Dugout Discussion
25 June 2016 1657 comments
Paul Paul
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Saturday evening serves up one last encounter as Croatia take on Portugal for a place in the quarter finals.

Anti Cacic’s side are slight favourites for this one after coming from behind to defeat defending champions Spain 2-1 last time out.

Certainly, the Group D winners pose plenty of close-range threat. Croatia notched five times, netting twice in each of the last two, and were ranked joint-third along with Vincente del Bosque’s side for efforts inside the opposition box over the group stages.

Croatia’s late capitulation against Czech Republic in Matchday 2, where they threw away a two-goal advantage with 15 minutes remaining, offers hope to Portugal.

Fernando Santos’ side arrived at the Euros as a defensive-minded outfit but have fired more attempts on goal than any other side. Given that Cristiano Ronaldo registered an incredible 30 of his nation’s 70 attempts, the Real Madrid man will surely be a pivotal figure if Portugal are to progress.

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  1. Fergietime
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I'm very surprised to see players drinking Carlsberg in the dressing rooms - notably Irish and Welsh team. I'm supposed managers allowed this. One of Irish players was eating a pizza and having a beer after the Italy match lol

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      naiggolan smokes

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Disgraceful. 😉

          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          No suprise that Szczęsny moved to Roma in that case.

          1. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            😆

    2. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If Carlsberg did dressing rooms though..

    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wait.. What? They eat after a game? 😯

      1. Fergietime
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Less of the dramatics tis, eating junk food and beer is surprising

        1. Epic Fail
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          It's fine in moderation.

        2. George Sillett
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Surprised they don't get free Maccy D's washed done with coca cola.

    4. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Worst time to drink alcohol. Not what the body needs when it is dehydrated.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not actually true.

        'A' pint actually helps you hydrate as its isotonic.

        I say 'A' pint.

        1. Jafalad
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Although you are trolling I will answer you with science:

          http://www.outsideonline.com/1928696/truth-about-post-workout-beer

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            I am not trolling.

            I await your science.

            A single pint restores your hydration better than a pint of water.

            #Science

            1. Hooky
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Carlsberg is basically water anyway 😉 Surely they could afford something better than that. Should be on the Ratz as they are in France

          2. Camp No No
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Your article doesn't actually provide any proof against what Ginkapo said. Most that it states concerns drinking _before_ exercise.

            All it says about _after_ exercise drinking is that consuming a lot of alcohol (0.5g-1.5g alcohol per kg of body mass) disrupts sleep pattern and messes recovery (and even that is based on a research that could not possibly be called conclusive, for the small sample size). Even the smaller amount is, according to one referred article, for a man weighing 154 pounds, 3.5 standard drinks. According to that sam article, lower amount than that, if consumed after or with food, alcohol does not harm recovery nor affect dehydration, at least. Ginkapo talks about _one_ beer. Same for sleep, it is well known that getting hammered disrupts it, but one-two drinks does not.

    5. puddingbrood
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Now I think of it, why has no one ever thought about a pizza & beer service that delivers straight to your dressing room.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Think Wenger tried a start up? Only lasted a week.

    6. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Pizza is great post work out carbs.

      A few beer, what harm? Good for the group to bond. Things cant be too regimented these guys are human after all.

      They need to have a bit of craic.

      1. Fergietime
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'm sure their doctors and team know what their doing, I was shocked though. There is such emphasis on diet and fitness, didn't expect to see Randolph with a bottle of beer on the team bus with France to play in three days. I thought Big Jacks culture was gone

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Good for the group to celebrate the victory in my opinion FergieTime.

          I would say they hit the beer hard and i'm not surprised to be honest.

          A one-off is grand to me its only the Big Jack days if there is excessive drinking on a consistent basis.

          1. Fergietime
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising it, I'm just surprised in a culture that has gone fitness mad 🙂 They deserved a beer

            1. Hibbo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              According to reports we had a long journey to Versailles and didnt get back to 5.30 am so id imagine we did not train the next day.

              1. Fergietime
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                Yes training was cancelled the day after. Lookin forward to tomorrow I hope we give them a good game

                1. Hibbo
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  Me too Fergie Time.

                  The pressure should really be with France and if we can recreate the performance against the Italians and set a good high speed to the game early doors and get at them I think we have a real chance.

                  I dont see this as anywhere near a vintage France team and we are far from 10/1 shots in my opinion.

                  1. Cheeseoid
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    10 years, 1 month ago

                    Hope the Republic and England can both win to meet in the next round. It would be great

                    1. Hibbo
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      10 years, 1 month ago

                      Me too Cheese.

                      It would be dreamland stuff a quarter final vs England.

                      The players and management team have all done themselves proud tomorrow is a bonus but coming out of the group wasnt unexpected and in that first 11 we now have a good nucleus of a team going towards World Cup qualification hopefully with Martin & Roy still in command.

                      1. Cheeseoid
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        It would guarantee one of us a semi as well. I think we can both agree that would be a bit special so good luck

                      2. Hibbo
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 13 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        I might have a bet on us to win 1-0 tomorrow or to go through on pens.

                      3. Cheeseoid
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        10 years, 1 month ago

                        Although it would screw my intended Payet captaincy

    7. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Best time to eat and drink suger if at all..straight after a game to refill the depleated energy stores and it will not add as fat. Nothing wrong with that at all

  2. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Absolute Crap

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      But but Croatia is a favourite

      1. Syd.
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Did you just see that free kick

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, it was terrible

  3. puddingbrood
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Very poor refereeing.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Almost as poor as the game.

      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Clattenburg was also poor in the Polish game. Every decision went the Swiss way.

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        from 2nd half onwards

          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Yes. That slide tackle from Schar was nasty, not to mention Embolo who didn't get a yellow card and he surely deserved one.

          1. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            and we shouldve had a penalty just before penalties

          2. Stats Don\'t Lie
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            good news, i get to see our quarter final 🙂

              • 11 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              I won't be able to watch it - I will be at the Red Hot Chilli Peppers' concert at that time.

              1. Stats Don\'t Lie
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                at open'er?

                  • 11 Years
                  10 years, 1 month ago

                  🙂

  4. Jay_
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any chance Guerriero will get subbed soon? A lot Croatian pressure coming from his side.

    1. Jay_
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Or the Majority of whatever Croatian pressure, I should say

    2. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah.

  5. Jafalad
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Remind me again - as this turgid affair is going to pens - do defenders get cs points after:

    90 mins ...or

    Extra time?

    1. Jay_
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ET

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Extra

    3. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Chaars lads 😉

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Rakitic has been so bad

    1. Cevap
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Tbf both teams have been. Portugal just keep fouling

  7. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Watching the game in HD. I want to camera to slowly zoom into Ronaldo's tear-filled eyes at the end of the match.

    I want to taste his tears.

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      the camera* 🙄

      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      That's a weird fetish Carp.

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😆

    2. Sauzée
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Did you see his reaction to Dszudszaks second goal?

      https://streamable.com/2828

  8. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    perisic shouldve watched shaqiri

  9. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Jafooli?

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        \o/

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Excellent cheers Optimus.....bookmarked for later....

  10. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This game needs a streaker asap

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Preferably female.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hot lezzers also...

        1. Epic Fail
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Male lezzers?

      2. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        21-24 supermodel

    2. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Get one when Ronaldo scores the winner

    3. Hooky
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A streaker piss? Is Crouch available?

  11. St. Joseph
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Both teams are nervous and very cautious
    Not a good match at all

      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      They already know that they'll be out in the next round, anyway.

      1. St. Joseph
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        High school and university quality won't make semi's

  12. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    2 teams with no ambition to score during normal time

    Just go straight to penalties

  13. Epic Fail
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What is that stuff the physios spray on every injury no matter what?

      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Time wasting.

        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Oh, I thought you were asking why do they do this. Nevermind.

    1. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hash spray

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Dry ice....

    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Canned placenta

      1. Epic Fail
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Presumably this is the correct answer.

        Cheers all.

    4. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Man up juice

    5. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      deep heat

    6. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😆 at the answers

  14. puddingbrood
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Very dirty play by Pepe.

  15. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Funny that people say the tournaments only warm up at the knockout stage but we've had at least two rubbish games today 😐

    *was working for first game but did catch the Shaq goal and the pens

    1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      All 3 games today have been fairly poor.

  16. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    They should introduce a new rule where if it's goalless after 120 mins in the knockouts up to the final both teams go out

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      hahaha not bad Bemba

      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Should they cut a finger off for every yellow card, too?

      A bit hars that Bemba, some 0-0 draws can be incredibly exciting games.

        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        harsh*

  17. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ronnie Tosspenguin has been garbage.

  18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Renato sanches is some player

  19. Dušan Citizen
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Kalinic will come in. Please, not for Perisic.

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      YESS

  20. KingNidge
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Love to see this Willy Carvalho chap in the premier league

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, very good. Would put wanyama to shame

      1. KingNidge
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yep so impressed by him

  21. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Blackburn reject coming on

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Zidane?

      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Lewandowski?

  22. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    72 goals in 38 completed games at #EURO2016 before #CRO v #POR makes 1.89 goals per game on avg.

    Lowest in the history of the tournament

  23. St. Joseph
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Perisic worst hairstyle of the tournament?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, he obviously didn't learn from pogba

      The haircut is a curse

  24. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Can players win/lose points during extra time or is it only during the 90 minutes?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Extra time counts.

      1. BlzE_94
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        so even if a defender keeps a cs in the 90 minutes but then concedes during extra time, they lose the 4 points?

        1. Epic Fail
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Yep.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      yes

  25. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This has Ronnie peno shoot out miss written all over it....

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I have Ronnie (c) 🙁

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Change it to Bale?

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Good idea . I will transfer him in once the game is over.

    2. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nah. Ronaldo hero goal with the last penalty as per CL final.

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        After doing nothing the whole game and grabbing the headlines ... 😕

    3. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Extra time winner and shirt removal

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Typical Ronaldo scores the winning penalty and I get a needless yellow card 😡

    4. Cevap
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hope you're right

    5. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully. Slips on his ego.

  26. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Srna so close to an assist here with all these crosses 😡

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Had been incredibly unlucky not to get any attacking returns this tournament. Btw, we're playing you in the FFFrogball tourney! Good luck

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I see that 😎

        Should be a good contest, I've gone with a few punts tomorrow that could either pay off big time or let me down 😀

        2:00pm Randolph, Hoolahan
        5:00pm Hummels, Hector, Ozil
        8:00pm Hazard, KDB, Lukaku

        1. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Ooh. Interesting. Today has been awful for me 🙁

    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Perfect result for Poland regardless of who wins this.

  27. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Oh Good, another extra half hour 😀

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wait, I meant Oh God 🙁

      1. Cevap
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hahaha 🙂

        Poor game

  28. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Oh well at least we may get a chance to see Ronnie the runner against tired legs in extra time, if they sub him on.

  29. hagop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    this make sense, nobody wants to play with Poland

      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This.