2014 FIFA World Cup thread, v1

[LEWIS540]

And finally really happy for De Gea. He deserves that call up and has really progressed into one of the best in the world in his three years at United. Hopefully he can make it into the final cut.

He's in- they only named 3 keepers.........doubt he'd have made it if Valdes was available, though I'd have him as #2 regardless.

 

[Nowhere Fast]

He's in- they only named 3 keepers.........doubt he'd have made it if Valdes was available, though I'd have him as #2 regardless.

I find it rather funny that they only take Reina along to be a cheerleader/morale booster.

Does everyone just take 3 Keepers because it's the thing to do or is there a rule that states you need 3?

 

[LEWIS540]

I find it rather funny that they only take Reina along to be a cheerleader/morale booster.

Does everyone just take 3 Keepers because it's the thing to do or is there a rule that states you need 3?

Think they just increased the squad size by one and require 3 GKs (it used to be 22-man squad).

 

[Rawex]

Does everyone just take 3 Keepers because it's the thing to do or is there a rule that states you need 3?

From Guardian.

"Fifa rules apparently state that teams must name three goalkeepers in their squad for the World Cup," writes Joe Diaz. "Has anyone ever used all three, or is it just a complete waste of a squad number?"

Article 26.3 of Fifa's World Cup Regulations (a thrilling read if you have the time) indeed states: "Each association will be required to provide Fifa with a final [squad] list of no more than 23 players (three of whom shall be goalkeepers)." The convention of naming three keepers in a squad goes back to 1934 (the United States had named only one in their squad in 1930).

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/56/42/69/fifawcsouthafrica2010inhalt_e.pdf

 

[Possum Jenkins]

FIFA's "World Cup standards" pretty much necessitate host countries that are able to spend gigantic amounts of money and that the only fans that can afford to go will be either very well-off, or willing to spend their life savings on it.

But these standards don't fall from the sky. They could easily be tapered down. You don't need 10 different cities with 10 stadiums with specific types of seating, a big screen and whatever other crap they require.

Stadium requirements are the biggest money-wasters. Transportation infrastructure can all be used after the Cup is over.

 

[LEWIS540]

FIFA's "World Cup standards" pretty much necessitate host countries that are able to spend gigantic amounts of money and that the only fans that can afford to go will be either very well-off, or willing to spend their life savings on it.

But these standards don't fall from the sky. They could easily be tapered down. You don't need 10 different cities with 10 stadiums with specific types of seating, a big screen and whatever other crap they require.

Stadium requirements are the biggest money-wasters. Transportation infrastructure can all be used after the Cup is over.

Yep

Qatar is going to be even worse- 10 brand new stadiums will be built, and probably never used again.

 

[Possum Jenkins]

I find it rather funny that they only take Reina along to be a cheerleader/morale booster.

Yeah, a lot of teams do that. I think it's more common in South America. They'll take an older guy that's respected so he can be a positive presence in the locker room.

For example, Sebastian Abreu (the guy that scored the final PK against Ghana) served that role in 2010 for Uruguay. His club performance didn't warrant his presence but he was a leader and motivator.

There was talk that they might even take him this year at 37 years of age, but his level is really way too low in comparison to the rest.

 

[edgekiller65]

Yeah, a lot of teams do that. I think it's more common in South America. They'll take an older guy that's respected so he can be a positive presence in the locker room.

For example, Sebastian Abreu (the guy that scored the final PK against Ghana) served that role in 2010 for Uruguay. His club performance didn't warrant his presence but he was a leader and motivator.

There was talk that they might even take him this year at 37 years of age, but his level is really way too low in comparison to the rest.

If anyone's filling Abreu's role this time, that one might be Forlan. Despite playing in Japan, where the competition is easier.

And now, the 30-man provisional Chile squad. The highlight of it is the inclusion of Vidal, despite the fears he might be out of the tournament due to a knee injury. Also, Daspy's idol Canchez is in it.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27396728

Croatia, Netherlands, Australia, Colombia, Greece, Italy, France, Argentina and Portugal have yet to announce at least their provisional squads, with the deadline expiring at midnight in Zurich.

 

[Rawex]

Also, Daspy's idol Canchez is in it.

Well thats it then, Netherlands wont make it out from groupstage just like in 2012 Euros.
:icon_lol:

 

[thebluerider]

i doubt they were all born in swissland. shaqiri wasn't.

 

[thebluerider]

Of their most recent squad of 21 players for the game versus Croatia on March 5, thirteen of them would not have been able to play for Switzerland. They include Drmić, Seferović, Gavranović, Barnetta, Rodr

 

[Wand4Life]

Italy WC Squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain), *Mirante (Parma)

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Paletta (Parma), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Parolo (Parma), Pirlo (Juventus), Romulo (Verona), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), Cassano (Parma), Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Rossi (Fiorentina).



Mostly to be expected, few surprises, 1 gigantic fucking mistake named Cassano.
Darmian, Pasqual, and Romulo are pretty surprising, at least Parolo had a great year.

But Antonio Cassano. Holy fucking shit. Terrible call.
If you want the veteran experience with skill, at least go for a leader of men like Totti.
Cassano better not see 1 second of game time.

 

[Possum Jenkins]

If anyone's filling Abreu's role this time, that one might be Forlan. Despite playing in Japan, where the competition is easier.

And now, the 30-man provisional Chile squad. The highlight of it is the inclusion of Vidal, despite the fears he might be out of the tournament due to a knee injury. Also, Daspy's idol Canchez is in it.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27396728

Croatia, Netherlands, Australia, Colombia, Greece, Italy, France, Argentina and Portugal have yet to announce at least their provisional squads, with the deadline expiring at midnight in Zurich.

Yeah, Forlan probably shouldn't be starting based on form alone. In fact, a lot of Uruguayans are pissed at Tabarez for sticking with pretty much the same people as in 2010. Those guys weren't exactly young back then.

And Canchez is another one of those dudes that turns it up for his national team. He absolutely tore up both England and Germany in the friendlies that Chile played in the last months.

 

[Nowhere Fast]

Italy WC Squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain), *Mirante (Parma)

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Paletta (Parma), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Parolo (Parma), Pirlo (Juventus), Romulo (Verona), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), Cassano (Parma), Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Rossi (Fiorentina).



Mostly to be expected, few surprises, 1 gigantic fucking mistake named Cassano.
Darmian, Pasqual, and Romulo are pretty surprising, at least Parolo had a great year.

But Antonio Cassano. Holy fucking shit. Terrible call.
If you want the veteran experience with skill, at least go for a leader of men like Totti.
Cassano better not see 1 second of game time.

Any big omissions who you would have liked to see get a shot? I think your a Roma fan right, is Alessandro Florenzi any good/deserving of a spot?

I wonder if Balotelli will start. Immobile seems to be tearing it up in Serie A and could be Lewandowski's replacement at Dortmund.

 

[edgekiller65]

Here's Colombia 30-man provisional squad. The big surprise is the inclusion of Falcao, despite having almost all odds against him being ready on time for the World Cup.

Also, here's Portugal 30-man provisional squad. God knows why they called Quaresma. Really.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27402284

 

[CoolPotato]

Italy WC Squad:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Perin (Genoa), Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain), *Mirante (Parma)

Defenders: Abate (Milan), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Darmian (Torino), De Sciglio (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Paletta (Parma), Pasqual (Fiorentina), Ranocchia (Inter)

Midfielders: Aquilani (Fiorentina), Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Motta (Paris Saint Germain), Parolo (Parma), Pirlo (Juventus), Romulo (Verona), Verratti (Paris Saint Germain)

Forwards: Balotelli (Milan), Cassano (Parma), Cerci (Torino), Destro (Roma), Immobile (Torino), Insigne (Napoli), Rossi (Fiorentina).



Mostly to be expected, few surprises, 1 gigantic fucking mistake named Cassano.
Darmian, Pasqual, and Romulo are pretty surprising, at least Parolo had a great year.

But Antonio Cassano. Holy fucking shit. Terrible call.
If you want the veteran experience with skill, at least go for a leader of men like Totti.
Cassano better not see 1 second of game time.

Best state the squad has looked since 2006.

 

[Nowhere Fast]

France have released their squad. No Nasri or Clichy. Surprised Na$ri didn't get the call tbh. Don't know what the hell Sissoko is doing there either.


Goalkeepers: Lloris (Tottenham), Mandanda (Marseille), Landreau (Bordeaux).

Defenders: Debuchy (Newcastle), Sagna (Arsenal), Koscielny (Arsenal), Sakho (Liverpool), Varane (Real Madrid), Mangala (Porto), Evra (Manchester United), Digne (PSG)

Midfielders: Cabaye (PSG), Grenier (Lyon), Matuidi (PSG), Mavuba (Lille), Pogba (Juventus), Sissoko (Newcastle), Valbuena (Marseille).

Strikers: Benzema (Real Madrid), Giroud (Arsenal), Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Ribery (Bayern Munich), Remy (QPR).

Standby: Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Loic Perrin (Saint-Etienne), Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Etienne), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Benoit Tremoulinas (Dynamo Kiev).

 

[edgekiller65]

From what I've seen, he wasn't called due to how much of a troublemaker he is at the French squad. Also, he has talked trash about Deschamps on many ocassions. And lastly, he has sucked playing with le frenchies.

If Evra, a notorious shithead and the leader of the 2010 revolt gets the call and he doesn't, that gotta tell how much of a hassle Nasri is.

 

[Wand4Life]

Any big omissions who you would have liked to see get a shot? I think your a Roma fan right, is Alessandro Florenzi any good/deserving of a spot?

I wonder if Balotelli will start. Immobile seems to be tearing it up in Serie A and could be Lewandowski's replacement at Dortmund.

Yes I'm a Roma fan. Honestly, Florenzi has a long future ahead of him. Right now he doesn't bring quite as much as the other midfielders/attackers that made the cut, IMO.

He's kind of in between, he's been used out wide for both midfield and attack in a 4-3-3 this season (second half of the season mainly just attacking winger). He's versatile and great to have on the roster during the season, but for a short sprint like the WC... I think he would closely miss my personal 23 roster as well. Maybe 1 or 2 key injuries up front away from making the 23, like Giuseppi Rossi.

Forwards: Cassano is toxic for teams. He is by far the big mistake IMO. Replace him with either Totti or Osvaldo. Aside from him, Rossi has been out with his 73rd knee injury, who fucking knows how he will turn up. Immobile, Destro, Insigne are awesome and will rip shit up. Balotelli is... umm... who knows.

Midfield: Aside from picking Romulo (whos Brazilian), I think maybe Diamanti brings more than him. But solid Midfield, this last slot wont see any playing time anyways.

Defence: Picking both Darmian and Pasqual over someone like Criscito is straight up assinine and retarded.
Ranocchia hasn't been good at all this season, and Maggio was so-so and has been out for 3 months with lung issues (so bring him to Brazil's heat and humidity???). Tough call for Abate because Milan played like shit, I'd still bring him though.
I'd replace Darmian with Criscito and Ranocchia with Ogbonna. Instantly. Both of those 2 are flexible with playing FB or CB as well. Pasqual/Maggio wouldn't see much playing time anyways so minor detail.

Good squad though, Italy has a spectacular ability to field an almost totally defensive team while still having massive firepower. That midfield of Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Motta, Verratti...etc, is pure concrete, and yet they can all dominantly create or put it in the net. Tough to play against for any roster, you can guarantee that.

 

[edgekiller65]

And here's the Netherlands 30-man provisional squad.

So...de Jong is back to go full Badr Hari on Xabi Alonso again. And wasn't there a pretty legit Dutch defender at PSG. Why ain't he there?

There's a rumour Argentina's squad hasn't been announced yet due to pressures to sneak Tevez in the squad.