Wonder whether Deschamps will stick with the current set up or bring Kante back and revert to the one they used in the group stages. I think he'll stick with this one (with Griezmann in a free role). Kinda reminds me of the changes Jacquet made in France 98, he changed their shape in the knock out phase and played Zidane (and Djorkaef) in a free role behind the main striker with Deschamps and Karembeu dropping deeper.

Seeing Giroud and Ramsey play out of their skins for their respective  countries makes me wonder about the means and methods that  Wenger uses to motivate players.

y va marquer wrote:

Seeing Giroud and Ramsey play out of their skins for their respective  countries makes me wonder about the means and methods that  Wenger uses to motivate players.

Giroud was hit and miss in the group stage games though, and he blows hot and cold for us as well.

I agree that Ramsey seems to be a bit of a different case. It might be a case of motivation or perhaps of position. His role with Wales is more free with Allen and Ledley behind him

Most definitely position related with Ramsey, his team is setup to let him and Bale express themselves. I've seen a heatmap the other day that had him as Wales' furthest forward player ahead of Bale even, not to say Ramsey didn't help in defence but he could never play that role for us.

Giroud plays like he does for us really, don't see a big difference in his performance

Yep, this is generally how Giroud plays when he's on a good streak. Having said that, he does link up extremely well with Greizmann - if we ever played a 4-4-2 with him and Sanchez, I reckon we'd see him in a more favourable light. Not sure how our midfield would line up though.

Mirth, it would probably require a Brazilian 4222, with Ramsey and Ozil in free roles. Xhaka and El Neny/Coq can clean up behind. It could work. Would demand a lot from our fullbacks, maybe a Spurs-like rotation policy.

Claudius wrote:

Mirth, it would probably require a Brazilian 4222, with Ramsey and Ozil in free roles. Xhaka and El Neny/Coq can clean up behind. It could work. Would demand a lot from our fullbacks, maybe a Spurs-like rotation policy.

That's a great idea really. Not like we did much on the wings anyway.

Claudius wrote:

Mirth, it would probably require a Brazilian 4222, with Ramsey and Ozil in free roles. Xhaka and El Neny/Coq can clean up behind. It could work. Would demand a lot from our fullbacks, maybe a Spurs-like rotation policy.

Interesting idea. Wish Wenger would try something new once in a while.