GWarner27
Meatballin' in Celtics Stadium
BEL shocked the world, thanks a lot to a post, a ref not tolerating Neymar's dives and most importantly Courtois. Now, they have to put a huge win behind them and play a continent-mate.
FRA, meanwhile, did what it had to against an undermanned URU side who brought its defense, but really couldn't generate any offense besides two set pieces. One was robbed by Lloris before the second biggest threat for La Celeste (a center back) couldn't put the rebound on net, and another was cleared innocently when a penalty was missed. Those two events kept the lead in tact until a goalkeeping error dropped URU behind by two and that was it.
The last meeting was a friendly held in Paris. It was 2015, so the rosters are very different but some players remain. BEL jumped ahead 2-0 in the 1H and added another to take a 3-0 lead before it finished 4-3 in the visitor's favor. Both teams certainly have the firepower, but in a defensive tournament I'm not sure we'll get that type of game.
BEL is the most likely side to get lost in the quarters and sleepwalk into the semis. They survived plenty of BRA possession in their own half, a fair amount in their own box, but were lethally efficient on the counter and that is how you win. BRA had the OG, but i don't think their defense was to blame for KDB's goal as he is so talented and simply took his opportunity. BEL has plenty of offensive talent and they will be a tough matchup for anybody. FRA will get Matuidi back, but Umtiti was hobbling quite a bit and already had a brace on his knee. I think he'll be someone to watch for, but the game-winning goal came off the head of big CB Varane. Pavard has shown he can finish, but I'm not sure what to think about him as a defender so there may be some concern with how this group will match KDB, Lukaku and Hazard.
As for the BEL defense, Meunier will miss due to suspension and that complicates things. I'm not sure about his replacement, but organization has always been a concern for FRA and today's 2-0 victory does not change that. Pogba is great in an open game, which he should have more of an opportunity vs BEL than he did against a defensive team like URU today, but they know that and should focus on limiting that. Griezmann seems to score out of nowhere, which works for Deschamps because they really couldn't handle another guy who needs to control the ball to be effective. Giroud is an aerial threat, but has been largely absent in this tournament after finally breaking into the starting lineup. He won't have a height advantage and is well known by Kompany from their years in the EPL. After writing all that, I'm curious where the goals will come from? Set pieces are the only bigger threat than the defense itself, but those are hard to predict and especially difficult when there isn't a huge size advantage.
Coaching is probably even because both managers have been criticized as much as anyone, both keepers are great and if anything I'd say Courtois has had the better tournament. Courtois didn't play a quality opponent until today, but he was extremely important in the upset victory. That experience has to be valuable, while Lloris saved a tie score today that was vital by denying a crucial momentum switch before halftime. He's been great in the tournament, but hasn't been challenged much and that challenge is likely approaching in the next match.
As I made the title of this thread, I expected FRA to be a favorite. I was struggling to get an idea of how high to go, but after writing all this I am really just hoping to catch something more friendly than a pick 'em. Greed wants +0.25, but I think I'm just hoping to get odds with a draw meaning push.
Thoughts?
FRA, meanwhile, did what it had to against an undermanned URU side who brought its defense, but really couldn't generate any offense besides two set pieces. One was robbed by Lloris before the second biggest threat for La Celeste (a center back) couldn't put the rebound on net, and another was cleared innocently when a penalty was missed. Those two events kept the lead in tact until a goalkeeping error dropped URU behind by two and that was it.
The last meeting was a friendly held in Paris. It was 2015, so the rosters are very different but some players remain. BEL jumped ahead 2-0 in the 1H and added another to take a 3-0 lead before it finished 4-3 in the visitor's favor. Both teams certainly have the firepower, but in a defensive tournament I'm not sure we'll get that type of game.
BEL is the most likely side to get lost in the quarters and sleepwalk into the semis. They survived plenty of BRA possession in their own half, a fair amount in their own box, but were lethally efficient on the counter and that is how you win. BRA had the OG, but i don't think their defense was to blame for KDB's goal as he is so talented and simply took his opportunity. BEL has plenty of offensive talent and they will be a tough matchup for anybody. FRA will get Matuidi back, but Umtiti was hobbling quite a bit and already had a brace on his knee. I think he'll be someone to watch for, but the game-winning goal came off the head of big CB Varane. Pavard has shown he can finish, but I'm not sure what to think about him as a defender so there may be some concern with how this group will match KDB, Lukaku and Hazard.
As for the BEL defense, Meunier will miss due to suspension and that complicates things. I'm not sure about his replacement, but organization has always been a concern for FRA and today's 2-0 victory does not change that. Pogba is great in an open game, which he should have more of an opportunity vs BEL than he did against a defensive team like URU today, but they know that and should focus on limiting that. Griezmann seems to score out of nowhere, which works for Deschamps because they really couldn't handle another guy who needs to control the ball to be effective. Giroud is an aerial threat, but has been largely absent in this tournament after finally breaking into the starting lineup. He won't have a height advantage and is well known by Kompany from their years in the EPL. After writing all that, I'm curious where the goals will come from? Set pieces are the only bigger threat than the defense itself, but those are hard to predict and especially difficult when there isn't a huge size advantage.
Coaching is probably even because both managers have been criticized as much as anyone, both keepers are great and if anything I'd say Courtois has had the better tournament. Courtois didn't play a quality opponent until today, but he was extremely important in the upset victory. That experience has to be valuable, while Lloris saved a tie score today that was vital by denying a crucial momentum switch before halftime. He's been great in the tournament, but hasn't been challenged much and that challenge is likely approaching in the next match.
As I made the title of this thread, I expected FRA to be a favorite. I was struggling to get an idea of how high to go, but after writing all this I am really just hoping to catch something more friendly than a pick 'em. Greed wants +0.25, but I think I'm just hoping to get odds with a draw meaning push.
Thoughts?
