen Carney is slagging her way around every single TV network during the World Cup. One minute she's on BBC then she rolls onto ITV and by tomorrow she'll be back on the Beeb.

Whatever happened to pundits sticking to one channel as part of the coverage team for the tournament?

Pundits shouldn't be employed on an independent contractor basis IMO.

Most of them do it - even Lineker, who the BBC treat as a figurehead, works for BT Sport.

What is it that you object to?

[kancutlawns]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

Amazing that De Bruyne, Aguero and Kompany did, eh?

[theleader82]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

Amazing that De Bruyne, Aguero and Kompany did, eh?

Same with bundesliga. Why Sancho and bellingham are overrated

[kancutlawns]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

Amazing that De Bruyne, Aguero and Kompany did, eh?

Same with bundesliga. Why Sancho and bellingham are overrated

Are they overrated when they play for England? I’d say Bellingham has potential to be one of the top five players of his generation within a couple of years. Many highly rated Germans like Sane, Podolski and Ballack haven’t set the Premier League on fire, Harmann, Gundogan and Lehmann were really good so not sure that calling anyone who played in the Bundesliga and came to the Premier League is accurate.

[Carlos J]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

Amazing that De Bruyne, Aguero and Kompany did, eh?

Same with bundesliga. Why Sancho and bellingham are overrated

Are they overrated when they play for England? I’d say Bellingham has potential to be one of the top five players of his generation within a couple of years. Many highly rated Germans like Sane, Podolski and Ballack haven’t set the Premier League on fire, Harmann, Gundogan and Lehmann were really good so not sure that calling anyone who played in the Bundesliga and came to the Premier League is accurate.

There are many players of many nations who didn't work in the Prem, but were great in other leagues.

The Prem is the best for coin, just look at the Champions League and Europa League to see how well it compares.

[kancutlawns]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

Amazing that De Bruyne, Aguero and Kompany did, eh?

Same with bundesliga. Why Sancho and bellingham are overrated

Are they overrated when they play for England? I’d say Bellingham has potential to be one of the top five players of his generation within a couple of years. Many highly rated Germans like Sane, Podolski and Ballack haven’t set the Premier League on fire, Harmann, Gundogan and Lehmann were really good so not sure that calling anyone who played in the Bundesliga and came to the Premier League is accurate.

There are many players of many nations who didn't work in the Prem, but were great in other leagues.

The Prem is the best for coin, just look at the Champions League and Europa League to see how well it compares.

Think there are other factors including the much vaunted pace and blood and thunder of the Premier League, probably the physicality too.

[Carlos J]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

Amazing that De Bruyne, Aguero and Kompany did, eh?

Same with bundesliga. Why Sancho and bellingham are overrated

Are they overrated when they play for England? I’d say Bellingham has potential to be one of the top five players of his generation within a couple of years. Many highly rated Germans like Sane, Podolski and Ballack haven’t set the Premier League on fire, Harmann, Gundogan and Lehmann were really good so not sure that calling anyone who played in the Bundesliga and came to the Premier League is accurate.

There are many players of many nations who didn't work in the Prem, but were great in other leagues.

The Prem is the best for coin, just look at the Champions League and Europa League to see how well it compares.

Think there are other factors including the much vaunted pace and blood and thunder of the Premier League, probably the physicality too.

Indeed.

[kancutlawns]

What I find about Argentina is that it's a bit of a feat trying to remember the names of much of the first team players short of Lickle Leo. In about a minutes, I've remembered about three Martinez's, Di Maria, Mac Allister, Tagliafico, Otamendi, Romero, De Paul and Alvarez. Not really household names here as compared to the French, Brazilians (obvs), Belgians and to a less extent the Spanish and Portuguese. Not sure why as almost all play in Europe and are established players.

In fact, I would say that the Argentinians have a technical ability, are pretty tough and more affordable than players from other top nations. A quite undervalued footballing nation. What I find bizarre is the number of relatives I have living abroad like in the US almost all wanted Croatia to win tonight. I really can't work out why. With the greatest o' respeck, why would someone living abroad as a casual watcher without any great interest in the game support Croatia in a big international match? I can understand the genuine curiosity and hope that a Morocco goes as far as possible but Croatia? Not being mean to them as they are a technically good side, resilient and well drilled but is that really because of Luka and to a lesser extent someone like Brazovic, Kovacic and Perisic?

[Sadact7]

Messi wouldn’t have had as much success in the prem league. La liga is pretty weak behind the top. 4/5 teams.

Yes. I’m sure he’d have been absolutely stumped at the prospect of taking on Ryan Shawcross, James Collins and Ashley fucking Williams.

[Carlos J]

What I find about Argentina is that it's a bit of a feat trying to remember the names of much of the first team players short of Lickle Leo. In about a minutes, I've remembered about three Martinez's, Di Maria, Mac Allister, Tagliafico, Otamendi, Romero, De Paul and Alvarez. Not really household names here as compared to the French, Brazilians (obvs), Belgians and to a less extent the Spanish and Portuguese. Not sure why as almost all play in Europe and are established players.

In fact, I would say that the Argentinians have a technical ability, are pretty tough and more affordable than players from other top nations. A quite undervalued footballing nation. What I find bizarre is the number of relatives I have living abroad like in the US almost all wanted Croatia to win tonight. I really can't work out why. With the greatest o' respeck, why would someone living abroad as a casual watcher without any great interest in the game support Croatia in a big international match? I can understand the genuine curiosity and hope that a Morocco goes as far as possible but Croatia? Not being mean to them as they are a technically good side, resilient and well drilled but is that really because of Luka and to a lesser extent someone like Brazovic, Kovacic and Perisic?

Tell your relatives, bad luck, try support further and better.

I noted you missed Di Maria on other posts, but did not mention it.

Anyway all that shit,

Still got bad vibes from 2014. Little Leo, then at more prime, to win for Argentina at the Maracana. Waking past the trophy to receive 'Player of the Tournament' was sad scenes.

Mon little Leo, Though I fear France will out muscle and fight them.