The Retro-PES Corner

[Flipper the Priest]

That will be a tough one alright. The Dutch are the tallest country on Earth. Five hundred years of prosperity has made them all flippin' huge.

Big Sam's Dream team.

Oh and btw @rockstrongo , don't dream of a World Cup title. The Great "English" Media have already crowned England champions and made Phil Neville a Knight.

Step forward Jonathan Pearce.

Cannot be done with his fawn fest. So saccharin over England and the women's game.

 

[rockstrongo]

That will be a tough one alright. The Dutch are the tallest country on Earth. Five hundred years of prosperity has made them all flippin' huge.

Big Sam's Dream team.

Oh and btw @rockstrongo , don't dream of a World Cup title. The Great "English" Media have already crowned England champions and made Phil Neville a Knight.

Isn't that what the English media has done since 66

 

[WhoAteMeDinner]

Step forward Jonathan Pearce.

Cannot be done with his fawn fest. So saccharin over England and the women's game.

Well apparently the memo went out to English sports journalists last week to pay attention to the women's game.
It is all a bit too faux adoration indeed.

 

[Flipper the Priest]

Well apparently the memo went out to English sports journalists last week to pay attention to the women's game.
It is all a bit too faux adoration indeed.

I find it far too overbearing. I've enjoyed the WWC far more than I expected to, and watched far more of it than I expected to, accordingly.

It's standing on its own two feet. It doesn't need these nauseating comparisons with the men's game. When a French winger took a dive against the USA, Pearce gave us the whole 'the women's game is better than that' pish. We're not all disillusioned with the men's game and looking for a whiter-than-white clean-cut alternative. It's football. I was watching that game as a football fan. But instead it's played by women. That's all.

 

[loco]

I find it far too overbearing. I've enjoyed the WWC far more than I expected to, and watched far more of it than I expected to, accordingly.

It's standing on its own two feet. It doesn't need these nauseating comparisons with the men's game. When a French winger took a dive against the USA, Pearce gave us the whole 'the women's game is better than that' pish. We're not all disillusioned with the men's game and looking for a whiter-than-white clean-cut alternative. It's football. I was watching that game as a football fan. But instead it's played by women. That's all.

It's been a very nice tournament so far. You have to love the competitive spirit and talents displayed.

 

[mattmid]

Isn't that what the English media has done since 66

Certainly is. A couple of half decent wins and the World Cup is ours. Couple of losses and we've gone backwards, our ideas are out of date, etc etc. No middle ground at all. Like our World Cup run last year, we actually won 3 games out of 7 and Sweden was the only team we beat of any quality at all in 90 minutes, but because we got a nice draw and got to the semi finals Gareth Southgate was the new Messiah. We did well but come on, we lost to Belgium twice, Croatia and barely scored from open play.

Step forward Jonathan Pearce.

Cannot be done with his fawn fest. So saccharin over England and the women's game.

He's awful isn't he? I think he just ends up sounding patronising in the end.

 

[Flipper the Priest]

Living in Scotland this is an accusation pointed towards the English media during every tournament. But I think it's overstated. While I'd argue the England team gets too much coverage (it'd be nice to know what Scotland would get, Mr Clarke) I think the level of cheerleading has been in steady decline. Until now.

It was cranked up last year but I think there was reason to be optimistic given the progress, and that it was by far the most likeable England team I can remember. Southgate and Kane, especially, represented England very well.

But this WWC - oh my lord. Overdrive. But it goes hand in hand with the general coverage, as if the England team is on some moral crusade to open minds and blow away stigma. The tournament at large is doing that by being... good.

 

[mattmid]

Austria (4-4-2)

GK Hedl
CB Meisl
CB Moormann
RB Macher
LB Daniliuc
CM Radulovic
CM Demaku
RM Jukic
LM Schmid
CF Krienzer
CF Edelhofer


In a late switch Peru have gone for three Attacking Midfielders ahead of their other midfield, dispensing with the side midfielders.



Peru (3-3-3-1)

GK Salazar
CB Vasquez
CB Zubiate
CB Tandazo
DM Escate
DM VValenzuela
CM Matzuda
AM P.De La Cruz
AM Cornejo
AM Carranza
CF G.Sanchez

Spoiler: 1st Half

Austria got the game underway. Demaku back to Raduovic, onto Demaku, who fed it wide to left back Daniliuc, he played it back to Demaku who saw Schmidt breaking down the left, he chipped a ball into space for him. Schmidt collected it on the run and whipped in a dangerous cross. It somehow evaded everybody and ran out to the right wing. Almost a perfect start their for Austria.


6 mins Austria have it but are forced back, it's played back to Meisl, who dwells on it, Cornejo is on him quickly and he's stolen it. He's on the edge of the box....




10 mins. Moormann nips in to steal the ball of Sanchez and he strides confidently through midfield. Seeing Radulovic in space he plays it to him. Radulovic goes for goal from way out but it hits a defender. However it richochets into space for Kreisner. He holds of Zubiate and he's into the area as Salazar the keeper comes out to close him down. He shoots...




12 mins. Radulovic gets down the left, he cuts back onto his right and drifts a cross in. Kreisner rises to meet it 10 yards out but can only head straight to Salazar for an easy catch


17 mins. A free kick by Carranza just clears the bar.


22 mins. Demaku gets the ball in the centre circle. Spotting Edelhofer he clips a lovely ball over the top. Edelhofer controls but feints to shoot when he probably should have let fly and takes himself wide before getting a shot on target but a fairly harmless one.


25 mins. Macher gets a good cross in that is well headed away from inside the six yard box. Schmid hits it on the volley as it falls to him outside the area but can only send it wide.


27 mins. Matzuda does well to get a cross in that Sanchez gets to at the far post but can only drift it harmlessly over.


30 mins. Some tidy play by Peru around the edge of the box leads to the pass of the tournament so far by Matzuda as he slides it through a couple of bodies....



36 mins. A loose ball by Daniliuc is pounced on by Matzuda, some neat footwork sees him work some space...



38 mins. Schmid breaks clear down the left, he runs into the clear before sending over a hard lowish cross. Zubiate is unable to control it properly and it bounces up, he and Edelhofer go for the loose ball...



43 mins. Valenzuela manages to turn into some space. He drives for the penalty area and strikes it hard and low...

https://streamable.com/239hw



Half Time 1-1

A good even game so far, both sides have had dangerous moments as well as a goal apiece. Although Peru have had more chances Austria look very dangerous around the box. Hard to pick the winner of this at the moment.

Spoiler: 2nd Half

52 mins Kreinzer does well to control a ball and get in a shot but it's straight at Salazar.


58 mins Carranza gets in some space on the edge of the box but can't keep his shot down.


60 mins A Matzuda free kick from a long way out is on target but doesn't trouble Hedl in goal


61 mins As Peru begin to get on top this time it's Sanchez who gets free and gets in a shot but sends it over the bar.


65 mins An excellent 50yd long ball out from the back by Moormann is unfortunately badly controlled by Edelhofer who would have been clear had he been able to bring it down. A missed opportunity there.


74 mins Rodriguez gets down the right side of the defence but can only fire tamely straight at Hedl on the angle.


86 mins A free kick is taken down by Edelhofer who cushions beautifully on his chest before turning a firing first time at goal...

https://streamable.com/x6kij


87 mins Macher gets in a cross but Edlehofer under pressure from a defender can only head over.





Full Time 1-1

A tighter second half with not many clear cut chances. Edelhofer's control and shot on 86 minutes would have been a worthy bit of play to win the game with.


Extra Time

With both sides beginning to tire Austria were starting to get a little bit of control. Defences were on top though until first half stoppage time when Peru got a free kick...

https://streamable.com/w1dla


The second half was more of the same until suddenly....

https://streamable.com/vf4gz

Spoiler: Full Time

Austria 3-1 Peru

In the end the Austrian's strength prevailed. They had always looked threatening despite Peru carving out more chances. Peru can count themselves a little unlucky but it always felt as if Austria would be the team to win it if someone was going to before penalties.


M.o.M Radulovic. He showed a good range of passing during the match and played well defensively as well throughout the game.


Disappointment. Schmid. A lot was expected but ultimately he didn't really get going. A couple of decent crosses apart and the shot at the end which led to the third, he was fairy average. In glimpses you could see what he can offer on his day and perhaps he would be better served behind the front two. He wasn't overly keen on using his left unless he was in the clear which a couple of times caused him to lose the ball when trying to get onto his right.


Super Subs. Strunz and Berger ultimately made the difference in the end with a goal and an assist between them.


2 goal hero. Edelhoffer. Always offered an outlet for his team. Didn't always make the best of his chances but was quick to react to the lose ball for the first and it was a clinical finish for the second after good work from Berger.

 

[miguelfcp]

@mattmid:

Spoiler: .

Well, I wasn't expecting that to be one of the most interesting matches so far! I'm a bit sad to see the likes of Carranza and Matzuda go this early on in the competition, but it seems Austria did deserve to win it - also, it was a foul on Peru's goal, where was VAR, gentlemen?

 

[mattmid]

@miguelfcp

Spoiler

Yes Matzudo looked really good in particular. I loved that through ball he played between the defenders.

 

[jihado86]

What a game !!! Matzuda is a stunning player.

 

[josev]

to the guys playing pes 5, don't you feel the lofted through ball (l1+triangle) is broken? i've played that game to death in my time, i've always noticed it but as the game was still fresh for me and i was still exploring the possibilities within it that issue wasn't a dealbreaker, however after years of playing other editions of pes, i came back to 5 and i can't stand not being able to use my deep lying playmakers for that move, it's really bugging me, after all this was always one of my favorite things in football, so i had to switch to a more open and arcadey pes 6 for my oldgen game. i really wish there was a way to fix that but it's unlikely
a fun things to note is that AI i always using that lofted ball when attacking, especially when countering, and always failing if it's towards the center. one of the reasons CPU is rather weak in pes 5

 

[WhoAteMeDinner]

to the guys playing pes 5, don't you feel the lofted through ball (l1+triangle) is broken? i've played that game to death in my time, i've always noticed it but as the game was still fresh for me and i was still exploring the possibilities within it that issue wasn't a dealbreaker, however after years of playing other editions of pes, i came back to 5 and i can't stand not being able to use my deep lying playmakers for that move, it's really bugging me, after all this was always one of my favorite things in football, so i had to switch to a more open and arcadey pes 6 for my oldgen game. i really wish there was a way to fix that but it's unlikely
a fun things to note is that AI i always using that lofted ball when attacking, especially when countering, and always failing if it's towards the center. one of the reasons CPU is rather weak in pes 5

@josev , L1 and and the default L1 and
balls over the top don't really work in most PES editions. Did not find them that useful in PES 6 either. COM defenders always sitting deep no matter how long you held down on the controller buttons and what position on the pitch you hoofed the ball from.

I feel this has alot to do with ball physics as much as other game engine factors. Does make most games short pass borefests.

Makes Big Sam..........too.

 

[slamsoze]

to the guys playing pes 5, don't you feel the lofted through ball (l1+triangle) is broken? i've played that game to death in my time, i've always noticed it but as the game was still fresh for me and i was still exploring the possibilities within it that issue wasn't a dealbreaker, however after years of playing other editions of pes, i came back to 5 and i can't stand not being able to use my deep lying playmakers for that move, it's really bugging me, after all this was always one of my favorite things in football, so i had to switch to a more open and arcadey pes 6 for my oldgen game. i really wish there was a way to fix that but it's unlikely
a fun things to note is that AI i always using that lofted ball when attacking, especially when countering, and always failing if it's towards the center. one of the reasons CPU is rather weak in pes 5

It is for me an issue too. Both in pes5/we9le they seem broken. Also the close lobbed-pass, if you press with 10% power gauge, to hoof a pass from a DMF to the WB beside for example, goes very straight , similar to a PES 4 chip shot, it is almost impossible to not loose the ball possesion.

 

[josev]

@josev , L1 and and the default L1 and
balls over the top don't really work in most PES editions. Did not find them that useful in PES 6 either. COM defenders always sitting deep no matter how long you held down on the controller buttons and what position on the pitch you hoofed the ball from.

I feel this has alot to do with ball physics as much as other game engine factors. Does make most games short pass borefests.

Makes Big Sam..........too.

i don't know, i find them very useful in pes 6, a world of difference compared to pes 5, you just have to use a player with high long passing and choose the right moment, at least you can see that the trajectory is right and it goes into the path of the receiver, unlike pes 5 where it is always a few meters overhit. in later editions, especially after 2014, they work even better to the point of being overpowered

 

[WhoAteMeDinner]

i don't know, i find them very useful in pes 6, a world of difference compared to pes 5, you just have to use a player with high long passing and choose the right moment, at least you can see that the trajectory is right and it goes into the path of the receiver, unlike pes 5 where it is always a few meters overhit. in later editions, especially after 2014, they work even better to the point of being overpowered

PES 5 sounds poor. I have not played later PES games beyond PES 2010.

 

[WhoAteMeDinner]

The Dinner loves most the diversity of discussion on our retro forum. And another meander down PES 2 and PES 3 memory lane has just popped up on the radio. Talkspooort....dum, dum, dum....ain't all bad.
Tonight they are profiling in their European cult hero slot the "fearsome" Stefan Effenberg. What a player in PES 2 and 3.
Not at all quick, but no need for that, as every other stat in passing, dribbling and shooting was world class in red number territory.

Does anyone else remember playing with this midfield generalissimo ?

And to our German friends, how is Mr. Effenberg viewed today in Germany ?
Controversial hardly covers it I imagine.

 

[slamsoze]

PES 5 sounds poor. I have not played later PES games beyond PES 2010.

You should try it dude. I think you would love it.

 

[WhoAteMeDinner]

You should try it dude. I think you would love it.

Maybe sometime @slamsoze , pal, I was always tempted only to try to the Six Star difficulty level that I think only PES 5 and PES 4 had. Other forum member have said that the extra star did not make much difference though.

 

[mattmid]

World Youth Cup Match Day 11


Russia v Germany


Russia look to take on the ultimate tournament team in Germany. New manager @MafiaMurderBag is hoping that the inspiration of last year's World Cup performance by the full national team will inspire his Red Army to victory.


Russia (3-5-2)


GK Poplevchenkov
CB Kalachev
CB Anisimov
CB Maslov
DM Moskvichev
RWB Tses'
LWB Tarasov
AM Gomanyuk
AM Usanov
SS Lopatin
CF Proshlyakov


He's up against a German side with multiple talents and threats from all areas.

Germany (4-2-1-3)

GK Fruchtl
CB Mai
CB Stierlin
RB Ludewig
LB Mekonnen
DM Raschl
CM Majetschak
AM Meier
RW Evina
LW Abouchabaka
CF Kuhn

 

[mattmid]

Update on Teams/Manager's/Still available teams

@cosmo Hungary (into Last 16)

@MafiaMurderBag Russia (playing today)

@jihado86 China (into Last 16)

@miguelfcp Portugal (playing Friday)

@mattmid Norway (playing Tuesday)

@sniglet England (playing Wednesday)

@Flipper the Priest Scotland (playing Saturday)

@wildwind Team knocked out - Free to pick another.


Available teams left (for the moment I'm excluding non managed teams who've qualified for the 2nd Round - we'll open those up to all without a team after the first round is finished - plus anyone else wanting to join in - but those who have already managed a team will get first choice)

Poland (Tue)
Greece (Wed)
Belarus (Thu)
Finland (Thu)
South Korea (Fri)
Belgium (Sat)

 

[Keith Houchen]

to the guys playing pes 5, don't you feel the lofted through ball (l1+triangle) is broken?

Do you mean broken in terms of being able to do it (regardless of outcome)? If so, then yes, going back to the original Year of PES5 (the greatest year in football gaming ever IMO), I would sometimes find that pressing L1+Triangle would sometimes fail to produce a lofted through-ball. The classic games were heavy on contextual restrictions on what you were allowed to do, instead of this universal responsiveness that is somehow held up as a core value nowadays.

If you mean that you dislike the flight path or elevation of a lofted through-ball in PES5, I have to say I have never had any complaints about it. PES5 was the greatest despite its many flaws, but the style and manner of the lofted through-ball wasn't one of those flaws IMO. Possibly a player-stats-and-context-driven thing?

 

[Marlon Anthony]

Certainly is. A couple of half decent wins and the World Cup is ours. Couple of losses and we've gone backwards, our ideas are out of date, etc etc. No middle ground at all. Like our World Cup run last year, we actually won 3 games out of 7 and Sweden was the only team we beat of any quality at all in 90 minutes, but because we got a nice draw and got to the semi finals Gareth Southgate was the new Messiah. We did well but come on, we lost to Belgium twice, Croatia and barely scored from open play.

It was exciting last year, The other versions of the English team (U21, 17 & Womens sides) seem to go further and perform better in their respective tournaments but there's this sentimental attachment to the senior side as well as obviously the other squads don't get anywhere near as much coverage nor does the average football fan care.

Nobody seems to know these tournaments are taking place until England is in the semi or the final of one of them then you get the part time disingenuous support for a couple of days from the media and social media then we move on.

Living in Scotland this is an accusation pointed towards the English media during every tournament. But I think it's overstated. While I'd argue the England team gets too much coverage (it'd be nice to know what Scotland would get, Mr Clarke) I think the level of cheerleading has been in steady decline. Until now.

It was cranked up last year but I think there was reason to be optimistic given the progress, and that it was by far the most likeable England team I can remember. Southgate and Kane, especially, represented England very well.

But this WWC - oh my lord. Overdrive. But it goes hand in hand with the general coverage, as if the England team is on some moral crusade to open minds and blow away stigma. The tournament at large is doing that by being... good.

Well last years England squad was the most refreshing, it's actually a breath of fresh air to be spoiled for choice on who select for the final 23. That's largely thanks to the FA moving their arse years ago and mandating that Premier League sides have a quota of British academy players in their squads after clubs started getting really carried away with buying talented senior foreigners rather than nurturing our own talent.

As for the WWC, It's come along way, there's still a longer way to go in raising the profile of the women's game but i feel like this years WC has been a great advert for the game. We've seen some decent quality football, some fantastic players and some decent sportsmanship.

There's going to be some bad eggs there but for the most part the women really have been about business and male players could learn a thing or two about dignity from this tournament. (Just don't show them that Cameroon England game)

The crowds have been growing too, I imagine the attendance is going to better because of the stage of the competition we're at now and not exclusively due to support for the individual nations.

@josev , L1 and and the default L1 and
balls over the top don't really work in most PES editions. Did not find them that useful in PES 6 either. COM defenders always sitting deep no matter how long you held down on the controller buttons and what position on the pitch you hoofed the ball from.

I feel this has alot to do with ball physics as much as other game engine factors. Does make most games short pass borefests.

The lofted throughball on PES 5 & to an extent, on 6 has been a bit borked. They're either always over hit and the keeper beats you to it or they're too slow and defenders can always soak them up. I always thought it was one of those game balancing decisions Konami made to stop it from being abused (which it did in the Fox engine games).

It's not so bad in PES 6 as if your playmaker is set and his body is contextual and the timing is right, You can usually pull of an effective lofted through ball and thus the patience reward factor of Retro PES is realised. They're so rare when you do pull one off it's incredibly satisfying.

World Youth Cup Match Day 11


Russia v Germany


Russia look to take on the ultimate tournament team in Germany. New manager @MafiaMurderBag is hoping that the inspiration of last year's World Cup performance by the full national team will inspire his Red Army to victory.

Russia shall rise again!

 

[mattmid]

It was exciting last year, The other versions of the English team (U21, 17 & Womens sides) seem to go further and perform better in their respective tournaments but there's this sentimental attachment to the senior side as well as obviously the other squads don't get anywhere near as much coverage nor does the average football fan care.

Yeah that's true but I just felt the hype got too much (yet again) given who we actually beat. This is certainly the most talented bunch of young players we've had for many a year. But ultimately it all ended in the same way (as it did again in the nations league). Come up against a decent team and we go out fairly tamely. Possibly more frustrating this time because of the talent. I think what we always lack is that one player that knits it all together - the De Bruyne, Eriksson, Modric type. Perhaps Foden will become that in time?

 

[mattmid]

Russia v Germany


Home Park, Plymouth today saw the game of the tournament so far.


Russia hoped to cause a big upset. Germany expected to move through to the next round. But who did?

Spoiler: Extended Highlights

Spoiler: Round Up (Spoiler)

What a game! It was so enjoyable I've actually watched the three highlights videos again myself. When Germany took an early lead in impressive style I thought they were going to steamroller them. But Russia were having none of it. Despite an always dangerous threat from Germany that at any moment could have seen another goal, Russia kept at it, kept heading away crosses, kept looking to probe and cause problems of their own. They were rewarded with the equaliser that they deserved. To a man the Russians gave their all even though individually they weren't as good as their opponents they would not lie down and roll over. The second half came and went with chances for both, chances that Germany probably should have found a winner from, but they didn't. Extra time saw more drama and finally to a penalty shoot out that ended in heartbreak for the Russians.

A valiant effort from the weaker side and despite Germany's superiority they wouldn't have really been able to complain had they been knocked out themselves. However, they showed what they are capable of and played some of the best attacking football seen so far in the tournament. With some of the big guns out they will be expecting to go far and have more than enough about them to win it.


M.o.M Raschl He was everywhere, starting attacks, stopping them, I'm sure there were two of him out there at one stage.



Disappointment. It was such a good game it's hard to single out anyone but perhaps more was expected of Kuhn up front. He was probably the quietest of the German attacking players and his replacement Kehr looked more threatening. With so much attacking talent in this tournament we still await a stand out performance from one of the pre tournament star front men. Ruiz of Spain got two goals but even he only showed up for a five minute spell.



Worthy Mention. The back three of Russia. Headed clear so many dangerous balls into the box. Without them performing so well Germany surely would have found a second and maybe third goal.

 

[slamsoze]

Maybe sometime @slamsoze , pal, I was always tempted only to try to the Six Star difficulty level that I think only PES 5 and PES 4 had. Other forum member have said that the extra star did not make much difference though.

If you seek out the ultimate challenge, tgen pes5 will not give you it. Even in 6stars tge CPU is of the most fair, others name it toothless, others unchallenging. This game is more stats-sim driven than other PES. It will still cheat you sometimes , or dumb down your players stats un some occasions, but not in a manner that your Pirlo or Nedved will ever play like Thonas Gravesen.

 

[geeeeee]

Hi guys, I am currently more of a reader than a poster these days because of time etc...

Well done with the U21 World Cup and the organisation of it all. It’s a good read.

I am still editing my favoured PES2008 PS2 and I am going to redo my Option File but without the extra players that are bought in the shop because it seems to mess up the value of some players in ML. I am going through the Default Players and teams and making note of the ‘Value’ and ‘Player Popularity’ of each one so that I will edit over ‘A’ players with today’s top players and work my way down etc...so that they have realistic prices.

I have a question though retro dudes, do you happen to know if the Team’s ‘Popularity’ is hardcoded or is that affected by the players that they have in their team? For example Liverpool are a ‘B’ team, at the beginning of a season would they stay at ‘B’ even if they have many ‘A’ players? Or is it best if I overwrite them over a ‘A’ team?

Hope that makes sense. I thought i would ask the retro PES editing experts.

Thanks

 

[mattmid]

@geeeeee Thanks

I've often wondered if the team's slot has any kind of 'bonus' based on who the original team was. I've never really edited PES2008 thanks to not enjoying the PC version, but it's something I have thought about with previous versions. I've never really tested it out though so I can't really say there is. It is Konami though so anything is possible.

I suppose one way to test it would be to put a load of poor players into a top default team and see?

I spent quite a few hours with the Youth OF and ML salary and after many ID swaps and curses of Konami and just what the hell kind of algorithm they use for it, I eventually got the top end looking really good and avoided any of those rogue 5000's!
https://www.evo-web.co.uk/threads/project-odyssey.80094/page-3#post-3397347

 

[miguelfcp]

@mattmid:

Spoiler: .

Yet another exciting match, chances galore: I'm glad bookmakers around the world chose to ignore our competition, otherwise they'd be in trouble Germany did seem too much for MMB's Russia to handle but they sure did give it all out there to prevent them from winning. If Russia had played like this against some of the other teams in this tournament, they'd surely go through to the next round.

 

[Marlon Anthony]

Yeah that's true but I just felt the hype got too much (yet again) given who we actually beat. This is certainly the most talented bunch of young players we've had for many a year. But ultimately it all ended in the same way (as it did again in the nations league). Come up against a decent team and we go out fairly tamely. Possibly more frustrating this time because of the talent. I think what we always lack is that one player that knits it all together - the De Bruyne, Eriksson, Modric type. Perhaps Foden will become that in time?

I actually think they lack solid experience AND leadership on the field. It was evident in the WC that once they conceded, Their heads dropped, They lacked belief and usually went on to lose and they very nearly did against Columbia. It was a miracle they even stole it against Tunisia so even that wasn't a very convincing performance against weak opposition.

Russia v Germany

Home Park, Plymouth today saw the game of the tournament so far.

Russia hoped to cause a big upset. Germany expected to move through to the next round. But who did?

Bloody hell what a game!

Spoiler

It was a valiant effort by the Russians, how they only conceded 1 goal (And it was a bit of a tame one) I'll never know. Even the penalty shootout started so well only for some thunderbolts of PK's from the Germans. That one that ping ponged off of the crossbar and the goal line before nestling in the roof of the net was satisfying.

If you seek out the ultimate challenge, tgen pes5 will not give you it. Even in 6stars tge CPU is of the most fair, others name it toothless, others unchallenging. This game is more stats-sim driven than other PES. It will still cheat you sometimes , or dumb down your players stats un some occasions, but not in a manner that your Pirlo or Nedved will ever play like Thonas Gravesen.

Yeah the difficulties on PES 5 are caddywhompus. 5 Stars is actually more challenging and the CPU is spunkier than they are on 6. It's weird.

I think you have to unlock 6 Stars too so maybe it was added late by the team for the sake of having an extra item in the shop and didn't have enough time to truly balance it?