Euro 2012 Semi Finals: Italy - Germany (June 28, 2012) [R]

cross bar vs france in the final

Well Italy dominated England in my opinion but could have easily lost on pk's so just as easily they could could have bowed out. I mean pk's are part of the game and I accept it but its not a reliable or very fair way IMHO to decide a match. We need goals.

Yeah that was sweet!

IMO, Nocerino is a must start this game. Prandelli has been good these Euros, but he hasn't been perfect. He made some poor decisions to play Maggio (out of form) and Giac (not a winger) on the wings. Finally, he put out the real talent with Abate and Balzaretti, but that was obvious even from 6,000 miles away.

Not using Nocerino has really hampered our goal scoring this tournament. He is deadly with his runs in the box and it's no coincidence that he came within a whisker of scoring twice v. England. His speed and work-rate is top notch. Because Cassano backtracks so much, Balo is often isolated and faced with double and triple teams. That forces him to rush his shots at times or shoot from outside. We need to support him better. Nocerino's runs into the box will open space for Balo. Prandelli has to start him and his fresh legs.

Lots of confidence from the German camp. Especially Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil who practically guarantee a win and are looking forward to playing Spain.
The German's are a machine and will be difficult to beat but some things should be left unsaid.
I enjoy this underdog role and this game will be easy to watch in that sense. Most of us at best said that a final 4 for this team was the best we can hope for. Just being realistic.

They were delusional if they even thought that back then in 2006, I'd take Azzurri's 2006 team over this year's Germany team any day of the weak, that team was golden.

No one is giving us half a chance! This is great!

Also if I could equate the Germany vs. Italy to fictional characters it would be Happy Gilmore vs. Shooter Mcgavin. Shooter obviously being the Germans

Yeah, but in 2006 we had the better squad on paper plus we had more rest since they had went to overtime, this time they have the better squad and more rest...thankfully the match ain't played on paper though!

Fully fit that team had so much quality, but with no nesta and totti limping around with screws in his leg, I admit I had lost some confidence...

Italy need to go back to 3-5-2 and give Marchisio a rest. Surround Pirlo with T.Motta and Nocerino, 2 relatively fresh players. Let's hope Abate is fit because if we start Giaccherini on the right, he's going to get murdered. Rome/Lazio derby in defence as I would play De Rossi in the center vs. Klose (who Germans are tipping to start over Gomez).

Big question for me is Cassano. While his fitness is absolute shit right now, his ability to hold the ball is going to be important. Your other option is the plant Di Natale up top and have Balo play off him. Which isn't bad because Balo's finishing is off. Another idea is to keep Balo where he is, and bring on Gio for Cassano (another pair of fresh legs)

Apparently Prandelli is giving Diamanti playing time because he's working his ass off in training.

Germany forgets that Italy beat them in the semi-final on their own turf in 2006.

Bad mistake to look past the Azzurri. Just ask England

Diamanti = Team mule

He's earning his stripes with this team. Coaches dream... works his ass off, will do whatever it takes to help the team win.

Exactly this wasn't a match like say Germany/France in 82 where many Germans point to as one of the reasons for their down fall in the final. Both Italy and Germany's semis were played on the same day but it was taxing match for sure penalties, heat and having to come back in ET.

I worry about perhaps Pirlo and maybe Marchisio tiring but these guys are still professionals and Marchisio can be replaced by Nocerino. I must add Nocerino can be our ace in the hole in these next 2 matches if we get past Germany. His ability to get in the box and get off a quick shot is the type of direct play we need. His first touch and hit on a short half volley vs England was superb technique.

Nocerino is definitely capable of making some noise and creating problems for Germany. And he is going to have some fresh legs if Marchisio shows fatigue which wouldn't surprise me.

its hard to pick...i def. wanna see nocerino, marchisio and diamanti play

thank god maggio is not playing

Agreed!

Look at Spain and their matches vs Germany in the past two tournaments. Spain only won 1-0 both times but they dominated the Germans, Germany had 0 chances in the 08 final and 2 good chances in the WC 2010 semi final. Spain had loads of chances in both matches. The key was Spain slowed things down and forced the Germans to chase. While I rate Badstuber and Lahm, the German backline isn't impenetrable and they've given up some great chances to Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark. I don't count Greece because there's no way we'll bunker like they did and score 2 goals on 1 chance. We see what the Germans do to teams that have to open up and play for the win or play catch up like the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece found out this tourny like England and Argentina found out at the WC. Germany were fortunate in that sense that both the Netherlands and Denmark had to force their hand and play for the win against them.

If we can hold 47-53% of good possession and build ups with timely counters we can win this.

Spain's ball possession is sort of like Muhammad Ali's "rope a dope" where the other team tires and you score when given the chance. This is why Spain usually scores late in games. If you have the ball, how can the other team score but you do need skilled players to play this type of style which Spain has an abundance of.

Montolivo had a pretty good game against England.

Honestly don't think they have as they keep bringing up revenge

Yeah, I wonder if the German fans are going around calling Italians "pizza makers" like they were back in 2006 before the semi-final?

Not sure I will take Joachim Löw seriously again after watching this

^ i am just glad there is no vuvuzela noise in Ukraine/Poland!!

I don't know what it is but I'm confident that Italy will take this and comfortably too.The German defence is nothing special imo. Balotelli needs to bring his A game though and cannot afford to be so wasteful like he has been in the previous games.