Who's better than Pirlo ?

Why should age be a determining factor if it doesn't hinder his performance?

Buffon needs an operation and then rest no doubt (as does Pirlo with regards to some rest).

But I think they are both still integral players for the Azzuri.


EDIT: On paper that Italia squad looks lovely X-Off.

I'll need to see it in action to be certain though.

I can believe I read in the previous page that Torres had 'dived'. I just can't.

And who is better than Buffon? Next focus will be Euro 2012. Buffon is 34y then, not old for a goalkeeper. Unless he gets too much injuries (odds might be against him), easy starter. Pirlo on the other hand will be 33y, kinda old for a midfielder who already seems to be declining. Hard to say really! For both cases: time will tell...


You can't what?

Sweet 16:
Uruguay - South Korea (26th, 16:00)
USA - Ghana (26th, 20:30)
Germany - England (27th, 16:00)
Argentina - Mexico (27th, 20:30)
The Netherlands - Slovakia (28th, 16:00)
Brazil - Chile (28th, 20:30)
Paraguay - Japan (29th, 16:00)
Spain - Portugal (29th, 20:30)

I notice there is some difference in what I think and in what I hope... except for Slovakia I give all a realistic chance though... I am looking forward to Germany vs England far the most...

If Spain came second and Brazil first, wow what a game that would have been !!

Damn it that Ivory Coast didn't score one goal agianst Portugal or else they could play agianst Spain But at least there's one team from every continenet except Australia

While Australia saved Ghana/Africa... else no African team

Ivory Coast, I am glad they are out. They were a disgrace IMO. Spain vs Portugal is also a nice set up. Rivals!

true, But Ghana is pretty good but USA will not be an easy game
Spain and Portugal Cristiano will meet some of his teammates

Both are decent sides... because of Michael Bradley I might cheer a little bit for Team USA.

I would not be surprised if Cristiano Ronaldo steps up in this one, of course Spain are obvious favourites but who knows what could happen... yes, must be a special match for Crissy Ronaldo, let's see if he will be special in it

Well, Pirlo will be 34 in the next WC, so not sure about that. But at least for the Euro he should be fit.

HAHAH, He will try harder cause he will see all those good player and want to show he is good so is Portugal.

Mexico and Argentina
and Germany - England
both games worth watching.
Mexico and Germany got to win and England has allways been favrites

I tought he was 30+
34 next WC is not bad compering to now.

I will be rooting for Mexico and Germany too. <3

Yeah, because he usually steps up when his country need him the most... actually, I think Spain will pulverize them.
This Portugal side didn't manage to score against neither Brazil or the Ivory Coast, and putting 7 past North Korea, well... impressive. But far from sensational. So, here's my predictions:

Uruguay - South Korea: Two teams who are very solid defensively, but Uruguay's attack will make the difference
USA - Ghana: Almost too close to call, but I'm banking on Ghana for this one.
Germany - England: England has had one good performance, Germany have been consistently excellent.
Argentina - Mexico: Mexico are a very good team, Argentina are a world class team... it seems.
Holland - Slovakia: Orange watershed.
Brazil - Chile: The Selecao are clear favourites, but if there is to be an upset this could very well be it.
Paraguay - Japan: Japan impressed against Denmark, but I think Paraguay's grit will be the deciding factor.
Spain - Portugal: Basically a replay of Germany-Portugal at the EURO. Ronaldo bottles it again. Spain win.

Dos Santos is good and damn it that Schwiensteiger is injured
but Lahm is amazing.. Özil is good but I don't see any extra u know

I think Japan can beat Paraguay. I want them to go as far as possible.

I really hope so too! Won't be easy though, but Japan got this World Cup's best player.

Japan was impressive, they showed how weak Denmark really was.
I think they will go far

Honda?

YES!!!!!! Keisuke Honda <333333333333333333333333333333333333
If they beat Paraguay, they most likely will get Spain. Ouch...

Haven't seen any of the Japan games, but the only time I've seen him play was in the Inter-CSKA games and he was quite horrible in both ties.

Really, he is AMAZING !!

Who cares

He is the big GENIUS star at this World Cup his first goal he did set up himself, his free kick, his genius move + assist

Guess who's 23 points clear in first place in the MF world cup fantasy league?

Fishdoll?

Aaaa...I don't think the Japanese players can put up another offensive performance. Paraguay is too strong IMO.

Gah, now Brasil faces Chile

Split yourself in half for that one, Linkman?

And yes, this fish is leading the fantasy league at present. Rar.

Not really, I'm with Brasil But it saddens me to see Chile go so soon... Hahaha

The plus side is they're so optimistic everybody made bets with me, so by next monday I'll be a fair bit richer... or poorer.

You should be a scared fish; Essie is right behind you!

I really hope Schweini can be there. Else it will be a huge blow.

Lahm and Özil are both special players IMO. (at least for the German national team...)

Lahm has got be one of the most underrated fullbacks IMO. I can't believe he's not playing for Barcelona or Manchester or whatever... He's just great.

same goes for Oezil, i would never say his talent is wasted at bremen, because they are an attractive side, but you get the sense a bigger stage awaits him

I'm in love with his crossing abilities. So good, and such a high frequency.

Well, Oezil has just exploded, but Lahm has been playing at high levels since Euro 2004 and he's still stuck at Bayern.

I don't think Özil is something special to Germany. Schweini sure. Lahm also. Ballack naturally. But Özil? He's a creative solution, but I wouldn't say he's something more for them.

He was great in the first match, but in the last two he was quite awful, saving his goal against Ghana.

I agree those two are more special to Germans national team. Özil is still young, he will be special might have been better. But he can be special already...

i thought we were talking for clubs :S

We are, when did I say the contrary?

It's because of something I said (something I should not have said since they are also special for their clubs)... Lahm Schweini Özil are three players who I like in a Milan jersey

Lots of players will be discovered after World Cup.
Lahm is amazing, and he blow me away on euro 2008.
Özil, Im not sure, I can't see what so wow with him

Where did the "nauseated" smiley go?

Torres dive vs Chile

This fish would be okay with that, Chu-Lip. Doubt Bayern and Bremen (respectively) would sell them easily or for a price we'd be likely to pay.

You need to consider Özil's age also... Lahm and Schweini have been around longer and are this moment more special to the German team... but Özil is waiting to be something special also

Hm, why would Torres dive out of the effin blue? It makes no sense.

Because he's Torres?

Right.

@ Locke

It's so obvious Chilean player's foot or knee touches Torres' right foot and then his right foot catches on his left foot and he goes down (it's also visible that Chilean player's movement is slightly changed because of the contact). if you can't see that or can't understand the nature of that foul, it's your problem. Torres didn't dive.

That's true, Özil will probably become better but rigth now, when he scored last time.
He was not ready for that ball but when it came he was great

I think I got a problem.