This WC should be called "The Demise of the Beautiful Game"..all top countries are worse than they were 30 years ago, Italy, Holland, etc. did not even make it. All you see today are fouls, arguing with the ref and pics poor shooting ...almost 70% of the shots on goal are way above the goal.
The only teams who have improved in the last 30 years are Japan, S. Korea, Tunisia and Egypt .
This WC should be called "The Demise of the Beautiful Game"..all top countries are worse than they were 30 years ago, Italy, Holland, etc. did not even make it. All you see today are fouls, arguing with the ref and pics poor shooting ...almost 70% of the shots on goal are way above the goal.
The only teams who have improved in the last 30 years are Japan, S. Korea, Tunisia and Egypt .
I just wrote a long arse post but I got logged out when I pressed send and it didnt go through
So in short, this has been an enjoyable World Cup. Belgium for me the best team in the tournament but France should go on to win it tomorrow. The World Cup proved that luck is a major factor in winning it, now more than ever. I mean England getting to the semis having beaten only 1 decent team in normal or extra time in Sweden and even then Sweden arent that good. More of a organised team, but individually not good enough. Italy were at their worst period when eliminated but had they reached the tournament and with a different manager we wouldnt get beat by England so easily.
So for me these tournaments have a huge luck factor, but ultimately to win the whole thing you do need ability and champion mentality and no doubt France and even Croatia, with their hugely experienced squad, many players having won and been in latter stages of CL for example, and domestic honours count.
Italy from here need to rebuild. Brining back De Rossi is a backward step, in 2 years time I doubt he will be any good at all as he has already slowed down alot. His experience can count, but Italy need a big shake up. We have talented young GKs and DFs and should utlise that when we rebuild and then try to find the x factor we need up front. Balotelli and Insigne ultimately are not good enough in the long run to win things for Italy, but for now they are players that will get us to tournaments and end on a decent run. Our last 3 Euros have been pretty good. 2 penalty QF exits to Spain and Germany and a Runners up. Hopefully in the build up to 2020 plus the tournament itself Italy can bring itself back into the reckoning.
I just wrote a long arse post but I got logged out when I pressed send and it didnt go through
So in short, this has been an enjoyable World Cup. Belgium for me the best team in the tournament but France should go on to win it tomorrow. The World Cup proved that luck is a major factor in winning it, now more than ever. I mean England getting to the semis having beaten only 1 decent team in normal or extra time in Sweden and even then Sweden arent that good. More of a organised team, but individually not good enough. Italy were at their worst period when eliminated but had they reached the tournament and with a different manager we wouldnt get beat by England so easily.
So for me these tournaments have a huge luck factor, but ultimately to win the whole thing you do need ability and champion mentality and no doubt France and even Croatia, with their hugely experienced squad, many players having won and been in latter stages of CL for example, and domestic honours count.
Italy from here need to rebuild. Brining back De Rossi is a backward step, in 2 years time I doubt he will be any good at all as he has already slowed down alot. His experience can count, but Italy need a big shake up. We have talented young GKs and DFs and should utlise that when we rebuild and then try to find the x factor we need up front. Balotelli and Insigne ultimately are not good enough in the long run to win things for Italy, but for now they are players that will get us to tournaments and end on a decent run. Our last 3 Euros have been pretty good. 2 penalty QF exits to Spain and Germany and a Runners up. Hopefully in the build up to 2020 plus the tournament itself Italy can bring itself back into the reckoning.