ponsaelius

Very harsh penalty.

It's partly the format. Genuine contenders know they can ease their way in as there's almost no chance of going out in group stages. Smaller teams know one good win and you're through - which is the peak of their ambitions really. 16 team format has far more jeopardy from day 1 - which can be to the benefit of hitting ground running along with tighter quality. But there are trade offs in that final group games can be genuine dead rubbers - which is actually almost impossible in this format.

Nah I don't personally, international tournaments are always imperfect in terms of football. Maybe it's just more noticeable as club football has become so efficient. There is always some absolute stinking games at tournaments as well - Qatar started with loads but ended up being class. The only thing I would say is the big teams have been pretty disappointing except Spain/Germany, but on the other side I've been genuinely entertained by Poland and Slovakia which is a minor miracle so it has balanced out.

WC2014 massively fizzled out in the knockouts, IMO a very overrated tournament. Think the last two world cups were both better for me if you ignore vibes bias. In terms of Euros I think they're always good pretty with the exception of 2016 which was a massive anomaly in terms of being very low scoring.

That's every international tournament though. And honestly for me as usual it's made it more entertaining - club football and the well oiled possession machines have more quality to the detriment of entertainment.

You think? I think there's been loads of good games. Those involving big teams probably been the least enjoyable.

Was gonna say the same, they've both been proper going for it to be fair to them. It's interesting comparing to 2016 when everything was so cagey because you could get through with draws. Now teams seem to have cottoned onto the fact that one win basically gets you through - so might as well go for it.

Well the two CBs have been their best outfield players so far, and along with Donnarumma only thing that stopped them getting hammered yesterday (even acknowledging the unfortunate own goal, which was more death by a thousand cuts given the pressure). Buongiorno is also left footed for what it's worth - so I'm not sure he'd a great fit even though he's a very solid player. I think if any of them were right footed (Scalvini got injured pre tournament) they'd be playing a back 3, and tbh probably should do anyway given the struggles in midfield and wide areas.

For what it's worth, I think he's very good.

It was good shite. Sometimes games are like that. Limited quality but competitive all the same and watchable enough due to commitment of the teams. Felt like there was a winner in it right until the end.

Switzerland for being sort of billed as a 'better than sum of their parts' outfit are actually very much a 1 man team. If you stop Xhaka passing they are completely neutralised (lel). If he's on it they can look quite a smooth outfit.

Iling Junior is a winger who has played wing back in a 5 man midfield. Definitely wouldn't say he's a left back.

I don't think it's a foul. If anything defender runs into him and then momentum carries him. Just sloppy defending IMO.

Chance they might not be able to TBF. Any country that size is going to go through peaks and troughs. Every chance they go the way of a Czech Republic.

Fair play to Ronaldo for still keeping himself in shape but a low block defending him up top at 40 doesn't half make for a boring watch.

Still can't believe how much PSG paid for Kolo Muani last summer.

Midfield is a bit meh I think, I am doubtful Kante still has it.

Wouldn't be surprised if Trubin is in nets next game.

I don't understand why if you were Ukraine you would have Zinchenko at left back rather than midfield. Especially when you have Mykolenko who is OK.

Love some of the journeymen you get at tournaments. Stanciu has won league titles in Romania, Belgium, Czech Republic and China. Now playing in Saudi.

Looking forward to seeing a bit of Sudakov.

One of my all time favourite players, great to see him back amongst it.

Deserved for Slovenia for me

Yeah don't disagree, more noting the difference in perspective. He's going to Inter on a free this summer fwiw.

Maybe I'm just a saddo who watches too much football but I do find posts like this funny as if he's an unknown youngster, rather than a near 100 cap veteran with 350 games for Napoli. Admittedly Poland have usually stink out tournaments when they get there.