FIFA World Cup 2022

[Emanuel]

​ Your bet and love?

​

I am still speechless but obviously proud, after an impressive 6-1 victory by my native country Portugal over Switzerland last night, going towards the quarter-finals then now...

Oh well, perhaps the price to pay when we had (not only) Cristiano Ronaldo or the Italian Serie A best player Rafael Leão as backups?!

The world's top right-back (but also capable of playing either as a full-back or a wing-back on the right or yet left-back) Man City's João Cancelo didn't even have to leave the bench this time...


https://www.foxsports.com/watch/play-612ab9b5a001519​

 

[DLD]

The best thing about Portugal is the perpetually discombobulated Fernando Santos on its sidelines. Both literally and figuratively.

 

[DLD]

To show what I am talking about -- that's the face.

 

[Emanuel]

To show what I am talking about -- that's the face.

LOL : D He realizes the task he has in hands... : ) To satisfy a whole audience with much many stars on the bench and make all them to yet climb altogether in front of the world's eyes... Oh gosh, it will only be for more three matches, that's where is actually his mind, believe me ; )

This victory is most part coming from his own talent this time, he had guts to put Cristiano Ronaldo waiting for his turn and not everyone trying to cancelling the game of the guy everyone already knows how he plays, as usual.

Let alone, better to CR7 a more powerful team than the reverse combination... a win-win, hats off! :- )

 

[DLD]

Actually, I was surprised that he started Ramos instead of Leao. The coach must have known something.

 

[Emanuel]

Actually, I was surprised that he started Ramos instead of Leao. The coach must have known something.

He is connected with pragmatism, conservative approach and less creative risks. I think the critics have helped him to look for the best of his potential as man of his craft.

He has a World Cup to win and his only chance to make history on worldwide sports.

He understands very well more than anyone else this responsibility and momentum.

I think it's all about that. Time to be creative.

He is a smart guy, he knows the secret sauce cannot come with spoilers.

A more predictable formula works for both sides. Information rather useful to the adversary. That's where the thing can become dangerous.

On someone else's hands can be deadly unwelcome.

There's a secret ingredient to succeed as winner on everything in life.


And of course he is the one who closely follows the talent of his players. His job.

 

[DLD]

Der Ball ist rund und das Spiel dauert neunzig Minuten.

 

[Emanuel]

Der Ball ist rund und das Spiel dauert neunzig Minuten.

Very true... : )

And fear... a ***** ; )

How it is possible to be brave one day and to not realize it's all a matter of mindset.
Not technical capacity.
But one doesn't live without the other.

 

[DLD]

It's a simple reversal to the mean.

The Swiss have a sound defense but allowed six goals. And today, the shots just wouldn't go in Portugal. That's sport.

 

[Emanuel]

It's a simple reversal to the mean.

The Swiss have a sound defense but allowed six goals. And today, the shots just wouldn't go in Portugal. That's sport.

It can be a game of luck but also confidence to couple ambition all 90 minutes long from first moment.

When minutes follow to each other they just bring the foreshadowing.

Accurate self-perspective to match more self-awareness and risk, without it no free soup.

It's a balance... with lack of an assertive assessment our weaknesses only lead the increasing size of the obstacle and strengthens our opponent.

 

[DLD]

A world class player's confidence doesn't wane from match to match. Hits and misses on a football pitch are heavily dependent on elements of random luck. Just ask Harry Kane.

 

[Emanuel]

A world class player's confidence doesn't wane from match to match. Hits and misses on a football pitch are heavily dependent on elements of random luck. Just ask Harry Kane.

To once fail is one thing and even such random luck has a cost to pay. The whole English nation is now paying for.

To waste 40%-50% of 90 minutes is prone to be pricey and it has been not only for this other European country but to the careers of all them now, the players and the coach... Back home he will have to keep going on his appeal seized by the usual suspects.

It would have been easier to try to defeat Morocco but from minute one instead. The recipe had been told by the Spanish team just one match earlier.

A Brazilian journalist has written today we should always properly identify where our enemies are and this is unfortunately plain true.

Aggressivity is no less often mandatory to overcome them.

We didn't invent the world.

 

[DLD]

The article is just post-facto gibberish. Yes, all decisions have consequences. With his interview, CR7 knew what he wanted, which is to get out of Manchester. His was a well calculated PR stunt that his handlers approved. And he's always been a primadonna, which is why Ferguson sold him to Real back in 2009. But back then, his antics were tolerated because he could put the biscuit in the basket. In 2022, he has one club goal and a crappy performance rating. Benching him was a necessary and even obvious move.

Blaming Santos, likewise, is idiotic. Morocco scored off one bad mistake by Portugal's best defender and its goalkeeper. I would have started Rui Patricio in the net but it would have been a tight decision. On the pitch, the coach expertly moved the various chess pieces around. The ball just didn't go in. This is what makes humans different from chess or checkers. A coach can get his X's and O's perfectly right but those on the field/pitch still have to be the one putting these plans in action. And they fail more often than not.

 

[DLD]

PS. And I would say the same about Manuel Neuer too. Sometimes you have to bow out gracefully.

 

[Emanuel]

The article is just post-facto gibberish. Yes, all decisions have consequences. With his interview, CR7 knew what he wanted, which is to get out of Manchester. His was a well calculated PR stunt that his handlers approved. And he's always been a primadonna, which is why Ferguson sold him to Real back in 2009. But back then, his antics were tolerated because he could put the biscuit in the basket. In 2022, he has one club goal and a crappy performance rating. Benching him was a necessary and even obvious move.

Blaming Santos, likewise, is idiotic. Morocco scored off one bad mistake by Portugal's best defender and its goalkeeper. I would have started Rui Patricio in the net but it would have been a tight decision. On the pitch, the coach expertly moved the various chess pieces around. The ball just didn't go in. This is what makes humans different from chess or checkers. A coach can get his X's and O's perfectly right but those on the field/pitch still have to be the one putting these plans in action. And they fail more often than not.

It's not the man or men -- a team is not this or that single individual, a couple or even a few of them to blame for, but a long (hi)story of... attitude beyond.

Crosses generations, unfortunately. This is the only one to require replacement indeed ; )

A football/soccer match has 90 minutes to play, waiting for circumstances is not prone to lead anyone to win, we have to make them happen.

Let alone this or that wrong choice.

Rúben Neves is a defender, not the best option to leave Otávio lost, without Wiliiam Carvalho, in the middlefield where the transitions are raised and the deconstruction of a defensive scheme like we already knew Morocco would apply for, had to be implemented.

Raphael Guerreiro used to German League, good to play against Switzerland doesn't serve for anyone else and actually was also a dubious option with the worldclass full back João Cancelo still sit on the bench.

When both (responsible with the goalkeeper for the single failure to let Morocco to have scored the single goal they triggered their victory) were replaced, the result was done and almost 60% of the time had already been expired.

Something to blame and this one I've heard coming from the Stuttgart hero who brought Portugal to FIFA World Cup 1986 in Mexico and a friend of the Portuguese coach BTW...

...on his view:

«the Portuguese game can only open the defense of a team like Morocco based on right-winger and left-winger's labour or the central backs will only be grateful to stop the aerial shower facing the ball in front of their noses instead».

Without mention the eternal typical complex of my native countryfellows... we are not Brits nor Germans, we should know to live to play how we are the best ones of the world to deal with. Leave the aerial ability to those who have natural skills for and literally don't have ours of our very own. As simple as that.

This is a matter of mindset, the one to blame.


Well, not even the presence of the Argentinian referee after his national team's qualification for semifinals, to have refereed for the second time in the same competition 2 out of the total of 5 matches played by the Portuguese national team throughout this World Cup, BTW exactly the ones Portugal lost...

WTH of a coincidence! : D

...but looks like FIFA had no many other referees team available to nominate... LOL

If Otávio, Bruno Fernandes or Pepe were players of another national team as for instance, I wonder if the (hi)story would have been written in the same way... ; ) As hinted from above-posted, England didn't even have the chance to win despite the same number of penalties denied to Portugal in the other quarterfinal of the same day.

https://ge.globo.com/futebol/copa-do...marrocos.ghtml

Is this 'post-facto' article to spot 2 out of 3 penalties not awarded by an Argentinian VAR too, according to the most important Brazilian media network, also mere 'gibberish'...?!

 

[CBS]

Well, not even the presence of the Argentinian referee after his national team's qualification for semifinals, to have refereed for the second time in the same competition 2 out of the total of 5 matches played by the Portuguese national team throughout this World Cup, BTW exactly the ones Portugal lost...

WTH of a coincidence! : D

...but looks like FIFA had no many other referees team available to nominate... LOL

If Otávio, Bruno Fernandes or Pepe were players of another national team as for instance, I wonder if the (hi)story would have been written in the same way... ; ) As hinted from above-posted, England didn't even have the chance to win despite the same number of penalties denied to Portugal in the other quarterfinal of the same day.

https://ge.globo.com/futebol/copa-do...marrocos.ghtml

Is this 'post-facto' article to spot 2 out of 3 penalties not awarded by an Argentinian VAR too, according to the most important Brazilian media network, also mere 'gibberish'...?!

Pretty on the spot. Brazilian press is accurate, there is much right about it.

 

[DLD]

... Raphael Guerreiro used to German League, good to play against Switzerland doesn't serve for anyone else and actually was also a dubious option with the worldclass full back João Cancelo still sit on the bench....


«the Portuguese game can only open the defense of a team like Morocco based on right-winger and left-winger's labour or the central backs will only be grateful to stop the aerial shower facing the ball in front of their noses instead».

Without mention the eternal typical complex of my native countryfellows... we are not Brits nor Germans, we should know to live to play how we are the best ones of the world to deal with. Leave the aerial ability to those who have natural skills for and literally don't have ours of our very own. As simple as that.

?!

You're contradicting yourself. Rafa Guerrero played precisely because he's left-footed and could send crosses into the box. from the left flank And Ramos is 185cm, which is sufficient for a center forward. And Ronaldo is 187, giving Portugal more than reasonable size for crashing the box. And, for set pieces, Pepe is 188 and Ruben Dias is 186.

FWIW, Kane is 188cm and Rashford is 180.

And blaming everything on an Argentine ref is simply poor sportsmanship.

PS. Morocco visited the US last summer, played like crap and was humiliated 3:-0. And Bonou was awful too.

 

[DLD]

Oh, those random bounces of the ball.

 

[NorBro]

killer in FF tonight, one way or the other...but I can't look at Cheetah in a Dolphins jersey.

 

[Emanuel]

You're contradicting yourself. Rafa Guerrero played precisely because he's left-footed and could send crosses into the box. from the left flank And Ramos is 185cm, which is sufficient for a center forward. And Ronaldo is 187, giving Portugal more than reasonable size for crashing the box. And, for set pieces, Pepe is 188 and Ruben Dias is 186.

FWIW, Kane is 188cm and Rashford is 180.

And blaming everything on an Argentine ref is simply poor sportsmanship.

PS. Morocco visited the US last summer, played like crap and was humiliated 3:-0. And Bonou was awful too.

I don't think the Brazilian press' article is blaming the nationality of the referee at all, even though the referee team came from the ones who qualified themselves to the semifinals and are their neighbour eternal rivals.

Without mention the Portuguese national team haven't had the 2 penalties awarded for foul play committed within the 18-yard box against zero to touch the winner and that tells enough about a lot. Go figure if this would have happened with some other national team ?!

Fact.



But you didn't see me to even blame it to begin with. On the contrary.

Who mentioned the aerial ability was Carlos Manuel (I simply agree with him), a legend player responsible for the qualification to FIFA World Cup/Mexico '86. Take a look on that video posted in the previous page against Germany and everyone can see the talent of him on his 27 years old period.

This discussion goes much beyond the height in sports! It's even funny to read it because I presume you type from the States and the way you approach it, is prone to be likely seen coming from the North American culture I actually know very well when I work with the other side of the Atlantic in a daily basis : )

That's the typical Portuguese game. And he said it quite well. On that goal you can also see what the Portuguese player is able to do. You CAN do it with wingers and not trying the aerial skills anyway. This is truly misleading. The Portuguese trying to mimic where some other ones are better than us already for generations!

You wrote: "could send crosses into the box". Exactly the road Carlos Manuel said they shouldn't have followed. BTW he has been coach too, not only a legend of the Portuguese football/soccer as the Stuttgart hero.

I didn't contradict myself. Just the opposite! : )

Raphael Guerreiro is used to German competition, he was born abroad, he has NEVER played in the Portuguese league, only to make mention of it. He is a very valuable player to compete against... Switzerland but could be against the Brits too, as for instance, not a jack-of-all-trades! A worldclass full-back like the Man City's João Cancelo (coming from the schools of Benfica, not my team but is still worth a mention ; ) who also is positively competent as wing-back but closer to the Portuguese game had been a much interesting choice IMHO.

As much as rather than Rúben Neves, more defensive player (against Morocco?) taking the place of William Carvalho when everyone could follow the way him and Otávio had the chance to show their game playing together and both play like the Portuguese players are used to since ever.

And not because they were part of the triple responsible for the failure against the superior Moroccan striker hung in the air to score the single goal of the victory designed in that precise moment...



But my point is still another one, the attitude I aforementioned.

I realize not easily perceptible to foreigners but it is there. Some people call it in Portuguese with the adjective "descansado", too relaxed. Players cannot take Valium before a match, isn't it? LOL

Sometimes this self-defense strategy is to hide the excessive worry or... fear. Lack of self-confidence is too often masked by pretentious too much self-esteem also. The 6-1 didn't help either. Fernando Santos knew it above all. His first words when the match against Switzerland ended. We had to low all the euphoria.

You know what? If this same team would play against Morocco again they would be able to humiliate them next day. Why not in the FIFA World Cup then? That's the million-dollar question.

That's all about that. Attitude. Response to pressure, no less... You'd have to be Portuguese or live in Portugal to realize how fair this perspective is. We had to be aggressive from minute one, we didn't. We thought we had to play carefully, waiting for luck or playing à la Morocco. Very typical of this coach TBH. The absence of risk. Exactly the opposite he did in the precedent match. Too much for him, I'm afraid, not exactly his fault. Hey, people don't need to be the Superman! : D



Pure balanced criticism :- )