Real Madrid

I think Japan deserve way more credit than your giving them. Those guys never put their heads down and always fought. They went toe to toe with the Euro finalists and almost got the better of them. If I were a fan of Japan I would be happy with this performance.

i guess saying they were awesome does not count.
they were spectacular, orgasmic, mind blowing and majestic. happy
STOP contradicting every thing i say.

I was surprised that Marchisio did not start. Also, two games in and still no El Shaarawy, weird.

Japan though, oh my god. Best game of the tournament so far. They deserved a tie.

el sharaawy is carrying an injury

@Hunsijoo, haha why are you getting so emotional?

Ah makes sense.

ok i am on my periods so all the emotions are coming in

Unbelievable how good they can pass and retain possession at times, Japan deserves the win overall. SO unlucky Japan heart break!!!!!
Their defense is their weak spot and Italy punished.

Khedira - Alonso - Modric? on Ancelotti's 4-3-3

If Alonso leaves this season, for sure a midfielder like Paulinho/Vidal is what I prefer rather than an Alonso prototype like Gundogan. We already have a central playmaker in Modric anyways

Khedira-Modrić-Paulinho

With Alonso being rotated on.

We already have Khedira for that role and thats enough, thank you. What we need is a player that has above average ball control, passing (long and short),tactical reading and awareness.

Modric has those things but his a physical 'lightweight' and can't defensively hold down that position. He doesn't have the workrate. I like seeing him playing WITH/BESIDE Alonso where he can have a more free role rather than IN PLACE of Alonso that has a more fixed position in front of the back four. If you know what I mean.

In fact, I think thats this current Brazil's biggest problem after not having a quality striker (Fred, really?). They lack an 'organizer' that can offer smooth transition from defense to offense with good criteria.

Thats why the team always plays from the back through Alves or Marcelo on the wings because the CMs don't know what to do with ball when they have it. Its not their fault. They're good at other things.

In fact I can't remember the last time Brazil had a good 'organzier' in midfield. Socrates in 80s is probably the last truly great CM brazil has had. If you haven't seen him youtube him to see what a brazilian Master CM looks like.

I'm sorry but Gundogan dances rings around Paulinho.

Neymar was the star of the show! David Luiz did do a great job in defense, but Neymar stole the show with a volley with his week foot and after he dribbled pass two defends and gave Joe a tap in!

Neymar was by far my man of the match!

dos santos was really impressive so was neymar. i am not really fan of luiz. he is not the strong of a defender as he is rated

Luiz was solid today. Made great tackles, read the game well and picked up mistakes from our defense. I'd like to see more games like this from Luiz!

^^ same.. he normally makes a lot of mistakes but he looked a lot like thiago silva out there today...

my opinion still stands... i'd give the man of the match award to either luiz or dos santos... ok neymar stole the show with the goal and assist but the man of the match award is about what a player does in 90 minutes and in 90 minutes dos santos outplayed everyone on the field (just my opinion).

i still dont understand how dos santos cant seem to attract enough attention form the bigger teams in europe... he is such a quality player

^^ Agreed it was nice to see David Luiz give a solid performance even when he had to deal with blood leaking from his nose for almost 70 minutes.

He was better than Thiago Silva in the match and although I agree that player of the match is about the 90 minutes, Neymar had a good performance too.

Dos Santos was the best man out there for Mexico I think he still hasnt reached his potential which is both good and bad.

Because hes the Hulk!

So that when he scores, he can rip open his clothes by stretching his muscles, of course.

Great performance from him as usual!

he had a hard time in the second half... oth him and alves didnt have enough support and protection from hulk an neymar.