View Full Version : Italy's Chances?
Reycd
05 Dec 2005, 12:08 AM
They sure have the talent (as a whole) to be on par with any other NT in the worldcup, they do have an ego problem that can tear the team apart, They have been playing with a more offensive approach which when they are on their game they can score plenty goals.
I dont think they will pull another EuroCup result (3 and out) and barring any strange results (cough cough WC 02) I think they can make it to the semis without much trouble, that is pending what group they end up in and how the road to the semis line up for them..
thoughts, opinions?
dor02
05 Dec 2005, 12:16 AM
They sure have the talent (as a whole) to be on par with any other NT in the worldcup, they do have an ego problem that can tear the team apart, They have been playing with a more offensive approach which when they are on their game they can score plenty goals.
I dont think they will pull another EuroCup result (3 and out) and barring any strange results (cough cough WC 02) I think they can make it to the semis without much trouble, that is pending what group they end up in and how the road to the semis line up for them..
thoughts, opinions?With Trappatoni out of the picture, the Azzurri should get a better result than in the previous tornaments. Lippi is a much better coach and with him being coach, there won't be much of an ego problem or none at all and the Azzurri must attack. Vieri and Del Piero shouldn't go to the World Cup and Totti really needs to grow up otherwise Lippi should get rid of him too. Cassano has talent but he hasn't been playing too well in the last season or so, therefore it might be better if he didn't go to Germany. In the Azzurri attack, I'd prefer Toni and Gilardino. Both are quality strikers, especially Toni, who has played some great games with Fiorentina and Italy in recent times, getting quite a few hat-tricks.
cmblfc
05 Dec 2005, 02:13 AM
Forecast says Blue skies. :)
We got this one.
One can only hope.
Forza!
frostdude1
05 Dec 2005, 03:39 AM
Italy will do great ;)
Autogolazo
05 Dec 2005, 07:58 AM
Italy will, as always, play to the level of their opponent. They will play close matches with teams they should beat, and close matches with teams that are better than they are. Because of their style.
I agree that Lippi is much better than Trap. They will not repeat their awful Euro 2004 performance...unless they lose discipline once again. Another spitting incident or more red-card-worthy behavior from team leaders who should know better and they're done, psychologically it's too big a blow in such a short tournament.
Lippi can't purge 70 years of catenaccio, however. I only wish the Italy of that magical first half against Sweden in '04 would appear more frequently. THAT Italy--open, creative, unafraid--could win the World Cup and shut mouths worldwide. This Italy may have to rely on a little luck and penalty kicks.
spencercs
05 Dec 2005, 08:42 AM
if the azzuri gel together and some of their egos are left in italy (eg cassano) theres no reason they shouldn't be there or there abouts come the final stages.
They have arguably the best keeper in the world in buffon. Quallity centre backs, nesta and cannavaro, quality full backs zambotta and grosso, quality in the middle with pirlo and gattusso, (i dont rate camoranesi though), luca toni, gilardino and cassano up front, and not to forget Totti who if he gets his head straight can be one of the players of the tournement, along with ronaldinho, riquelme and rooney.
They have undoubted quality but they have yet so show they are a quality team.
Mark424
05 Dec 2005, 12:33 PM
Italy looks so strong on paper. The question is will the team play up to their massive potential.
Unfairly, I'd use Totti as the barometer of the Azzuri. He has such talent but has never put the foot on the gas in International play. As goes Totti so goes Italy ... perhaps this has change under Lippi, but it certainly was the truth under Trap.
As a "sort of" neutral, I'd hope the Azzuri get to the final.
Sempre
05 Dec 2005, 12:46 PM
They sure have the talent (as a whole) to be on par
with any other NT in the worldcup.
In fairness, Brazil have more talent.
But yeah, the squad is pretty strong now. Back
in 2000, our midfield was garbage, but Pirlo and
Camoranesi (a real winger) have improved things.
Gattuso's a fine holding mid, and it's good that
Lippi plays Pirlo and Totti together. Trap never
risked that combo.
We'll also need a hot striker, and I predict that
will be Cassano. He has more talent than Gilardino
and Toni, he's more skillful, less predictable. He'll
be good in Germany, I think.
The defense, too, looks good (here's hoping Buffon
recovers 100%), but depth is a big problem. Bottom
line, if Nesta gets injured, we're dead, because his
back-up is Marco Materazzi. :mad:
But then, back in 2002, Nesta was so vital because
we played defend/ counter-attack. Could this be
the World Cup where Italy actually relies on its
attacking players to win? That would be a sight to
see ........
PanchoM
05 Dec 2005, 01:40 PM
They dont deserve to be. For the good of the game they have to stop playing with such dirty niggling foul tactics. And the diving OMG :eek:
A truely terrible team to watch.
Dude, give it up .
Italy is one of the best 5 teams in the world , they are a candidate for the cup . Good luck to them !
antonramer
05 Dec 2005, 01:59 PM
i think italy will go far this time... but honestly not to far to win, because the WC is in Germany!
Reycd
05 Dec 2005, 02:55 PM
In fairness, Brazil have more talent.
But yeah, the squad is pretty strong now. Back
in 2000, our midfield was garbage, but Pirlo and
Camoranesi (a real winger) have improved things.
Gattuso's a fine holding mid, and it's good that
Lippi plays Pirlo and Totti together. Trap never
risked that combo....
in all fairness that is why i put "as a whole" what Brasil lacks in defense, Italy has it in spades, where Italy attacks in firepower Brasil has in spades.. thats what I meant.. The real difference and determinant when these sides play is who can control the midfield a bit longer and which keeper plays better.
I dont know what their head to head record is, but I think it is pretty even..
Sempre
05 Dec 2005, 05:59 PM
in all fairness that is why i put "as a whole" what Brasil lacks in defense, Italy has it in spades, where Italy attacks in firepower Brasil has in spades.. thats what I meant.. The real difference and determinant when these sides play is who can control the midfield a bit longer and which keeper plays better.
I dont know what their head to head record is, but I think it is pretty even..
Even. 5 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws apiece . . .
jec1
05 Dec 2005, 07:10 PM
it will all come down to the coach....if he gets the right players and right strategies....
cassano and gilardino will be the key.
Excape Goat
06 Dec 2005, 01:20 AM
We'll also need a hot striker, and I predict that
will be Cassano. He has more talent than Gilardino
and Toni, he's more skillful, less predictable. He'll
be good in Germany, I think.
I have mixed feelings about cassano. he could become the distraction to the team. He basically missed the first half of the season. So he would be well-rested for the Finals.
FuzzyForeigner
06 Dec 2005, 04:18 AM
it will all come down to the coach....if he gets the right players and right strategies....
cassano and gilardino will be the key.
cassano? nope sorry he is passed his peak already. I know...its surprising, but if you know cassano he became famous for simply one splendid goal he scored 4-5 seasons ago in Serie A in the game Bari-Inter in which Bari won 2-1 thanks to his goal. At the time he was a Bari accademy product and shined in that season, then roma bought him and he lost his head in all the money. Sorry he is not the key.
Lippi understands that players like Luca Toni, Bonazzoli, Gilardino, Diana, Grosso, and Iaquinta are the future for the azzurri because they are not individuals in a team, they are all the type of players that need a good team to play well and hence will work more as a team. They are the names of players you will see in Germany 06. And of course il grandissimo Cinghialotto! IVAN GENNARO GATTUSO!
FuzzyForeigner
06 Dec 2005, 04:21 AM
They dont deserve to be. For the good of the game they have to stop playing with such dirty niggling foul tactics. And the diving OMG :eek:
A truely terrible team to watch.
terrible team to watch? wtf let me guess you are a south american soccer fan? go figure you chicano.
NickyViola
06 Dec 2005, 08:54 AM
it will all come down to the coach....if he gets the right players and right strategies....
cassano and gilardino will be the key.
If Cassano starts, Gilardino won't. Toni will be Italy's target man.
gumbacicc
06 Dec 2005, 10:05 AM
Forecast says
1st round exit if drawn in a competitive group.
Love watching the Azzuri lose its always a highlight for me. They are the worst of sportsmen in the world. They are far from gentlemen. I hope they draw a team like Ghana and get their arses kicked out of Germany. In fact South Korea again would be satisfying enough.
LOL, by an Australia supporter. Their "stars" play on our minnow sides (i.e. Parma). Enjoy your three games in Germany.
Can we boot this imbecile out of here, please. The adults are talking here, skippy.
dooodoool
06 Dec 2005, 10:16 AM
italy will win the tournament...i mean c.mon guys...theres no player like luca toni this days....
Elessar
06 Dec 2005, 10:19 AM
bro, seriously, this australian moron clearly has nothing better to do that badmouth italy. seriously if you watched the qualifiers and internationals of the past year, we havent been seeing that type of whining, **************** play that you seem to think goes on constantly. dont be upset that australia will be lucky to tie with trinidad and tobago. and if you hate us so bad, dude go rape a dingo