Any system can be fluid if you make it so. It seemed to me the Japanese played simple 4-4-2 in which every man knew his own job and that of his mates, but because they are all natural high-energy players a lovely fluidity developed in their play. They worked for each other and maintained their shape until near the end. Unfortunately encouraged by his own excellent long-range free-kick Honda gave the game away with his corner.The one thing to avoid was letting the keeper catch it ........ okay Lukaku's dummy was lovely and De Bruyne's timing was superb, but Honda was worth an assist.
I like Martinez. I think he's a class bloke but if he plays either Carrasco or his replacement Chadli in THAT position he can pencil Brazil 3 into his scorebook now. Making the required substitution is good, but being out-thought for 65 minutes by a man in his second month of management isn't great.
For all the importance tactically of releasing De Bruyne wasn't the old-fashioned tactic of getting Fellaini on and hitting in a few high balls the real game-changer? Japan's keeper couldn't quite handle it. We Westeners expect Japanese faces to be inscrutable, but I've never seen anyone look more on the verge of panic than their keeper. Under a high ball many of the Japanese players were giving away several inches, which for a keeper means he has to decide - do I come out and take responsibility and what happens if I fcku up?
I like Martinez. I think he's a class bloke but if he plays either Carrasco or his replacement Chadli in THAT position he can pencil Brazil 3 into his scorebook now. Making the required substitution is good, but being out-thought for 65 minutes by a man in his second month of management isn't great.
For all the importance tactically of releasing De Bruyne wasn't the old-fashioned tactic of getting Fellaini on and hitting in a few high balls the real game-changer? Japan's keeper couldn't quite handle it. We Westeners expect Japanese faces to be inscrutable, but I've never seen anyone look more on the verge of panic than their keeper. Under a high ball many of the Japanese players were giving away several inches, which for a keeper means he has to decide - do I come out and take responsibility and what happens if I fcku up?