World Cup Takeaways
World Cup Takeaways
A few games in the World Cup 2018 have been played now and the initial group games are almost completed. Here are a few takeaways from those games.
Toni Kroos
Mexico stopped the German engine, Toni Kroos from playing football, he was only able to complete 13 passes in the Mexico half. It shows that a destructive or negative tactic can have a positive effect.It isn't something fans watching the game would take much notice of, but it had a significant impact on the game, arguably decided it. His marker was arguably the player of the game, although he went unnoticed.
Marcelo Brozović
Tottenham have been linked with 25-year-old (26 in September) Marcelo Brozović, the Inter Milan and Croatian international midfielder. Stats from the recent Croatia vs Nigeria game.Croatia before the entry of Brozović (60 mins): 37 passes completed in the last 30 metres (59% success).
With Brozović (34 mins): 37 passes completed in the last 30 metres (71% success).
Completed passes to last 30 metres for France:
France Problems
France had problems taking the ball into danger areas.Completed passes to last 30 metres for France:
Pavard + Lucas + Varane: 22 passes
Tolisso + Pogba + Kante: 21 passes
First 10 minutes: 4 shots
From 10 minutes to 45 minutes: 1 shot
Like many games, there has been a lack of quality in the final third at this World Cup with many games being played in midfield.
Spain Problem
Spain struggled to win the ball back.
Spain allowed a 73% pass success rate to the last 30 metres against Portugal and ended the game with only 23 recoveries of the ball in their own half of the field. That gives the opposition confidence that they will get plenty of ball in the Spanish half and an opportunity to make something of it.
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