Euro 2012 - Match discussion thread

Sport
1401

Bruno Alves has not lost a header tonight. Rocko, does he take penalties with his head?

1402

Nani has been anonymous for the last hour or so

1403

I am sure that anyone who is interested in the progress and evolution of football will be shouting for the Portugese to win this penalty shoot out. For the good of the game

1404

fixed

1405

For CLD

  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 Spainā€™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 FƔbregas

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 Chelseaā€™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.

  1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a player that waits for the goalkeeper to move first, so let him chew on it. Stay put as long as you can and force him to decide. Wait, wait and ultimately dive to your right (his left). His last two penalty goals have gone the other way, but so has his last miss. He has missed three of his last five and you have been on fire. Trust us on this one.

  1. JoĆ£o Moutinho

Like Cristiano Ronaldo, JoĆ£o Moutinho is a taker that wants you to make the decision first. He will go in any direction that you are not going in. Like this guy, start dancing. Unlike this guy, keep on dancing. If the onus is left on him, he will probably kick it straight into your hands. Trust us. Take his weapon away from him.

  1. HĆ©lder Postiga

He will give you a long look at first. If you give him an instant reward by moving too quickly (like Englandā€™s David James in 2004), he will punish you with a cheeky finish. Wait until his eyes move from you towards the ball and then make a strong dive to your right (his bottom left corner). That is where he wants to crush it.

  1. Bruno Alves

He is not an experienced taker, but he might be taking a penalty anyway. He is not sophisticated enough to play mind games and is most comfortable putting it into his bottom left corner. So dive to your right.

  1. Nani

A relatively short run-up and then he tries to slot it away to his left (your right) mid-high. That is how he beat you in the 2008 Champions League final. Donā€™t let that happen again and dive sharply to your right.

  1. Ricardo Quaresma

A right-footed taker once again and he has his mind made up. He will go for the bottom right corner (his perspective and your left). Make a strong dive to your left and maybe get a head start, because he puts force on the ball.

  1. Miguel Veloso

Another player that wants you to make the first move early. If you do, he will punish you. If you donā€™t he will, being a left-footed player, aim for his bottom right corner. So dive to your left. He will go low.

  1. Carlos Martins

No mind games here either. He will have his mind made up and shoot to his bottom left corner. Dive to your right, but make a timely move, because he is accurate.

1406

Alonso
Fabregas
Iniesta
Ramos
Pedro

Hope Navas is not given one. Wouldnā€™t fancy him.

Jordi Alba would also be a good shout to take one. What a player heā€™s going to be at FCB next season.

1407

Hoping for a Portugal win anyway. As an aside Portuguese must be one of the most frequently misspelled words around.

1408

Words like ā€˜bottleā€™ and ā€˜lotteryā€™ being bandied about now.

1409

[quote=ā€œsid waddell, post: 690266ā€]
Jordi Alba would also be a good shout to take one. What a player heā€™s going to be at FCB next season.[/quote]

Has he joined? He has been exceptional tonight

1410

I think Spain will win the shootout, more experienced side and have better technical players. Pedro and Arbeloa would be the only ones you wouldnā€™t really have confidence in to score. Ramos missed one v Bayern but you would fancy him to hold his nerve.

A few of the portugal lads are fairly inexperienced and they might struggle with the pressure

1411

Portugal 5-4

1412

Come on Rui!

1413

I have a terrible feeling Spain will win this shootout.

1414

Quick dig at Ronaldo first of course from RTƉ just to get it out of the way.

1415

Navas often takes penalties for Sevilla.

1416

Was your bet 90 minutes or progression?

1417

I suspect Ronaldo will go for the right corner after having two shots saved on the other side in shoot outs.

1418

I wish Chris Waddle was commentating on this tonight.

1419

Yessssss!!! Great save that

1420

great save