The Confederations Cup Thread/ City Player Watch.

[davymcfc]

Navas was brilliant when he came on. He made so many runs that were ignored by xavi and iniesta. If Spain would have scored the penalty it might have got them back in the game but they just looked absolutely knackered. I'm happy with Jesus this tournament though. It has now got me really excited to see him at city.

Brazil deserved the win tonight and I'm really looking forward to the World Cup next year. Really good tournament although the trophy presentation took an absolute age.

 

[Malty]

Navas looks a good pickup for the City. He will fit in well in the EPL

 

[Castiel]

I agree he will never be the player he was. Just the Torres bashing does get a bit boring,especially when he's just collected a Golden Boot in this tournament

You should see the 340 page (and counting) thread on our forums.

 

[Plaything of the gods]

Navas was brilliant when he came on. He made so many runs that were ignored by xavi and iniesta. If Spain would have scored the penalty it might have got them back in the game but they just looked absolutely knackered. I'm happy with Jesus this tournament though. It has now got me really excited to see him at city.

It seemed that the Barca boys just liked to pass short to each other, and down the left. If Spain had included him in their game in the first half, I think they might have won. I'm sure City will make much better use of him.

 

[FisHman99]

Navas was brilliant when he came on. He made so many runs that were ignored by xavi and iniesta. If Spain would have scored the penalty it might have got them back in the game but they just looked absolutely knackered. I'm happy with Jesus this tournament though. It has now got me really excited to see him at city.

It seemed that the Barca boys just liked to pass short to each other, and down the left. If Spain had included him in their game in the first half, I think they might have won. I'm sure City will make much better use of him.

he didn't come on till the 52 min.

 

[SWP's back]

Brazil played out of their skins tonight.

But Del Bosque got his team selection wrong.

Mata and Torres should not have started. It really is incredible that Torres is in the Spanish national squad

He was Spain's and the tournaments top goal scorer

Because they beat a pub team 10 nil

Even that gypo you signed would be top scorer after that game and playing up front on his own for Spain.

 

[BlueAnorak]

Spain clearly missed the injured Alonso, but also it showed like the BM vs Barca Champions League semi that Xavi at 33 has now clearly lost a yard or two of pace - proving that he is on the way down from the peak of his career. Yes he can last another 3+ years but he will have to be rested and rotated much more frequently. Don't understand for the life of me why Bosque hasn't played Maretinez more as he was frankly superb for Byern Munich last season. Still if only England had these problems...

 

[Deleted member 52846]

Impressive performance from Brazil but Spain looked jaded from their Semi Final game against Italy.

They looked jaded in the semi final game too.<br /><br />-- Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:38 am --<br /><br />

Spain clearly missed the injured Alonso, but also it showed like the BM vs Barca Champions League semi that Xavi at 33 has now clearly lost a yard or two of pace - proving that he is on the way down from the peak of his career. Yes he can last another 3+ years but he will have to be rested and rotated much more frequently. Don't understand for the life of me why Bosque hasn't played Maretinez more as he was frankly superb for Byern Munich last season. Still if only England had these problems...

Martínez isn't the one to replace Xavi, he needs to replace Busquets who I haven't seen have a good game for about fourteen months. Fabregas is the man to replace Xavi in that Spain team. For some reason Barça and Spain think he's an attacking midfielder or even someone to play in a front three (barmy!), when he played probably the entire eight years he had at at Arsenal in Xavi's role.

 

[carlos tevez is a blue]

I've never seen Pedro have a good game.

You can't have seen him play then.

 

[NipHolmes]

Del Bosque should have started with Pedro on the left, Navas on the right and played Fabregas through the centre as false number 9.

Arbeloa, Mata and Pique were all either poor or anonymous. Brazil were made to look better than they were and Spain lacked any urgency in their pressing and movement. It's the worse I've seen them playbin recent times and was akin to Barca v Bayern. The way to beat Tika Taka is direct explosive movement. Get the ball and batter ram into their half. Neymar and Fred we clinical and that helped take advantage of Spain. I thought Casillas and Iniesta played well.

As for the poster who says he's never seen Pedro play well. Watch the lad more and you'll see why he's ranked highly. Pace, finishing and movement is world class.

 

[Danamy]

Spain were on the beach last night, just like City were against Norwich last game of the season.

I think people are reading too much into last nights game, Brazil wont even reach the Semi's next year.

 

[carlos tevez is a blue]

Spain were on the beach last night, just like City were against Norwich last game of the season.

I think people are reading too much into last nights game, Brazil wont even reach the Semi's next year.

It's more than likely they will.

 

[Syth]

Spain were on the beach last night, just like City were against Norwich last game of the season.

I think people are reading too much into last nights game, Brazil wont even reach the Semi's next year.

It's more than likely they will.

With the luck of the draw - probably. Otherwise, no they won't. Spain, Germany and Argentina all are better in my opinion and in a WC game will beat Brazil. Italy have a bigger chance of reaching the semi's than Brazil in my opinion.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Sorry lads but Spain got put firmly in Brazil's pockets last night.

They got 'Bayern'd' in much the same way Barcelona did.

Press, press, press. The 'Spanish' style doesn't like it.

Also, as noted a few times with Barcelona, when the game doesn't go the 'usual' way, they don't have the mental strength to do anything about it (v the better sides). Their heads fall off.

Brazil were very very worthy winners.<br /><br />-- Mon Jul 01, 2013 3:05 pm --<br /><br />

Spain were on the beach last night, just like City were against Norwich last game of the season.

I think people are reading too much into last nights game, Brazil wont even reach the Semi's next year.

Spain had the chance to win a competition, lay down a serious world cup marker, beat the Brazilians in their own backyard and keep their undefeated record alive.

City had absolutely fuck all to play for.

The comparison is silly Dan.

 

[pee dubya]

Spain were on the beach last night, just like City were against Norwich last game of the season.

I think people are reading too much into last nights game, Brazil wont even reach the Semi's next year.

It's more than likely they will.

With the luck of the draw - probably. Otherwise, no they won't. Spain, Germany and Argentina all are better in my opinion and in a WC game will beat Brazil. Italy have a bigger chance of reaching the semi's than Brazil in my opinion.

I think you're underestimating the effect of the tournament actually being in Brazil.

 

[supercrystal7]

Spain were on the beach last night, just like City were against Norwich last game of the season.

I think people are reading too much into last nights game, Brazil wont even reach the Semi's next year.

It's more than likely they will.

With the luck of the draw - probably. Otherwise, no they won't. Spain, Germany and Argentina all are better in my opinion and in a WC game will beat Brazil. Italy have a bigger chance of reaching the semi's than Brazil in my opinion.

I don't see why Argentina are being so hyped. The favourites for me will be Germany and Brazil. Germany will probably be the best in the world at the time, but Brazil have home advantage. Spain are reliant on Xavi as are Barcelona. If his form does not pick up then Spain won't win. Brazil, Italy and Germany are likely to all be a lot better this time next year.

Spain also have the problem with their first choice players the Barcelona lot and Silva not playing the same style of football as the more direct guys like Mata, Martinez, Navas

 

[NipHolmes]

Spain will still be favourites for the WC and rightfully so. They have been awesome for years and they will learn from last night and make sure it won't happen again.

If I was Del Bosque I'd 100% use Llorente and Negredo as options when they introduce Navas and Pedro as wingers.

 

[Syth]

It's more than likely they will.

With the luck of the draw - probably. Otherwise, no they won't. Spain, Germany and Argentina all are better in my opinion and in a WC game will beat Brazil. Italy have a bigger chance of reaching the semi's than Brazil in my opinion.

I don't see why Argentina are being so hyped. The favourites for me will be Germany and Brazil. Germany will probably be the best in the world at the time, but Brazil have home advantage. Spain are reliant on Xavi as are Barcelona. If his form does not pick up then Spain won't win. Brazil, Italy and Germany are likely to all be a lot better this time next year.

Spain also have the problem with their first choice players the Barcelona lot and Silva not playing the same style of football as the more direct guys like Mata, Martinez, Navas

Argentina have the players available to reach a Final in my opinion and Messi will be as motivated as ever. I agree with what you said about Germany though the only problem I see for them is the heat and humidity in Brazil. If they manage to get used to it quickly then I can't see anyone stopping them.

Spain next year I believe will have some new faces in the squad, or at least they need to. Isco and Thiago have what it takes to get into that team in my opinion and they are needed. Their speed and dribbles will help Spain quite a lot. We'll see though, 1 year especially in football is a lot of time.

 

[bluesmith]

Spain will still be favourites for the WC and rightfully so. They have been awesome for years and they will learn from last night and make sure it won't happen again.

If I was Del Bosque I'd 100% use Llorente and Negredo as options when they introduce Navas and Pedro as wingers.

Spain are not even close to Favouritism, Brazil are much Shorter at a best priced 7/2, Spain are 4th favourites behind Argentina and Germany at a best price 6/1.

 

[Unknown_Genius]

Brazil saved their best performance until last yesterday, very impressive and worthy winners. The key was stopping their fullbacks from attacking, by really pressing them high up the pitch. Spain ended up being too narrow, and could do little with the ball attacking wise.

As for Brazil being WC favourites, that win will give them great confidence that they can beat anyone on the day. They showed they can rise to the occasion. Don't forget their formidable home record either.