Coulthard's Jaw Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) Here we go, time to start deciding some group places Italy are guaranteed top 2 so they have qualified for the knockout stages. They only need to draw to top the group. Wales can top the group with a win. A draw guarantees them 2nd. A loss leaves them dependent on the result in the other match as to whether they finish 2nd or 3rd. Feels like a highly unlikely series of results are needed across the groups for them to be knocked out, they are fine. Switzerland have a bad GD at the moment so they might want to put together a decent win over Turkey to makes themselves 100% comfortable. A draw surely means they are out and a loss means they are definitely gone. Turkey, quite frankly, look gone already. 3 points and a bad GD will probably see them gone, so even a win today probably won't be enough. Edited June 20, 2021 by Coulthard's Jaw 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) Switzerland v Turkey is HUGE for all the other groups. All those teams elsewhere assuming they can get through in third with four points. If it's a Turkey win here or a draw it means the third place team here in Group A definitely only has 2-3 points... and we know that before any of the others play. Edited June 20, 2021 by Rob1981 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swansongs Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I'd rather play Finland/Russia/Denmark than Ukraine/Austria so finishing second is fine by me tia. Not normally one for predictions but I think Italy will win but Wales will score, ending that long run of clean sheets they're on. Confidence shaken they go out in the first knockout round. Switzerland to win as well but not by enough to make up the gap in goal difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Wallin Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 5 minutes ago, Rob1981 said: Switzerland v Turkey is HUGE for all the other groups. All those teams elsewhere assuming they can get through in third with four points. If it's a Turkey win here or a draw it means the third place team here in Group A definitely only has 2-3 points... and we know that before any of the others play. And a bad GD to boot. Will really help the teams in later groups to know the results, another drawback of the 24 team system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I don't think it's important for those trying to get through with 4 points because that should be enough. There doesn't look like there will be more than four teams finishing in 3rd on 4 points anyway. It's important for the teams trying to get through in 3rd on 3 points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 12 out of 13 teams that had 3pts in '94 and '16 qualified. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Just now, GunmaN1905 said: 12 out of 13 teams that had 3pts in '94 and '16 qualified. 13 teams That can't be right anyway, Turkey and Albania went out in 2016 and both had three points: I'm not sure any teams will go through with three points this year, they all seem a bit more streetwise in terms of the format. Plotting where they can get to four points overall rather than necessarily going out to try and win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 8 minutes ago, Rob1981 said: 13 teams That can't be right anyway, Turkey and Albania went out in 2016 and both had three points: Sorry then, my bad. I literally read it in the papers a couple of days ago. And it was the most reputable sports papers here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I agree that teams seem more wise to it and aware that 4 points is what you need. But it would still take something weird to get five teams on 4 points. Just the nature of the games left and the combination of results that all need to happen. Group E - Spain and Slovakia need to draw, Poland need to win, in order for 3rd to have 4 points. Finland need to get something against Belgium and Russia against Denmark for Group B to have any chance of 4 points in 3rd place. Not saying these are impossible, just for all of them to happen is unlikely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTHerringbone Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Mancini has the luxury of freshening up the team today. Hopefully the niggly little bastard Verratti gets some minutes and I reckon Chiesa and Bellotti may get a start. Chiellini presumably is out. I'd still expect the Italian team to have comfortably too much for Wales. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I'll be watching ITV4, Italy Wales has 0-0 written all over it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1981 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Turkey have been rubbish this year, but it will be a shame for them if they win today and finish third and still go out based on their h2h record against the other third place teams. Same thing happened to them in Euro 2016 even though they lost twice and then came back to win their last game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikka Mezzala Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I'd never write off this Welsh team. Italy favourites, sure, but you never know with Wales. Would be amazing to see them win. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Wallin Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 1 hour ago, GunmaN1905 said: Sorry then, my bad. I literally read it in the papers a couple of days ago. And it was the most reputable sports papers here. Seems they failed at fact checking. No team went through with 3 points in -94. There where a few that did in -90 and -86 but of course back then you only got 2 points for a win so... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajw10 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Remember, Italy will play out a draw because it suits Wales Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dafuge Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Do Italy have anything to play for? Looks like 1st and 2nd both face 2nd place teams anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 2 minutes ago, dafuge said: Do Italy have anything to play for? Looks like 1st and 2nd both face 2nd place teams anyway. Draw and Italy top the group. They will surely make several changes. Still should beat Wales though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dafuge Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 1 minute ago, craigcwwe said: Draw and Italy top the group. Is that an advantage though? At a glance there doesn't look like there's much difference. Finishing 2nd might even mean facing Netherland instead of Belgium in the quarters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Everywhere is saying we're going to make some changes, which tbh I don't really like. Would rather we played the same team and made sure of the win and 1st in the group. Winner of the group plays Ukraine/Austria, and then probably Belgium in the QF. Second in the group plays Russia/Finland, and then either Holland/Portugal/Germany/France in the QF. It's not guaranteed that Holland will play 3rd in F, but if you look at the scenarios, they've got a pretty good chance. Also the travel when coming 2nd is really ****. Amsterdam and then Baku. No thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haguey Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Think Italy and Wales will play out a convenient draw, while Turkey will beat the Swiss regaining a bit of pride but both will go home. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VamPook Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 What time do the lineups usually come out? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Italy Wales 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Just now, TM said: Italy 8 new names, but other than Bernardeschi being awful and Toloi being played out of position, there are no big downgrades. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Pessina is a huge downgrade on Barella. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 1 minute ago, Astafjevs said: Pessina is a huge downgrade on Barella. Yeah, but Verratti is still an upgrade over Locatelli if we talk build up play and control. If healthy, ofc. I don't think Barella's running will be missed as much because Wales will be sitting deep and playing for the draw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 (edited) Plenty of changes for the Italians. Few more than I expected them to make. The front three are all around the same level of ability and quality as those they've replaced so not much difference there. Edited June 20, 2021 by craigcwwe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_jagster Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Can't find Tweets but this is confirmed lineups for the other game on the Independent: Switzerland XI: Sommer; Nico Elvedi, Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez; Widmer, Granit Xhaka, Freuler, Zuber; Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic. Turkey XI: Çakir; Çelik, Demiral, Soyunçu, Muldur; Ayhan, Tufan; Ünder, Kahveci, Calhanoglu; Yilmaz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Top of the group is a must for Italy because they will end up in the first half of the semi, which means one day extra to rest before the final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I don't like how many changes we've made. We've not secured top spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArsenalFan7 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Interesting how much the dynamic changes on Italy if they lose here due to rotation. Suddenly their two great performances wouldn’t mean too much with fans angry at the tougher draw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dafuge Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 20 minutes ago, georginho_juventusygr said: Top of the group is a must for Italy because they will end up in the first half of the semi, which means one day extra to rest before the final. Puts Italy, Belgium and France all on the same side of the draw. Good for England if they can top their group! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigcwwe Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Italy's last home game this regardless of what they do in the tournament in the KOs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 I actually think Italy will beat Wales - not 3-0, but they'll do enough to make sure they top the group with three wins. Switzerland vs Turkey... I can't separate them. Score draw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Confused Clarity Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 One thing from the ITV coverage that i'm aware of but always forget about. Three captains of Wales in three Football codes. For one year group, in once school to have had a Wales captain in Soccer, Rugby Union & Rugby League is absolutely bonkers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Also... Hal Robson-Kanu. I can't recall another pundit working for the BBC and ITV at the same tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carambau Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 49 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said: 8 new names, but other than Bernardeschi being awful and Toloi being played out of position, there are no big downgrades. Thats how you rotate. Italy will win anyway, no chance of a draw or defeat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Impossible to get bored of that Italian anthem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 1 minute ago, EnterUsernameHere said: Impossible to get bored of that Italian anthem. Watching it with Swiss anthem on the other screen makes me wonder about Swiss player motivation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Finally playing in blue shirts white shorts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orzelek Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 1-0 Seferovic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordan Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Well.....Seferovic scored! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Shouldn't let him shoot from the inside of the box, then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakiie Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Seferovic of all people scored?! And what a goal, damn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 1-0 Swiss Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Seferovic scored?! Miracles do happen! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Golden boy Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Dark horse Turkey being put down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Bernardeschi is comically bad. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 should be closing down Turkey for that decent finish but how has he started 3 games at this competition? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Fabio Capello. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
VamPook Posted June 20, 2021 Share Posted June 20, 2021 Turkey trying to cement their worst team in the tourney status Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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