boots Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Are you complaining about short goal kicks? Seriously?Actually you're right, Buffon should have taken lead from Hart and hoofed it to Balotelli. Deary me. Err, no I don't believe I was complaining. Fairly simple question really. Deary me indeed. Deary deary me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
av3ry Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Ok, who pissed in Balotelli's drink?? http://www.corrieredellosport.it/video/calcio/euro_2012/italia/2012/06/26-47483/Balotelli+non+gradisce+il+drink.+Ma+ai+rigori+arriva+carico Germany never beat Italy apparently. Would love to see Italy win this. If they do they'll probably do match fixing investigations every two years... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
crouchaldinho Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Well done Italy. Now go beat Spain in the final please! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabawss Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 oh god i came everywhere. this team. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Chances against Germany? Think you'll score? I think we'll win. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 ^That Juventus defence looking internationally capable after all eh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy_T Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I want rbkalle's thoughts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_cfc Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 How unexpected is this. Another final Mario :*) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy_T Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 great to see montolivo come of age today :*) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Hehe, can't wait. Probably another backhanded compliment. ^That Juventus defence looking internationally capable after all eh. Hmm, well my problem wasn't with "that Juventus defence" was it? But if you want to exaggerate, by all means. My problem was with Barzagli - but yeh, I have to admit that so far I was wrong about him, as he's been pretty decent. I wouldn't say the defence looks brilliant - England should really have scored, and Germany had some chances, but I suppose good teams will have chances against anyone, so I can accept that. It's good, maybe very good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I want rbkalle's thoughts.Italy are such an average side.Made to look world class by this dire Germany side. Will get out done when they come up against better opposition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Hmm, well my problem wasn't with "that Juventus defence" was it? But if you want to exaggerate, by all means.My problem was with Barzagli - but yeh, I have to admit that so far I was wrong about him, as he's been pretty decent. I wouldn't say the defence looks brilliant - England should really have scored, and Germany had some chances, but I suppose good teams will have chances against anyone, so I can accept that. It's good, maybe very good. Haha you knew I was referring to Barzagli. Montolivo somehow proving me wrong though, still think he'll disappear for large periods next season though. They were a lot better tonight than they were against England, really liking Bonucci and that tackle on Klose in the second half, ooh! Good against Spain as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Montolivo's performances against England and Germany have earned him call-ups for the next two years. But he did it against decent teams, one of which is one of the best around, so difficult to complain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 With his adoptive mother. Mario <3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Ahah very funny guys... My comments are in the game's thread, let's sum them up like that: * Italy finally played a more direct style that suits Balotelli better * Less pointless possession, smarter use of the ball in space * Löw got everything wrong in the first half and wasn't able to turn the game (Gomez is a bottler) * Final score doesn't reflect the flow of the game, 4-1 would have been fair * Had Germany scored on either chance earlier on it could have been a different game, but if if and buts were candy and nuts... I'm sure Astafjevs will have something to complain or to laugh about as usual, but whatever... Prandelli finally understood it's no use trying to play like Spain when playing like Italy has worked well for forty years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabawss Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 did pirlo misplace a single pass today? he was ridiculous Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 did pirlo misplace a single pass today? he was ridiculous Yes, he did. At least once. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabawss Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 eh, i personally didn't see any. maybe that through ball at the end, but i thought di natale or whoever it was got to it and was then pushed off the ball Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Nah, it was in the first half. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabawss Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 well, he was still very good Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Balzaretti was outrageous. On his weaker side, totally controlled his flank. Tbf, they were all great. Apart from Diamanti. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabawss Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 err, diamanti was very good at relieving pressure once we got the ball on the break. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 err, diamanti was very good at relieving pressure once we got the ball on the break. Gave it away too much. There was a period where he couldn't make a pass over five yards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Gave it away too much. There was a period where he couldn't make a pass over five yards.The halfway shot was a particular highlight that summed up his night, when he could've just slotted Mario in (subsequently, Mario gave him a death stare) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabawss Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 perhaps, but for the most part i thought he provided a good outlet for the ball from, say, pirlo on the counter and was able to further release the ball into dangerous positions. edit: ^ yeah that was pretty silly edit2: he was also effective in actually keeping the ball, i though, when in the final third. that point in the game where everyone kept slipping on the right corner of the field and he still managed to keep possession is particularly memorable edit3: i thought di natale was the worst Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_cfc Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Pirlo seems to have developed a 6th sense, seems to feel players coming behind him and turns away from them. Any chance of the 352 coming back for Spain to play against there 10 midfielders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I'll be surprised if he switches away from the system that's seen the team win three consecutive games. We didn't win any playing 3-5-2, even though we actually gave Spain a game with that. That last part is the only thing that might make him doubt. It's the only time in the tournament that he has a previous performance with which to judge it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boots Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 I had trouble seeing Italy get out of their group. Think I'll take this. Sunday sets up nicely. Final in the afternoon, Canada Day celebrations at night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Well, well, well. It's over unfortunately. I still think that Italy had a good tournament. The passion was there, the determination was there, and the unity was there. Tweaks here and there should be made of course. As the starter of this thread, I would like to thank everyone for looking at this thread and bothering to post something. Comments about the national team are kept welcome of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 We were great. Shame the game ended on 60-odd minutes. We might not have won, but they wouldn't have won 4-0 if we had XI players. We have a good team, but then most of us knew that before this tournament. There will need to be some renewal - Barzagli, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Maggio are going to be pushing it in terms of age come 2014. It's important Prandelli doesn't fall into the trap of Lippi and stick with ageing players that have served him well. There's even less excuse for him actually, because the players are there to replace and renew. Lippi didn't have that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Is Prandelli definitely staying, though? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Yeh he is, commented after the final that he won't be leaving. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 We were great. Shame the game ended on 60-odd minutes. That's been Italy's biggest weakness from day 1, and part of tonight's defeat must be chalked up to questionable choices for the Starting XI and to equally odd substitutions. Probably Spain would have won 99 times out of 100, but starting with Abate and Chiellini barely fit (and in the less comfortable position of left back) and with "Mr. 50 minutes" Cassano was a huge gamble, and unsurprisingly it didn't work and it even backfired when Thiago Motta (another man who's no stranger to injuries) pulled a Pato and had to come off. I had the impression the players were kinda resigned before the kickoff already... in a "we're glad we made it to the final but we know it's out of our league". way The drive and the desire shown against the Germans were gone... We have a good team, but then most of us knew that before this tournament. There will need to be some renewal - Barzagli, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Maggio are going to be pushing it in terms of age come 2014. It's important Prandelli doesn't fall into the trap of Lippi and stick with ageing players that have served him well. There's even less excuse for him actually, because the players are there to replace and renew. Lippi didn't have that. I agree, and while hopefully it's the last we've seen of Maggio, I'm afraid Pirlo and Buffon will still be key members of the team in 2014... and THAT will be a huge problem, if not during the WC, surely afterwards when the generational turnover for keeper and playmaker will have to be done. I really hope Prandelli will be smart and brave enough to take all the positives from this unexpected 2nd place, while acknowledging the mistakes and accepting the verdict of the pitch. Some players don't have enough margin of growth, for age or for technical reasons. The sooner the transition begins, the less painful and problematic it'll be. IMO: * Keep: Sirigu, Chiellini, Barzagli, possibly Bonucci and Abate, De Rossi, Nocerino, Marchisio, Balotelli * Phase out while looking for suitable replacements: Buffon, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Montolivo, Cassano [who must NOT be a starter come Brazil 2014] * Thank you and goodbye: De Sanctis, Maggio, Giaccherini, Diamanti, Di Natale Ogbonna, Giovinco and Borini must be revalued according to their progress with their clubs, but I just don't get how so many are so fond of Ogbonna who has been just a decent Serie B player so far. Both strikers have potential but it's hard to tell without some meaningful playing time with the NT, provided they actually fit the tactical plan. Anyway, a much better than expected campaign, with some positives and some worrying signs for the future. Many will rather rejoice for the former and downplay the latter... Me, as usual (and with past history in mind), I'd prefer Prandelli addressing what went wrong and then build on what was good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 The "resigned" part was because of the fatigue like I said in the match thread. I feel sorry for the players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 The "resigned" part was because of the fatigue like I said in the match thread. I feel sorry for the players. They were tired against the Germans as well, following 120 minutes of almost non-stop attacking against England... how come they were raving to go on Thursday and tonight they looked like deers in the headlights? I don't fully buy into the "we had less days to recuperate" excuse, because Italy had fitness issues from the very beginning and they just made them worse with the aforementioned questionable decisions. Cassano never had 90 minutes in him (and FFS he has valid reasons for that... but why insisting?) yet he started every game, just to be subbed out aroudn the hour mark. Chiellini recovered from an injury, but two games in 4 days were just asking for a relapse. Ditto for Abate So much of the fitness issue was something Prandelli himself created or exacerbated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Probably Spain would have won 99 times out of 100, but starting with Abate and Chiellini barely fit (and in the less comfortable position of left back) and with "Mr. 50 minutes" Cassano was a huge gamble, and unsurprisingly it didn't work and it even backfired when Thiago Motta (another man who's no stranger to injuries) pulled a Pato and had to come off. You can't call playing with Cassano a huge gamble when he's started every game of the tournament. It's too easy to look back at a game and go "yeh, this guy shouldn't have started", but if he hadn't, I know I would have queried why. We all knew Prandelli would start him. Same with Chiellini. I agree that there is no way he was 100% fit, not even against Germany. But he came through that game with no problems, so it's natural that Prandelli will start his best defender against the best team. I agree, and while hopefully it's the last we've seen of Maggio, I'm afraid Pirlo and Buffon will still be key members of the team in 2014... and THAT will be a huge problem, if not during the WC, surely afterwards when the generational turnover for keeper and playmaker will have to be done.I really hope Prandelli will be smart and brave enough to take all the positives from this unexpected 2nd place, while acknowledging the mistakes and accepting the verdict of the pitch. Some players don't have enough margin of growth, for age or for technical reasons. The sooner the transition begins, the less painful and problematic it'll be. IMO: * Keep: Sirigu, Chiellini, Barzagli, possibly Bonucci and Abate, De Rossi, Nocerino, Marchisio, Balotelli * Phase out while looking for suitable replacements: Buffon, Balzaretti, Pirlo, Montolivo, Cassano [who must NOT be a starter come Brazil 2014] * Thank you and goodbye: De Sanctis, Maggio, Giaccherini, Diamanti, Di Natale I don't think Buffon being important will be a problem. He's the best goalkeeper of all time, and at 36 will be more than capable of performing. He's so good that I'd say he can go until Euro 2016. It's a problem in as much as replacing one of Italy's greatest players is impossible, but him being important at an old age isn't because of his position. But yeh, I think Prandelli needs to give a few more games to the younger goalkeepers. There's no-one particularly outstanding at the moment though, but he has a few years left to wait. Pirlo is the problem. The team needs alternatives when he isn't playing well. Maybe if he can bring in a 4-3-3 the structure is less reliant on him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 They had two days fewer to rest before the semifinal and put all remaining energy to reach the final. Then, they had another one day fewer to rest before the final. Understandably, they collapsed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Italy played fair, Italy played great. No diving, no whinging, no kicking, no feigning injuries, no playacting of any sort. They reached the final against expectations and odds and have nothing to blame themselves for. Great team, great performance. Kudos to Prandelli for ripping things around in only two years. For me, they were the revelation of the tournament. I hope they keep this up! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaga_4_parma Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 They were tired against the Germans as well, following 120 minutes of almost non-stop attacking against England... how come they were raving to go on Thursday and tonight they looked like deers in the headlights?I don't fully buy into the "we had less days to recuperate" excuse, because Italy had fitness issues from the very beginning and they just made them worse with the aforementioned questionable decisions. Cassano never had 90 minutes in him (and FFS he has valid reasons for that... but why insisting?) yet he started every game, just to be subbed out aroudn the hour mark. Chiellini recovered from an injury, but two games in 4 days were just asking for a relapse. Ditto for Abate So much of the fitness issue was something Prandelli himself created or exacerbated. You're an idiot! https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/219765720584691714 33 - Antonio Cassano has created the joint-most chances from open play in European Championship Finals history. :applause:Well done Cassano... I wanna see you nearly die and come back like Fantantonio! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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