Dugout Discussion

Dugout Discussion – France vs Germany

Fantasy managers brace themselves for the penultimate match of Euro 2016 as France and Germany go head-to-head in Marseille at 8pm.

There’s little between the pair as they lock horns for a place in Sunday’s final against Portugal, after Fernando Santos’ side defeated Wales 2-0 last night.

France have won four and drawn one of their five fixtures so far, netting at least twice on four occasions. The 5-2 quarter-final demolition of Iceland ensured that Les Bleus entered the last four as the top-scoring team in the tournament.

Germany, though, showed their mettle by defeating Italy on spot-kicks last time out and, having conceded just a single goal, boast the best defence in Euro 2016.

Joachim Low’s side were equally impressive at the other end of the pitch – they sat joint-top for attempts on goal in the opening five matches and led the way for shots inside the box. Despite netting just seven times to France’s 11, then, the World Champions will be confident of breaching a backline that’s conceded three times against Republic of Ireland and Iceland over their last two matches.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,587 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HNI
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Early Defensive thoughts
    Heaton + Hennesey/Foster
    Defence of Middlbrg + PVA + Davies(Hul)+ 2 of CPL/MUTD/CHE/TOT

    1. Exdeo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      it looks like this is going to be the season when defence can suffer in the sake of points racking mids and forwards....but it's always look good before start, right?:))))) and then they just blank:)))
      looks ok, but wouldn't go with Hull defence...

  2. Prøphet
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    L'equipe is saying that Pogba has told his teammates and friends that he wants to go back to UTD. Thats what they are saying today. So, as i said they are just waiting for a nod from Juve.

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      As a Madrid fan I feel like we bought him a drink to see him go over and sit with his ex.

      1. Prøphet
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yea, i can see the point. If they finalize the deal i really think UTD are top dog for the title and everyone else is chasing.

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          IBRA will have to do bloody well.
          City have a way better attack and with gundogan and PEPs defensive overall they'll have a better defence too

          1. Prøphet
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            To be honest i do not think they do. I think MKHI, Martial Ibra are enough to be contenders. With pogba included i think its not a contest anymore. But hey, thats just me and its an opinion rather than being a prophet 😀

  3. Neuer is far from world class
    Saniul
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Neuer makes too many mistakes for a world-class keeper.

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He's a fantastic sweeper.

      As a goalkeeper, I'd say he's below quite a few, though still class

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yes, his sweeping ability is second to none. But for a keeper who is highly regarded as #1 in the world (guy even got a Ballon d'Or nomination), he makes mistakes - I don't watch BuLi, but often seen a goal conceded due to his misjudgement.

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          In his defence, he only conceded one goal at the Euros that wasn't a penalty.

          1. Saniul
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Yes, I know. But did he have to make more than 2-3 saves in any of those games? Not sure.

            He sure is in the top 5 in the world, no doubt about that, but you can't be the best and make mistakes like that, that's what I am saying.

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              and I agree 🙂

              Personally think it's Lloris 1st, DDG 2nd, Neuer 3rd.

              There are a few knocking at the door, Bravo, Navas, Randolph.. ( 😉 )

        2. Respect My Authoritah
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Agreed 100%

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Lloris and DDG are both better shot stoppers imo.

      Neuer is better at being "sweeper keeper" though, reads the game very well.

      1. The Saints of Footballing B…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        DDG is not error-proof as well though he is overworked @ manu tbf
        I rate Buffon Lloris and even jan Oblak above Neuer, but not DDG

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Buffon - yep, only reason I left him out is his age, but definitely still up there. General at the back.

          I disagree on Oblak though, great keeper but I'd prefer DDG / Lloris / Buffon / Neuer.

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      So, who is better then?

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Buffon, De Gea, Lloris I'd sat confidently

        Handanovic maybe? Not sure on his recent plight, but a couple seasons back he was awesome

        1. Saniul
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Even Cech.

          1. Respect My Authoritah
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Possibly. I'd put Hart (just about), Cech and Courtois in the bracket below Neuer tbh

            1. Prøphet
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              I wouldnt put Hart anywhere near top 10.

              1. Respect My Authoritah
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                Yeah, understandable. I've seen him be truly magnificent quite a few times so it sticks in my mind

                1. Prøphet
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  Oh he has had amazing saves, but i just dont see them enough and too many stupid goals conceded.

                  1. The Saints of Footballing B…
                    • 9 Years
                    7 years, 10 months ago

                    Torres goal vs him in mou 2.0.1? Any1?

              2. pompeyfan
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                agreed. Hart makes far too many mistakes, he's lucky to have had a PL gig for this long, let alone being nailed on at international level for some reason

                1. Prøphet
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  This is so true 😀 Well I also think Valdes is not a great keeper...

                  1. pompeyfan
                    • 14 Years
                    7 years, 10 months ago

                    agree. I think he's poor.

                2. Ruth_NZ
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  Hart isn't even the best England GK. Don't think he's even worth mentioning, he's adequate at best.

                  Buffon is still the best. I don't think that's even up for debate really.

                  Lloris is also a stand out in my opinion though he seems to be under-rated by many on here.

          2. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Cech is beginning to make a few mistakes. Needs a a reassuring season.

            1. Saniul
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              You could say that one season of being #2 might have been responsible for that. It's funny to say, but I actually feel he will be better this season.

            2. pompeyfan
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              he's been making too many mistakes for about 8 years. Not in the bracket below either for me.

              1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                Is it just me or has Cech always made mistakes? I never trusted him as much as Arsenal fans seem to..

                He definitely had a period after his head injury where he was visibly pulling out of 50/50 saves..

                1. pompeyfan
                  • 14 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  totally agree. Been noticing it for ages. Ludicrous to mention him when discussing top keepers imo

                  1. Prøphet
                    • 8 Years
                    7 years, 10 months ago

                    I think he is a great keeper, but not the best. Everyone makes mistakes as a keeper, they just do. I think Lloris is one of the rare ones who tend to make maybe 1-3 mistakes a season or am i being too blind?

                2. Sunden
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  It's not just you

        2. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          As an all rounder Buffon is amazing - especially for his age. DDG and Lloris are brilliant shot shoppers although they both look fallible on occasions.

          1. Saniul
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            de Gea's only weakness is that he still has a near post goal in him once in ten games, otherwise he has vastly improved.

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Agreed - a huge difference from the timid guy who first arrived at Utd.

      2. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Even Mignolet is better than him.

    4. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Very good keeper but worlds best tag is ludicrous.. Two best in the world are in the PL imo.. DDG closely followed by Lloris

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I'd say Lloris followed by DDG, but I get your point.

        1. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Respect your opinion.. Hugo is a sensational keeper

          1. Saniul
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Still can't believe Spurs signed him £10m odd when he was already good, and young as well. Bargain.

        2. The Saints of Footballing B…
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Why oblak not even named? I feel he's better than ddg

          1. Prøphet
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Great shout. I think Oblak is a contender.

          2. Saniul
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            If we are talking about other names, Keylor Navas has been excellent for a team whose defenders make high profile errors almost every game.

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              This. He would have been off had it not been for a dodgy fax machine, and he has come on leaps and bounds. Great keeper.

              1. The Saints of Footballing B…
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                Yes... And Rene Adler?
                How gr8 is his save/goal ratio!

                1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                  • 13 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  To be honest I really don't know much about Adler, I've seen glimpses but couldn't comment on his overall ability. Very highly rated though!

    5. The Saints of Footballing B…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed...

      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Ooooh time for my favourite unpopular opinion as his names getting bandied about, DDG is weak in the air and his distribution is poor 🙂

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        His distribution is excellent.

        Agreed about in the air, though it is greatly improved than when he first arrived

          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          It's not and his catch rate on crosses is still one of the worst in the league, and for those reasons I can't put him in my top 3 in the league and possibly not even top 5.

          1. Respect My Authoritah
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Well I see him find his man very regularly when he kicks it long. Can't think of any keeper with better passing tbh

            1. The Saints of Footballing B…
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Bt can't play the ball to the defence...
              How miserable Spain's build up from back was in this euros...
              Best dist? Hmm...

          2. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            not in the top 5 in the PL? 😯
            Surely his shot stopping alone would give him a strong enough case?

            1. Respect My Authoritah
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Distribution is the smallest factor for a keeper anyway. Not difficult to pass short and let the defenders distribute if needed

              • 10 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              On last season (unordered): Schmeichel, Cech, Lloris, Butland, Gomes.

              They all came out with better save rates too than DDG as well as being much better all round.

              1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                Fair enough I'll give you that. I'd still rate DDG better than 2 of those personally, but there's no denying that Butland / Gomes / Lloris had great seasons.

              2. Respect My Authoritah
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                The problem with using stats for this is you need to consider all the stats.

                What about quality of shots? ie. saves from in the box/out the box, saves where it's one on one etc

                  • 10 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  They still beat him out factoring that in

          3. KingNidge
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            PFA team of the year 3 times in his 5 seasons would strongly suggest your smoking crack Balders my man

              • 10 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              I know I used the personal accolades argument to defend Pogba last night but I think he's overrated for doing the hard stuff well rather than doing the best all round job. He makes great camera saves and saves with his legs a LOT but I'd have other keepers in the PL

              1. KingNidge
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                Entitled to your opinion but you're clearly in a very small minority and quite possibly the only person on planet earth wouldn't have de gea in their top 5 PL goalkeepers.. that has to count for something

                  • 10 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  On all seasons I'd drop off Scmiechs and Gomes but he still doesn't crack top 3

                  1. KingNidge
                    • 8 Years
                    7 years, 10 months ago

                    you're yanking my chain Balders lol

                      • 10 Years
                      7 years, 10 months ago

                      Oh and I forgot to add in Fraser Forster. It's fine margins at the top but I don't rate DDG as highly as so many others do. I said coming into this it was gonna be an unpopular opinion!

                      1. Ruth_NZ
                        • 9 Years
                        7 years, 10 months ago

                        Personally I think your comments are pretty reasonable. 🙂

                        Glad to see someone mention Schmeichel. City had him and Hart as youngsters and decided to prefer Hart and sell Schmeichel. I think they kept the wrong one.

      2. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        DDG is still improving...

        1. The Saints of Footballing B…
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Courtois is still improving...

          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Actually I'd argue that Courtois has gone backwards quite a bit since his time at Atletico.

            1. Prøphet
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              I actually think his first season in Che was amazing. This last one... 🙁 just 🙁

              1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 10 months ago

                Fair enough, maybe I'm being too short sighted with regards to his Chelsea career, he was immense at Atletico though, looked like he'd be the undisputed number 1 in the world.. Seemed a shadow of himself this season.

                1. Prøphet
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 10 months ago

                  His last season was not even a shadow of the 2014 season. Shadow would be miles better.

            2. KingNidge
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              You're bang on with this statement mate.. again another very good keeper but always a mistake in him and was better at Atletico

          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          improving doesn't put him in the top bracket now though.

          1. The Saints of Footballing B…
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Who said that? But that bad season aside, he might recover his place on the works stage, just lyk Hazard and Oscar...
            Hope so, anyway

              • 10 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Slavic, Messi's boxers, kingnidge...

    6. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I disagree.

      Best footwork of any goalkeeper, most rounded goalkeeper (air, sweeper, shot stopper), and a lot of ridiculous saves.

      You can argue the position of De Gea and Neuer, but Lloris and Cech? That's mental.

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Like I said below, Neuer plays for Bayern and Germany so that keeps his stats alright, and he is a great shot-stopper too - but sometimes, that sweeper thing goes too far, and he ends up nowhere while clearing a ball etc. Again, he is great, but there is this argument that no other keepers are as good as Neuer - I'm questioning that.

    7. Biancazzurri
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      well, I like Sommer very much. confident and commanding.

      Lloris is too nice to be the best, not physical enough.

      for me:

      1 DDG
      2 Courtois
      3 Neuer

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Well, not a fan of Courtois, and the fact that he is not getting better is alarming. Was a beast at Atleti though...

        1. Eden Hazardous
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Courtois is very talented but only plays well in the 'big games' where his motivated....Simeone was able to keep him motivated in each match , maybe Conte will as well...

          1. Saniul
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Yes, he has the potential, that's for sure, but he's not as good as Lloris yet, sorry.

    8. Eden Hazardous
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He is world class and the best keeper. Its rarely you see a keeper getting nominated in the top 3 in the Ballon D'Or - that alone makes it ludicrous to not consider him as world class. He won the Golden Glove in WC 14 and may well win again in the Euros this year!

      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        You just mentioned all the reasons why people call him the best keeper. All I'm saying is he plays for Germany and Bayern which keeps his stats alright, but then, you'll see a mistake from him now and then - not the 'he-could-have-saved-that' mistake, but 'no-idea-what-he-was-doing-there' kind of one...

        1. Eden Hazardous
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Every keepers makes mistakes but Neuer is the only one who you could write 10000 words about...he has so many skillsets and does so much on the pitch (for a GK) , that he is bound to make more mistakes than an average shots-stopper.

          1. Saniul
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            Yes, but then, on games, like this, you'd expect your ''world-class keeper'' to not randomly stroll out, sweeping or not.

            He'd make a great defensive midfielder, but that's not what is in the spotlight here.

          2. Eden Hazardous
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 10 months ago

            This is the 13815 word article I hinted at btw - http://spielverlagerung.com/2015/01/09/in-depth-player-analysis-manuel-neuer/

            1. tm245
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 10 months ago

              Wow. That is an immense read.

        2. JÆKS ⭐
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          I don't think playing for Bayern or Germany is a factor that keeps his stats alright. I think DDG (although I highly rate him) - or other gk's playing in more competitive leagues or weaker teams - playing for ManU keeps his stats alright. Easier to look good in a team that concedes many chances so you look like the hero. For example Courtois. I knew he was good but didn't really rated him for Chelsea season 2014/2015 since they just did not concede that much so he didn't have much to do. But he made some incredible saves for Belgium this far. When they have to perform, they are always there, Neuer played a great tournament imo. Worldclass and the best one there is for me.

    9. il Brutto
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      It's widely agreed among the people who have watched them all that Neuer after the world cup has not been on the same level as Buffon and De Gea.

    10. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Disagree on that one 😀

    11. Long Juan Silva
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Laughable hindsight statement. He's head-and-shoulders above anyone and has been for years.

      Just goes to show how fickle football fans can be. 🙄

    12. tm245
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Am way late on this one but i am surprised by how much agreement the post received. Reminds me of how Pogba had fallen in the estimation of posters on here after the group stages. A headed goal in the knockouts plus a rumor of a Special One's 120m bid for him and voila, he is world class again.

  4. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    I think we're all forgetting McGregor is now the best keeper in the PL

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      The North remembers.

  5. Mrm9m
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    https://youtu.be/d55t1I7Ku_8

    This guy is hilarious

  6. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Mark Rogers is a mean old man. 🙁

    Would have been kinder to say nothing than this torture

    1. pompeyfan
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      he's probably an elaborate ruse from some FFS poster or other. Much like the 4am one a few seasons back

    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Probably some combination of him liking all the attention and generating more hits on the FPL website

  7. The Saints of Footballing B…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Excited to see Puel employ a 5-3-2/3-5-2@ Southampton with Pelle(if he stays

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Very unlikely to work in the PL

      1. The Saints of Footballing B…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Wud with gud runners tho
        Saints hav still got them in all positions... Remember that period when we continually managed to win 1-0 last ssn wid 3-5-2?

        1. Respect My Authoritah
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Yep. I guess it can do well in certain games. Just not against quite a few teams

  8. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Guess who is the last team to beat both Portugal and France? 😉

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      England 🙂

      1. The Saints of Footballing B…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Lawl...
        Portugal

    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      In the last two years only one manager had beaten all 4 semi finalists -

      Roy Hodgson

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Justice for Roy 🙂

  9. New post
  10. Ruth_NZ
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Don't know if anyone noticed but the official PL player page shows some re-categorisations.

    Firmino and Alexis are both now classed as forwards. Rooney remains as a forward but Blind is now shown as a defender. Fischer comes in as a forward rather than as a midfielder. Walcott is now a forward too, as are Gradel and (strangely) Schlupp. Dier is re-categorised as a midfielder and Brunt remains one (even though he played a whole season as a LB now).

    I don't know if FPL will follow these categorisations but it would seem fairly likely.

    http://www.premierleague.com/players

    1. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I know for certain Alexis was classified as a forward last year too but on FPL he was a mid.. can't say for sure about the others but likely it means very little

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        OK, that's quite good news. I'd rather have Firmino available as a mid. 🙂

        Seems a bit obtuse if the FPL categorisations don't match the PL ones though.

        1. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Yes for sure...

          Aye it's a bit strange alright.. i'm sure we can expect some reclassifications however

  11. Captain Scarlet
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    If you filter the squads to 2015/16 it states Sanchez is a forward, same with Arnautovic, so it's perfectly feasible that they'll remain as midfielders in the game next season. Unless, of course, by classing them as forwards in 2016/17 they've overwritten the previous seasons' information? I'm sure someone will be able to confirm whether that's the case.

    If only the site would actually let us login already, hey? 😉 Don't think anyone's overly excited about it coming back up though.........

    1. Captain Scarlet
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Reply fail!

  12. Leegiles9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    If I make my transfers for the final now,will people in my mini league get to see them straight away or not until the game has kicked off?

  13. Costa's Counsellor
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any team news for the Wimbledon final?