Ah was going to embolden the things ah find yuh eh makin' sense with, but ah eh have enough cyber-ink. Besides, it late, ah goin in meh bed.......but ah go leave someting wit yuh quick.....Ronaldinho not fit, De goal was offside and Julio Cesar did absolutely nothing extra for no cameras and the two main saves he made was nothing short of good solid goalkeeping. Watch de game when it come on again tomorrow (today).
Yuh shoulda just unbold mine then? 'cause it seems like we on the same page.
Not sure about the onside/offside though- It was one of those that go either way at game speed- and even in slow motion depending on when you consider the ball (pass) to be made/released, it coulda gone either way....Was a great finish though.
I agree with you on JC- His goal keeping was really good- not just the good saves but he grabbed one or two difficult ones out of the air on crosses and looked really secure- definitely one of the best in the World at the moment.
Ronaldinho is definitely increasing in confidence- showing some flashes of days past, but again- doesn't seem fully fit. I think at full fitness he would have exploited alot of the room ahead of him at times as opposed to slowing the game down and playing small goal with Robinho- but as Ryan said... in the second half they looked to be having some fun- and playing conservatively to avoid injury (especially after the Italians started to pelt blade)....
Take out Adriano, throw in Pato... Take out Gilberto Silva and throw in Anderson (when he's back to fitness)...Ok in fairness GS wasn't bad- just not a fan of his game.... Let Kaka replace Melo (though he had a good game)... and possibly try out Alves instead of Maicon (slightly better current form at the moment I think)....and yuh have a damn near dream team.
The Italy of the second half could be worries down the road. The American kid Rossi- what a player.
I feel like givin a more detailed assessment of d game, since I gettin beat down
Julio Cesar - 8. Solid showing from a great keeper. In my opinion, the saves he made were good, but nothing out of the ordinary for a keeper of his ability. Other than one second half effort from Toni, I wouldve been surprised if he had conceded any of the other shots. In other circumstances he might have been an outside candidate for MVP, but given the way Brazil played yesterday, that award would have to go to an outfield player.
Marcelo - 8. First time seeing this fella play for Brazil and I was very impressed. He's the best left back I've seen them bring to England for sure. Had real pace on the left wing and Zambrotta couldnt keep up wid him in second half.
Juan - 7. Solid.
Lucio - 7.5. Solid, but a bit more lively than Juan. Completely locked down Gilardino in first half, had his hands full in the second.
Maicon - 7. Seen him play several times before, for Inter and Brazil - this was probably the most average I've seen him. Still, didnt really do anything wrong.
Melo- 7. Decent debut, nothing spectacular. Anderson is better.
Gilberto- 7. I fine he still looking decent, deserved his place in the team. Again, nothing spectacular though.
Elano - 7. Looked sharp in the first half, was linking up real good wid Ronnie and Robinho, and scored a good goal. Dont remember him doing much in second half.
Ronaldinho- 8.5. Some men might say he not fit (Observer, kicker
), but he was still all over d place. Dis man doesnt need to sprint to make a difference to a game. He put down a masterclass in touches last night. Not just me that thought so:
Daily Telegraph: "
and a rejuvenated Ronaldinho back to his puppeteering best"
The Observer: "
Midway through the second half Ronaldinho actually won a free-kick simply by dancing." (which was amazing!)
Runner up for the MVP to....
Robinho - 9. Was all over the pitch and scored a goal dat I couldnt even score on Pro Evolution. Made the World Champions look like jokers. The man was coming all d way back to the edge of his own box to win the ball and was playing playground football wid Ronaldinho.
Adriano - 6. In retrospect, I was probably being harsh calling him d worst man on d pitch - Zambrotta could probably take dat title. He did play the role he was assigned - the Heskey role. But d man has the touch of a rapist and just looks like an oaf. I could see him playing for Wigan or Bolton in a year or two. I could understand why Pato didnt get the nod over Adriano, but I would love to see Amauri in that role. Or at least bring back Luis Fabiano once he is fit again
Dani Alves - 7. Was energetic and seemed to be playin in a midfield role that I'm not used to seeing him playing. Could probably have started instead of Melo, and was unlucky not to score late on, when Buffon saved his header from close range.
And the Italians..
Cant be bothered talking through most of dem, dey were pretty hopeless. Jus highlighting a few
Buffon - 7. decent, wasnt at fault for the first goal, and the second was inch-perfect Made a good stop from Dani Alves, everything else was pretty standard.
Zambrotta - 4.5. got run ragged by Robinho and Marcelo and lost his temper late on. Will be on the wrong end of the highlight reel for years to come because of Robinho's goal.
Grosso - 8. Italy's best player, motored down the left touchline all night and had a decent free kick saved.
Pirlo - 5. Poor game, particularly the first half, but probably because the strikers were so poor. Was better in second half when Toni and co. came on.
Toni - 7.5. Was much more of a threat than Gilardino, he and Grosso were the only players who were a match for Brazil last night. Big and powerful. Did what Adriano should have been doing.