Jesus
Dudes can seriously field a top 3 XI in the world
you suffer from the same problem France does.. all talent but terrible managers.
mastamind89
for consistently updating the thread title
Long shot, but you never know what Conte has up his sleeve. Bit of a mad scientist with tactics at times when tinkering with Chelsea's lineup. The one potential advantage is hosting the first leg at Stamford Bridge. Barca honestly isn't in a great run of form. They were challenged by Valencia in the Copa del Rey semis more than the 3-0 aggregate would indicate. Then have gone out and drawn against the likes of Espanyol and Getafe. Dembele is creeping slowly back to full fitness. If Chelsea can manage to keep a clean sheet at the Bridge, that would do wonders for the squad's confidence. I think Andreas Christensen will be one of the most important players on the pitch. He's shown up defensively time and time again in his club's biggest domestic fixtures. Conte mentioned Alonso will be ready to participate Tuesday, while Bakayoko is almost certainly out. I like him as a player, but he's struggled to transition from Monaco to the Prem. Bakayoko had a shocker against Watford, even before the two yellows and getting sent off in the first half. Perhaps the Yaya Toure comparisons were too much for the Frenchman to handle at this current juncture, but half a campaign isn't enough time for me to give up on his ability to be a successful MF in the EPL.
But a semifinal appearance would not be a disappointment for Belgium, when you consider the field in Russia. Almost everybody has Brasil, France and Germany in some order as the top three. So if Belgium ends up the fourth best team at the World Cup, you have to say that's a positive result regardless of Martinez's managerial capabilities. I've been on De Rode Duivels wagon even prior to the 2014 WC in Brasil. As you know, '14 was the first time Belgium reached a WC quarterfinal. He has a side that is able to keep a clean sheet on any given night, with some combination of Vertonghen, Kompany, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Meunier in front of Courtois, who will be one of the best keepers in the entire tournament. Offensively, Belgium probably advances as far as KdB can take them. He's obviously having a marvelous campaign for City and will be counted on to unlock Lukaku and Batshuayi. The latter is quickly enjoying his spell at Dortmund and heating up at the perfect time to factor internationally. I've posted enough how highly I rate Mousa Dembele. He's like a metronome, unafraid to attack defensive lines and find penetrating angles. I think two dark horse bench contributors could be Yannick Carrasco and Youri Tielemans. We can't say Carrasco is having the best campaign for Atleti and perhaps a move away from Simeone would further his career, but there are few better dribbling substitutes that can turn the tide of a match late in the second half. Tielemans hasn't transitioned from his youth club to Monaco completely smoothly, but keep in mind, the lad is only 20 years of age. Showed he was a bit green last year against United in Europa League. What I like most about the kid is his versatility. Tielemans can play in a deep-lying role but also showed comfort playing further forward when then-Anderlecht manager, Besnik Hasi, deployed him in a more attacking position. He garnered more European experience in CL this year, scoring an away goal against Leipzig in Monaco's first group-stage match.
Sure, PSG could appeal that Kroos was in an offside position and he certainly embellished the foul, but that's a clear penalty. Lo Celso was either inexperienced or unwise to grab the German from the back by the shoulders in that manner. Most refs are going to award a pen for a visible foul of that nature in the box.
2019, brotha. Spurs hold an option to extend Alderweireld's contract another year, but that would trigger a 25.7M release clause (pounds). Tottenham obviously prefers not to do that when Alderweireld can be sold in the open market for double or nearly triple that price.
Shots fired at @Coupé ItIt's been noted before but props to
I've been conditioned by previous OPs to never look out for it
champcruthik
!!! You clearly had your coffee & breakfast this morning.
