It Could Get A Bit Messi In Here - The Football Thread.

Dang, Hummels definitely demonstrated why he is playing despite the fact that the announcers seem to mention his "lack of pace" about once every fifteen seconds.
 
GingerLaw92 said:
Dang, Hummels definitely demonstrated why he is playing despite the fact that the announcers seem to mention his "lack of pace" about once every fifteen seconds.
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Lack of pace is kinda irrealevant when the opposition doesn’t try to turn you. He looked like he was running in treacle against the French.
 
Joe Mac said:
Lack of pace is kinda irrealevant when the opposition doesn’t try to turn you. He looked like he was running in treacle against the French.
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True, I think I'm a bit nostalgic when it comes to the German team so it always makes me happy to see Hummels in there. I miss the old days though with Mertesacker back there.
 
GingerLaw92 said:
Yep, exactly. Those were the days when you always felt pretty relaxed about the German defense. That certainly isn't the case anymore.
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Probably the quality of the defenders and style of play since 2014 has changed. Germany's defenders bar Hummels are not as good. Also the weakness of having to put Kimmich at RB leaves them open in the middle when there used to be Khedira and Schweinsteiger holding that down so solidly. Kimmich should really be there alongside Goretzka but who would go in at RB?

So many squads are now playing with 70%+ possession and any mistake by a defender can cause instant counters and fluke goals.
 
All the pining for Mertersaker is making me laugh, he was slower at 18 than Hummels is now and he had the turning circle of a double decker bus. I just remember he being continually embarrassed by balls in behind at Arsenal.

He was playing behind a much much better midfield in terms of protecting him when lining up for the national team.
 
Joe Mac said:
He was playing behind a much much better midfield in terms of protecting him when lining up for the national team.
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Right, and he was great behind that midfield, Arsenal's play style and Germany's were different. Same reason why Xhaka was unplayable yesterday but gives away yellow cards for fun on Arsenal.
 
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wokeupnew said:
Right, and he was great behind that midfield, Arsenal's play style and Germany's were different. Same reason why Xhaka was unplayable yesterday but gives away yellow cards for fun.
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True but it’s hard to call him top class with that deficiency in his game though. It restricts a team in that they have to babysit him by sitting deeper or risk what used to happen at Arsenal. The last real top quality German defence that I remember was back in the 90s with the likes of Kolher and an aging Mattheus (or Sammer) as sweeper. Babbel was a really good centre half on his day too.
 
Well that’s done and dusted. I’m kinda almost glad for Kane because the press in England are bastards. England have a great chance of boring their way to the final now.
 
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