NameRedacted
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2016
- Messages
- 236
Don't know about you guys but I'm really looking forward to the Belgium-France SF today. I'd like to make a prediction but I really have no idea who is going to win. Belgium have been consistently good, apart from the blip in the first part of the game against Japan, but especially good in their last game against Brazil. And France, after an indifferent start, have played more like a team in their last two games rather than a collection of talented individuals.
For Belgium I was particularly impressed with Kevin De Bruyne against Brazil. Earlier in the tournament he wasn't playing that well but he has suddenly replicated the form we saw playing for City last year. Similarly, Lukaku and Hazard were outstanding. Watching Lukaku last year was really frustrating. He started the season well but there were long periods in the middle of the year where he didn't play that well. His first touch seemed to have deserted him. Every time the ball was passed to him it would just randomly bounce off him. On the rare occasions he was able to control the ball though he was deadly. I haven't seen that problem so far this tournament.
For France, I've been impressed by Griezmann, Giroud and Mbappe in attack and Kante in midfield. Sad to say, I haven't been too impressed by Paul Pogpa. Although he has played better than he did for United last season. To a United fan he was another big frustration last year. Often giving the ball away and other times taking so long deciding what to do with it that he was swarmed by 2-3 opposition players before he could pass it.
I think it may boil down to how the goalkeepers perform. They were both excellent against Brazil and Uruguay but not so much in their other games and I've seen both make real howlers last year for Tottenham and Chelsea.
For the England game tomorrow, my biggest concern is how Henderson will cope with both Rakitic and Modric. Southgate may play Dier alongside him and leave out Alli who has not impressed much but when he tried that in the latter stages of the Colombia game England looked a bit toothless. Perhaps he'll play Henderson on his own initially and then bring Dier in later if necessary.
Otherwise, one thing to bear in mind is that the Croatia team looked exhausted at the end of their last game, except Modric of course. If they tire as easily against England that should help Sterling and as I've mentioned here earlier if Sterling can get over his 'fear' in front of an open goal then England should be favorites.
My other concern is that Pickford's success may go to his head. In the last two games he was brilliant. I just hope he can keep that up as the England defence has had little to do so far and on a couple of occasions has looked a bit shaky.
For Belgium I was particularly impressed with Kevin De Bruyne against Brazil. Earlier in the tournament he wasn't playing that well but he has suddenly replicated the form we saw playing for City last year. Similarly, Lukaku and Hazard were outstanding. Watching Lukaku last year was really frustrating. He started the season well but there were long periods in the middle of the year where he didn't play that well. His first touch seemed to have deserted him. Every time the ball was passed to him it would just randomly bounce off him. On the rare occasions he was able to control the ball though he was deadly. I haven't seen that problem so far this tournament.
For France, I've been impressed by Griezmann, Giroud and Mbappe in attack and Kante in midfield. Sad to say, I haven't been too impressed by Paul Pogpa. Although he has played better than he did for United last season. To a United fan he was another big frustration last year. Often giving the ball away and other times taking so long deciding what to do with it that he was swarmed by 2-3 opposition players before he could pass it.
I think it may boil down to how the goalkeepers perform. They were both excellent against Brazil and Uruguay but not so much in their other games and I've seen both make real howlers last year for Tottenham and Chelsea.
For the England game tomorrow, my biggest concern is how Henderson will cope with both Rakitic and Modric. Southgate may play Dier alongside him and leave out Alli who has not impressed much but when he tried that in the latter stages of the Colombia game England looked a bit toothless. Perhaps he'll play Henderson on his own initially and then bring Dier in later if necessary.
Otherwise, one thing to bear in mind is that the Croatia team looked exhausted at the end of their last game, except Modric of course. If they tire as easily against England that should help Sterling and as I've mentioned here earlier if Sterling can get over his 'fear' in front of an open goal then England should be favorites.
My other concern is that Pickford's success may go to his head. In the last two games he was brilliant. I just hope he can keep that up as the England defence has had little to do so far and on a couple of occasions has looked a bit shaky.
