Giving a fine example of 'gegenpressen'. Hardworking,defending as unit in a good shape,then counterattacking. Need to be fit to do it.
Anyone else think they that the Argies would start putting the boot in after the second goal. Disgusting poor losers
Didn't he concede an awful goal then get injured? Goycochea replaced him and singlehandedly got them to the final on penalties.
Yep, let a header from Omam-Biyik through his hands in the opening game v Cameroon, who finished with 9 men I think? His brother, Kana-Biyik got sent off, but mainly remember Massing's red card for a shocker of a tackle on Claudio Caniggia. Mind you, two others had a go during the same move, he just finish it off.
Argentina also had Maradona and Caniggia who both helped a bit. They were bad though. The only decent game I remember them playing was the semi against Italy but they then returned to type in the final.
Thought Croatia were great against a poor Argie side , not so sure about ‘gegenpressen’ I vaguely remember Frank Bough going on about gaganpressin .....or was that something different
Croatia have had a strong side for many years. Usually discipline has let them down. If they can field their strongest 11 throughout the tournament they will be a match for anyone.
I wouldn't say they are worse than that appalling Argie team of '90, who by sheer luck and crook made it to the Final. And its been said that this is one of the poorest Germany sides ever as well, but they've only played one game so far and have we all forgot them being disastrous at Euro '00. And as for Croatia and Luka Modric, they have been very impressive so far.
I think the Germans will come good & are still contenders. Agree Argentina are a very poor team & Messi is not enough to carry them through. Bang on with the Croatians, they don't have strength in depth, so injuries / suspensions will decide how far they could go. I wouldn't rule out semis.
It's a long time ago now however I recall the '90 Argentina side being poor but the influence of Maradona carrying them to the final. Messi hasn't had the same influence this world cup so they look a worse side and will probably be on the plane home after the group stages are done. I agree about Croatia. They could go far in this world cup.
They’re a massively underrated side. They’ve got first choice central midfielders for Barca & Real in Rakitic & Modric. How many other teams in this tournament could have players of that ability? Not many. On top of that Perisic & Mandzukic are quality players & they’ve got a lot of good players playing regular football for decent teams in Serie A & Bundesliga. They were unlucky to lose to Portugal in the last Euro’s after beating Spain in the group They’re the European version of Uruguay, constantly overachieving despite having a tiny population compared to most rivals & not much in the way of facilities for kids to play in.
Less than 5 million people. They are all football mad though. They are like a South American country in that respect. It is a beautiful place. I get to DJ most summers
I heard or read once that: One of the big "things" in Croatia is drinking champagne mixed with your partners urine. The Dinaric Alps (runs through Croatia) has the tallest average populations in the world. I don't know if either are actually true, but they are good stories.