The 2014 World Cup Thread - Football, Favelas and Financial Turmoil

[Bobby]

Arsenal have been "ripe to be kicked out of the top 4" for what seems like half a century now, they always find a way. No other team can say that, everyone else has finished outside of it since 2005.

 

[Mus]

Arsenal have been "ripe to be kicked out of the top 4" for what seems like half a century now, they always find a way. No other team can say that, everyone else has finished outside of it since 2005.

Something eventually gives doesn't it?

 

[MaSsiVe]

The Italy x England game was fuckin' awesome. Only lacked more goals, and I felt that England deserved something out of it. Anyway it was a true joy to watch, this WC is starting to get very interesting. Costa Rica

 

[Mus]

The Italy x England game was fuckin' awesome. Only lacked more goals, and I felt that England deserved something out of it. Anyway it was a true joy to watch, this WC is starting to get very interesting. Costa Rica

One of Pirlo's freekick or Balo's chip deserved to go in from awesomeness

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

I think the public perception has been that Buffon is the best keeper in the World from around 2004 until 2012, perhaps slotted behind Casillas because of the reasons you mention, but that's about it. He was definitely considered the best keeper in the world in the wake of the 2006 World Cup.

Pirlo definitely got respect because of those Milan teams. It took his managers awhile to figure out how to use him, but once he started playing Regista and destroying everyone alongside Gattuso he was considered great. If anything Xavi is the one who was not recognized until late in his career.

Buffon has been on everybody's radar for as long as I can remember. Pirlo I think was in Gattuso's shadow for a while which led to him not being seen as quite as key to that Milan and 2006 Italy team as he actually was.

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

I don't think it's a bad idea to have "development" managers at places like Everton and Southampton that have great academies. Martinez and Pochettino are going to give youth a chance and they're going to turn them into top players. The more players they lose, the more they will produce.

This is true, but if the top English clubs dont have managers who are willing to spend on English talent, there will end up being nowhere for these players to go. Other European sides are unfortunately still not into buying English players - a shame, really, because some of them could be successful abroad I am sure.

 

[MaestroZidane]

Fans stealing beer

 

[ARIAGA II]

This is true, but if the top English clubs dont have managers who are willing to spend on English talent, there will end up being nowhere for these players to go. Other European sides are unfortunately still not into buying English players - a shame, really, because some of them could be successful abroad I am sure.

I kind of blame the English players for not moving abroad, it's not like they don't / won't have interest. Tom Ince had interest from Inter but prefers to stay in England, that's why I think Beckham should receive more praise for being willing to explore various football cultures even if he was 'chasing checks'.

 

[aeh1991]

Japan out I guess. It was a great comeback by Ivory Coast who dominated the game in my opinion. The Honda goal was awesome though.

 

[Sir Didier Drogba]

I kind of blame the English players for not moving abroad, it's not like they don't / won't have interest. Tom Ince had interest from Inter but prefers to stay in England, that's why I think Beckham should receive more praise for being willing to explore various football cultures even if he was 'chasing checks'.

I admire Eric Dier.

 

[ARIAGA II]

He didn't have a choice! I'm actually surprised he hasn't joined an EPL team permanently, he's been part of the FA's plans for almost four years now. They even put him on the promo for their jersey in 2010.

 

[Chacarita Juniors]

Fuck yeah Costa Rica!

 

[Back Door Skip]

Fans stealing beer

You steal our goals, we steal yo' beer!

 

[MaSsiVe]

De Gea got injured in practice this morning and won't be playing the WC. Not that it matters much, but it'd have been useful for Del Bosque to have a Casillas replacement that isn't Reina.

 

[MaestroZidane]

I Guess Casillas gets to keep his starting spot

 

[MaSsiVe]

Seems like he'll be out for only 10 days afterall...still.
Doubt that Casillas would be benched right now though. He's their captain and Del Bosque apparently trusts him no matter what, so only a(nother) disastrous performance from Iker would eventually get DB to change the keeper.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Seems like he'll be out for only 10 days afterall

In other words, the entire World Cup for Spain.

 

[MaSsiVe]

 

[Chacarita Juniors]

By the number of goals scored so far, this is shaping up to be a memorable World Cup. Not one tie so far...

 

[kp41]

There is something magical in Brazil ...