Does Italy deserve to qualify to the 2nd round?

[kotto_bass]

From the way Italy has played so far, I say NO. They could easily have lost that first match but escaped with a draw. They had the second match on a silver plate, and blew it! Lots of missed chances. With all the superstars not being able to deliver (particularly Vieri), you can say Italy has been really disappointing to their fans this year. Anyway, it'll be 'fun' to see the Denmark/Sweden game end a 2-2 draw or higher; I bet the Italian fans will find a reason to complain (Totti maybe?)

[Jabinho]

Italian fans aren't happy unless they have something to complain about.
This has been a happy event for them so far. :)

[Ian McCracken]

Thus far Italy has not played well enough to qualify but there are 3 games in the first round.

Imagine this scenario, Italy beats Bulgaria 6-0 and Denmark/Sweden tie 2-2. Here are the final standings:

Italia = 5pts +6 goal differential
Sweden = 5pts +5 goal differential
Denmark = 5pts +2 goal differential

Sweden and Denmark would advance, not Italy despite the better overall goal differential. I don't see how that's fair in any way or shape. Goal differential in the group should be the tiebreaker, not head-to-head goal differential.

[Spartak]

Thus far Italy has not played well enough to qualify but there are 3 games in the first round.

Imagine this scenario, Italy beats Bulgaria 6-0 and Denmark/Sweden tie 2-2. Here are the final standings:

Italia = 5pts +6 goal differential
Sweden = 5pts +5 goal differential
Denmark = 5pts +2 goal differential

Sweden and Denmark would advance, not Italy despite the better overall goal differential. I don't see how that's fair in any way or shape. Goal differential in the group should be the tiebreaker, not head-to-head goal differential.
You are definately looking at the situation through biased eyes. But if UEFA were to use your scenario let's look at it through Danish eyes, shall we:

1. Italy plays a second string Bulgarian squad(since they have no chance at qualifying they might play some of their younger players) and beats them 3-0.

2. Denmark and Sweden play a thrilling game that ends 3-3. No controversy, they both went out for the win.

In this scenario Italy qualifies because they had a better performance against Bulgaria. But if Denamrk knew how many goals they needed to beat Bulgaria by they probably would have won by more than 2-0. This is obviously to Italy's advantage. Plus, we are trying to determine who is the best teams amoung Italy, Denmark, and Sweden. It seems sensical to use head to head first. That is the true measure of who is the better team. Rather than just using the Bulgaria result to see who should qualify. IMO, the current system is best. It is definately flawed, but so is any other system that can be used.

[vipnerd]

Thus far Italy has not played well enough to qualify but there are 3 games in the first round.

Imagine this scenario, Italy beats Bulgaria 6-0 and Denmark/Sweden tie 2-2. Here are the final standings:

Italia = 5pts +6 goal differential
Sweden = 5pts +5 goal differential
Denmark = 5pts +2 goal differential

Sweden and Denmark would advance, not Italy despite the better overall goal differential. I don't see how that's fair in any way or shape. Goal differential in the group should be the tiebreaker, not head-to-head goal differential.

http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/confused/1/confused24.gif

Fact is ... if Italy goes thru, they are favorites to end in the top 4. I believe in Italy ... and this unfortunate drama can only strengthen a team of their caracter.

[vipnerd]

You are definately looking at the situation through biased eyes. But if UEFA were to use your scenario let's look at it through Danish eyes, shall we:

1. Italy plays a second string Bulgarian squad(since they have no chance at qualifying they might play some of their younger players) and beats them 3-0.

2. Denmark and Sweden play a thrilling game that ends 3-3. No controversy, they both went out for the win.

In this scenario Italy qualifies because they had a better performance against Bulgaria. But if Denamrk knew how many goals they needed to beat Bulgaria by they probably would have won by more than 2-0. This is obviously to Italy's advantage. Plus, we are trying to determine who is the best teams amoung Italy, Denmark, and Sweden. It seems sensical to use head to head first. That is the true measure of who is the better team. Rather than just using the Bulgaria result to see who should qualify. IMO, the current system is best. It is definately flawed, but so is any other system that can be used.

Werd.

Forza ITALIA! http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/sign/2/sign03.gif

[cmos]

What have you missed ?
If Swe v Den ends 2-2, then it doesnt matter if Italy win with 300-0 over Bulgaria.

[sardus_pater]

Of course, just because both denmark and sweden exulted like they had won after managing to draw against us.

That gives anyone the correct perspective.

and we clearly deserved to win against sweden.

Our real problem is Trap and Inzaghi, vieri, montella having an awful season.

[cmos]

You cant deserve to win, either you do it or not.

[AFCA]

They have played the best football of the tournament yesterday IMO, so they deserve it in that sense. But if they don't make it they won't be the first ones to deserve more than they got. Besides, they have been the non-deserving team so many times that I can't feel sorry for them.

If they make it, they'll probably win it all.

[digme]

I have watched every match of soccer that i was able to get a hold of since 1986, the Mexico World Cup. Please, this is really not to be unkind but the Italians have always been over-rated. They have always played this lame football like the British with the Catena system- 4 or 5 back... remember the days of Baresi. England same way... i just hate seeing football that is dependent upon counter attack. For that reason, I just appreciate the football from the likes of France, Czech Rep., Bulgaria, Romania, you name it. Some of these nations might not have a quality team right now, but they certainly have proved their sense of style that is far different from the likes of Italy and England. i wish England had somebody like Gascoine who could do some serious problems for the Sweepers right through the middle. (Likes of Zidane and even Petit,shame he retired, are very rare)

[sardus_pater]

And still to say that Italy yesterday played catenaccio clearly means you didn't watch the game.

The great france tied the game against croatia just out of luck.

There's no way for anyone to face a team like sweden and manage to let them without chances to score.
italy yesterday almost succeeded.

Ibrahimovic' goal was class but also a big amount of luck.

p.s. To admire the way bulgaria has played in this tournament so far is pure football idiocy. Not to mention that yesterday they played a very defensive match even though they needed a win.

[Wowbagger]

Of course, just because both denmark and sweden exulted like they had won after managing to draw against us.
The danish players didn't seem happy after the match. And when the journalists assaulted them, and they gave interviews, every one who was interviewed said that they probably would have been satisfied with the result before the match, but not after.

[afgrijselijkheid]

well they at least deserve the chance to play their third game before we ask this question

[Newman]

Playing "the best football" doesn't seem to include finishing, now does it? If Vieri can head a ball decently, Italy has 4 points now. He couldn't. They don't.

Ibrahimovic's sublime finish cancels out Italy's possession in an instant. That's football.

PS-Italy tired badly and really seemed to lose their grip on the match for the last half hour. I think they still have a great chance to go through, but they are missing Totti, Gattusso, and I think 1 other (not sure). 3-0 to a demoralized Bulgaria is very do-able.

[tako]

I like the way Italy played against Sweden especially 1st half.
Excellent.
I want to watch Italy play more.
Though Denmark and Sweden are also very good.
This group is really group of Death.

[silentbob]

Playing "the best football" doesn't seem to include finishing, now does it? If Vieri can head a ball decently, Italy has 4 points now.
So true. How did Vieri become such a poor striker? His finishing used to be clinical, and now he's turned into the Italian Andy Cole.

but they are missing Totti, Gattusso, and I think 1 other (not sure). 3-0 to a demoralized Bulgaria is very do-able.
Cannavaro is suspended too, I think.

[Ceres]

Italy tired badly and really seemed to lose their grip on the match for the last half hour. I think they still have a great chance to go through, but they are missing Totti, Gattusso, and I think 1 other (not sure). 3-0 to a demoralized Bulgaria is very do-able.

Just pray that Trap and the Italian players dont think that this is going to be a "walk in the park" against a demoralized Bulgaria ... If that is the Italian attitude then I'm sure Italy will fail even vs. Bulgaria by only getting a draw or perhaps a pointless 2-1 win...

[bobarino]

Italy deserves to advance if they earn it. We won't know that until the last match is played next week. If they do beat Bulgaria by 2+ goals, and either Denmark or Sweden win outright or tie 0-0/1-1, then they deserve to advance.

If that comes to pass, it will not be because of the brillant tactican and management of Trap. The Azzurri not only have to defeat their opponents, but must also overcome the stubborness and incompetency of their coach as well. I believe they will earn the right to advance, and win this tournament (in spite of Trap).

[cmos]

Think that Italy played so bad against Denmark so I dont think that the team deserves it. Yeah, they played great against Sweden the first half, then they chicked out and played denfensive and lost the victory.

If a team cant be good a hole game, then you dont deserve anything.
You should preform every game, every half of a match, to deserve to advance.