Netherlands vs Italy - Monday 9th June [r]

[forza_azzurri]

just out of curiosity? to all the italiens out there. be humble for a second. what would you describe as your greatest weakness on the pitch? (im not passing it off to van basten i promise)

i'll start. we're scared s**tless that mathijsen will be starting. our defence is actually relatively strong. Mathijsen is a decent defender but he makes 1-2 bonehead moves a game. he wasnt caught because recent friendlies were only against the likes of wales and denmark. we know that if its Luca Toni, were going home early.

Our greatest weakness is what has been our greatest weakness for 50 years.

Midfield

An almost all Milan midfield is scary considering the year they had.

Having said that ....look at the players and tell me who wouldn't want to have a midfield like that.

[Khaloisha]

just out of curiosity? to all the italiens out there. be humble for a second. what would you describe as your greatest weakness on the pitch? (im not passing it off to van basten i promise)

I fear that Materazzi is gonna be most of the time outside the pitch, instead to be inside... due to expulsions. :(

[AFCA]

Really? I find that he's one of the most underrated players in recent years.
Never quite heard anyone say that he's overrated..

Every now and then I'm just talking out of my ass.

Not this time though :D

[grodada]

When did I say "guarantee" ?

You do know that the word "prior" means before the game and NOT afterwards.


are you doing this on purpose?
I was talking about overconfidence because someone said something like "we finish first, you finish second so..."
what do you think it implied?

[forza_azzurri]

I fear that Materazzi is gonna be most of the time outside the pitch, instead to be inside... due to expulsions. :(

I agree .....There are a few hot heads on this team and I fear discipline.

But the passion that gets us in trouble ...also makes us stronger !!!

[forza_azzurri]

are you doing this on purpose?
I was talking about overconfidence because someone said something like "we finish first, you finish second so..."
what do you think it implied?

It implied confidence to win on Monday.

How does this imply a guaranteed victory ?

[AFCA]

I don't think that's overconfidence. That's just facts: Italy did finish first in the Qualifying Group of Death and Netherlands finished 2nd in a weaker group.

We were horrible in qualifying. Seldomly seen such apathic, boring football in general - let alone from our NT.

If that is what we bring into this tournament... Then this will be a short ride.

I expect a better performance though, and more focus and confidence.

[grodada]

It implied confidence to win on Monday.

How does this imply a guaranteed victory.

you ARE doing this on purpose :D
I never said anything about garantee, you did

[forza_azzurri]

you ARE doing this on purpose :D
I never said anything about garantee, you did

Point to me where I used the word guarantee or implied that we will win undoubtedly win this game and I will shut up and apologize.


Don't put words in my mouth or assume anything.

If you feel that I promised a victory then you have the
confidence problem ...not I :eek:

[DonMancini]

just out of curiosity? to all the italiens out there. be humble for a second. what would you describe as your greatest weakness on the pitch? (im not passing it off to van basten i promise)

i'll start. we're scared s**tless that mathijsen will be starting. our defence is actually relatively strong. Mathijsen is a decent defender but he makes 1-2 bonehead moves a game. he wasnt caught because recent friendlies were only against the likes of wales and denmark. we know that if its Luca Toni, were going home early.

A month or so ago I would have said that the link between midfield and attack was our biggest weakness; I always felt like there was no flow and Toni was stuck up top alone. Recent performances and the addition of an in form Del Piero as well as Cassano (and an incredible DiNatale) have prompted me to change my mind about that; I think our offense will work very well.

In light of the recent injury to Cannavaro as well as the terrible form stretch that Materazzi is going through, I'm going to have to say that central defense (incredible, isn't it?) appears to be our weakest point right now. Barzagli is good, but it seems that playing with Cannavaro (who constantly gave him instructions) made him even better.

This shouldn't be too much of a problem, as long as the defensive midfielders (de rossi, and especially gattuso) are in form.

[forza_azzurri]

Barzagli is good, but it seems that playing with Cannavaro (who constantly gave him instructions) made him even better.



Remember that Buffon is back there and he knows this defence like the back of his hand. I can always hear him shouting back there :)

[grodada]

Point to me where I used the word guarantee or implied that we will win undoubtedly win this game and I will shut up and apologize.


Don't put words in my mouth or assume anything.

If you feel that I promised a victory then you have the
confidence problem ...not I :eek:


if was a believer, I'd say "oh my god" instead I'll just bang my head on a wall

I never mentioned you said anything about winning the game but neither did I: I was talking about overconfidence and somehow you keep answering me with the word "garantee"
once again, I never said anything about garantee, you brought that up asking me where I saw the result was garanteed!
overconfidence like when you guys were popping up champagne bottles in 2000 that's why I said I reminded me of something and added a ":D", how difficult is that to understand?

[TheGrimSweeper]

Since Cannavaro has dropped out Im also going with Central D as our biggest weakness.

Not just how well he plays but also how he inspires confidence in others. You dont think Buffon feels more confident knowing Cannavaro is in front of him, or Barzagli and the other D around him feel more confident knowing he's other.

Aside from that I think our midfield and attack is better then the World Cup.

[forza_azzurri]

if was a believer, I'd say "oh my god" instead I'll just bang my head on a wall

I never mentioned you said anything about winning the game but neither did I: I was talking about overconfidence and somehow you keep answering me with the word "garantee"
once again, I never said anything about garantee, you brought that up asking me where I saw the result was garanteed!
overconfidence like when you guys were popping up champagne bottles in 2000 that's why I said I reminded me of something and added a ":D", how difficult is that to understand?

Post 198

"nowhere, you talked about garantee, I didn't "

This is the first time that word was used in this thread and guess who said it ?

This is what I get when I try to have an intelligent conversation with someone who is old enough to be my son.

[grodada]

Post 198

"nowhere, you talked about garantee, I didn't "

This is the first time that word was used in this thread and guess who said it ?

This is what I get when I try to have an intelligent conversation with someone who is old enough to be my son.

post #193 granpa' :rolleyes:

[FNU]

Check out this post!
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14796839&postcount=216

[Campioni_2006]

Since Cannavaro has dropped out Im also going with Central D as our biggest weakness.

Not just how well he plays but also how he inspires confidence in others. You dont think Buffon feels more confident knowing Cannavaro is in front of him, or Barzagli and the other D around him feel more confident knowing he's other.

Aside from that I think our midfield and attack is better then the World Cup.

I agree. Cannavaro's absense has put more pressure on Buffon but I think he can handle it. If Chiellini ends up playing it wouldn't be too bad of a choice, since he and Buffon know each other well.

[forza_azzurri]

post #193 granpa' :rolleyes:

That word was used in a question to someone else.

You brought it up that I implied guarantee.

[grodada]

That word was used in a question to someone else.

You brought it up that I implied guarantee.

no I didn't, I was merely pointing at the previous page to say I was talking about overconfidence:



Quote:
Originally Posted by forza_azzurri View Post
Where do you see the word guarantee anywhere in this thread ??
previous page:

Quote:
BUT it is The Dutch and their fans who will be losing sleep prior to this game ...NOT the World Champs !!!
that's why I answered about overconfidence

but heh, no big deal, forget about it

[mattteo]

Our greatest weakness is what has been our greatest weakness for 50 years.

Midfield

An almost all Milan midfield is scary considering the year they had.

Having said that ....look at the players and tell me who wouldn't want to have a midfield like that.

I don't agree at all. Our weakness this year is central defense.