georginho_juventusygr Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 Despite not being Italian, I decide to make a thread. Guys usually floating around in the Italian-football thread are lazy, and the tournament is so near. General information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy_national_football_team Road to Euro 2012: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012_qualifying_Group_C Hurdles in Euro 2012: Hispania, Hibernia, and a combined part of Pannonia and Dalmatia, both were themselves a part of Illyria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012_Group_C Coach: Squad: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012_squads#Italy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy_T Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 nocerino's beard is magnifico. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boots Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Here we go to finish third behind Spain and Croatia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Whippy Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 I sense some match fixing.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Staff Jeroen Thijssen Posted June 4, 2012 SI Staff Share Posted June 4, 2012 Not sure about the Italians this year... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Barzagli out for 20 days pretty much ruining any chances Should stick with the 4 man defense anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Our chances have improved considerably. He's not that important. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
headshotbg Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 Balotelli wasn't able to finish practice today, problems with his right knee apparently. He was able to walk so maybe it is not that serious. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 4, 2012 Share Posted June 4, 2012 He's fine apparently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 5, 2012 Author Share Posted June 5, 2012 http://www.football-italia.net/19624/prandelli-sees-adaptable-italy Prandelli is going to wait until the last minute for the recovery of Barzagli from his calf strain. Understandable. Barzagli is an important figure. There are no decent backup players available with excellent quality. It remains to be seen how Italy will line up against Spain. Anything kicking the Fiorentina guy out of the first eleven is obviously welcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Waiting for Barzagli as long as he can, he's THAT VITAL. Prandelli Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 5, 2012 Author Share Posted June 5, 2012 Chiellini should give him the recipe of magic recovery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 5, 2012 Share Posted June 5, 2012 Haha, Prandelli such a troll. Anyone can see Barzagli is a liability. Fortunately for him 3-5-2 and De Rossi at central defence is going to cost Italy before he has a chance to. Nice one, Claudio. Such an abysmal, panic idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 Astori called to the camp just in case Barzagli cannot play the tournament. Decision to be made on Friday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 Pirlo has a bruised calf, but nothing to worry about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Haha, Prandelli such a troll. Anyone can see Barzagli is a liability.Fortunately for him 3-5-2 and De Rossi at central defence is going to cost Italy before he has a chance to. Nice one, Claudio. Such an abysmal, panic idea. To be fair, playing De Rossi in a "Matthäus/Sammer position" would have been a brilliant idea for two reasons: a) it would have benched Bonucci and/or Barzagli b) it would have solved the inconvenienve of having to field De Rossi as a two-way midfielder Unfortunately Prandelli got carried away and decided to go for a laughable 3-5-2... It will become an outlandish 2-6-2 with De Rossi, Maggio and Balzaretti (or Giaccherini... *groan*) providing questionable defensive coverage and equally debatable offensive contribution. Had Italy had two decent fullbacks I would have applauded a 5-3-2 with De Rossi starting deep between the two centrebacks. But as it's been hinted today it's just the worst idea ever conceived by an Italian manager. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebs Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Italy lads...are you thinking you will get out of your group then? And if so, how far will you go? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartwork Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 When do the Group of Debt games start? Tomorrow? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 SuperMario will score lots and loads of goals to bring the trophy to Italy and show it off in Manchester. And yeah, it starts tomorrow. Croatia doesn't have much debt, though. I think that Bonucci is actually a libero, but I don't mind with Prandelli starting De Rossi. The only question is whether Bonucci will also start or Ogbonna. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Italy lads...are you thinking you will get out of your group then? And if so, how far will you go? Yes. And initially, I thought we'd make the final. But I think this 3-5-2 is a horrible idea and will cost us. So now I'm not sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Confidence through the roof knowing Barzagli can still make the final game of the group stage Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 So, for the next match? Drop Giaccherini for Balzaretti? Retain Balotelli? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Yes and yes. I was pleasantly surprised by that - I expected the performance in particular to be much worse in that system. I'm worried by how easily we became ragged when faced with a striker - Croatia and Ireland aren't going to mess about and play midfielders up front, so Prandelli needs to address that problem pretty quickly. If that was a final, there was only one team that was going to win it. But we created a good number of chances. Liked Marchisio - he benefits from this. I like Thiago Motta too, but then he should always be starting regardless of system. So long as we control the game against Croatia and Ireland, as we would in a 4-3-1-2, I'm content. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boots Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Unbelievable second half. Prandelli completely outcoached, or just really stupid? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 What I said in the match thread. Italy played well. Everybody did their best and covered the field. The communication among the defenders should have been better, though, especially between the central defenders and the wing backs. You saw it against Spain, and you see it again today. Balotelli was better, and I hope he'll be better against the Republic of Ireland. Oh, Prandelli, please, stay away from Montolivo. You see that the role Motta did just disappeared when he was taken off. Chiellini has blamed himself after the match. On the other hand, I think it was a result of the system: 3-5-2 is new, and not everybody is already familiar with the system, including Giaccherini on the left flank. Anyway, time to think forward for the match against Republic of Ireland who will be able to be a banana skin. Italy shouldn't think about Spain vs Croatia. Italy have nothing to lose now. If they are out, they have only themselves to blame. Everybody knows this. So, whatever will be, will be. If they have to go out, they may as well go out with a straight head. Barzagli will return, and even if he's only 80% fit, I can see Prandelli will bet everything he has. He already said he wouldn't change the system. So, Bonucci will play the libero role. (He's not a central defender like Chiellini or Barzagli in my opinion.) I would drop Giaccherini and let Balzaretti play. I would take Motta out and put De Rossi there. The former is, while good, sluggish like a slug. The latter will provide some dynamic. I would retain the others. I believe my suggestion will do good until Prandelli decides it's time to bring the number 18. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Will be funny if Italy are out because of a match fixing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Well it wouldn't be the first time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 It wouldn't be match fixing... just one of those matches where one results favours both teams involved. Wasn't Buffon talking about how "white draws" are perfectly fine just a few days ago? I bet a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia wouldn't be that white now Seriously though, even IF it will happen (again...), Italy will have to take it and shut up. Not just because such stuff happens almost in every Serie A matchday from february/march onwards, but mainly because it's their fault if they STILL have to hope other teams don't go for a specific result. A draw against Spain was fine, today's draw against Croatia was a suicide... They basically didn't show up for the second half, and squandered a couple of great chances in the first half. A better/more cynical side would have brought it home comfortably. They threw it away and if that's the best they can do, goodbye. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Button Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 What's up with de Rossi's choice of shirt? one long sleeve one short... covering up tattoos or something? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boots Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Oh, and Prandelli should really think of who he starts up front if he needs to sub both of them every game. Did Balotelli really need to come off yesterday? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Last time he came off his replacement scored. Cassano being substituted should be fairly obvious. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 If he starts with Di Natale, he'll sub him off anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Cartman Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Its really not good getting Balotelli in the mindset of him having to score a goal in the first 60 minutes or he's going to get hauled off, it'll just lead to him being greedy and shooting from long range Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Would imagine Prandelli also didn't want him to get another yellow so he misses the final group game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nørbæk Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 It wouldn't be match fixing... just one of those matches where one results favours both teams involved.Wasn't Buffon talking about how "white draws" are perfectly fine just a few days ago? I bet a 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia wouldn't be that white now Seriously though, even IF it will happen (again...), Italy will have to take it and shut up. Not just because such stuff happens almost in every Serie A matchday from february/march onwards, but mainly because it's their fault if they STILL have to hope other teams don't go for a specific result. A draw against Spain was fine, today's draw against Croatia was a suicide... They basically didn't show up for the second half, and squandered a couple of great chances in the first half. A better/more cynical side would have brought it home comfortably. They threw it away and if that's the best they can do, goodbye. Martin Jørgensen said the something along these lines about Buffon after his Euro 2004 statements about a fix between Denmark and Sweden in Jørgensen's book: Both Jørgensen and Buffon are tested for drugs after a Serie A match against Fiorentina and Juventus: Jørgensen: "You do realize we never fixed that match, don't you?" Buffon: "Of course. But what were we supposed to do? We needed a scape goat because of our failure to qualify. The Italian public was going to crucify us." Ironic, isn't it? I, for one, believe Jørgensen's story's true. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I for one will certainly be calling fix if that game ends 2-2. Just like eight years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Balotelli injured his knee in training. Will need a scan /o\ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBKalle Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 I, for one, believe Jørgensen's story's true. It all depends on how you define "fixing". To me that 2-2 was a no-brainer, but both teams played a reasonably "fair" game... Only Sweden's late equaliser was somewhat questionable, but let's say I've seen much worse "fixing". To the Italian fans/media it was a huge scandal, mainly because Sweden and Denmark are usually regarded as highly-civilized countries. But of course they just needed a diversion, or indeed a scapegoat to justify a colossal failure... Two mediocre draws against average opposition and a tricky late win against group's whipping boys Bulgaria was hardly worth of praise and definitely too little to advance. But blaming it on the "Danish cookie" worked a charm. So monday's games will be just the same... A great excuse to sweep a likely failure under the rug. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boots Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Balotelli injured his knee in training. Will need a scan /o\ I say we start Giovinco and Borini. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 That would not be a very clever idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zvonimir Boban Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Balotelli, if fit, should start. Yeah he's a bit mental but he's done a good job of holding the ball up and letting others get into the game which Di Natale doesn't really do. If Di Natale is going to start then Cassano should be the one to make way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Buffon Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini Maggio-Marchisio-Pirlo-De Rossi-Giaccherini Di Natale-Cassano Without Balotelli. Will not rule out a 4-3-3/4-3-1-2 possibility, haven't read the latest news on training though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astafjevs Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Haha, you know he isn't moving De Rossi from defence yeh? Bonucci will be the one dropped for Barzagli. I think he needs to change Giaccherini. Two bad games now, so needs to go. I'd leave the midfield as it is, that's been pretty good. The rumours on Diamanti are a concern - not even close to being good enough for this level. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juve4EVA Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Haha, you know he isn't moving De Rossi from defence yeh? Bonucci will be the one dropped for Barzagli. I'd hope he would, De Rossi was only put there because of Barzagli's injury, and as explained below I'd like him in midfield. I think he needs to change Giaccherini. Two bad games now, so needs to go. I'd leave the midfield as it is, that's been pretty good.The rumours on Diamanti are a concern - not even close to being good enough for this level. Giaccherini was probably used there to have a hard worker on against Spain, then survived against Croatia because he had a good game. The midfield was changed because Thiago Motta looked ****ing exhausted for the last two matches, but I think he's been very good for 50 minutes or so in both previous games. Thiago Motta and Giaccherini from the bench would be good options to have actually, I approve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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