Oscar

[CHOULO19 24,332]

How is Mata on the left wing a crime? He was our best player at the start of the season from the left, he made his name on the left too and its where he's broken into the spanish national team. He's brilliant there

He made his name because he has world-class passing skills, vision and intelligence, that has nothing to do with were he is playing. Yes he was deployed on the left at the start of last season but always "naturally" drifted centrally. Even under AVB, whenever we used 4-2-3-1 (which was AVB's plan 'B') Mata played in the hole because it was obvious (to me at least) that on the wing he more often than not leaves Cole on his own defensively. Even on the offense, despite having exceptional dribbling skills, he lacks the pace to beat most defenders on the flanks especially on counter attacks.

[termninja 5,290]

Brazil vs Egypt tonight at 19:45 GMT. Oscar will probably play

[themightyblue 443]

He made his name because he has world-class passing skills, vision and intelligence, that has nothing to do with were he is playing. Yes he was deployed on the left at the start of last season but always "naturally" drifted centrally. Even under AVB, whenever we used 4-2-3-1 (which was AVB's plan 'B') Mata played in the hole because it was obvious (to me at least) that on the wing he more often than not leaves Cole on his own defensively. Even on the offense, despite having exceptional dribbling skills, he lacks the pace to beat most defenders on the flanks especially on counter attacks.

Yes and he was showing that intelligence and passing playing on the left and drifting all over the place. That drifting is also the beauty of Mata, that's what made him so hard to mark and track. Not saying that he wasn't good in the centre, but he was perfectly fine on the left and was why people were raving about him. Part of the reason why Cole was exposed was not just because Mata was in front of him but because of how high and aggressive Avb made the team press playing in a 433. This is completely different to playing wide in a 4231 and Rdm doesn't seem to be as aggressive as Avb was in his pressing and pressurising game. Mata also isn't your typical winger so it doesn't matter if he's not beating people for pace, he was still dangerous playing on the left because of his drifting etc. Being a winger isn't all about pace, you get different types of wingers just like you get different types of number 10s. This is off topic though. I hope Oscar plays central with Mata right and Hazard left

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Brazil vs Egypt tonight at 19:45 GMT. Oscar will probably play

Tell us how he goes. I can't watch it.

[termninja 5,290]

Will be streamed here.

Tell us how he goes. I can't watch it.

Of course

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

Surely he starts tonight... right?

[Hutcho 8,443]

Just a heads up to all the english folk out there, the brazil game vs egypt is on bbc olympics 3HD from 7:35... If you have virgin media thats channel 552.

Fuck Team GB, thats what i am gonna be watching.

[Pizy 18,856]

Surely he starts tonight... right?

Yep, same lineup as the last friendly I believe.

Definitely watching this one over Team GB.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Yep, same lineup as the last friendly I believe.

Definitely watching this one over Team GB.

Amen to that...

[Term-X 7,891]

Oscar has a decent-ish cross on him.

[Leif 6,006]

OMG, THAT PASS TO MARCELO! <3333

[Term-X 7,891]

Sublime ball to Marcelo just then..

[zolayes 14,489]

looking great already

[Hutcho 8,443]

ASSIST...

[Tomo 21,751]

Brilliant pass to Rafeal, brilliant.