Patrick Kluivert...

[reddevilcanada]

You really like inference don't you. Unless I say something directly stop putting words and notions into my mouth. I didn't blame Ronaldo for Brazil's poor world cup. I blamed Ronaldo for Ronaldo's poor world cup.

He scored 3 goals in 5 games, 2 against Japan and 1 against world cup debutants Ghana. Proves what I said earlier, when the difference in relative talent is large then scoring is not a problem, the smaller the margins are, the more the little things count, such as his weight.

Irrespective of whether Carlos made a mistake Ronaldo could have played all day and not scored, he wasn't a threat, didn't look like being a threat at any stage in that match. How could he? Couldn't out sprint Gallas, couldn't outlast him, couldn't out jump him. Would having less weight and being fitter helped him and the team, yes.

No, you ARE blaming Ronaldo for Brazil's exit at the world cup, otherwise you wouldn't be expecting only him to be doing the damage against France, there are 10 other players on the pitch. How could Ronaldo be a threat when he couldn't get any proper service from Kaka or Ronaldinho who were well below par against France? Ever thought of that?

And, again, Ronaldo didn't have a poor world cup, otherwise he wouldn't have ended up being the tournament's second top scorer...

 

[krazyrobus]

No, you ARE blaming Ronaldo for Brazil's exit at the world cup, otherwise you wouldn't be expecting only him to be doing the damage against France, there are 10 other players on the pitch. How could Ronaldo be a threat when he couldn't get any proper service from Kaka or Ronaldinho who were well below par against France? Ever thought of that?

I'm not, obviously it was a group effort and everyone was mediocre i'm only foccussing on Ronaldo's performance because it is relevant to this argument.

Ronaldo could have contributed without the ball. You don't necessarily have to have the ball to contribute to a team. For instance in that game, France clogged the midfield with Vieira and Makelele to stop Kaka and Ronaldinho. Then when you add that Brazil were also playing 2 holding midfielders in Ze Roberto and Gilberto that makes for a very clogged midfield.

A fit Ronaldo pulling out wide and working the channels, in tandem with Adriano doing so on the other side pull their respective central defenders out wide which then makes the holding midfielders in front of them drop deeper to cover the space which then offers Kaka and Ronaldinho more space centrally to work their passes.

Did either of them do that? Nope they both stayed centrally which as a consequence constricted the space Kaka and Ronaldinho had to work with which consequently affects the match. Of course there are other factors such as not enough full back overlapping to assist in stretching the defence.

 

[reddevilcanada]

I'm not, obviously it was a group effort and everyone was mediocre i'm only foccussing on Ronaldo's performance because it is relevant to this argument.

Ronaldo could have contributed without the ball. You don't necessarily have to have the ball to contribute to a team. For instance in that game, France clogged the midfield with Vieira and Makelele to stop Kaka and Ronaldinho. Then when you add that Brazil were also playing 2 holding midfielders in Ze Roberto and Gilberto that makes for a very clogged midfield.

A fit Ronaldo pulling out wide and working the channels, in tandem with Adriano doing so on the other side pull their respective central defenders out wide which then makes the holding midfielders in front of them drop deeper to cover the space which then offers Kaka and Ronaldinho more space centrally to work their passes.

Did either of them do that? Nope they both stayed centrally which as a consequence constricted the space Kaka and Ronaldinho had to work with which consequently affects the match. Of course there are other factors such as not enough full back overlapping to assist in stretching the defence.

Ronaldo has always been the target man type striker, give him the ball and let him do the damage, not a second striker that you'd expect to drop deep and roam around on the flanks at times, that was meant to be Adriano who failed miserably and the reason why Parreira subbed him off in the second half and brought Robinho on instead to give them more mobility. But there were too many problems with Brazil, and mainly the incompatability of Ronaldinho and Kaka in a Central midfield partnership. It never worked and Brazil paid for it big time. In fact, it still hasn't worked despite Dunga fielding the duo together in the world cup qualifiers. Parreira's tactics and team selection was the main reason for Brazil's capitulation and embarrasment against France, not Ronaldo's lack of six-pack abs.

 

[krazyrobus]

Ronaldo has always been the target man type striker, give him the ball and let him do the damage, not a second striker that you'd expect to drop deep and roam around on the flanks at times, that was meant to be Adriano who failed miserably and the reason why Parreira subbed him off in the second half and brought Robinho on instead to give them more mobility. But there were too many problems with Brazil, and mainly down to the incompatability of Ronaldinho and Kaka in a Central midfield partnership. It never worked and Brazil paid for it big time. In fact, it still hasn't worked despite Dunga fielding the duo together in the world cup qualifiers. Parreira's tactics and team selection was the main reason for Brazil's capitulation and embarrasment against France, not Ronaldo's lack of six-pack abs.

You don't have to be a second striker to be able to drop deep and occasionally work the channels. you just need the necessary attributes to do so. Torres and Saha, are classic examples of men who lead the line but also stretch defenses by sometimes pulling wide which allows the middle men to advance. Ronaldo falls into this category of striker.

Kaka and Ronaldinho as a combination has worked before, it worked at the confed cup the season before world cup where they beat Germany in the semis and then ripped Argentina to shreds in the final.

What was the difference between the confed cup and the world cup? Ronaldo, Carlos and Cafu, who all didn't play the confed cup. Surprise surprise the 2 guys who's responsibility it is to provide width, as well as a striker who could have assisted in that task.

 

[H10]

A kluivert compilation, showing his demise, and why he fell from the top...

 

[reddevilcanada]

You don't have to be a second striker to be able to drop deep and occasionally work the channels. you just need the necessary attributes to do so. Torres and Saha, are classic examples of men who lead the line but also stretch defenses by sometimes pulling wide which allows the middle men to advance. Ronaldo falls into this category of striker.

Kaka and Ronaldinho as a combination has worked before, it worked at the confed cup the season before world cup where they beat Germany in the semis and then ripped Argentina to shreds in the final.

What was the difference between the confed cup and the world cup? Ronaldo, Carlos and Cafu, who all didn't play the confed cup. Surprise surprise the 2 guys who's responsibility it is to provide width, as well as a striker who could have assisted in that task.

Actually the Kaka and Ronaldinho combination at the confed cup didn't work as well as people thought, otherwise it wouldn't have failed so spectacularly in the world cup. The reason why they won the confed cup was because Adriano had an amazing tournament and Cafu and Carlos didn't play allowing Cicinho and Gilberto the chance to impress Parreira which they did, but stupid Parreira didn't have the balls to drop Carfu and Carlos when they returned for the world cup.

Also you fail to mention that it was Robinho who played as the second striker for Brazil alongside Adriano who did the dropping deep part regularly. Also they lost to Mexico and tied Japan in that tournament...

Adriano was amazing in that tournament but quite shit at the world cup and the reason why he got subbed for Robinho in the second half against France...

So clearly there are a lot of reasons for Brazil's triumph in the confed cup and also for their failure at the world cup, but none of those dismiss the fact that Ronaldo didn't have a poor world cup despite your attempts to somehow prove this and attribute Brazil's failure against France to.

Of course a target man does a bit of dropping deep occasionally, but you can't expect him to play on the flanks and move around constantly. Their midfield was too static, full backs non-existant in attack, Adriano shit (which is why he got subbed off for Robinho in the second half), Ronaldo had no service and definitely not responsible for Brazil's defeat despite your attempts to portray it as such. You're getting way too desperate now.

 

[krazyrobus]

Actually the Kaka and Ronaldinho combination at the confed cup didn't work as well as people thought, otherwise it wouldn't have failed so spectacularly in the world cup. The reason why they won the confed cup was because Adriano had an amazing tournament and Cafu and Carlos didn't play allowing Cicinho and Gilberto the chance to impress Parreira which they did, but stupid Parreira didn't have the balls to drop Carfu and Carlos when they returned for the world cup.

It failed because they weren't afforded the same space they were at the confed cup. We've already established that the bulk of that is because of the fullbacks. And I add the strikers to that.

How can you say it didn't work as well as people thought when you just acknowledged the reason that it didn't work, space. No combination no matter how good it is or a player no matter how good he is will work when they have no space in which to work with.

Also you fail to mention that it was Robinho who played as the second striker for Brazil alongside Adriano who did the dropping deep part regularly. Also they lost to Mexico and tied Japan in that tournament...

Adriano was amazing in that tournament but quite shit at the world cup and the reason why he got subbed for Robinho in the second half against France...

Doesn't this prove my point? If Ronaldo had the fitness is Robinho then he would be doing what Robinho was doing and dropping deeper, or moving wide as necessary to stretch defences therefore give Kaka and Ronaldinho space.

Same thing with Adriano, he did everything required of him at the confed cup and that contributed a huge amount to why they played well he picked up a significant amount of weight prior to WC2006. Therefore his moments were labored and predictable unlike the confed cup where he again worked the channels in tandem with Robinho combined with Cicinho and Gilberto providing width regularly.

See the pattern here, fullbacks not overlapping + strikers picking up weight and not pulling their weight = the biggest reasons that team had an ineffective tournament.

So clearly there are a lot of reasons for Brazil's triumph in the confed cup and also for their failure at the world cup, but none of those dismiss the fact that Ronaldo didn't have a poor world cup despite your attempts to somehow prove this and attribute Brazil's failure against France to.

Obviously it was a combined effort that resulted in their sucess in one tournament and their failure in the other which is why I gave other reasons and hence why I mentioned that the fullbacks as being the main attribute to their failure.

Of course a target man does a bit of dropping deep occasionally, but you can't expect him to play on the flanks and move around constantly. Their midfield was too static, full backs non-existant in attack, Adriano shit (which is why he got subbed off for Robinho in the second half), Ronaldo had no service and definitely not responsible for Brazil's defeat despite your attempts to portray it as such. You're getting way too desperate now.

Why not? Saha and Torres at their best do so regularly. Adriano did so at the confed cup but failed to do so and likewise Ronaldo failed to do so. Both failed for the same reasons failing to assist in creating space for the forwards in midfield.

In the rankings of blame the fullbacks come 1st, the strikers come second, which the area Ronaldo happens to be in. How would that be desperate...

 

[reddevilcanada]

It failed because they weren't afforded the same space they were at the confed cup. We've already established that the bulk of that is because of the fullbacks. And I add the strikers to that.

How can you say it didn't work as well as people thought when you just acknowledged the reason that it didn't work, space. No combination no matter how good it is or a player no matter how good he is will work when they have no space in which to work with.



Doesn't this prove my point? If Ronaldo had the fitness is Robinho then he would be doing what Robinho was doing and dropping deeper, or moving wide as necessary to stretch defences therefore give Kaka and Ronaldinho space.

Same thing with Adriano, he did everything required of him at the confed cup and that contributed a huge amount to why they played well he picked up a significant amount of weight prior to WC2006. Therefore his moments were labored and predictable unlike the confed cup where he again worked the channels in tandem with Robinho combined with Cicinho and Gilberto providing width regularly.

See the pattern here, fullbacks not overlapping + strikers picking up weight and not pulling their weight = the biggest reasons that team had an ineffective tournament.



Obviously it was a combined effort that resulted in their sucess in one tournament and their failure in the other which is why I gave other reasons and hence why I mentioned that the fullbacks as being the main attribute to their failure.



Why not? Saha and Torres at their best do so regularly. Adriano did so at the confed cup but failed to do so and likewise Ronaldo failed to do so. Both failed for the same reasons failing to assist in creating space for the forwards in midfield.

In the rankings of blame the fullbacks come 1st, the strikers come second, which the area Ronaldo happens to be in. How would that be desperate...

In the confed cup, Adriano had Robinho who did the dropping deep bit and roaming about, in addition to Cicinho and Gilberto, and more efficiency from kaka and ronaldinho as a result. In the world cup, Ronaldo did enough as usual, but Adriano didn't do the dropping deep bit and more movements which Robinho provided(that's why he was subbed off in the second half against France) and there were no help from full-backs and as a result not much help from Kaka or Ronaldinho, Ronaldo couldn't do much without them, so Ronaldo would be among the last people who should take the blame for the loss, because he wasn't supposed to be running around like Robinho did. He was the more central striker (like Adriano in the confed cup) and couldn't do much without the help from Adriano (who was supposed to do the dropping down bit like Robinho did in the confed cup as the second striker), cafu and carlos (like Cicinho and Gilberto did) and the service from Ronaldinho and kaka. Hence, he's hardly to blame for Brazil's defeat, period.

But somehow you expect him to be roaming around despite him getting no help from his strike partner Adriano who was supposed to be the second striker a la Robinho in the confed cup, no help from full backs, and no service from Ronaldinho or kaka, your failure to admit all these and instead pointing the finger at Ronaldo shows that you're getting desperate trying to blame Brazil's defeat on him.

 

[krazyrobus]

In the confed cup, Adriano had Robinho who did the dropping deep bit and roaming about, in addition to Cicinho and Gilberto, and more efficiency from kaka and ronaldinho as a result. In the world cup, Ronaldo did enough as usual, but Adriano didn't do the dropping deep bit and more movements which Robinho provided(that's why he was subbed off in the second half against France) and there were no help from full-backs and as a result not much help from Kaka or Ronaldinho, Ronaldo couldn't do much without them, so Ronaldo would be among the last people who should take the blame for the loss, because he wasn't supposed to be running around like Robinho did. He was the more central striker (like Adriano in the confed cup) and couldn't do much without the help from Adriano (who was supposed to do the dropping down bit like Robinho did in the confed cup as the second striker), cafu and carlos (like Cicinho and Gilberto did) and the service from Ronaldinho and kaka. Hence, he's hardly to blame for Brazil's defeat, period.

But somehow you expect him to be roaming around despite him getting no help from his strike partner Adriano who was supposed to be the second striker a la Robinho in the confed cup, no help from full backs, and no service from Ronaldinho or kaka, your failure to admit all these and instead pointing the finger at Ronaldo shows that you're getting desperate trying to blame Brazil's defeat on him.

Adriano had fabulous movement in the confed cup which Ronaldo failed to replicate at the world cup. Adriano worked very well with Robinho because they would swop positions with 1 being more advanced than the other and thus giving defenders terrible problems in organisation.

How can Ronaldo be the last person to blame is he is half of the second biggest problem Brazil had on the pitch.

Your last paragraph is unbelievable, I wrote twice in that last post that the fullbacks have more blame and Adriano has equal blame, how pray tell is that getting "desperate trying to blame Brazil's defeat on him."

Also interesting to note that since the tournament the fullbacks and the strikers have not represented Brazil ever again since that quarterfinal defeat, but everyone else has, what does that tell you.

 

[reddevilcanada]

Adriano had fabulous movement in the confed cup which Ronaldo failed to replicate at the world cup. Adriano worked very well with Robinho because they would swop positions with 1 being more advanced than the other and thus giving defenders terrible problems in organisation.

How can Ronaldo be the last person to blame is he is half of the second biggest problem Brazil had on the pitch.

Your last paragraph is unbelievable, I wrote twice in that last post that the fullbacks have more blame and Adriano has equal blame, how pray tell is that getting "desperate trying to blame Brazil's defeat on him."

Also interesting to note that since the tournament the fullbacks and the strikers have not represented Brazil ever again since that quarterfinal defeat, but everyone else has, what does that tell you.

See, you still can't understand the difference it makes when you have a proper second striker like Robinho and helpful full backs like Cicinho and Gilberto and as a result good service from KaKa and Ronaldinho. Ronaldo did NOT have the help from such players at the world cup!!!!!!!! Adriano on the other hand DID HAVE the help from these players at the confed cup! Is this really that hard to understand????

And you call Ronaldo half of the second biggest problem brazil had on the pitch

 

[Bynni]

Adriano had fabulous movement in the confed cup which Ronaldo failed to replicate at the world cup. Adriano worked very well with Robinho because they would swop positions with 1 being more advanced than the other and thus giving defenders terrible problems in organisation.

How can Ronaldo be the last person to blame is he is half of the second biggest problem Brazil had on the pitch.

Your last paragraph is unbelievable, I wrote twice in that last post that the fullbacks have more blame and Adriano has equal blame, how pray tell is that getting "desperate trying to blame Brazil's defeat on him."

Also interesting to note that since the tournament the fullbacks and the strikers have not represented Brazil ever again since that quarterfinal defeat, but everyone else has, what does that tell you.

That Cafu and Roberto Carlos have retired from international football? That Adriano is an unfit, alcoholic tub of lard and that Ronaldo has been injured 90% of the time since then?

Sorry, I just had to say it... both of you do have good points though.

 

[krazyrobus]

See, you still can't understand the difference it makes when you have a proper second striker like Robinho and helpful full backs like Cicinho and Gilberto and as a result good service from KaKa and Ronaldinho. Ronaldo did NOT have the help from such players at the world cup!!!!!!!! Adriano on the other hand DID HAVE the help from these players at the confed cup! Is this really that hard to understand????

And you call Ronaldo half of the second biggest problem brazil had on the pitch

I explained earlier than Ronaldo is the type of striker like Torres or Saha who can play BOTH as a main striker or second striker and are equally comfortable doing both roles.

Ronaldo did not have help because he played a significant part in not helping them in the 1st place. How can a forward pass the ball to the strikers that don't offer themselves in good positions? How can the forwards make good decisions in constricted spaces where they have very little time to react.

The relationship is symbiotic, you need to help in order to be helped and chicken and egg scenario.

And yes Ronaldo was half of the second biggest problem. If you consider the fullbacks to be problem number 1 and the strikers to be problem number 2.

 

[krazyrobus]

That Cafu and Roberto Carlos have retired from international football? That Adriano is an unfit, alcoholic tub of lard and that Ronaldo has been injured 90% of the time since then?

Sorry, I just had to say it... both of you do have good points though.

Cafu and Roberto Carlos would not make the team is they hadn't retired. Cafu isn't a regular at Milan and Carlos now plays in backwater Turkey.

Adraino being unfit and alcholic is the crux of my point about Ronaldo being the same, very talented individuals who's personal choices fecked them up.

Ronaldo played a good chunk of Milan's second half of the season but was not picked for any of Brazil's subsequent friendlies, and not the copa america despite the fact that that joke of a striker Vagner Love was playing at #9

 

[Bynni]

Cafu and Roberto Carlos would not make the team is they hadn't retired. Cafu isn't a regular at Milan and Carlos now plays in backwater Turkey.

Adraino being unfit and alcholic is the crux of my point about Ronaldo being the same, very talented individuals who's personal choices fecked them up.

Ronaldo played a good chunk of Milan's second half of the season but was not picked for any of Brazil's subsequent friendlies, and not the copa america despite the fact that that joke of a striker Vagner Love was playing at #9

I agree about Cafu and Carlos, both were clearly past it by then and Adriano fecked it up with partying. As I understand it Ronaldo has a thyroid problem or something of that ilk, which ultimately leads to weight gain and his lack of fitness was painfully obvious.

In addition to all that crap, morale was non existant in the Brazilian camp and not only Ronaldo and Adriano were partying too much... many people seem to forget Ronaldinho's part in that.

Seeing Brazil suck as much as they did was a shock!

 

[reddevilcanada]

I explained earlier than Ronaldo is the type of striker like Torres or Saha who can play BOTH as a main striker or second striker and are equally comfortable doing both roles.

Ronaldo did not have help because he played a significant part in not helping them in the 1st place. How can a forward pass the ball to the strikers that don't offer themselves in good positions? How can the forwards make good decisions in constricted spaces where they have very little time to react.

The relationship is symbiotic, you need to help in order to be helped and chicken and egg scenario.

And yes Ronaldo was half of the second biggest problem. If you consider the fullbacks to be problem number 1 and the strikers to be problem number 2.

Ronaldo has always been the main striker for Brazil, not a second striker, it was Adriano who was supposed to be the second striker which he failed miserably at and the reason why he was subbed off for Robinho! What do you expect Ronaldo do to when he's got his back against four French defenders and well covered by Makelele and Vierra as well? What's he to do when there's barely any space to run into? What's he to do when Adriano can't do feck all as a second striker and eventually gets subbed off for Robinho who does bring a bit of life but too late? What's he to do when kaka and Ronaldinho can't create anything because Cafu and Carlos are anything but helpful in the French half? He did what he always did and that is to play the #9 striking role, but unfortunately those around him failed to do what was expected of them and he suffered as a result. But too bad you can't seem to see that and expect Ronaldo to be doing everything for Brazil.

 

[krazyrobus]

Ronaldo has always been the main striker for Brazil, not a second striker, it was Adriano who was supposed to be the second striker which he failed miserably at and the reason why he was subbed off for Robinho! What do you expect Ronaldo do to when he's got his back against four French defenders and well covered by Makelele and Vierra as well? What's he to do when Adriano can't do feck all as a second striker and eventually gets subbed off for Robinho who does bring a bit of life but too late? What's he to do when kaka and Ronaldinho can't create anything because Cafu and Carlos are anything but helpful in the French half? He did what he always did and that is to play the #9 striking role, but unfortunately those around him failed to do what was expected of them and he suffered as a result. But too bad you can't seem to see that and expect Ronaldo to be doing everything for Brazil.

When Ronaldo played with Romario between 94-98 he was the second striker. They combined to be the best strike partnership I have ever seen.

Ronaldo was not covered by 4 men, just two, the centre backs. Vieira and Makelele were responsible for Ronaldinho and Kaka. I already explained previously that if Ronaldo had better movement and moved out wide in conjunction with Adriano that creates more space for Kaka and Ronaldinho to work with.

How am I expecting Ronaldo to "do everything for Brazil" when I blame the fullbacks, Adriano and him.

 

[reddevilcanada]

When Ronaldo played with Romario between 94-98 he was the second striker. They combined to be the best strike partnership I have ever seen.

Ronaldo was not covered by 4 men, just two, the centre backs. Vieira and Makelele were responsible for Ronaldinho and Kaka. I already explained previously that if Ronaldo had better movement and moved out wide in conjunction with Adriano that creates more space for Kaka and Ronaldinho to work with.

How am I expecting Ronaldo to "do everything for Brazil" when I blame the fullbacks, Adriano and him.

In the world cup, it was pretty obvious that Ronaldo was the main striker and Adriano the supposed second striker, that's why Parreira brought on Robinho for Adriano in the second half, since Adriano was useless in dropping deep and opening up some space for Ronaldo to run into. With Cafu and Carlos useless in attack, the French full-backs had a field day and not much worry, same with Makelele and Vierra since Zidane was running the show and kaka and ronaldinho were just admiring, so they didn't have much to worry either, Ronaldo as a result was isolated and very well covered. Ronaldinho and kaka did feck all to create or give any proper service to Ronaldo either, further nullifying Ronaldo's chances of scoring. Ronaldo did nothing wrong in that game, those aroung him did. Especially the full-backs, Adriano, kaka and Ronaldinho.

 

[Alex]

I explained earlier than Ronaldo is the type of striker like Torres or Saha who can play BOTH as a main striker or second striker and are equally comfortable doing both roles.

Ronaldo did not have help because he played a significant part in not helping them in the 1st place. How can a forward pass the ball to the strikers that don't offer themselves in good positions? How can the forwards make good decisions in constricted spaces where they have very little time to react.

The relationship is symbiotic, you need to help in order to be helped and chicken and egg scenario.

And yes Ronaldo was half of the second biggest problem. If you consider the fullbacks to be problem number 1 and the strikers to be problem number 2.

Maybe, but in all honesty Ronaldo when healthy and fit was world class at all he did, the other strikers you mentioned had a lot of strengths and some faults,but in his prime did Ronaldo have any weakness, maybe, maybe in the air but to be fair the ball was already in teh net everytime it passed the back line cuz of him

 

[krazyrobus]

In the world cup, it was pretty obvious that Ronaldo was the main striker and Adriano the supposed second striker, that's why Parreira brought on Robinho for Adriano in the second half, since Adriano was useless in dropping deep and opening up some space for Ronaldo to run into. With Cafu and Carlos useless in attack, the French full-backs had a field day and not much worry, same with Makelele and Vierra since Zidane was running the show and kaka and ronaldinho were just admiring, so they didn't have much to worry either, Ronaldo as a result was isolated and very well covered. Ronaldinho and kaka did feck all to create or give any proper service to Ronaldo either, further nullifying Ronaldo's chances of scoring. Ronaldo did nothing wrong in that game, those aroung him did. Especially the full-backs, Adriano, kaka and Ronaldinho.

Being the main striker does not mean you can just stand in the final third and fold your arms if your teammates do nothing for you. Had he tried to actually move out wide and try to engineer something and but not succeeded that would absolve him from blame in my books. The fact is that he did not even try.

 

[reddevilcanada]

Being the main striker does not mean you can just stand in the final third and fold your arms if your teammates do nothing for you. Had he tried to actually move out wide and try to engineer something and but not succeeded that would absolve him from blame in my books. The fact is that he did not even try.

Unfortunately this isn't true, otherwise I'd love to agree with you. There's only so much you can do when the rest of your teammates aren't helping you, and he did what he always did, but at the end of the day, his efforts came to nothing as his teammates didn't help him at all resulting in France completely dominating the midfield and as a result the game.