The Official Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup thread

[AZOffaly]

First game of their World Cup campaign against a good Bosnia side, I'd suggest a win was a good start for them regardless how emphatic or not.

Win is a great result for them, but they have a lot to improve on. I'm sure they will, but I'm not sure that Messi is actually 100% fit.

[AZOffaly]

Soccer tacticians, answer me this question. Why did, or would, England not simply say to Jordan Henderson (as a very energetic player) "Listen Jordan, I don't give a shite if you don't kick a ball today, but your job, your only job, is to make sure Pirlo does not play a forward pass all day. Get in his face, follow him wherever he goes, and make him play the ball backwards if he gets it at all"?

What am I missing? Henderson would have the legs for this, but the English midfield seemed to be caught in two minds (just like the last time they played Italy) and were content to let Pirlo drop off, and pick the ball up in the centre circle and then direct the traffic. I'd have been welded to him if I was Henderson.

[Billys Boots]

Do you really think that's the way to deal with Pirlo - do you somehow imagine that no-one has tried that before, can you not see that Pirlo doesn't need space to do what he does?  You have to stop thinking about junior hurling to understand. :p

[Milltown Row2]

Good job I didn't take the advice that was being fired around last week

Back all 1st round games as draws....

Yes guilty, but generally that has been the norm, and this has been an exceptional World Cup with so many teams going for an open approach to their game

[AZOffaly]

Do you really think that's the way to deal with Pirlo - do you somehow imagine that no-one has tried that before, can you not see that Pirlo doesn't need space to do what he does?  You have to stop thinking about junior hurling to understand. :p

It would make it more difficult for him. Everyone needs some sort of space. Be aggressive and in his face. Make him play the ball backwards. What's wrong with that?

[johnneycool]

Soccer tacticians, answer me this question. Why did, or would, England not simply say to Jordan Henderson (as a very energetic player) "Listen Jordan, I don't give a shite if you don't kick a ball today, but your job, your only job, is to make sure Pirlo does not play a forward pass all day. Get in his face, follow him wherever he goes, and make him play the ball backwards if he gets it at all"?

What am I missing? Henderson would have the legs for this, but the English midfield seemed to be caught in two minds (just like the last time they played Italy) and were content to let Pirlo drop off, and pick the ball up in the centre circle and then direct the traffic. I'd have been welded to him if I was Henderson.

Cannavaro I think believed man marking Pirlo would be the wrong thing to do as the other Italian midfielders would thrive in the more space left by someone man marking Pirlo. He might just know a bit more about Pirlo and defending than me so I'll not argue with that theory.

Whilst England have moved slightly away from the long ball (Stevie Hollywood pass Gerard excepted) they're still not comfortable enough to take the ball whilst surrounded by the opposition, so they're a bit across the pitch and back for me, possession yes, but going nowhere.

[AZOffaly]

Soccer tacticians, answer me this question. Why did, or would, England not simply say to Jordan Henderson (as a very energetic player) "Listen Jordan, I don't give a shite if you don't kick a ball today, but your job, your only job, is to make sure Pirlo does not play a forward pass all day. Get in his face, follow him wherever he goes, and make him play the ball backwards if he gets it at all"?

What am I missing? Henderson would have the legs for this, but the English midfield seemed to be caught in two minds (just like the last time they played Italy) and were content to let Pirlo drop off, and pick the ball up in the centre circle and then direct the traffic. I'd have been welded to him if I was Henderson.

Cannavaro I think believed man marking Pirlo would be the wrong thing to do as the other Italian midfielders would thrive in the more space left by someone man marking Pirlo. He might just know a bit more about Pirlo and defending than me so I'll not argue with that theory.

Whilst England have moved slightly away from the long ball (Stevie Hollywood pass Gerard excepted) they're still not comfortable enough to take the ball whilst surrounded by the opposition, so they're a bit across the pitch and back for me, possession yes, but going nowhere.

I think I'd take my chances with the others beating me to be honest. Until someone else proves they can pull the strings like Pirlo, I'd be happy enough to take him away as an influence. That being said, I'm sure Cannavaro knows the other Italian midfielders better than I do, but Jaysus everything goes through Pirlo.

[Billys Boots]

The vast majority of his passes, as I see it anyway, are 5-10 yards long - and many of them are played while someone is in his face or in someone else's face.  He expects to be closely marked and watched - his mojo is tiring out those who are seeking to mark him by pinging short passes relentlessly around them.  I'm assuming that 'markers' tire very quickly of that scenario - my father would call it a 'minding mice at a crossroads' task. 

[Milltown Row2]

Soccer tacticians, answer me this question. Why did, or would, England not simply say to Jordan Henderson (as a very energetic player) "Listen Jordan, I don't give a shite if you don't kick a ball today, but your job, your only job, is to make sure Pirlo does not play a forward pass all day. Get in his face, follow him wherever he goes, and make him play the ball backwards if he gets it at all"?

What am I missing? Henderson would have the legs for this, but the English midfield seemed to be caught in two minds (just like the last time they played Italy) and were content to let Pirlo drop off, and pick the ball up in the centre circle and then direct the traffic. I'd have been welded to him if I was Henderson.

Cannavaro I think believed man marking Pirlo would be the wrong thing to do as the other Italian midfielders would thrive in the more space left by someone man marking Pirlo. He might just know a bit more about Pirlo and defending than me so I'll not argue with that theory.

Whilst England have moved slightly away from the long ball (Stevie Hollywood pass Gerard excepted) they're still not comfortable enough to take the ball whilst surrounded by the opposition, so they're a bit across the pitch and back for me, possession yes, but going nowhere.

I think I'd take my chances with the others beating me to be honest. Until someone else proves they can pull the strings like Pirlo, I'd be happy enough to take him away as an influence. That being said, I'm sure Cannavaro knows the other Italian midfielders better than I do, but Jaysus everything goes through Pirlo.

A lot of it might come down to pride ffs, we are England we'll play our game and let them worry about us!!!!

[AZOffaly]

Seems Paul Scholes agrees with me. At least I'm not on my ownio.

Paul Scholes exclusive: Fergie's tactics can be used to stop the world's greatest playmaker, Pirlo

In his latest column for the Paddy Power Blog, the 66-times capped England international looks at the heat factor in Manaus, the issues down the right for England and how Danny Welbeck could play a huge role...

by Paul Scholes | June 5, 2014

There's three things I want to focus on in this column: Andrea Pirlo, the heat and England's defensive frailties.

England appear to be preparing meticulously in Miami for the heat and humidity of Manaus where they play Italy on June 14.

Euro 2004 in Portugal was hot, but the World Cup in Japan and South Korea in 2002 was horrendous. We struggled in 37 degrees (and I struggled more than most) especially against Brazil in Shizuoka.

Before the game we didn't even go onto the pitch because it was that hot. We stayed inside to warm up – it was ridiculous. We went in front early (through Michael Owen) and Brazil had Ronaldinho sent off in the second-half, but we still couldn't get a kick.

Against Italy in the heat we need all our 'footballers' to play. Possession is everything. Then there's Pirlo...

He was outstanding in the World Cup in 2006 and got three man of the match awards six years later at Euro 2012.

Pirlo is the world's greatest playmaker – the complete footballer. Give him time and space and he will destroy you. He's such a clever player and is so composed. If surrounded he'll lay it off. If he's got room he's devastating.

Even though England's Euro 2012 game against Italy finished 0-0, we paid nowhere near enough attention to him. Pirlo is not renowned for his athleticism, and he's 35 now, but that day he ran 11.58 kilometres, more than any England player. He also had more passes (131) than England's four starting midfielders.

Roy Hodgson seems to have underestimated him in 2012, which surprised me given Alex Ferguson tactics previously to stifle Pirlo.

In 2010 before Man United played AC Milan in the Champions League, Sir Alex gave very specific instructions on how to take care of Pirlo. Man-marking him was a huge part of our pre-game plan – I played against him when Milan beat us 3-0 at the San Siro in 2007. We didn't man-mark him. He destroyed us. We learned, and it was painful.

Park Ji-Sung was the perfect man for Pirlo in 2010 and never gave him kick (in a 7-2 aggregate victory). You could even see Pirlo getting frustrated and having little kicks out by the end.

Pirlo spoke about Park in his book: 'They'd programmed him to stop me. His devotion to the task was almost touching. Even though he was a famous player, he consented to being used as a guard dog."

For Manaus, we need an 'English Park Ji-Sung' – one England player designated to man-mark him. Looking at the squad, Danny Welbeck (below) – a good defender who can nick the ball well – could be an option and would be a bold decision, one which gives England a creative outlet, and saddles Pirlo with defensive work.

As for defensive frailties, an experienced Peru team would not have been the best but a couple of kids were on their first cap against England last week, and at times Peru still looked like they could get in and score, especially down England's right where we looked vulnerable.
When you see a team like Peru exposing it, imagine what Suarez or Cavani might do, or other world class players in the later stages?

James Milner or Jordan Henderson could be asked to give Glen Johnson extra cover down the right – when Johnson goes forward it leaves spaces and Gary Cahill will be exposed. It's got me worried.

Gary Neville and the England management are well aware of Pirlo's threat. We cannot make the mistakes of 2012 again.

Otherwise, Italy have decent players, without being special. Mario Balotelli can be brilliant but I hope it's the version who's sulking and has a little stroll around the pitch.

I'll preview the game next week but right now I think the best we can hope for is a draw against Italy if we manage the heat, keep the ball and stop Mr Pirlo – we can beat Uruguay and Costa Rica.

- See more at: http://blog.paddypower.com/2014/06/05/paul-scholes-exclusive-fergies-tactics-can-be-used-to-stop-the-worlds-greatest-playmaker-pirlo/#sthash.zFPFF2Xv.dpuf

[AZOffaly]

The vast majority of his passes, as I see it anyway, are 5-10 yards long - and many of them are played while someone is in his face or in someone else's face.  He expects to be closely marked and watched - his mojo is tiring out those who are seeking to mark him by pinging short passes relentlessly around them.  I'm assuming that 'markers' tire very quickly of that scenario - my father would call it a 'minding mice at a crossroads' task.

Maybe, I think the likes of Henderson would have good energy, and if they are not trying to chase the ball, but just chase Pirlo it might be a bit easier. Like just letting him sit in the centre circle, turn at his leisure, play a little ball, go get it again, lay it off again, then try a more incisive pass. That's just asking for trouble. At least if someone got tight to him and stayed tight, he'd have to play those little balls backwards, and let Di Rossi or someone play the incisive pass. I'd take that if I were playing against him.

[Billys Boots]

Well Mr Scholes appears to have been a little 'off' in his other predictions - England were exposed on the left, not the right; their 'management of the heat' didn't give them an edge, and Welbeck marking Pirlo??

I'd say they're queueing up to give him his first management job. 

[AZOffaly]

I don't think that was a prediction of his, it was a worry. And I don't think he would have been expecting Wayne Rooney to be the one asked to track back and support Baines. And maybe Welbeck might have been a decent option for the spoiler role. Another with loads of energy, handy at winning ball back. And lets face it, not going to do much with the ball anyway, so it's not the worst idea from Scholes.

Pirlo is class, and class players will find a way to exert some sort of influence, but I think England made it too easy for him. Jaysus at least the Honduras lads would have kicked him around the Amazon.

[AZOffaly]

Teams are in for the first game of the day. 5pm kick offs on a weekday are a pain. Sky Plus, the answer to all of life's problems.

Germany
Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Ozil, Muller, Lahm (c), Mertesacker, Kroos, Gotze, Boateng

Portugal
Patricio, Alves, Pepe, Veloso, Coentrao, Ronaldo (c), Moutinho, Almeida, Meireles, Nani, Pereira

Should be a good game. Surely Germany will be too strong for a team with Meireles and Nani in it?

[Billys Boots]

Germans have four centre-halves and no striker - interesting.