Match stats/analysis for recent Socceroo games

[Decentric]

The game is dominated by pace and power. If you look at pretty much all the big European teams at the WC, they primarily rely on movement off the ball and running power and directness to unlock defences. They have flair players of course, but that attribute is not the main route to goals and they are there because they are also invariably machines. That's why many of those sides are struggling against the low-block.

For me, the most exciting teams have been those who mix it up. Marry power and off the ball running with moments of ball to foot playmaking.

Looking at Spain it is different.

As opposed to the huge English and Norwegian players, who obviously do a lot of weight training, the Spanish look quite puny. I do a lot of weight training too, so I know how to recognise gym honed bodies.

Spain relies on exquisite body shape, superb first touch, fast handling speed, in their outstanding 1 and 2 touch passing, with their wingers having quality dribbling skills.

They also have to support the ball carrier by opening viable passing lanes. It is all done with a minimum of effort though. Other teams back off Spain in their Squeezing, giving them a lot of time on the ball, but Spain often don't effect faster rhythm changes in tempo to create scoring chances, for all the possession they have.

They win the ball back, not so much from muscular winning of 1v1s, but team Squeezing of the opponent on the ball. I don't think Spain have changed a lot from 15 years ago, apart from less current rapidfire close passing in midfield.

Teams tend to play a low block against Spain, also known as the Partial Press, or more advanced Half Press.

 

[Punchanello]

Looking at Spain it is different.

Yes agree. But Spain are exceptional (and portugal to a lesser extent) rather than the rule and they have added the ability to be much more direct since the Tiki-Taka era. They marry both team movement and individual flair in ways that most European sides don't.

 

[Decentric]

Yes agree. But Spain are exceptional (and portugal to a lesser extent) rather than the rule and they have added the ability to be much more direct since the Tiki-Taka era. They marry both team movement and individual flair in ways that most European sides don't.

Two decades ago, just before Aus changed the curriculum to the Spanish/Dutch /French amalgam, we did a seminar on size of players at WCs.

UEFA players are huge compared to South American players. Brazil have become a bit more obsessed at times, with bigger more powerful players more prevalent in UEFA.

Portugal, shortest average in height in Europe, and Spain, have played shorter, low centre of gravity players compared to most northern European nations.

 

[Alex M]

If they aren't appreciated overseas, I'd love Tilio and Arzani to stay in the AL.

They are entertainers.

I may be being a little unkind to Tillio but I've always thought of him as half a footballer. He loves to attack and is quite good and entertaining with that aspect of his game but when the other team has the ball they his side are usually a man down in defence. Not sure about Arzani. He has never been the same after suffering those injuries although I think he is good A league standard. Unfortunately injury took away what he could have been.

 

[LFC]

they both suit the standards of the AL - thats it.

 

[kiro kompiro]

they both suit the standards of the AL - thats it.

Arzani was a talent in the in the lead up to 2018 and the cameo when he ran at the French showed he had enough to make it in Europe, IMO.

 

[grazorblade]

I wonder if short, physically remedial players are better off going to asia or south america. Europe may be more technically advanced than us, but they are way more physically advanced. We've seen euro clubs struggle to break down defences and they may be underemphasizing flair. I dont want to overstate things, a european team will probably win the world cup and it is definitely the highest level. But I do think there is a bit of group think in europe about what makes a good player

Id back a tilio/arzani/nisbet against a deep block over much higher calibre players. Its useful to have that sort of player in your squad, but that profile of player really struggles to crack europe

 

[riquelmes_laces]

Didn’t know where to post this but it reads as a cautionary tale for our NT and development pathways to it.

The intangibles should never be neglected.

“determination, physical intensity, tactical flexibility, and the courage to develop complete fighters who can win the hard battles—while still playing attractive football.”

 

[LFC]

Arzani was a talent in the in the lead up to 2018 and the cameo when he ran at the French showed he had enough to make it in Europe, IMO.

talking the present kiro and even the recent years.
'18 is yonks back.
Injuries ruined his career as we all know.
As I said - AL is his standard incl Tillio.

 

[LFC]

Really re height, precious oh shorter players go asia or latin merica.
Shortish players.
Maradona
Pele was 5'8
Messi
Kante 5'6
Insigne 5'4 !
Shaquiri 5'7
Verratti 5'5
Keegan 5'8
Yamal is 5'10 the taller side - lanky slim.
you can look into many more.

We don't develop a complete type of player/attacker type barring recent addition Volpato developed elsewhere/Italia and Circati for eg.......
“determination, physical intensity, tactical flexibility, complete fighters who can win the hard battles—while still playing attractive football.”

Yep spot on

 

[grazorblade]

Really re height, precious oh shorter players go asia or latin merica.
Shortish players.
Maradona
Pele was 5'8
Messi
Kante 5'6
Insigne 5'4 !
Shaquiri 5'7
Verratti 5'5
Keegan 5'8
Yamal is 5'10 the taller side - lanky slim.
you can look into many more.

We don't develop a complete type of player/attacker type barring recent addition Volpato developed elsewhere/Italia and Circati for eg.......
“determination, physical intensity, tactical flexibility, complete fighters who can win the hard battles—while still playing attractive football.”

Yep spot on

There are shorter players in europe, but its harder to make it if u are short. There are players with flair in europe, but europe will coach it out of you (which has made it tough for brazil)

If you are short and have a lot of flair there are exceptions that can make it in europe, but i think u are better off trying elsewhere

 

[LFC]

coach flair out of you - from what I watch of europe I can't buy that.
Look at PSG squad the flair they have.
RM.
Barca
Even Arsenal have flair player Odegard/Saka/Eze eg's.

Now talking a up and comer, sure go elsewhere for you obviously haven't been ear marked at the time.
Timing comes into a lot as well.
Talking Sth Merica - I can't see any aussie up and comer compete - imo its harder than EU.

 

[grazorblade]

coach flair out of you - from what I watch of europe I can't buy that.
Look at PSG squad the flair they have.
RM.
Barca
Even Arsenal have flair player Odegard/Saka/Eze eg's.

Now talking a up and comer, sure go elsewhere for you obviously haven't been ear marked at the time.
Timing comes into a lot as well.
Talking Sth Merica - I can't see any aussie up and comer compete - imo its harder than EU.

Would u say psg has more flair than brazil of old? I think if south america dominated club football there would be slight differences in what makes a good player

Fair point about breaking into south america, we have never done it so no gaurantee it would have been better. Maybe japan or korea is the best shot for a player like nisbit or tilio. Too late for arzani probably

 

[kiro kompiro]

After 1982 the Brazillian FA decided that they would adopt a European way of playing. And won 2 World Cups. Rossi has a lot answer for!

Watching modern football I get a sense of de ja vu. I've seen the same repeating patterns of play by different teams and different players. Its just that some are faster at doing it than others, they have better touch than others, they're more clinical.

Players and play with flair is the exception.

 

[WhatAmIWatching]

I may be being a little unkind to Tillio but I've always thought of him as half a footballer. He loves to attack and is quite good and entertaining with that aspect of his game but when the other team has the ball they his side are usually a man down in defence. Not sure about Arzani. He has never been the same after suffering those injuries although I think he is good A league standard. Unfortunately injury took away what he could have been.

I think that you have the players the wrong way around. Tilio had the bigger engine when at MC and played for the full 90+ minutes of ten tracking back. Arzani, rarely did that and when he was at the Bulls he was rarely back in defence. At MV his stamina improved and did track a bit more and the same when he returned to MC. Arzani just does not have the engine to last 90+ minutes at full throttle whilst Tilio does.

 

[ClockworkOrange]

coach flair out of you - from what I watch of europe I can't buy that.
Look at PSG squad the flair they have.
RM.
Barca
Even Arsenal have flair player Odegard/Saka/Eze eg's.

Now talking a up and comer, sure go elsewhere for you obviously haven't been ear marked at the time.
Timing comes into a lot as well.
Talking Sth Merica - I can't see any aussie up and comer compete - imo its harder than EU.

I think those three were already mature players when the went to Arsenal.

 

[LFC]

Would u say psg has more flair than brazil of old? I think if south america dominated club football there would be slight differences in what makes a good player

Well game moves on can’t compare jogo bonito expression to now point im making there is still flair amongst X players of today.
Dont think sth Merican would overhaul EU ever due to many things one importantly is the varied temprament.

Fair point about breaking into south america, we have never done it so no gaurantee it would have been better. Maybe japan or korea is the best shot for a player like nisbit or tilio. Too late for arzani probably

It’s a different ball game there as much as I wish we could have half their skill set and fight to the death in their veins.
Yes Japan or Korea should suit best.
Again our guys need to apply the work ethic they have.
Oh Arzarni is past - and as mentioned he’s not a 90min player.

 

[LFC]

I think those three were already mature players when the went to Arsenal.

The point incl them is about having flair and being played as such today.

 

[Quicky]

Well game moves on can’t compare jogo bonito expression to now point im making there is still flair amongst X players of today.
Dont think sth Merican would overhaul EU ever due to many things one importantly is the varied temprament.

It’s a different ball game there as much as I wish we could have half their skill set and fight to the death in their veins.
Yes Japan or Korea should suit best.
Again our guys need to apply the work ethic they have.
Oh Arzarni is past - and as mentioned he’s not a 90min player.

I don't think Australian teams lack any fight.

 

[LFC]

I don't think Australian teams lack any fight.

Granted that’s for sure Q we sure have our way no doubt and my comments are nothing to question our Roos.
Without typing paragraphs the latinos hot blooded mindset the fight comes across madder or wilder if that works.
They express it differently maybe that’s more applicable.