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Yup, he inherited him. But he tends not to play with a number nine in mind (unless they are, effectively, the very best in the world). He got rid of Ibrahimovic at Barcelona, played with a false nine and played most of his time at City with a similarly fluid non-traditional style. It's not like he never plays a centre-forward, it's that his overall philosophy is designed to work without them. With the likes of Messi, you probably don't need one anyway!
England suffered with Musiala what Ireland suffered with Rice and Grealish. I suppose it's the pecking order.
I think he adapts to the situation. At Barcelona he didn’t need a number 9 given he had Messi and the rest as you say. He played Aguero a lot when fit and I know he isn’t a number 9 but he is a focal point rather than a false 9. Haaland became available and they’ve got him into the system and working incredibly. It obviously helps that he has managed 3 brilliant teams but I do think he is flexible in his approach. Although sometimes that is also his downfall
As always, they seem to have a great midfield with everyone comfortable on the ball, but I think people might’ve been carried away with the 7-0.
I think Pep is very flexible - it's often those who copy him who are rigid. The whole false nine thing works only with very specific technical players. Not everyone has those. I think, for example, German football is better when it plays to its own traditional strengths rather than trying to be a Spanish simulacrum. That Füllkrug goal tonight was almost a parody of the German centre-forward. Spain will always win the possession game. The Germans needed to fight fire with their own fire - and in the end they did. Flick needs to learn that lesson.
Yup, that would be my view too. The 7-0 was really just flat-track bullying against a team with an inferiority complex (perhaps for historical reasons as much as anything). They were never going to bully the Germans. Your analysis is also why I think Germany should get through now. I don't think Spain will take Japan for granted and so will open the door for the Germans.
I actually think it’s because he thought he’d be getting more minutes in the German team than with England, with much less competition for places in his position.
Would be very funny if they don't go on and get the result against Costa Rica. I don't know German football as well as you but in my experience they start congratulating themselves just before a fall.
Their pundits are something else at this tournament. All three last night - Mertesacker, Wagner, and Kramer - went for 2-1, 3-2, and 3-1 German wins. I mean, I love German football and have the highest respect for their unique combination of technical skill and indomitable mentality, but what planet were these people on last night?
Yeah I get why they're trying to be optimistic before the match with their predictions but Kramer claiming they were favourites for the title afterwards was quite funny. They've been here before. They thought they were through after the Sweden match in 2018. And I can think of a few other examples where they got too smug and had a bad surprise. But yeah I think this CR team is too bad for that to happen this time.
Glad to see it - she's a fine ref and has earned the spot, as have the others on her team today.
