Quarterfinal Bullets

Lack of posts today, got busy with other stuff. Will have some point-form breakdowns of the teams eliminated in the group stage tomorrow. Wanted to give some brief thoughts on each quarterfinal game though.

Brazil vs. Colombia

• I picked Colombia to win this game and I'm sticking by that. Whether that is wise remains to be seen.
• There were concerns on the weekend about Neymar's health after he picked up a knee injury against Chile but he is apparently training fully again. Neymar would have to be immobile not to play for Brazil in this tournament
• Most exciting battle of the game won't be amongst players facing each other every play but between the number 10's Neymar and James Rodriguez. If I had to pick best player in the tournament right now it would be Rodriguez and not the host's star.
• If I had to make any tough personnel decisions, I'd sit Fred for Brazil. They won't but they probably should. Neymar has spent half his time as a centre forward anyway, put him in the middle and Bernard on the wing in my opinion. 
• Brazil have a forced change to make in the midfield as Luiz Gustavo is suspended. That is a blow for Brazil because that's the best option on the roster for shutting Rodriguez down.

France vs. Germany

•  Game looked much more exciting before the Round of 16 games were played as both limped through their matches. Still about a 13 out of 10 on the excitement factor.
• Probably meeting earlier then they should, I have both teams in my top 5 in terms of a power ranking in this tournament.
• I picked Germany to win this game. Not quite ready to change that pick yet but leaning towards France at this point.
• Biggest concern I have for Germany is the lack of initiative offensively. France isn't going to let them pass the ball around forever in midfield and have kept their own penalty area shut tight. Without a striker, big concerns for Germany.
• Defensively for Germany, you have speed on the wings and scoring from everywhere to be concerned with. If I were Joachim Low, I'd have both Schweinsteiger and Khedira in midfield so Lahm can go back to right back and Boateng can flip to left. This gives you your best chance at containing the French wingers and keeping things in the centre of the field where they'd prefer it.

 Netherlands vs. Costa Rica

•  No one told Costa Rica that this was the quarterfinals of the World Cup. A complete shock name to see amongst the giants of soccer.
• Regardless of whether this was Costa Rica or Greece as an opponent, this is a step down in competition for Netherlands. Always have to question their mental strength but that doesn't seem to be an issue and I fully expect them to control and win this game.
• Costa Rica are without two starting players due to suspension (Tejeda and Duarte).
• Netherlands will be without Nigel de Jong for the remainder of the World Cup. de Jong suffered an injury in the first half of the Mexico game. That is an issue for Louis van Gaal. He used Daley Blind as a holding midfielder after de Jong left and it led directly to a Mexico goal. Blind may take up that role again or we could see Jonathan de Guzman reinserted in to the lineup.
• Netherlands have rotated between a 5-3-2 and a 4-3-3 this tournament. Fully expect a 4-3-3 this game as they should have 60+% of possession and the ball will spend majority of the time in the Costa Rican half.

Argentina vs. Belgium

• Felt it would be the toughest quarterfinal to predict and it hasn't gotten any easier. Comparing Belgium with Switzerland, they don't have the same defensive organization but they aren't slouches. Much more dangerous on the attack though. Like to control possession in the midfield but they do so to work toward a chance on goal, as opposed to a Spain or Germany who pass for the sake of passing.
• Argentina should have a tiny but more space in the offensive third but Belgium the biggest attacking threat they've faced so far.
• Argentina are really missing Aguero. Had a poor tournament so far but draws defenders off of Messi in a way Lavezzi cannot replicate. That's a big part of why Switzerland could keep Messi out of the game and don't believe there's a solution for that.
• Loved the Belgium lineup against the USA. Were confident in defence and used their size to their advantage. Deadly efficient on the counter-attack and finally got offence from their striker spot, both with Origi starting and with Lukaku off the bench. Lukaku the better player but is impact off the bench late in the game will probably keep Origi in the starting lineup.