Leppard Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 vs Venue: Arena Gdansk Team News Spain have come into the tournament without the injured duo of defender Carles Puyol and striker David Villa. As such, either Sergio Ramos or Raul Albiol will partner Gerard Piqué at center-back, while manager Vicente del Bosque has left everyone wondering whether he will field Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente or Alvaro Negredo up front. Italy's main injury concern is at the heart of their defence. With Andrea Barzagli out with a calf injury, midfielder Daniele De Rossi is set to drop in at center-back alongside Giorgio Chiellini. Manager Quotes Vicente del Bosque: "We have an aim that no-one has ever achieved before and that is beautiful. We do have a lot of pressure because there is a lot of optimism that surrounds us. But we are accustomed to the pressure because we are defending the title and we are world champions. However, we cannot think that we are out of this world and we are going to win. It would be a huge mistake to have that attitude." Cesare Prandelli: "Spain are very strong but we have beaten them and no team is invincible. I have a team with character, quality and willingness. They will probably have more possession and will cause us problems but when Italy play football as we know we can, we can fully challenge a team like Spain." Possible line-ups Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Piqué, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Xabi Alonso; Silva, Torres, Iniesta Italy: Buffon; Chiellini, De Rossi, Bonucci; Motta, Marchisio; Giaccherini, Pirlo, Maggio; Cassano, Balotelli Previous meeting Italy 2 - 1 Spain (Friendly) ----------------------------- 'mon Spain! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanNUFC Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Could be an awesome game, c'mon Italy I say. Really can't stand Spain winning another tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzler Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hopefully defensive performance from Italy and a 0-0 draw and everyone up in arms about why no one opens up and plays expansive football against Spain and they had 72% possession so that counts as a win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micado Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Really can't stand Spain winning another tournament.Same here, C'mon Italy.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Torres to score a hat trick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Put your house on fewer than 2.5 goals Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Could be a good call that. Torres is goal-shy and the Italians don't like to come out of their own half. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Don't people remember the Euro 2008 QF between these two? 120 goalless minutes, absolutely turgid stuff. Italians playing for penalties from the first whistle. Can't see anything today but 0-0, a narrow 1-0 win or at a push a 1-1 draw. Neither side inclined to really go for it with two supposedly easier games to come. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Conundrum. I'm a fan of the way the Spanish won the last tournaments, but 3rd time in a row would simply be too many. But then again Italy... I don't think I'll ever learn to love or like them, but I'll give them a fair chance this time around, the last time they got humiliated so thoroughly I can live with them putting in a good effort. If they play in a respectable way. Guess I'll be a truly neutral viewer for this match. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Put your house on fewer than 2.5 goals Not sure about that... Italy will likely play a 3-5-2 with Bonucci-De Rossi-Ogbonna as a very shaky, unexperienced and frankly nightmarish defensive line. Also the wingbacks will be Maggio and Giaccherini who are awful at defending. If Spain manage to run at that defense instead of trying to walk the ball into the net, it's NOT gonna be a low scoring game... And even if Spain don't play differently, Italy's backthree can be opened up rather easily. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 I don't see Spain being as annoying as they were in the WC because Torres is pretty direct. Really hope they play like they did at Euro 08 than the WC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Why's there no "Match 5" in the thread title. You suck. Iniesta needs to score a few for my fantasy team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chase Failey Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 italy playing a libero \o/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 aha Giaccherini to start, excellent. Not sure about that...Italy will likely play a 3-5-2 with Bonucci-De Rossi-Ogbonna as a very shaky, unexperienced and frankly nightmarish defensive line. You dropped the best defender. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Why's there no "Match 5" in the thread title. You suck.Iniesta needs to score a few for my fantasy team. He's my captain, so unlucky mate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMtillidie Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Got llorente in my dream team hope he does well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Why's there no "Match 5" in the thread title. You suck.Iniesta needs to score a few for my fantasy team. Because it looks fugly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 He's my captain, so unlucky mate My captain aswell. Don't care about this league, there's a couple others i want to win. The first 2 days have been shocking. If only Robben but a couple of chances Sneijder created. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 10, 2012 Administrators Share Posted June 10, 2012 Think I'm in a minority that thinks Italy will do really well at these Finals. Might not win today but I see them as contenders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_rm Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 If you don't want Spain to win you don't like football. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leppard Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 I'm sure a lot of people don't want Spain to win because they can't stand the Barca/Real players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Quite happy for Spain not to leave their group. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgekings Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 i'm supporting alonso Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 bridgekings knows, Xabi 2-1 Spain with quite a bit of controversy, please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgekings Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 lots of penalties Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 aha Giaccherini to start, excellent. Couldn't disagree more... Giaccherini is mid-table Serie A material... Italy are in deep deep trouble if they had to resort to use him as a starter You dropped the best defender. Chiellini isn't 100% fit and his presence in the starting lineup wasn't confirmed until today Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 10, 2012 Administrators Share Posted June 10, 2012 Borini to score off the bench and go on to Scillachi-like glory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nørbæk Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 This is going to be interestng: I don't have much faith in Spain this year (the players aren't as hungry anymore) and Italy has had a troubled build-up. 1-0 Spain? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_ Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Didn't Spain win 8 out of 8 to qualify? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nørbæk Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Yeah, that's true. Doesn't exactly back up my argument, does it? On the other hand, Greece also qualified easily and they didn't look particularly good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Couldn't disagree more...Giaccherini is mid-table Serie A material... Italy are in deep deep trouble if they had to resort to use him as a starter Chiellini isn't 100% fit and his presence in the starting lineup wasn't confirmed until today I don't think he's keeping anyone noteworthy out of the team, Criscito would have changed it. De Rossi's performance will be more important. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanNUFC Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 If you don't want Spain to win you don't like football. That's funny considering how boring they were in the world cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 My captain aswell. Don't care about this league, there's a couple others i want to win. The first 2 days have been shocking. If only Robben but a couple of chances Sneijder created. I've had Kerzhakov and RvP as captain in the first two games Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Philip Rolfe Posted June 10, 2012 Administrators Share Posted June 10, 2012 Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba, X.Alonso, Busquets, Silva, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Buffon, Bonucci, De Rossi, Chiellini, Maggio, Marchisio, Pirlo, T.Motta, Giaccherini, Balotelli, Cassano Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamez91 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba, X.Alonso, Busquets, Silva, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Buffon, Bonucci, De Rossi, Chiellini, Maggio, Marchisio, Pirlo, T.Motta, Giaccherini, Balotelli, Cassano Spain no striker? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hom3r Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Silva/Cesc false 9 is my guess. Can see Spain losing with that lineup tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpfc543 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 No Torres on the bench. Pedro's the only striker but he's on the bench. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Morcego Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 'mon Italy!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob21 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 That's funny considering how boring they were in the world cup. Xavi was exasperated."What did people think," the midfielder asked. "That we were going to win every game 3-0? I can't believe what I am hearing sometimes. Do you not realise how hard it is? Teams aren't stupid. We're European champions, they all pressure us like wolves. There isn't a single metre, not a second on the pitch. Always 10 men behind the ball putting pressure on." If Chelsea (and the USA circa 2009) showed us anything Spain might crumble when they're faced with a bus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Which means Pedro is the only person in the squad who can actually shoot. Del Bosque Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett.spurs Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 What a stupid lineup. Forza Italia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zvonimir Boban Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 ITV lot all sat around at a cafe It's not Football Italia ffs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midgetram Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba, X.Alonso, Busquets, Silva, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc Buffon, Bonucci, De Rossi, Chiellini, Maggio, Marchisio, Pirlo, T.Motta, Giaccherini, Balotelli, Cassano This has 1-0 Italy on the counter written all over it now. Spain will be too narrow to penetrate the Italians. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cms186 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 del bosque really is a moron :/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I don't think he's keeping anyone noteworthy out of the team, Criscito would have changed it. De Rossi's performance will be more important. Meh, Criscito isn't *that* great either... but at least he wasn't playing Serie B football two seasons ago... I agree there's not so much to choose from at the moment, but that's part of a long-term problem Italy have had. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukey Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Interesting selection from Spain.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Morcego Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 good to see Cassano playing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Giaccherini starts. Come on, Giaccherini! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielM_90 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Well wern't expecting that from Spain, whats happened to Torres and Llorente then? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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