Best Defence

[Beleg]

So, those of you who follow footbally avidly, which country do you reckon has the tightest defence? Germany? Netherland? Heck, even Serbia?

 

[luckyeddie]

So, those of you who follow footbally avidly, which country do you reckon has the tightest defence? Germany? Netherland? Heck, even Serbia?

We're not talking putting hands in one's pocket to buy a round, are we?

Italy traditionally, but I've never really seen Germany struggle much at the back (apart from one famous game a few years ago)

 

[Barney Rubble]

On paper, and with everyone fit, England. In reality, Italy. The Germans only defend well because they're a team full of defenders, plus Ballack. They'll struggle if they try and play any attacking football this summer.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yea, definitely won't be England unless the vegetable is sacked first.

 

[luckyeddie]

Yea, definitely won't be England unless the vegetable is sacked first.

Seriously, that is not going to happen a few months before the tournament.

If the FA could afford to do so, I'm sure they might have done so a few of years ago after his first round of rumpypumpy, but he's not broken any rules (as far as I can tell) consequently it would cost the FA meeelions - and they're already broke.

Unless you want to contribute your Scrabble winnings, that is.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I wouldn't contribute the fluff collected in my belly button to football let alone anything else.

 

[BoyBrumby]

A handy guide for other perfidious football managers:

 

[Cloete]

On paper, and with everyone fit, England. In reality, Italy. The Germans only defend well because they're a team full of defenders, plus Ballack. They'll struggle if they try and play any attacking football this summer.

Oh come on, Cole - Terry - Ferdinand - Neville is better than Zambrotta - Cannavaro - Nesta - Zanetti ?

I have serious doubts about that!

 

[Barney Rubble]

Oh come on, Cole - Terry - Ferdinand - Neville is better than Zambrotta - Cannavaro - Nesta - Zanetti ?

I have serious doubts about that!

No, but Cole-Terry-Campbell-Neville is - partly because the Zanetti that plays for Italy is a central midfielder, and Italy's right back is the slightly less convincing (but wonderfully named) Massimo Oddo. You're thinking of the Zanetti that plays for Argentina.

 

[age_master]

Italy, than Germany followed by England

 

[Cloete]

No, but Cole-Terry-Campbell-Neville is - partly because the Zanetti that plays for Italy is a central midfielder, and Italy's right back is the slightly less convincing (but wonderfully named) Massimo Oddo. You're thinking of the Zanetti that plays for Argentina.

Good point. He can play defender as well actually, but yeah clearly more of a mid! The Argentinian Inter Zanetti is actually half Italian anyway!

Materrazzi plays a bit of Right Defence though doesn't he?

Will be interesting to see what sort of system Brazil play with Cafu and R Carlos. If they sit deeper and don't make those massive runs, it aint gonna happen becuase they simply can't resist, then a defence of Carlos - Lucio - Edmilson - Cafu is fairly impressive as well!

 

[chaminda_00]

If you take out big names in this dicussion, then Serbia would be No1. They defend the best as a team. Other countries may have better indivual defenders, but Serbia have the best unit.

 

[Cloete]

Italy, than Germany followed by England

I don't see a lineup of Friedrich - Worns - Hinkel/Metzelder/Huth - Mertesacker being too good. Also, obviously Ballack is an absolutely amazing player, but I think most people underrate Sebastian Deisler and Bastian Schweinsteiger, they'll be a real handful for most times at the Cup.

 

[chaminda_00]

I don't see a lineup of Friedrich - Worns - Hinkel/Metzelder/Huth - Mertesacker being too good. Also, obviously Ballack is an absolutely amazing player, but I think most people underrate Sebastian Deisler and Bastian Schweinsteiger, they'll be a real handful for most times at the Cup.

Yeah there are a lot better defences around then Germany, i don't know why people still rate then highly.

 

[nibbs]

neville... lol

 

[Slats4ever]

Probably Australia

 

[Agent TBY]

It was so much better when Coco could actually play. Then it'd be Coco - Cannavaro - Nesta - Zambrotta. Even Zauri would've done. But Oddo? That's shocking. I'd have thought Bonera to be a better player than him.

 

[marc71178]

I wouldn't contribute the fluff collected in my belly button to football let alone anything else.

Yet you feel fit to spread your (misguided and race-based) views on the game...

 

[marc71178]

neville... lol

Name a better defensive minded right back.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Name a better defensive minded right back.

Name a better right back, period - Zanetti's not what he once was, and Cafu's never really been a right back anyway; both of them have spent large portions of their careers playing as wing-backs or wide midfielders besides. Of every specialist right-back in the world, Neville's the best.