World Cup: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia

@SW-User The last couple of years however... Argentina hasn't been that great. Last time in 2018, they went out against France after a furious game. Probably the best game that they played in the last 8 years. But they only got out of the groupsfases in 2nd place with 4 points. With a draw against Iceland and a win against Nigeria. And a heavy loss against Croatia.

In 2014 they got to the finals... but don't forget, that they played incredible bad football. I remember an awefull game against Belgium in the quarterfinals. That the Belgians lost because they sucked a little bit harder then the other team. And a 0-0 draw in the half finals against the dutch. Only to finally get punished in the finals by the Germans.

@Kwek00 Unbeaten for 36 games though

@SW-User I've not followed the team that closely. But I remember a time that Belgium was number 1 on the FIFA world ranking, because they had draws with weak opponents. What counts is what you do against the teams that actually have the quality. I don't know how many of those Argentina played against. And then there is the way how you win. As I wrote, in 2014 they got to the finals with crappy football just because the other teams didn't finish the job.

@Kwek00 That's true about the FIFA rankings. Belgium losing to Canada to forward to then. 😅

@SW-User Belgium isn't ready for a tournament. I've been pretty open for that for the 4 years. They weren't ready for the Euros, and they are not ready for the world cup. At least on paper we should be able to get out of the first round because of the teams that are in there. But once we meet a really good team, chances of winning are really low. The only thing we can hope for, is that Courtois in the goal catches everything. That's something the Germans also did with a bad team, Oliver Khan pushed the entire team into the finals all by himself. Only to blunder in the finals and get 2nd place. Really sad moment for Oliver. We also have Kevin who might break open the game, but he's a supporting player and I'm not sure if there is a lot of quality that he can support.

@Kwek00 Germany used to be a given to do well with an average team. Sometimes, one player can make the difference. Maradona set Argentina apart from 3 or 4 other teams in 1986.

@SW-User Sure... But Belgium doesn't have a Maradona. Kevin is a totally diffrent type of player. He needs a team. But a goalie that is super consistent can at least keep the 0.

Once Germany gets out of the group fases, they are a force to be reckoned with. They sometimes get out there with incredibly bad football, and for some weird reason they start believing in themselves and they change into a better team. Germany is also always really disciplined and structured and they play as a team. So yeah, if you are average but you play a solid game, then you can be a danger for anyone.

@Kwek00 Is this group of Belgian players just past their prime, or is this their last chance.

@SW-User Some players are past their prime. Dries Mertens is invisible the last 2 years. He used to be a little goal getter for the national team and played really well in Napoli. Jan Vertonghen is 35 years old. Axel Witsel imo has always been overestimated, he slows the game down and now that he's older, it didn't get any faster. Eden Hazard, ... What happened to that guy? He's been injured more then that he played games. And when he plays, he just doesn't get in the game. And Romelu Lukaku, our biggest striker, comes back from injury and hasn't played that much lately. There is even a risk that he falls out as soon as he does an action.

Then you have some old glory like: Toby Alderweireld, Yannick Carrasco, Michy Batshuayi and Thomas Meunier. All players that still have good moments. But they seem to be over their prime.

And then you got some hope for the future like: Leandro Trossard, Hans Vanaken and Youri Tielemans. Like... These players are pretty good, but they are a bit too young to go all the way imo. Youri is a weapon though, with a great shot from long distance.

In overall... Our defense is horendous at the moment. I do think we have 2 of the best goalies of the world though. Courtois and Mignolet are all doing a great job. And Mignolet has been a blast in the first rounds of the champions league, the only reason why Brugge is still in there. Our attack is bad. Our big header (Marouane Fellaini) is not in the selection and just over his prime. And Romelu comes back out of injury. What we have going for us is Kevin De Bruyne, which is still the best midfielder of the world. But he's not a goal getter, he needs to feed strikers that we are seriously lacking.

Also... the last games that I watched... they are not playing as a team. Which is, not something you want when you are just being mediocre. At least a structured team could do something, but they make way to many mistakes. And the defense, is so so so so bad. Which is something you can only compensate with a good fast offense, and that part is just not happening.

But hey, I hope they proof me wrong.

@Kwek00 I thought Tielemans was one of the best players in the Premier League last season. Leicester have struggled this year and Tielemans seems to be focussed on a transfer.

@SW-User He can't do it alone. He's also not Maradonna.

He was already really good when he was still playing for Anderlecht. But I'm not sure if he's going to be good in the system that Martinez wants to play.

Djezes fuck, that we are still paying Martinez is just an incredible shame. But apperently he has a good relationship with the Belgian Football Association. But I dont give a shit about that. The best he did with these players is take bronze. And in the Euros we just got eliminated. Like... Why? Why is this guy still there? Why???