Sampaoli is effectively on gardening leave. Certainly dresses like he is.

Ricky1985 wrote:
Klaus wrote:

Really want us to pick up Banega. With Torreira and an emerging Maitland-Niles we'd finally have a good selection of no-nonsense midfielders who can play under pressure.

A midfield that actually does the job of a midfield!

He's just class. Everything he does.

Was it actually him that played the great pass to Messi? I missed the replays.

Yes - and the pass that led to the free kick from where Messi hit the post.

The only worry is that we'd have 4 center mids who would expect to start.

Not sure that's positive for squad balance.

Ricky1985 wrote:
Klaus wrote:

Really want us to pick up Banega. With Torreira and an emerging Maitland-Niles we'd finally have a good selection of no-nonsense midfielders who can play under pressure.

A midfield that actually does the job of a midfield!

You're reading my mind Ricky. I'm so done with midfielders who can't play in both directions.

Ricky1985 wrote:

He's just class. Everything he does.

Was it actually him that played the great pass to Messi? I missed the replays.

Yep, it was him. 25-meter pass right on the foot (or thigh, as it were)!

oh shit.. penalty for Nigeria.. Mascherano holding.. clear as day

Jed wrote:

The only worry is that we'd have 4 center mids who would expect to start.

Not sure that's positive for squad balance.

I don't think anyone aside from Ramsey and Banega have the right to expect a start.

I knew Mascherano would let them down. Complete idiot.

Tbf that's a soft pen compared to what's happened during this tournament

that was a pretty shit penno, but lucky the keeper guessed wrong

Lol Mascherano. Harsh probably but he fully deserves it.

USArsenal wrote:

that was a pretty shit penno, but lucky the keeper guessed wrong

Lol. No it wasn’t

Mirth wrote:

Tbf that's a soft pen compared to what's happened during this tournament

once you have a hand around the midsection and one wrapped on his arm, im not surprised about the call

USArsenal wrote:
Mirth wrote:

Tbf that's a soft pen compared to what's happened during this tournament

once you have a hand around the midsection and one wrapped on his arm, im not surprised about the call

Sure, its just a comment on the inconsistency of standards. I think it's the right call here, wish it was applied across the tournament

Mirth wrote:
USArsenal wrote:

once you have a hand around the midsection and one wrapped on his arm, im not surprised about the call

Sure, its just a comment on the inconsistency of standards. I think it's the right call here, wish it was applied across the tournament

cant argue

Croatia score against Iceland.

It wasn't a harsh penalty - players have been warned about it, they've seen what's happened in other games.
Mascherano is just thick.