The Official Soccer/Futbol Thread

I don't think they will either, Spain as great as they have been NEED to adapt their way of play. If I were Del Bosque I would make Javi Martinez the midfield destroyer similar to what Marcos Senna was to the Euro 2008 winning side. Perhaps drop Busquets and as much as I love Xavi he is long past his best. Isco, Fabregas or Thiago to be given chances to replace him.

Brazil though on home soil still have to improve drastically for me. Yes they beat Spain but Spain had chances in that final and I do think the humidity played a massive part. The friendly with England just before the Confed cup showed that their defence can be got at with even an average attack. Germany and Holland won't have seen anything from Brazil that will worry them.

As for Messi this will be his final chance at 26 years old to light up a World Cup whilst still in his prime.

 

An international cap is the only thing missing from Messi's resumè.

 

Yep I agree, I don't think he will ever get one either. Argentina have way too many problems both on and off the pitch.

 

It would be a shame if one of the world's greatest footballers never gets the international recognition conferred by a World Cup win, or even a strong performance.

 

Yes it will be, Maradona, Pele, Zidane, and Ronaldo all lead their teams to glory while also bossing an entire tournament and AND final. I don't think Messi is capable of that which is why I always say Iniesta and Xavi are perhaps the 2 men most responsible for Messi's legend. Although I also admit that had Messi played for Spain which he could have done due to rules of residence and him having a Spanish passport he would have gone down as the greatest ever player.

A world cup and 2 Euro championships added to 6 La Ligas, 3 Champions League, 2 Copa Del Rey and a Gold medal at only 26 would have been scary!

 

I think Messi is capable of that and more, if the rest of the Argentine squad was of the same caliber. Spain's biggest strength is the higher relative quality of its entire bench, as opposed to a star or two and a bunch of also-rans. Messi, Higuain and Di Maria are amazing, but the Argentine side of the 90s was better in the aggregate, in my opinion.

 

Argentina can and always do produce players that are on par with the worlds best. Where they have been let down is Politics surrounding the team and coaches. No other top footballing nation would have allowed Maradona to take charge of a friendly game never mind the World Cup finals.

Going back to 2014 - I would have thought that Uruguay could have done something until I saw the qualifying tables. They are in serious trouble.

http://espnfc.com/tables/_/league/fifa.worldq.conmebol/world-cup-qualifying---conmebol?cc=5739

 

It does look bad for Uruguay. A few years back with Forlan in top form they should have been in the top 2-3 for sure. As for Argentina, they should keep Maradona as far away from the team as possible, for a variety of reasons, lol. Having him on the sidelines at the last World Cup was a joke. It may make Argentina feel good about their footballing history, but he's the past, and a distracting past at that.

 

The European leagues are back in full swing with a win by Manchester United & Bayern Mun

 

Yep. I'm feeling pretty good after Deportivo's 1-0 win over Las Palmas de Mallorca this afternoon.

 

Really is a shame what has happened to La Coruña, I still remember
when it was a side that was feared in Europe. Spain really needs
to sort La Liga out and soon. Real and Barça taking most of the TV
rights money can't go on forever.

 

Yeah, it bummed me out last season. Back in April & May, the relegation fight had me glued to my seat. They're my all-time favorites and I'm staying loyal and hoping they dominate the 2nd division and return to La Liga next year.

 

Despite the relegation Depor are still one of Spain's bigger clubs. Still badly run clubs with horrible finances are never too big to fail. Hope they can get back to where they belong next season. Good to see Villareal back in La Liga, now that is club I have huge respect for.

 

I have to admit that having Depor and Villarreal in second felt weird. I'm interested to see how they fare over the course of this season.

 

USA Draws Portugal, Ghana, & Germany.


Today is the MLS Cup.

 

There is some serious competition for the USA in this group. In club news, Deportivo A Coruña is back in 1st place in the Segunda Division. They'll be back in La Liga next season.

 

FC Bayern Munich the Club World Cup Champions.

 

There's no way another Bundesliga team is going to win it all this time around. Man Phew nearly bought it today against Hull.

 

Bayern look very strong again this year, ill be surprised if they don't at least make the final. But then again no team has ever defended their CL title, not even Pep's Barcelona managed it.

 

And if he can't do it, no one can. Lol. Did you just Adebayor's goal for Spurs just now? Brilliant! And they said he was finished! He's still got some fire in him!