Your “Syndicate
Hangover” is proudly presented by “Heineken 0.0”
All of the calories
and none of the intoxication!
This dog don’t bite ;
)
Day 22: Recap
Record—
Spread: 24-37
Straight up: 34-21-6
Hot
Girl Standings
|
Country
|
Tally
|
Games Played
|
|
Russia
|
76
|
5 (finished)
|
|
Brazil
|
64
|
5 (finished)
|
|
Sweden
|
51
|
5 (finished)
|
|
Croatia
|
44
|
5
|
|
France
|
43
|
6
|
|
Belgium
|
41
|
6
|
|
Colombia
|
41
|
4 (finished)
|
|
Mexico
|
40
|
4 (finished)
|
|
Spain
|
34
|
4 (finished)
|
|
Argentina
|
34
|
4 (finished)
|
|
Poland
|
32
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Iceland
|
31
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Germany
|
31
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Switzerland
|
30
|
4 (finished)
|
|
Japan
|
30
|
4 (finished)
|
|
England
|
29
|
5
|
|
Portugal
|
29
|
4 (finished)
|
|
Denmark
|
29
|
4 (finished)
|
|
South Korea
|
28
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Uruguay
|
27
|
5 (finished)
|
|
Nigeria
|
24
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Senegal
|
23
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Iran
|
22
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Egypt
|
21
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Tunisia
|
20
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Australia
|
20
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Costa Rica
|
20
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Serbia
|
19
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Morocco
|
18
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Peru
|
18
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Panama
|
13
|
3 (finished)
|
|
Saudi Arabia
|
11
|
3 (finished)
|
Viva le France. Viva la Republic! It all comes together for
Les Bleus two years removed from their humiliating loss to Portugal on home
soil.
Congratulations to all my “Border Brothers”. Toutes mes
felicitations!
Wasn’t a pretty victory or an uncontroversial one, but you’ve
attained the Finals.
Thought you’d be playing for third place on Bastille Day. Looks
like you’ll go for the second star instead.
S.S.S.
Tactical Breakdown 
Many will justifiably be asking what happened to the
favorites. They didn’t resemble the side we had come to know. In a battle
between two high-caliber teams, a tight match was to be expected. Chances are
often at a premium in Semi-Final affairs. Luck often plays a role and it definitely
did today.
After thorough consideration and review, however, your
friendly bookie has to place the blame squarely on Martinez for bad tactical
decisions. He didn't play his best hand today, and it’s unequivocally cost
Belgium the best opportunity they had at glory for many decades.
Lineup—Belgium—Match
Six (Projected) (3-4-3) (7/9/2018) |
Eden Hazard Romelu Lukaku Kevin De Bruyne
|
|
Youri Tielemans Moussa Dembele
|
|
Axel
Witsel Maroune Fellaini
|
|
Jan Vertongen Toby Alderweireld
|
|
Vincent Kompany
|
|
Thibault Courtois
|
Lineup—Belgium—Match
Six (Actual) (4-4-2) (7/10/2018) |
Eden Hazard Romelu Lukaku
|
|
Kevin De Bruyne Nacer Chadli
|
|
Maroune
Fellaini Moussa Dembele
|
|
Jan Vertongen Axel Witsel Toby Alderweireld
|
|
Vincent Kompany
|
|
Thibault Courtois
|
Simply no excuse for this. He fell directly into the trap we’ve
been tracking over the past few days. There was no need to further bolster the
defense as Giroud was never a legitimate threat. His slow pace and tentative
finishing have been on display for anyone who follows the game regularly for
over two years.
He’s nothing more than a red herring. Why opposing coaches
double mark him is beyond me. This nonsense about his physical presence
invariably drawing defenders can be obviated if one simply ignores him. He can’t
do much even when gifted perfect chances. He proved as much in the 23rd,
56th, and 80th minute today.
Stopping Mbappe might have been a concern, but a solid
triangular defense and a sharp keeper (which he undoubtedly had) should have
been trusted with that issue. Mbappe could have even been afforded space to
opull some filthy slick tricks. He had no one to set up!
De Buyne belonged up front in the peaking “Cerberus
Formation” we’ve been discussing. The Red Devils needed to score early and
centrally if they were to set the tone for the match today. Martinez tried to
make the formation flexible, reverting to the 3-4-3 when possible. That didn’t
stand a chance of working without Menuier. The natural defender to transition back.
Witsel couldn’t.
Switching Chadli and placing Dembele that far back
completely killed the central attack options. Neither one of them handled their
assignments well as they had not occupied these positions previously. Dembele
in particular looked lost the whole time. Chadli couldn’t figure out whether to
crash in or push outward.
The French didn't have to work all that hard to shut Lukaku down when De Bruyne was on the flank and Hazard was focused on driving it alone. Martinez should have known that he wouldn’t be able to reach a lone target striker with in-swinging crosses. That approach didn’t work in the first half against the Japanese. What made him think they could compete aerially with the likes of Pogba and Kante back helping?
For some unknown reason he even stuck with this strategy
after they fell behind! At any given point in the second half he could have
repositioned De Bruyne front-right where he belonged. Instead he brought on
Mertens to handle Chadli’s original assignment, then eventually slid De Bruyne
back with Chadli after turning the left flank over to Carrasco. What? He
maintained that ill-fitting 4-4-2 the whole time. Dammit, dammit, dammit. Why?
I suspect this one will go down in the annals as one of the
most mismanaged fixtures in World Cup History. Other boneheaded moves included
the idiotic lack of a post-man on the corner that led to Umtiti’s goal, keeping
Fellaini on the pitch to defend that free-kick when they desperately needed a
change in the 78th, and that meaningless time-killing substitution of
Batshuayi in the 91st.
It’s as Martinez forfeited all his credentials, competence,
and commonsense in favor of the “amateur hour” approach. Such moves gave one
the impression that he wasn’t even paying close attention to developments on
the pitch. How exactly he forgot to do his job defies rational explanation.
That’s how the markedly better team loses sometimes. It’s
truly a bitter pill to swallow for those who knew how great this team was. They
won’t produce such greatness for another generation or more. It’s a horrible
day Belgian football enthusiasts won’t soon forget.
Lineup—France—Match
Six (Projected) (4-2-3-1) (7/9/2018) |
Oliver Giroud
|
|
Blaise Mathuidi Antoine Griezman Kylian Mbappe
|
|
N’Golo Kante Paul Pogba
|
|
Lucas Hernandez Benjamin Pavard
|
|
Samuel Umtiti Raphael Varane
|
|
Hugo Lloris
|
Lineup—France—Match
Six (Actual) (4-2-3-1) (7/9/2018) |
Oliver Giroud
|
|
Blaise Mathuidi Antoine Griezman Kylian Mbappe
|
|
N’Golo Kante Paul Pogba
|
|
Lucas Hernandez Benjamin Pavard
|
|
Samuel Umtiti Raphael Varane
|
|
Hugo Lloris
|
Mbappe did showcase some of his speed and skills. He also
took a dive in the 93rd and employed some flagrant time wasting
tactics late on. Phenomenal defensive work put in by Pogba today. I’ve nothing
but praise for his all-around game. I also really liked the work that Pavard
put in on both sides of the ball. He’s done a fantastic job in this tournament
thrust the high-pressure role we all assumed belonged to Sidibe.
Professional class delivered from Kante, Hernandez, the
centerbacks, the keeper as well. In my estimation, Greizman was only so-so.
Giroud really had a bad match. They’d do well to feign an injury for him before
the final. Benching him would cause too much controversy. Thus, they might as
well rule him out because of his fickle hamstring and return Mbappe to the
striker role.
Your friendly bookie isn’t giving out grades for other
countries this year, but the French Medical Staff deserves a big fat fucking “F”
for leaving Mathuidi out there on the pitch when he was clearly concussed and
disoriented. How could they be so blatantly stupid as to endanger one of their
own in such a fashion?
As for their prospects in the final, I’ll augur that simply
substituting Tolisso for Mathuidi and maintaining this 4-2-3-1 won’t be good
enough. They need to unleash Mbappe, Griezman, and possibly Pogba while getting
Giroud out of the way.
A lot still depends on the state of the opponent, of course.
Much will be revealed tomorrow.
S.S.S.
Half-Assed Culture Minute
(Tournament
in Review—Part I)
For those just joining us at the tail-end of the campaign,
you might be interested to know that me and the boys have been doing more than
just betting, phoning riffing, and obsessing over tactics.
We’ve also been exchanging views on some of our favorite
football-related books and programs from both past and present. Our journey
comes to a close in a few short days. Upon your return to the “Real World”
consider taking some of these great reference materials with you. It’s a great
way to keep some of your tournament memories alive ; )
Here’s half of what we’ve covered thus far.
(Day
One Recap—“Phenoms”)
It’ll take you quite some time to catch up with this program
produced by FOX Sports. It’s still well worth a binge watch on your “lazy day”
Filmed over the course of the two years preceding the tournament, it charts the
progress of young players from all over the world as they fight for a place in
their respective national squads. Each country has its own episode.
Riveting viewing for those who love a good human interest
story.
(Day
Two Recap—“Great Reads”)
Honestly wonder what Simon Kuper and Syzmanski will write
next now that England isn’t losing anymore ; )
In any event, “Soccernomics”, “Das Reboot”, and “Spain’s
Treble” are must reads for football fans. This tournament will obviously yield
a whole new set of publications detailing the new State of the Game. Can’t
Wait!
(Day
Six Recap—“Independent Lens and ‘Forever Pure’”)
PBS’s “Independent Lens” always delivers. We cover some of
their greatest episodes from this season, including the hard-hitting
investigative journalism piece that takes you inside the harrowing story of the
Chechen Muslims recruited to play for Israel’s Beitar FC.
One of the most moving and fascinating footballing stories.
Masterfully chronicled too.
(Day
Seven Recap—“Jafar Panahi’s ‘Offside’”)
A fantastic and touching Iranian Film from 2006. Thanks to
Syndicate Member 101-M for reminding me about this Classic. Those who haven’t
checked it out yet really need to.
(Day
Eight Recap—“Les Bleaus 1996-2016”)
Ze French are the most mercurial nation in the history of
international football….and they’re about to write another intriguing chapter!
You’ll love revisiting all the famous triumphs and implosions. True
international footballing maniacs like myself know the full story already, but
we just can’t get enough. ; )
We’ll go over the other half tomorrow.
Don’t forget that there’s always sixteen years of memories
over twenty-five chapters available for your perusal in this tiny corner of
cyberspace. Your friendly neighborhood Syndicate and your friendly bookie
remain open to you at all times ; )
“Riffs
of the Day”—Day Twenty-Two
Reader:
En-Marche les Grenoble! Viva la Republic!
Vicey:
Meh. Comme ci comme ca. Cahin-Caha. Entre le zist et le zest. So lala.
Reader:
Antonine Greizman perfects the sad-puppy-dog face.
Vicey:
Well put, 23-M. He looks like me attempting to go to a college bar at the age
of 35, then immediately facing that grim reality that my 68-year-old father has
better prospects than me.
Reader:
So they assume that Courtois can cover the post too.
Vicey:
They assumed that he could teleport after that save, 45-M.
Reader:
Looks like no one can stop the Lions now.
Vicey:
Szymanski and Kuper just shat a brick.
Reader:
Who will carry Germany now?
Vicey:
So long as it’s not Lufthansa I’ll be happy.
DAY TWENTY-THREE—PREVIEW
England vs. Croatia
vs. 
Many of you cashed in today, so I’m going to double down and
hold the line. Good Luck, gentlemen. Let’s enjoy a good match together. You’ll
never watch alone!
THE
LINE: England +1 Goal (holding)
GENTLEMEN,
ENTER YOUR WAGERS
