It's incredible that Brazil is about to play a 1/4 final of a WC with a #9 who has not scored once in the tournament. Is he getting shredded by the media over there?
Yes, it's been confirmed this morningIs Marcelo playing?
Which is interesting given the first thing people talk about when referencing Firmino is his workrate and intelligence (well, aside from his teeth). I just can't see why Jesus continues to start despite Firmino being better in basically every possible way.For what I have read, he is not getting shredded quite yet because his work rate seems vital to Tite's system and to compensate for Neymar and Coutinho's shortcomings. Same with Willian. However Firmino is getting more and more praise and if Jesus fails to contribute significantly and Brazil go through, Tite will probably switch
Danilo is out for the tourney so Hazard vs Fagner is a big advantage. Very little drop off from Casemiro to Fernandinho.
Be interesting to see if Tite tries Firmino to start but he may not want to mess with things.
Belgium appear to be at full strength but will have decisions to make after getting outplayed by Japan until Chadli and Fellaini came on for Mertens and Carrasco...Fellaini is generally regarded as an "option" player best suited to changing the game as a sub....
I have the urge to say something derogatory about Courtois but i'm a Chelsea fan and i'll leave it be...
I don't have faith in Belgium to win when it counts so I'll take Brazil...yeah may have just cursed the Brazilians with that..
It's basically Neymar rage. People just want to see him out, it clouds judgement.I'm surprised Belgium is winning this poll.
I'm surprised Belgium is winning this poll. On paper they look incredible. But on the pitch? They're good at pummeling lesser sides, but when have they ever won against a team of Brazil's calibre?
Brazil under the current coach managed to defeat:
Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela; Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Russia, Austria; Mexico, Costa Rica; Japan, Australia.
Belgium under the current coach managed to defeat:
England* (B team vs B team), Bosnia, Czechia, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus, Gibraltar; Egypt, Tunesia; Costa Rica, Panama; Japan, Saudi Arabia.
Brazil also have some draws and defeats against South American sides on their record, but at least they have demonstrated the ability to defeat quality opponents. Belgium on the other hand have not demonstrated that ability in the games they had under Martínez against Spain, Portugal and Mexico (plus Russia and the Netherlands). Of course they can win nevertheless, but what makes the majority of voters here assume they really will? They still look a bit like an unproven commodity to me.
I voted because of that.It's basically Neymar rage. People just want to see him out, it clouds judgement.
Plus the underdog factor. I can't bring myself to vote for teams I don't like. I would make a piss poor sports gambler.
I voted Belgium because I want Lukaku to come up big in a big game and if he does I think they'll win.
And that with that Japanese goalie...I don't know, I figured he would bang a hat trick against Japan and do his usual disappearing act against big teams afterwards. But to see him miss sitters against Japan just threw me off completely.