Yep, apart from a few dull games(cant all be good tbf) it's been an enjoyable watch.
Big improvement from the last few major International tournaments.
Italy v Germany match thread
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Yep, apart from a few dull games(cant all be good tbf) it's been an enjoyable watch.
Big improvement from the last few major International tournaments.
Too true
Tis the troof
I quite like this new Italy, not only are they easy on the eye with a more attacking style of play and possess some of football's great characters/nutjobs, but before the tournament I remember Prandelli said he would be happy to withdraw the teams participation in the competition due to the match-fixing scandals in the domestic league and then dropped Domenico Criscito, who has been accused of match fixing, from his squad on the eve of the tournament.
Happy.
Who was I arguing with a few weeks ago about the quality in the Italy squad?
Who was I arguing with a few weeks ago about the quality in the Italy squad?
I know that you predicted Italy to win. I remember because i was trying to decide between Italy and France as winners and no one else gave italy a chance.
In my opinion, Italy have been the best team in the tournament and Pirlo's been the best player. Spain have just strolled along, being outplayed by Italy and Croatia (who were very unlucky and if Rakitic had put his header away then they could well have progressed at the Spaniards expense). I didn't get to see their quarter-final match with France but that semi-final with Portugal was the most boring game of football i've had the misfortune of watching in a very long time.
Spain have been doing just enough to get through, with a touch of luck going their way in most games.
Spain vs Portugal was a fucking borefest ... imagine waking up 4:30am to watch that shit.
Spain games in general have been boring ... not because of their pass pass pass pass philosophy, but the atmosphere at their games has been non-existant, more atmosphere at a funeral to be honest.
Haha unlucky!
Manolo will be feckin' livid at your last comment. 😉 But you're probably right, maybe the Spainish people identify more with their particular region within Spain (Catalonia, Basque, Madrid, Andalusia, etc) more than the country itself, I don't know.
Pirlo's been getting the credit since day one and Balotelli the credit after his performance last night, but Cassano for me has been outrageously good.
He's played the number 10 role better than anyone in the tournament, and that game was meandering around in circles tonight until he went and got the ball out wide, turned two Germans and plopped it onto Balotelli's head off his weaker foot.
He's a sublime footballer.
He's played the number 10 role better than anyone in the tournament, and that game was meandering around in circles tonight until he went and got the ball out wide, turned two Germans and plopped it onto Balotelli's head off his weaker foot.
He's a sublime footballer.
Yep ... I think most of the side has been performing well, it's just that Pirlo has stood out more because he has the ball more often than any other player.
Cassano ... great to see him excelling on the international stage. For years he showed alot of promise without substance ... & attitude let him down in the past ... He's done alot of growing up in the past few seasons.
Great to see 2 nutjobs doing the business up front.
I'm glad that article told me he was adopted. I'd have never have guessed otherwise.
I suppose at least the editor/writer was more subtle than saying 'mother' or actually spelling it out.
I suppose at least the editor/writer was more subtle than saying 'mother' or actually spelling it out.
One more point - Mario Gomez was poor again in a big game. Cost his team against Chelsea, and did nothing of note against Italy in a knock out game.
Some of the comments about Spain on this forum show a remarkable lack of footballing insight. Spain have played within themselves BUT have never really looked troubled. They look like the best team in the tournament because it's obvious that they can up-their-game at will.
I'm sure if you look at the statistics; they have had the most possession, the most attemtps at goal, the fewest attemtps at goal by the opposition, THEY HAVE CONCEDED 1 GOAL, they have most completed passes.
Spain are brilliant and deserve to be recognised as the best national team ever, if you can't see that you need shooting.
I'm sure if you look at the statistics; they have had the most possession, the most attemtps at goal, the fewest attemtps at goal by the opposition, THEY HAVE CONCEDED 1 GOAL, they have most completed passes.
Spain are brilliant and deserve to be recognised as the best national team ever, if you can't see that you need shooting.
"We wish them a good journey home," reads the sarcastic caption.
For some reason, this image is no longer visible on the Bild website.
Bild weren't the only publication guilty of excessive conceit though, as the Hamburger Morgen Post used their front cover to accessorize a pepperoni pizza with the faces of some Azzurri stars...
The public-transport-pun headline reads "End of the line for Pizza" while the subhead snarks: "11 reasons why we will polish off the Italians tonight." Presumably, the only thing the Morgen Post is eating now is their own words.
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the_khl
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I don't remember, only that I had the same argument on here with a few posters. Never underestimate the Italians no matter how poor they seem in friendlies and how much out of balance they seem.
The thing is when you have a backbone from one team in defense and midfield in six players, whom have all just celebrated winning the Serie A trophy, you know they'll need little time to gel. And they arrive filled with confidence.
Contrary to more than a few of the Germans who all were left devastated come Season close and that'll give you an edge when backs against the walls. the Germans could answer last night and to be honest it was the first time they were really tested.
Hard to imagine the Italians would be THIS good mind, I even had friends celebtating that we've been drawn in the same group as them prior the World Cup, not hard to imagine they'd play as a team though. And when you add a few world class players like Pirlo and Balotelli you could have a recipe for success.
Hope and believe they'll win it all now.
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the_khl
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I really don't agree at all, and I have a remarkably footballing insight. At least, I've heard. In my head. The voices.
Anyways, Spain has looked unlikely mediocre against both Croatia and Portugal, both in games they could not lose.
They never got going against Portugal and for me, Pirlo has completely outshone Xavi and to some extent Iniesta as well.
The fact Del Bosque fucked up their tactics completely against Portugal didn't help of course, but having watched all of their games and all of the Italians/Germans as well, I believe they are only the third best team around.
It worked for Ireland.
Much as i like you KHL I can't possibly debate with someone who believes that Spain are only the 3rd best team at the tournament! Spain could probably field a 2nd eleven from their squad and eliminate Germany & Portugal.
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the_khl
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It's a matter of opinion.
And you are massively underestimating the Germans mind. They've got just as many top players to pick from as Spain does. And Spain really does miss one player. Messi. And to some extent Xavi.
Man for man they are of course stronger than the Italians but anyone claiming they've looked better during the Euros than Pirlos boys are quite clearly wrong.
I don't think Spain have neccesarily looked the best team in the tournament but I KNOW they are the best team in the tournament. They have played within themselves but have moved-up-a-gear whenever they've needed to.
I argued the German team with Judge Jules earlier in the week and my point has sort of being proved; Khadira and Ozil are not close to the standard of Iniesta and Xavi and although I agree that Germany are probably the 2nd best team in Europe at present they remain a long way off Spain.
Podolski, Badstuber, Gomez and Muller wouldn't get in the Spanish squad and not one of the German midfield would get in ahead of Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Silva, Mata etc.
Honestly, the only German players who would get in the current Spanish team would be Lahm (at right back) and Hummels ahead of Ramos.
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the_khl
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I don't think they've looked like they've got a second gear to be honest. Not against Croatia, nor against Portugal.
I think they'll be struggling against Italy, again, who's improved throughout where it seems the Spaniards peaked against Ireland.
I know they are a great team, don't get me wrong, but the Euros are not decided in a forum but on the pitch, and from where I'm sitting Italy and Germany (apart from their game last night) has looked the better performing teams. Spain has struggled to get going and Xavi and Alonso has not been at their best whilst they are still looking for their best starting XI. That's never a good sign. Imo.
And if Spain where to play an actual striker I believe Gomez would have a decent chance. He's miles better than Negredo anyways and certainly been much better than Torres all Season.
I think they'll be struggling against Italy, again, who's improved throughout where it seems the Spaniards peaked against Ireland.
I know they are a great team, don't get me wrong, but the Euros are not decided in a forum but on the pitch, and from where I'm sitting Italy and Germany (apart from their game last night) has looked the better performing teams. Spain has struggled to get going and Xavi and Alonso has not been at their best whilst they are still looking for their best starting XI. That's never a good sign. Imo.
And if Spain where to play an actual striker I believe Gomez would have a decent chance. He's miles better than Negredo anyways and certainly been much better than Torres all Season.
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