Group B Matchday 3 - 25 June - Iran 1-1 Portugal, Spain 2-2 Morocco

[Stan]

Monday 25th June
Iran vs Portugal
Spain vs Morocco

Both kick-off at 7pm

Spain just need to match Portugal's result to finish top.

Iran can only qualify if they beat Portugal. If they draw and Spain lose, they haven't scored enough and would lose out on head-to-head.

Morocco are eliminated.

[Azeem]

I expect Iran to remain compact, but not hold as deep of a block as they did against Spain. The issue with that was that they sat so deep in their defensive third, they had to beat the Spanish midfield twice to even get to their half. What will most likely happen is a performance similar to what we saw against Morocco, with careful pressing on the second balls and hard, fast counter attacking play.

Portugal will care not to concede so it will be to Iran to play offensive.

 

Also there are chances they might do what they did 4 years ago in a similar poisition when they had to win against Bosnia but their defense collapsed unlike in their first two games.

[Dr. Gonzo]

I fully expect Iran to have a defensive collapse as they need to attack to go through most likely unless Spain somehow lose to Morocco and a draw would be enough.

[Bluebird Hewitt]

Iran to win 2-1......maybe.

[ASF]

Moutinho didn't trained in the last couple of days (he returned today), so for me it would be a good chance to put Adrien.

My starting XI would be:

GK - Gordon Banks...I'm sorry, Rui Patrício

RB - Cédric

CB - Pepe

CB - Rúben Dias

LB - Raphael

DM - William

CM - Adrien

AM - Bernardo

LW - Guedes

RW - Quaresma

FW - Cristiano

We need width to open up Iran, who will try to keep a 0-0 in the first-half, just like they did with Spain. Then try to nick it in the second-half.

Hopefully, we can unlock the door and start scoring for fun, to finish the group with a better goal difference than Spain.

[Cicero]

Portugal have a player named Gordon Banks? 

[ASF]

1 hour ago, Cicero said:

Portugal have a player named Gordon Banks? 

After the game against Morocco, FIFA compared Patrício's amazing save to the one Banks did, against Brazil:

https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/rui-patricio-receives-plaudits-in-portugal-win.

It's a waste seeing him going to Wolves.

[Machado]

I don't see why it's a waste. Wolves are a Premier League side and one that looks promising.

[Machado]

top % Pass accuracy:

1 - #ESP 91,3%
2 - #BRA 89,9%
3 - #ENG 89,2%
4 - #GER 87,9%
5 - #KSA 86,2%
----------------------
27 - #POR 77,0%
32 - #IRN 61,3%

Should be an "interesting" game this 

[bozziovai]

make or break game for both portugal and iran.    a draw - bye bye iran.   a win for iran - bye bye portugal.

 

does being euro champions give portugal a little edge in terms of handling this tremendous amount of pressure ??

 

 

[Machado]

We are playing with a pure striker for the first time in the competition (André Silva for Guedes). I guess Santos expects Iran to be very defensive and wants to take control of the game more than we usually do. Guedes is better of we have less of the ball.

The other three changes:

Quaresma for Bernardo: Quaresma is a great crosser and while not as good as holding the ball, he'll try to beat his man and make a cross more often than Bernardo. Quaresma is still one of the best crossers around so if he's starting, the kind of game we'll try to impose is obvious.

Adrien Silva for Moutinho: Moutinho didn't train because of the flu.

João Mario for Bruno Fernandes: probably because the second was proper shit and lacked intensity in the first two matches.

Why Ricardo isn't starting again I don't know. He's way more offensive than Cedric which is more of what we need for this match.

[Machado]

Personally I think this system is a disgrace and doesn't take the best out of our most talented players. We can be better than what we currently are.

[Dr. Gonzo]

4 minutes ago, Machado said:

Personally I think this system is a disgrace and doesn't take the best out of our most talented players. We can be better than what we currently are.

That's good to hear. I personally don't think Iran has a hope in hell unless Portugal underestimates them (which they're unlikely to after the performance against Morocco & the desire to top the group), or somehow manages to really fuck their tactics up. And even then, I'd say the odds are still good for a Portugal victory.

I think this will be a 2-0 win for Portugal, unfortunately. I'd obviously like a different result.

[Cicero]

9 minutes ago, Cannabis said:

Queresma playing 

Really wish we kept a hold of him instead of Malouda. 

[Cicero]

Iran GK and defender shoving each other 

[Eco]

Iranians are about to fight each other. 

[DeadLinesman]

Defender completely at fault. Always listen to your goalkeeper.

[Stan]

Iran keeper looks dodgy as fuck

[DeadLinesman]

Just now, Cannabis said:

The height Ronaldo generates is absolutely insane. 

 

Love you too Phillip xo

Because we’re both keepers 

Flappin ‘ell 

[Stan]

Spain losing.

[Eco]

Iran is looking shaky - Absolutely on the Defender, but the Keeper isn't exactly seeping confidence. 

[Eco]

Just now, Stan said:

Spain losing. Think they want to play Russia next  

Against Moroco, i.e. another team better than Peru. 

[Cicero]

5 minutes ago, Cannabis said:

The height Ronaldo generates is absolutely insane. 

 

Love you too Phillip xo

Jumps higher than the average NBA player 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Eco said:

Against Moroco, i.e. another team better than Peru. 

Why do you keep bringing us up? Get a grip.

[Stan]

1 minute ago, Cicero said:

Jumps higher than the average NBA player 

just the average ones? What about the best NBA players?