We play Russia on Friday. I know what you mean -- the squad is a bit unsettled. I guess we'll have to hope the team gels over the next 10 days. The Luxembourg game won't be re-scheduled, so that's a lost opportunity. On the whole, I feel Ok -- cautiously optimistic.
You need to have more confidence!!! Prandelli is headed in the right direction. We all knew 2010 was going to be a disaster based on the choices Lippi made.
I like the team Prandelli has and like his football mentality. It's very refreshing to see the Azzurri with new, young faces instead of the old guard who was starting to look flat/tired after 2006. I'm within the group that believes our Championship hopes rest on the shoulders of Balotelli. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he's the true x-factor going into this tournament.
You were? I honestly had zero expectations in Euro 08 and even fewer in WC 2010. In 08 I had absolutely no confidence in an inexperienced Donadoni's ability to put forth a contender, meanwhile it was painfully obvious based on Lippi's scrap squad selections that 2010 was gonna be a disaster. Needless to say I'm a bit more optimistic in our chances for this one. The squad isn't riddled with quality, but it definitely is an improvement over the last abomination we saw under Lippi, meanwhile I'm really pleased with the more modern and creative approach that Prandelli has instilled during this proeject. I don't think we'll win it, but I do see us making some noise nonetheless.
I have nothing but confidence in this project. I still think we're still short of being a championship team, but I don't think we're far off either. We're definitely headed in the right direction.
i agree with that, but i dont think players go in with a defeated attitude just because of history, but history tells me if england play sweden i can bet on england not winning, if italy play germany im gonna put my money on italy and i very much doubt germany have gone into previous againts italy with a defeated attitude,
Balotelli is the type of player that can solve a lost game by scoring from nothing. As a City fan, I know what he's like when he wants to play, but when he's not fired up, it can be like playing with 10 men. Sometimes I think he tries too hard to impress and tries to help out defensively to show he is not lazy. But he's so bad defensively (makes bad tackles and fouls) that I think Prandelli should tell him to just stay up top because Balotelli can be a card risk. Also playing him on the wing is a bad idea because as you pointed out. It requires defensive discipline that Mario does not have. Some people think he is a cynic, but I just think he's really bad defensively. Because of his reputation, whenever he makes a foul, the referees (at least in England) make sure to mark his name. Balotelli can be the the x-factor Italy needs, but he can also be everything Italy doesn't want. I'm looking forward to seeing which Mario shows up on the pitch.
If we lose balotelli to injury or pirlo in this russia friendly im going to go berserk!!!! I sense bad luck happening like this.
It was just a comment that Prandelli made. He didn't actually threaten that Italy would withdraw. It seems kind of like a stupid suggestion.
It was a dumb thing to say because that's how the media gets idea and tries to run with them. I know where he was coming from. He's frustrated that he's got to answer bribery questions rather than calcio ones, but he didn't need to go there. Italy is not pulling out of the tourney.
we cant win euro. A 3-0 defeat? Italy almost never loses 3-0, at least when we're in good shape. Holland 2008, Brazil 2009 and now to russia befoe then it was 1970 world cup final or thereabots. May have also lost a friendly to brazil 3-0 in the late 80's. We're not winning shit. Greece lost 4-0 in 04 friendly pre euro and won it, but that's them and this is us. Were ********ed!
You know (and I know that history doesn't mean shizz and all...) Italy historically doesn't do well against Russia/USSR, so I wouldn't sweat it...
In our more recent meetings we have done well beat them at euro 96, drew with them in the snow 1-1 wcq playoff then beat them 1-0 in rome to get to 1998 world cup. Beat them in a 2005 friendly 2-0.
Barzagli got hurt in the Russia game. If he's out, we're ********ed; particularly if Prandelli considers Bonucci the next-best option after Chiellini and Barzagli.
Barzagli was the most consistent defender in Serie A this season, and that includes Chiellini and T. Silva. He'd be a huge loss.
Just read Balotelli pulled out of training with a knee problem. Cross your fingers it isn't serious......
Just read the Balotelli report. He's indispensable to Italy. If he's out due to injury, we're in trouble. Think we can survive Barzagli injury. Chiellini and Ogbonna start, or even Chiellini and Bonucci (though I don't love Bonucci in a four man defense).
Lets hope Balotelli is ok. You guys think they will have more information on him today, test results?
On Twitter Matt Barker (journalist) is saying Balotelli has been passed fit by medical staff. We'll see.
Balo's injury will hurt and takes away a dynamic element to the team. But it's not like he's irreplacable. Di Natale can be plugged into his ideal position up top. Perhaps the team will become less predictable as we tend to be at times with Mario. Or Borini who will be the hard working forward who presses defenders for 65 mins. Italy are never going to win relying on Balo as a savior, it must be a team effort like 2006.
In all honesty, the injury to Brazagli worries me MUCH more than if we were to lose Balo. I'm fully confident in the quality of our attack even with Balo out. Our backline however is already shakey as hell even with Barzagli there, so once can imagine how ugly it'll be without him...