Liverpool FC Forum

[Ace Ventura]

Made up for Spain, and you Sabre, the only side that wanted to win did. Thought that Italy did exactly what everyone knew they would do and ruined the game hoping to sneak it.
Martin O'Neill is a pleb of the highest order, he claimed that Italy never played like that intentionally, they and we all knew they would do that from the start, O'Neill makes me cringe with his stupid comments, thank god he is not and never will be our manager.

By the way thought Aragones and his tactics were dire, why not start Alonao after he was MOM last game and you know that Italy will sit back and allow you all the time and space that you want.
Then taking Torres off for Guiza ? Thats disgusting and if i was Fernando i would of choked him with me top.

Still made up for Spain, and cant wait for them to face Russia in a proper game.

[Spanish-Liverpool]

i`m sorry for xabi alonso, but ... marco senna is amazing, the best player defensive in spain.

[Sabre]

I don't share the bad things people say about Italy.

Football is aswell about having a spot on back four, and not concede, people say it's boring, but I respect it.

It's sweet to beat them but I like them. When they won us, and that happened more often than not, they were good winners, never got angry with an Italian after a game.

The Torres substitution is disgusting because it was the 24th time to substitute him in 33 games, which is too much, considering Villa was equally or more exhausted.

As for Senna, I must say he did a good job.

I think you lot saw what Silva is about. Winger yes, knows his tricks yes, but also roams to the middle and to the other wing, mobile and worker.

Thank you again Ace

[ruskiy playmaker]

Spain is so terrible, this system they are trying out without wingers is so ineffective.  I think that Russia will beat them in the group stage.

Come on Rusky, say it again! 

Hell no, I learned my lesson.  But I will still say that it was a mistake not to take any natural wingers to the tournament.  I'd rather have a half fit Vicente on the wings than Iniesta.

[fivecups]

Agreed about Senna - him and Silva were the 2 stand out Spanish players for me - I've never really watched Senna before - who does he play for?

Didn't think Torres had his best match tonight - he doesn't seem to have the same understanding with his international teams as he does with Stevie and Kuyt.

Would like to see the other LFC players more - we haven't had the best Euros so far.

[metalhead]

VAMOS!!! I TOLD YOU SABRE THAT SPAIN WOULD DO IT......NOT

Italian are a f*cking disgrace, did anyone see Di Nataliah how he rolled inside the field when he was on the ground? reminded me of eboue.

Thankfully their luck run out

David Guiza is , how on earth he took out torres, who was a threat and did better than villa today, God knows.

Good win for spain!! woohoo

[Sabre]

Spain is so terrible, this system they are trying out without wingers is so ineffective.  I think that Russia will beat them in the group stage.

Come on Rusky, say it again! 

Hell no, I learned my lesson.  But I will still say that it was a mistake not to take any natural wingers to the tournament.  I'd rather have a half fit Vicente on the wings than Iniesta.

It will be a hell of a game mate, in my country you're the ones to receive more praises.

Russian school have been always quality, players like Karpin were good, but they reminded me to Spain, always could do more than they actually delivered.

It will be difficult to know what will happen. If Russia scores first, we could end up 0-3 because your counter attack is something to fear.

Metalhead: yeh, I saw it, really Italian 

As for Torres, not that he did a bad game, it's just that our slower tempo that seeks to not losing the ball doesn't suit him.

Not that Xavi doesn't know passing fast and direct, is that when you have a team of small guys and weak defending you cannot afford to lose the ball so quickly. I think maybe that's why he suits so well for Liverpool, the high tempo is for him.

Probably Villa is better for the Liga, but Torres will be always better for the premiership IMHO

[Yessicajax]

im glad spain won!!! they made my day (after yesterday)
yahooooooo:D

[Scottbot]

Didn't think Torres had his best match tonight - he doesn't seem to have the same understanding with his international teams as he does with Stevie and Kuyt.

They don't really use him very well tbh mate. This spanish team play a VERY relaxed tempo, they work the ball forward very slowly and always play from the back (even the lofted goal kicks from Cassilas were straight out to the full-backs hugging the touchline). So by the time the ball gets to Torres the rest of his teamates have pushed on, the pitch has got shorter and a lot more crowded and more often than not he was getting short balls passed into feet in very tight areas and that's not what he is about. The only way he could find himself a bit of space was by drifting out to the right and looking for the through ball. There's no doubt we use him a lot better at LFC.

am delighted to see them get through though, i've been shouting at the tv half the night. Italy have done a good job of strangling the life out of every match they've played at this tournament.

As for Senna, he was outstanding tonight. Colossal game.

[Dundalk]

Well done Spain

[Kharhaz]

Russian school have been always quality, players like Karpin were good, but they reminded me to Spain, always could do more than they actually delivered.

It will be difficult to know what will happen. If Russia scores first, we could end up 0-3 because your counter attack is something to fear.

But so is the spanish counter, with Torres and Villa they ripped the russians apart. Spain have played sweden and italy who dont play the way spain would like them too. To say russia play a counter attack would be unfair, against holland they had no choice but to attack because van basten saw the counter threat, with spain it seems to me at least obvious, spain can counter but thats it. They offer nothing else. They have to learn to be more positive or russia will win.

[Spanish-Liverpool]

[Bad Bob]

Didn't think Torres had his best match tonight - he doesn't seem to have the same understanding with his international teams as he does with Stevie and Kuyt.

They don't really use him very well tbh mate. This spanish team play a VERY relaxed tempo, they work the ball forward very slowly and always play from the back (even the lofted goal kicks from Cassilas were straight out to the full-backs hugging the touchline). So by the time the ball gets to Torres the rest of his teamates have pushed on, the pitch has got shorter and a lot more crowded and more often than not he was getting short balls passed into feet in very tight areas and that's not what he is about. The only way he could find himself a bit of space was by drifting out to the right and looking for the through ball. There's no doubt we use him a lot better at LFC.

am delighted to see them get through though, i've been shouting at the tv half the night. Italy have done a good job of strangling the life out of every match they've played at this tournament.

As for Senna, he was outstanding tonight. Colossal game.

Good post, mate.  Torres in a Spain shirt doesn't look a patch on OUR Torres but it's a team game after all and the results are what matter most (that said, Guiza? ).

Not exactly a footballing spectacle tonight but I'm happy with the result in the end.  A limited Italian side did exactly what you'd expect them to and did it well.  I thought Spain would play a lot more up tempo but Sabre's point about the need to keep possession is a good one.  Too bad it makes for a very pedestrian match for us poor schlubs watching it. 

I expect the semi-final to be an interesting encounter.  Spain will be very aware of what Russia have accomplished since they hided them in the first match.  If they can find a way to cut off the supply to Arshavin while keeping their fullbacks occupied rather than marauding forward, I think they've got a shot.  I expect it will be a much more up-tempo, counter-attacking match, though.

[The Manhattan Project]

Manhattan would officially like to complain about John frickin Motson.

Apparently, it's not "Sergio Ramos" it's "RARRRRR-MOSH"

It's not "David Villa" it's "David...VEEEEEEELLLLAAHHH"

It's not "Xavi" it's "JARRRRRRRVEEEEEEEE"

It's not "Daniel Guiza" it's "Daniel GEEEEZZZAHHHH"


I thought David Pleat had resigned from ITV, joined BBC 1 and changed his name to John Motson.


Also, can someone explain to me what the point of Mark Lawrenson is? He sounds bored in every single game.

[Bad Bob]

As usual, we've got some feed over here that has solo English match commentators calling the games (John Helm and the like) and they've had some interesting pronunciations going.  Perhaps Sabre could enlighten us on some of these names:

1) Guiza (Helm has pronounced it like "Gheeta" the past two games)
2) Cazorla (pronounced like "Catola" today)