OT: Soccer thread

[trujaysfan]

i think 3 of them should be on the pitch tbh.

5-2-3 they would have 3 on the pitch.

4-4-2 it's unlikely.

I will say that Piette isn't made for games like this, guy is great vs minnows when he is given time but having to make quick plays isn't it for him.

Kone/osorio/spoony all ahead of him IMO in CM role.

 

[Artnes]

 

[TheCountofMonteCristo]

so do we advance out of the group stage or not? I figure Belgium is a loss and Morocco a win. Croatia is old but likely still better. Coq, you are the most knowledgeable here, tell me, do we advance or not?

 

[zeke]

we're the perfect team to upset always overconfident Belgium.

 

[lecoqsportif]

lol No, not “knowledgeable” anymore. Barely have time to follow it anymore…

Anyway, I’d say odds are against us. The D is a weakness, but this not a write off like Saudi and Costa Rica. I will be very happy if we play with with the same swagger as we did in qualifying, and I think we will. This team plays for one another - and that’s a big deal. Also, wonder if Kone is the great wildcard (his ceiling is obviously very high). Everyone knows about our front line, but if that kid can support Eustaquio and protect the D… well
then.

Anyway, each team in the group has gaps. I suspect Croatia wins it… but maybe Belgium can be had.

But don’t turtle. Run at them!

 

[CTheBigPicture]

Looks like the beer ban is official.


What an embarrassment.

 

[LeafGm]

Maybe don’t host huge international sporting events in shit-show fundamentalist hell holes?

 

[trujaysfan]

Still available in the fan tents that they moved far away from the stadiums.

Won't have this issue in 2026

 

[lecoqsportif]

Lawsuit incoming.

Though “Budweiser” is

 

[LeafGm]

Budweiser isn’t shit!

It’s piss.

 

[zeke]

 

[lecoqsportif]

 

[lecoqsportif]

Egypt beat Belgium 2-1. Fairly complete side for Belgium. Basic stats showed they dominated possession but Egypt had more shots on target.

So, this might be a wake up call, which is too bad. Or maybe they are predisposed to “sterile domination” (Arsene Wenger’s caustic term for Barca/Spain) without a cutting edge.

 

[TimHorton]

We will have counter chances. I'm not sure we can play enough defense for it to matter though.

 

[zeke]

Final ELO ratings heading into the WC:

#5 Belgium 2007 (-68 over the last year)
#12 Croatia 1927 (+69 over the last year)
#29 Canada 1776 (-9 over the last year)
#30 Morocco 1766 (+45 over the last year)

not gonna be easy.

Group G: #1 Brazil, #15 Switzerland, #16 Serbia, #60 Cameroon
Group E: #3 Spain, #10 Germany, #27 Japan, #35 Costa Rica
Group F: #5 Belgium, #12 Croatia, #29 Canada, #30 Morocco
Group H: #6 Portugal, #11 Uruguay, #28 South Korea, #67 Ghana
Group D: #7 France, #9 Denmark, #38 Australia, #40 Tunisia
Group C: #2 Argentina, #21 Poland, #22 Mexico, #55 Saudi Arabia
Group B: #13 England, #23 USA. #24 Iran, #25 Wales
Group A: #4 Netherlands, #18 Ecuador, #44 Senegal, #47 Qatar

 

[TimHorton]

#groupofdeath

 

[zeke]

We will have counter chances. I'm not sure we can play enough defense for it to matter though.

I actually think we can hold our own possession wise against most teams, even a team like belgium (who really isn't a possession team anyways).

But our backline is very susceptible to quick strike offense, which belgium is deadly at.

Gonna need to score some goals.

 

[zeke]

Lukaku injury is good news for us. He's not as good as his rep but the canadian backline wouldn't be able to handle him at all.

 

[lecoqsportif]

The Canada games could be exciting and high scoring, if they go for it. But, yah, there is a risk it could go sideways.

 

[zeke]

Belgium Lineup

GK Courtois (31, 96 Caps): Elite goalie, starter for Real Madrid who is still an elite squad in Spain. One of the best in the world.

CB Faes (24, 1 Caps): First year as starting center back for middling Leicester in England
LCB Vertonghen (35, 141 Caps): part time player in his first year back in Anderlecht in Belgium, after Benfica terminated his contract
RCF Debast (19, 2 Caps): First year as full time starter for middling Anderlecht in Belgium. Very talented youngster.
*CB Alderweireld (33, 124 Caps): Tottenham loaned him out to Qatar Stars League last year, and he's now returned to Belgium and starts for solid Antwerp. May start over Faes may not.

IMO it's a very vulnerable backline.

CM Tielemans (25, 54 Caps): Very good longtime starting midfielder for Leicester in England
CM Witsel (33, 126 Caps): Regular starter in his first year in Atletico in Spain, after a free transfer. Solid.
LW Castagne (26, 25 Caps): Solid starter for middling Leicester in England
RW Meunier (31, 58 Caps): More of a bench player than starter for solid Dortmund in Germany

It's a good midfield, but not spectacular.

AM DeBruyne (31, 9 Caps): Superstar stud. Still as good as ever.
AM Hazard (31, 122 Caps): Longtime stud for Belgium has fallen on hard and injured times in recent years. Still might have some magic left tho.
ST Lukaku (29, 102 Caps): Longtime stud for Belgium has also fallen on hard and injured times in recent years. Still might have some magic left - but won't likely play vs. Canada anyways).
*ST Batshuayi (29, 47 Caps): In for injured Lukaku. Prolific journeyman strike who isn't great but has produced at a decent rate most places. Currently plays for top turkish side Fenerbace but I don't think he's a regular starter.

This threesome is what has made Belgium so great, but 2 of them are not what they were now. and Lukaku won't be playing.