Euro 2012 - Match discussion thread

Sport
1361

Spain didn’t play a single pass into the Portugese penalty area in that second half.

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1362

[quote=“chewy louie, post: 690220”]

I never said play two passes but I felt as the Spanish defence had all shifted over to Ronaldo wary of his threat there was more space right and if the ball wasn’t perfect there was always the opportunity to pull it across goal to the onrushing Ronaldo. Again I wouldn’t blame Meireles for going left but I think the fact it was Ronaldo to his left was the reason he played the pass[/quote]

I think he’s right to take account of the fact it’s Ronaldo. He’s the most likely of the options to score. He can shoot with either foot and he’s the player you want to put in that situation.

I don’t think he could play it right and remove the leftmost defender from the equation.

Decision 8/10
Timing 9/10
Execution 5/10

Still Ronaldo should have done much better.

1363

Bloody hell Chewy, “d” and “m” aren’t even close to each other on the keyboard.

Shocking error that

1364

Another shocking decision in Spain’s favour.

1365

How much were tickets for this game and how many months salary is that for the locals?

1366

With that fluffed pass to Ronaldo, Meireles demonstrated why Kenny Dalglish was so right to dispense with his services last summer in favour of a really top quality ball player like Jordan Henderson.

1367

Not sure and depends how much the locals get paid.

1368

Pepe is the king. :clap:

1369

Rocko, it’s time for your penalty potentials analysis…

1370

Have that Pedro you cunt.

Pepe has been the best player on the pitch tonight.

1371

:rolleyes:

1372

In fairness, this is fairly fucking boring

1373

Some fucking save that :clap:

1374

That was the chance of the match, good save but Iniesta should have scored. Great work from both Pedro and Alba there, made something out of nothing

1375

Yeah, Spain playing like Spain all of a sudden

1376

Portugal running on empty here. Iniesta really taking the game to them

1377

There’s a touch of Rafa Nadal’s ‘doctor’ about Spain getting a second wind here.

1378
  1. Fernando Torres

It might surprise you that Fernando Torres has not taken a penalty in a top level match in five years, but he is raring to go. Looking for redemption after being overlooked in the CL final, we think he will take one here. No early movement at all, he will pick up on that. Wait until his right foot swings back, then dive to your right.

  1. Xabi Alonso

With David Villa out, Xabi Alonso is Spain’s top penalty taker. He is very successful and his only two misses have come at the highest possible level (the 2005 Champions League final, although he did tap in the rebound, and the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup). He is sophisticated, you will have to trick him. Make a motion as if you are preparing to dive, then return to your line. He will line a floater down the middle, right into your hands.

  1. Cesc FĂĄbregas

Also a very good penalty taker and a fascinating research object. His run-up will reveal his strategy. If it starts outside the box, he has got his mind made up. And he will put it to his right, like he did against Italy at Euro 2008. If his run-up is short, he will try to catch you off balance. If that is the case, treat him like he is Xabi Alonso. Fake the dive.

  1. Xavi

Xavi has few doubts and will try to despatch it to his right side. So dive to your left.

  1. Juan Mata

Will he have another try, having missed his last three? We think he might. A left-footed player, he has put his last two to his right and both were saved, including Chelsea’s only miss in the shootout in the Champions League final. We think he is therefore going the other way here. Dive to your right.

  1. Santi Cazorla

He is capable of making it simple for himself by trusting that the goalkeeper will dive to either side and sending his kick straight down the middle. Just stay where you are and call his bluff.

  1. Sergio Ramos

Much has been made of his CL semifinals penalty against Bayern that went into orbit. He clearly wants to entice the goalkeeper to make an early move and when the keeper does not flinch he will try to lift the shot enough to make it harder. Make a high dive to your right.

  1. Fernando Llorente

He has missed four of his last six, so we wonder where is confidence level is at. Under these circumstances, he will look for his favourite bottom left corner. So dive to your right.

1379

Greetings from Marbella. TFKs Spanish correspondant reporting.

The reverence the locals here have for Ronaldo is something to behold. They were shitting themselves when he was taking those free kicks earlier. Lots of gesturing and blessing themselves. Doing a Karagounis if you will.

'Hon Portugal on penalties.

1380

As much as all of you hate Alba and his antics he has been very good tonight.