Confederations Cup 2013

[Cocacolajojo1]

Some of Iniesta's play tonight, taking on five players & running down blind alleys, was appalling.

I haven't seen the game but when I read this sentence, it just about summed up Spain since 2008 for me. Giving the ball to Iniesta has been Del Bosque's "secret" tactic all along. I'm happy (although not for Iniesta who's an amazing player) that it didn't work. Spain deserves another manager IMO. Del Bosque's such a..... care-taker manager, for lack of a better term . He does what he has to but his main preoccupation seems to be not to fuck up and play it safe.

[Ted Hughes]

Some of Iniesta's play tonight, taking on five players & running down blind alleys, was appalling.

I haven't seen the game but when I read this sentence, it just about summed up Spain since 2008 for me. Giving the ball to Iniesta has been Del Bosque's "secret" tactic all along. I'm happy (although not for Iniesta who's an amazing player) that it didn't work. Spain deserves another manager IMO. Del Bosque's such a..... care-taker manager, for lack of a better term . He does what he has to but his main preoccupation seems to be not to fuck up and play it safe.

He is a very lucky man to have managed the national team at a time when they have had so may exceptional players, & so many who played for the same team and were completely comfortable in a successful style.

Steve McClaren could have managed that team, just by staying at home & leaving a cardboard cutout of himself on the bench.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

That was thoroughly enjoyable. Loved seeing a team take the game to Spain and Brazil battered them. They were int heir faces from the off. Played a high line and gave Spain no time on the ball.


But wow, Neymar is some player, just look at the way he took his goal last night as well as his previous 3 this tournament. Him and Messi in the same team- outrageous. Looking forward to seeing him in the Champions League.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

The glee at the loss of that shower of cheating Spanish wankers to that shower of cheating Brasilian wankers beggars belief. I believe Nietzsche dubbed it ressentiment. So much for the 'beautiful game'.

I wouldn't go that far. Most on here don't care enough for international football to project their own shortcomings on the Spanish national football team. I'd dub it getting sick of Spain winning everything in sight.

Also, beauty, eyes of the beholder etc.

Yes, you make a good point.

[Saul Goodman]

Interesting. I thought Iniesta was the only bright spot for Spain..

[Bluemoon16]

Bring on the Etihad Cup next year