marco198121 said:
I understand - I see defending as an art (I also quite like spreadsheets too), while you only see beauty in attacking and flamboyancy. That's fair enough.
We have a different football cultures, as you point out. It is only your wording that I thought was silly. However, the idea of bravery very much exists for us in sport too, only it means something different here. For us, bravery isn't about taking risks with the ball, but about commitment to the challenge and physicality of the game - is the player willing to contest every 50/50 situation even if they might incur an injury or pain? It's a really big deal for fans to see this, though we don't always see this with players that are brought in from overseas, and even being very talented is not always enough to compensate.
Brazilian players in particular have a mixed record over here. I remember Oscar at the bridge - very talented, hard working , disciplined and looked like he was going to be a star, but he lacked the physically to dominate and would disappear for long periods of the game , especially if the game was more physical and the other defence weren't too preoccupied on Hazard. He would run plenty but wouldn't be involved enough in the melee, and players don't pass to those sorts of players easily if they aren't fighting enough. He never quite reached his potential and ultimately went to China which was as good as retirement. Robinho was another - technically brilliant but not up for a rainy Tuesday night at Stoke. These players would be stars if they were able to play in the less physical womens* game, but struggled playing with men.
It's really interesting how different football is played in one country compared to another.
* I'm only comparing physicality between games, not talent
The more i watch France, the more i view them as Winners, a powerhouse of a team all over the pitch and i feel they are going to have to have a very bad day to not only NOT make it to the final but to win the whole thing.
I just cannot see a team anywhere near them at present and hope that the final matches France versus a team who could rattle them a bit.
I certainly dont see England winning - if they make it to the SF it will be an achievement with that defence.
Team of the WC for me so far is Canada.
I just cannot see a team anywhere near them at present and hope that the final matches France versus a team who could rattle them a bit.
I certainly dont see England winning - if they make it to the SF it will be an achievement with that defence.
Team of the WC for me so far is Canada.
G0930
Captain Fathermucker, Satty Aficionado
Platinum Level
🇦🇷 Argentina is flying home?! 😭❌
The notorious Ghanaian “Witch Doctor” Nana Kwaku Bonsam, who had already cursed Harry Kane, has made a new stark forecast.
🗣️ “Cape Verde will eliminate Messi's Argentina.” 👊
The shaman had already firmly claimed that this World Cup would belong to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. 🇵🇹🏆
The man is either a clairvoyant or just insane 😂
...oor a comedian 😂
The notorious Ghanaian “Witch Doctor” Nana Kwaku Bonsam, who had already cursed Harry Kane, has made a new stark forecast.
🗣️ “Cape Verde will eliminate Messi's Argentina.” 👊
The shaman had already firmly claimed that this World Cup would belong to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. 🇵🇹🏆
The man is either a clairvoyant or just insane 😂
...oor a comedian 😂
It is possible that this will be the World Cup for the countries of the American continent.
An Argentina - Brazil semi-final could easily happen on this branch.
In the other leg, if it's not a Spanish-French semifinal, there will be an American team there too.
An Argentina - Brazil semi-final could easily happen on this branch.
In the other leg, if it's not a Spanish-French semifinal, there will be an American team there too.
