re: U20 World Cup Thread

Spain may win the next WC, my opinion doesn't change reality. Like England, Spain may go another 50 years without seeing a final. I guarantee you can't say that about the other 3 I mentioned. Hell, Brazil and Italy have half the trophies alone.

Agree about Spain's youth and probable success is likely but to discount my view and historic pattern as stupid as frick is also your opinion.

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What bearing does the past have on future success? Please describe for me the direct correlation?

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Pedigree

You're naive if you think Brazil, Italy and Germany will lay down.

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You're naive if you think Brazil, Italy and Germany will lay down.

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Where did I imply that they will lay down? Please don't put words in my mouth. My argument is simple. Since the philosophical restructuring that the Spanish FA oversaw after the 2006 WC, Spain will always play in a way so that it maximizes their technical advantages and minimizes their physical disadvantages. For that reason I do not foresee Spain simply reverting back to their pre-2008 state as hapless underachievers. In fact, their massive success at the youth level indicates that they will compete with the "traditional" big teams for many tournaments to come.

Pedigree has no bearing on results in the modern game. Brazil, if they don't win the WC next year on home soil, will have to do their own philosophical restructuring that was first begun by Dunga in 2007. The Germans will eventually break through, as they have a deep squad. Italy will always be good, especially if they have a DLP able to control the game for them.

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ETA: Crazy, you are probably the most knowledgeable poster here, but misspelling Vieira's name is weaksauce, bro.

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I did? Crap.

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What changed?

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Actually the law changed in 2005. This article ( LINK) explains it better than I could.

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What kind of role did Makelele play in this axis? I'm interested because I first started paying attention to soccer in 2006 but didn't have the knowledge to pick out details such as technical/tactical nuances.

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Watch this game. LINK

It's France-Brazil from 2006. France was basically set up in a double pivot. Notice how Makelele and Vieira are positioned. Also note how Zidane plays as a playmaker in the hole. Makelele and Vieira play so that Zidane is completely free to do whatever he pleases, almost as if Zidane is a trequartista or support striker rather than an AM. His defensive responsibilities seem rather aimless.

Note the physicality of Vieira's game, and the rather understated nuance of Makelele's, whose skills as a DLP are rather underappreciated, or more accurately, overshadowed by his defensive prowess. Makelele would cover ground, win the ball back, and begin the attack. Vieira would make forward runs to support Zidane and Henry when he could, as well as moving the ball wide, and supporting his wide midfielders to prevent an easy loss of possession. Makelele would also press the midfield, and try to shade the Brazilian attack into areas of superior French numbers, as well as win tackles where appropriate.

Zidane's play in this game is absolutely wonderful. The way he controls the game from the front, which puts pressure on a Brazilian backline that doesn't know how to deal with Zidane.

Thanks for the nice answer. Definitely didn't appreciate the nuances in 2006. I fell in love with that France team as I was there from the quarters forward. Still a bit sad about the final. Zidane's best game was clearly against Brazil. I think he taught them a thing or two about "joga bonito."

Also, how much of the double pivot and Zidane's more free attacking role was a result of Domenech's tactics? All I can remember is people thinking that he was a tool, especially given that he would select certain players based on their astrological signs